Double check my hardware choices?

[monarchdodra]

So I'm about to by some new hardware. So target is a simple home server for 2 people, for storing music, photos, movies, plex etc....

I'm aiming for:
- Node 304 mini Itx case.
- AsRock C2550D4I (Intel Avoton C2550 Quad-Core Processor) (http://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=C2550D4I)
- 2x 8Gb Kingston ValueRam sticks KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G (KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G) (http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/?partid=kvr1333d3e9sk2/16g)
- BeQuiet System 7 300W PSU (http://www.bequiet.com/en/powersupply/325)

The whole thing should power 24/7 2x WD 3TB Green drives in mirror.
It'll also house 4x1TB drives in RaidZ2 used as "cold backup" (I'll write to these roughly once a week, and spin down the rest of the time).
And an SSD for jails, system datasets etc... (7 sata total).

I'm not doing anything dumb here, am I? The memory is almost listed as compatible (it lists "kvr1333d3e9s" and the one I'm getting is "kvr1333d3e9sk2"). Also, I've read threads to avoid Kingston memory, but that only applies for supermicro boards? The alternative (crucial) seems a good 25% more expensive...

As for the PSU, I'm not sure what I'm suppose to look for, so open for ideas. I chose this one because of it's low wattage, and it has no useless PCI-E connectors.

Also, is there anything I should know about using a "server-class" motherboard? I can still use simple VGA + Keyboard, right?

 

[monarchdodra]

Actually, I might end up getting some crucial ct2kit102472bd160b (http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/ct2kit102472bd160b) instead. Turns out I can get these relativelly cheap from the US, and they do look better (?)

 

[Ericloewe]

Crucial is probably a better idea.

As for the PSU, the best option might be a Seasonic G-360 (G-450 if you want modular cables).

Also, is there anything I should know about using a "server-class" motherboard? I can still use simple VGA + Keyboard, right?

Sure, but IPMI is generally more convenient.

 

[Fraoch]

As for the PSU, I'm not sure what I'm suppose to look for, so open for ideas. I chose this one because of it's low wattage, and it has no useless PCI-E connectors.

Seasonic G series are recommended around here for their reliability, efficiency and quality. The G-360 is close to what you're looking at, but the G-450 has modular cables where you wouldn't have to plug in PCIe connectors at all. Plus these PSes are so efficient you would be wasting hardly any power going larger anyway.

Also, is there anything I should know about using a "server-class" motherboard? I can still use simple VGA + Keyboard, right?

Sure, but once you start using IPMI you won't want or need anything else.;)

Edit: ninja'ed by @Ericloewe with the exact same information...

 

[marbus90]

I'd swap out the Greens for Reds.

 

[monarchdodra]

I'd swap out the Greens for Reds.

I read the only "notable" difference was the head parking delay (8s vs 300s), which can be changled with WDIDLE3 anyways. I'd try to go for red, but there's more than 20% price difference here. If I could find something closer to 10%, I'd go for it though.

 

[Ericloewe]

I read the only "notable" difference was the head parking delay (8s vs 300s), which can be changled with WDIDLE3 anyways. I'd try to go for red, but there's more than 20% price difference here. If I could find something closer to 10%, I'd go for it though.

There's also TLER support, which may or may not exist for the greens.

 

[danb35]

I seem to recall @jgreco posting a method for enabling TLER in Greens.

 

[Ericloewe]

I seem to recall @jgreco posting a method for enabling TLER in Greens.

Yeah, he posted how to manage TLER with smartmontools, but the drives have to support that. I have no idea if greens do (but wouldn't be surprised if they did).

 

[cyberjock]

My Greens don't. Generally the lowest end family of drives don't support it (the manufacturers *want* you to buy the more expensive drives).

 

[marbus90]

Also with Greens being able to RMA them is hit and miss. Reds will be RMA'd, even if you used them 24/7 - they're NAS drives.

 

[danb35]

[citation needed]

 

[MrToddsFriends]

I'm aiming for:
- Node 304 mini Itx case.
- AsRock C2550D4I (Intel Avoton C2550 Quad-Core Processor) (http://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=C2550D4I)
- 2x 8Gb Kingston ValueRam sticks KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G (KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G) (http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/?partid=kvr1333d3e9sk2/16g)
- BeQuiet System 7 300W PSU (http://www.bequiet.com/en/powersupply/325)

My 2 cents from another FreeNAS newbie playing around with a Node 304/Avoton build:

I mounted a Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX 60x60x25 onto the passive CPU cooler of my Supermicro A1SAi-2750F (octo core Avoton) using cable ties. Together with the provided Ultra-Low-Noise Adapter this fan is hardly audible and keeps the CPU essentially at room temperature while being underused. Under full CPU load (using prime95) I didn't see more than 33C CPU temp so far. Keep in mind that the CPU heat sink is in the shadow zone of the PSU in a Node 304 build and possibly can get hot.

A be quiet! System Power 7 300W initially chosen for my system (of which I thought that this would be a good value-for-money choice) was dead on arrival, so I replaced it with a be quiet! Straight Power 10 400W (never bought anything else but Straight Power from be quiet! before this build). Still no cable management, but it fits into a Node 304 together with 6 SATA cables (using the PCIE slot might be difficult though).


MrToddsFriends

 

[sremick]

I read the only "notable" difference was the head parking delay (8s vs 300s),

There's also the longer warranty, which to some people is worth the little extra cost all by itself.