BUILD Mini ITX FreeNAS Homeserver Build

[hasirak]

Hello FreeNAS community.
I am putting together a home server and was hoping someone could take a quick look at the components i have chosen to see if there are any design flaws.
This will be a home NAS/fileserver/mediaserver for my apartment, and i want it to have the necessary power to be able to take advantage of the many plugins that is available to FreeNAS.
I am planning to run FreeNAS on an internal USB stick, and with 6 3TB drives in RAIDZ2

Case: Fractal Design Node 304
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352027
PSU: Corsair RM450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139052
Motherboard: ASRock E3C226D2I
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157466
RAM: Crucial 2x 8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 1,35V Unbuffered EEC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148770
CPU: Intel Xeon E3 1230 V3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116906
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9I
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608029
Storage medium: 6x Western Digital Red 3 TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4HG1G94133
OS medium: SanDisk Cruzer Fit 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171586

I'm also wondering if there is any noticeable difference between the 1,35V and the 1,5V RAM sticks. Will the 1,5V give slightly increased performance?
And if was also wondering if the low power version of the CPU(E3 1230L V3) is a viable choice, or if it is a lot less powerful.

 

[SweetAndLow]

Don't bother with the lower power version of the CPU. They both idle around the same power level and this being a home server it will spend most of its time idling. You will appreciate the full power when you actually need it. I run a similar build 1230v3, C226, 16G Crucial 1.35V and 6x3tb wd reds, 3 case fans, stock cpu cooler, node 304. At idle i use 48watts, during boot it hit 95 watts. I also run plex but i'm not sure of power usage while transcoding(usually busy watching movie)

 

[Robbiem]

Hey I am not trying to hijack your thread here, but I have a similar build, and currently i cant get passed putting the hardware together. seems everything is connected fine, but with monitor plugged in no signal sent.

same mobo
same cpu using that cooler also
crucial 16 gb ddr3 ecc registered
bitphoenix phenom case
currently 4 4tb wd red drive
16gb adata flash drive
450watt capstone psu


the led below bmc led1 just blinks im not sure what to do.

 

[hasirak]

That's a good point regarding the CPU SweetAndLow, i would probably regret getting the low power version later down the line when i start using more of the CPU taxing features, so i'm sticking with the full power version.

I also think i will go with the 1,35V version of the RAM since it may be less taxing for my motherboard, and maybe last longer? But i'm mostly guessing here, i also wonder if there's any performance gain in the 1,5V version?

 

[enemy85]

Hey I am not trying to hijack your thread here, but I have a similar build, and currently i cant get passed putting the hardware together. seems everything is connected fine, but with monitor plugged in no signal sent.

same mobo
same cpu using that cooler also
crucial 16 gb ddr3 ecc registered
bitphoenix phenom case
currently 4 4tb wd red drive
16gb adata flash drive
450watt capstone psu


the led below bmc led1 just blinks im not sure what to do.

Are u sure this mobo supports REGISTERED ECC memory?
I would try with UNBUFFERED that works for sure

 

[George51]

I have literally exactly the same build.

http://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/homemade-nas.19676/

Except the RAM being Kingston, different sized drives, and the USB being 8 rather than 4GB my build is identical.
Most of it has been delivered, currently waiting for the motherboard and then to assemble it - I will be updating that thread with how that build goes

 

[hasirak]

I have been searching around and it appears the only difference between lower powered RAM and higher powered RAM is that the lower powered version puts less strain on the memory controller, generates less heat, and has a little bit less power consumption.
From the Crucial forums: http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Standa...-35v-1-5v-Dual-Voltage-DDR3-memory/ta-p/71731
So i think i'm sticking with the 1,35V version.

 

[enemy85]

the e3c226d2i works great with 1,35V ram. I have mine that works perfectly

 

[D4nthr4x]

Get this power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151139

And if you want really low power:
CPU/mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182855
ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CK6jteq16r0CFaVQOgodPjwA7Q&Item=N82E16820239702&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Server Memory-_-N82E16820239702&ef_id=Up@G-AAABCGp9XcK:20140418160846:s


I have this setup and I have tested 4 simultaneous plex transcodes without a problem. I would get like an 80mm fan to put on the cpu because it then runs at room temp, but it isn't needed from what I saw. Also use portjails instead of plugins for things like Plex. Or you can just keep the 1230 I would still get the seasonic PSU it's perfect for the node 304

 

[Maturola]

I have been searching around and it appears the only difference between lower powered RAM and higher powered RAM is that the lower powered version puts less strain on the memory controller, generates less heat, and has a little bit less power consumption.
From the Crucial forums: http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Standa...-35v-1-5v-Dual-Voltage-DDR3-memory/ta-p/71731
So i think i'm sticking with the 1,35V version.

hasirak, Wondering how you build went? I am about to put together just about the same build ( I am getting the Haswell Refresh E3-1231V3 instead of the 1230V3) and I am wondering if the Crucial memory worked with your motherboard E3C226D2I.

I have the KVR16E11/8 planned just because it is listed as "tested" on the Asrock website, but the crucial are a little cheaper.

Would love to heard how the build end up.

 

[erturne]

I have the KVR16E11/8 planned just because it is listed as "tested" on the Asrock website, but the crucial are a little cheaper.

I would go with manufacturer recommendation over saving a little bit of money! I have a very similar build as OP, and have been extremely happy with my Kingston memory.

 

[Ericloewe]

I would go with manufacturer recommendation over saving a little bit of money! I have a very similar build as OP, and have been extremely happy with my Kingston memory.

I'd avoid Kingston after their recent shady maneuvers (both in DRAM and NAND flash)

 

[Z300M]

I'd avoid Kingston after their recent shady maneuvers (both in DRAM and NAND flash)

I won't argue with that.

 

[Maturola]

I won't argue with that.

Is there a confirmation anywhere that the crucial works? (I ordered both, hoping the crucial works)

 

[Ericloewe]

Is there a confirmation anywhere that the crucial works? (I ordered both, hoping the crucial works)

A few people say it's worked (particularly the 1,35V kit they recommend).

For what it's worth, I'm planning on Crucial for my upcoming build (Bad experiences with Samsung consumer products (I do have a few SSDs and they've been flawless, though) and hard-to-find Hynix modules).

 

[hasirak]

hasirak, Wondering how you build went? I am about to put together just about the same build ( I am getting the Haswell Refresh E3-1231V3 instead of the 1230V3) and I am wondering if the Crucial memory worked with your motherboard E3C226D2I.

I have the KVR16E11/8 planned just because it is listed as "tested" on the Asrock website, but the crucial are a little cheaper.

Would love to heard how the build end up.

My apologies for the late response. Yes the Crucial memory i have listed works well. I have been running the NAS for 2 months now, and i am pleased with the results. The only trouble i've had this far was due to a faulty USB-stick. The NAS is also very quiet.

 

[camilo suarez]

i have a build with crucial, 0 issues here.