Hello, and thanks in advance for any input.
I set up my first FreeNAS system a couple months ago on an old machine (which meets none of the hardware recommendations). The plan was to test out FreeNAS, and if I liked it (which I really, really do), to make a custom build to run it on based on recommended hardware. I'm now looking over parts, and coming up with a couple of potential configurations to decide between. The main consideration is Motherboard/CPU(s). The rest will likely not change between configurations
The first potential configuration I'm looking at would be to just pull something straight out of Cyberjock's article here (https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/hardware-recommendations-read-this-first.23069/) that fits the needs/budget. I have a similarly priced build, which is the one I'm looking for input on. Here's the components list:
CPU's: 2x Xeon E5-2670 - $200 for both, used
Motherboard: Asus Z9PA-D8 - $330
Other components, which will likely be the same regardless of what CPU/Motherboard configuration I end up going with:
Memory: 8x Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 ECC RDIMM for 64GB total
ZFS pool Hard Drives: either Seagate NAS or WD Red
Boot device: 2x USB or 2x SATA DOM
PSU: Raidmax RX-850AE Gold-rated 850w
I built one of these systems already (CPU/Motherboard/Memory) for a different not-freeNAS server, and have been very happy with it. I'm unsure if this will be as suitable for freeNAS. It closely matches Cyberjock's recommendations, except for being an ASUS motherboard, instead of SuperMicro.
Those processors provided insane performance for cost in my other system. I understand that's probably way over the top for what I'm looking at using freeNAS for, but compared to my other options, the expense is similar.
Any input on this idea will be very much appreciated. Thanks again!
I set up my first FreeNAS system a couple months ago on an old machine (which meets none of the hardware recommendations). The plan was to test out FreeNAS, and if I liked it (which I really, really do), to make a custom build to run it on based on recommended hardware. I'm now looking over parts, and coming up with a couple of potential configurations to decide between. The main consideration is Motherboard/CPU(s). The rest will likely not change between configurations
The first potential configuration I'm looking at would be to just pull something straight out of Cyberjock's article here (https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/hardware-recommendations-read-this-first.23069/) that fits the needs/budget. I have a similarly priced build, which is the one I'm looking for input on. Here's the components list:
CPU's: 2x Xeon E5-2670 - $200 for both, used
Motherboard: Asus Z9PA-D8 - $330
Other components, which will likely be the same regardless of what CPU/Motherboard configuration I end up going with:
Memory: 8x Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 ECC RDIMM for 64GB total
ZFS pool Hard Drives: either Seagate NAS or WD Red
Boot device: 2x USB or 2x SATA DOM
PSU: Raidmax RX-850AE Gold-rated 850w
I built one of these systems already (CPU/Motherboard/Memory) for a different not-freeNAS server, and have been very happy with it. I'm unsure if this will be as suitable for freeNAS. It closely matches Cyberjock's recommendations, except for being an ASUS motherboard, instead of SuperMicro.
Those processors provided insane performance for cost in my other system. I understand that's probably way over the top for what I'm looking at using freeNAS for, but compared to my other options, the expense is similar.
Any input on this idea will be very much appreciated. Thanks again!
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