Hi guys, first post after reading the forums for a few days trying to figure out where to go next with a brand new build.
Background/requirements:
I have a Microserver running Win2012 (w/8GB RAM, 2 3TB WD reds and a 250GB OS drive) which has been fine for almost 4 years but I've now got the following complaints:
I found the following thread which gave me a bit of inspiration:
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/advice-needed…miniitx-vs-matx…and-other-hardware.40843/
Here is what I've decided on so far but I've got some further questions:
PCPartPicker part list
Motherboard: ASRock Intel Xeon E3 E3C236D2I Mini ITX Server Motherboard (£186.00)
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1240 V5 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£248.08 @ CCL Computers) (hyperthreading was a must, price difference between this and 1230 was small so I figured why not, will check pricing and drop to 1230 if I need to at the end)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler (£49.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory (£66.14 @ More Computers)
Storage: Samsung 256GB 830 SSD SATA 6GBPS (already owned)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (already owned)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (already owned)
Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (£192.97 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (£192.97 @ CCL Computers)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case (£61.16 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £997.31
Background/requirements:
I have a Microserver running Win2012 (w/8GB RAM, 2 3TB WD reds and a 250GB OS drive) which has been fine for almost 4 years but I've now got the following complaints:
- The storage can't keep up with my new 1gbit connection (maybe due to the windows mirrored dynamic disks maxing out the CPU while doing other things on the server)
- I was looking forward to trying Linux out but when I ran Win2012 as a ESX Guest storage performance was even worse and passthrough was wasn't supported so having an ESX home lab was taken off the table.
- I can't transcode anything in Plex and with the increase in internet bandwidth I wanted to open it up to my friends without having to police how they used it
- The microserver is really noisy and the only place I can put it is in my lounge so the focus will be on reducing the noise but keeping things small still
- I'm pretty sure it wouldn't handle any DVR activity which I'm looking to try (my TV is no where near my aerial so I figured I'd try streaming over the network to my SmartTV instead w/ Emby or something similar.)
I found the following thread which gave me a bit of inspiration:
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/advice-needed…miniitx-vs-matx…and-other-hardware.40843/
Here is what I've decided on so far but I've got some further questions:
- Has the latest version of FreeNas caught up with Skylakes or is it still worth dropping back a v3 CPU?
- 16GB RAM - is it worth getting a dual channel kit over a single stick? I was hoping to get 32GB at some point but I may as well have better performance now over a dubious requirement for future upgradability?
- If I go down the ESX Host route I'll definitely need to get a SATA card to passthrough the 4 WD storage drives to FreeNAS? This might push me down the mATX route in case I want to add a TV tuner or capture card in the future (but I guess USB options are there?)
- The Corsair RM850 in my main PC powers down the fan on low load, I'm guessing I'll need max 500Watt PSU, is there a reputable PSU brand for servers to go for that has the same feature? Or should I just go for a Seasonic like I've seen recommended a lot?
PCPartPicker part list
Motherboard: ASRock Intel Xeon E3 E3C236D2I Mini ITX Server Motherboard (£186.00)
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1240 V5 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£248.08 @ CCL Computers) (hyperthreading was a must, price difference between this and 1230 was small so I figured why not, will check pricing and drop to 1230 if I need to at the end)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler (£49.99 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory (£66.14 @ More Computers)
Storage: Samsung 256GB 830 SSD SATA 6GBPS (already owned)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (already owned)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (already owned)
Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (£192.97 @ CCL Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive (£192.97 @ CCL Computers)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case (£61.16 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £997.31
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