Which cheap CPU + Motherboard for FreeNAS 11?

[Chris Moore]

@Chris Moore

Is this build a still a good one to build? Can I but any ATX case? Is there anything else I need besides this? I am planning on building a rig like this that can be a Plex and file server for me and can encode 1080p and 4K videos. Is there any other better build to go for? Budget is around $600

I already answered you in two other places on the forum tonight. I don't mind answering, but give me a chance to answer before you ask again. :)

 

[diyhouse]

Chris and others,..I have read this thread with great interest, as suggested h/w options on a budget are really good. However,.. the primary recommendations (Super Micro X9SCM-F) MoBo are limited to 32Gig of RAM,.. then other Mobo suggested, which break the 32Gig barrier go into a serous price hike.
Does anyone have options for greater than 32Gigs on a budget,.. so running virtual m/c is an option without compromising 'minimum FreeNAS requirements',.. and building in some future proofing to a design...
Many tx one and all

 

[Chris Moore]

then other Mobo suggested, which break the 32Gig barrier go into a serous price hike.

Are you talking about this build:
https://www.ixsystems.com/community...anges-to-upgrade-as-high-as-512gb-of-ram.110/
The changes with it vs this build:
https://www.ixsystems.com/community/resources/specific-build-components-list-up-to-32gb-ram.109/
only amount to around $10, not counting the cost of any additional memory you want to buy later.

 

[DCswitch]

@Chris Moore
I'm upgrading my FreeNAS motherboard so I can accommodate 64GB of ECC RAM or more. Can you suggest used system hardware to accomplish this? Really the motherboard is where my most of my question lies. I have several Intel Xeon x5680 cpu's laying around plus lots of DDR3 ECC memory laying around too, so it would great to find a motherboard that accepts those, but it's probably better if there is a newer system that is more energy efficient. Anything that's gen 4 Haswell or newer is probably best on the electrical bill. I don't mind buying all new (used) hardware.
Also, I bought this SAS card:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LSI-SAS-92...us-Adapter-IT-Mode-SAS9207-8i-US/123713611833
because it was less expensive than the one suggested earlier and it's PCIe 3.0. I'm wondering if I should buy two of these cards to accommodate more than 8 drives or should I buy an expander? I'm not exactly sure how expander's work. I have enough room internally in my case to hold 14 drives, so I don't need to have any drives externally out of the case. I'm currently using 12 drives in my FreeNAS.

Thanks for you help in the past- I have my 10GB network running great from your help before.

 

[Chris Moore]

Also, I bought this SAS card:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LSI-SAS-92...us-Adapter-IT-Mode-SAS9207-8i-US/123713611833
because it was less expensive than the one suggested earlier and it's PCIe 3.0. I'm wondering if I should buy two of these cards to accommodate more than 8 drives or should I buy an expander?

I have bought SAS expanders for my systems. I like these because they are not as expensive as a second SAS controller and it makes some things run better to have all the drives on a single controller.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-IBM-46M0997-ServeRAID-Expansion-Adapter-16-Port-SAS-Expander-US-seller/142748488909
You just need to make sure they are on the latest firmware.
If you are willing to take a chance, you can get them even cheaper from "China/Hong Kong/Taiwan":
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-46M0997-ServeRAID-Expansion-Adapter-16-Port-SAS-Expander/142108581758
If you have highly random IO, you might be very slightly better off with two SAS controllers instead.

I'm upgrading my FreeNAS motherboard so I can accommodate 64GB of ECC RAM or more. Can you suggest used system hardware to accomplish this? Really the motherboard is where my most of my question lies. I have several Intel Xeon x5680 cpu's laying around plus lots of DDR3 ECC memory laying around too, so it would great to find a motherboard that accepts those, but it's probably better if there is a newer system that is more energy efficient. Anything that's gen 4 Haswell or newer is probably best on the electrical bill. I don't mind buying all new (used) hardware.

This is the kind of system board I use:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-X9SRL-F-Server-Motherboard-LGA2011-Intel-C602-DDR3-VGA-Untested/223485802992
The one in this listing is stated to be "Untested" and it looks to have a couple pins that are slightly out of place. If you are willing to take a chance and see if you can straighten the pins, this might be an excellent system board for you. I have certainly been happy with the two of this model I have.
Here is a link to the parts list I used:
https://www.ixsystems.com/community...anges-to-upgrade-as-high-as-512gb-of-ram.110/

 

[DCswitch]

I have bought SAS expanders for my systems. I like these because they are not as expensive as a second SAS controller and it makes some thing better to have all the drives on a single controller.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-IBM-46M0997-ServeRAID-Expansion-Adapter-16-Port-SAS-Expander-US-seller/142748488909
You just need to make sure they are on the latest firmware.
If you are willing to take a chance, you can get them even cheaper from "China/Hong Kong/Taiwan":
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-46M0997-ServeRAID-Expansion-Adapter-16-Port-SAS-Expander/142108581758
If you have highly random IO, you might be very slightly better off with two SAS controllers instead.

This is the kind of system board I use:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-X9SRL-F-Server-Motherboard-LGA2011-Intel-C602-DDR3-VGA-Untested/223485802992
The one in this listing is stated to be "Untested" and it looks to have a couple pins that are slightly out of place. If you are willing to take a chance and see if you can straighten the pins, this might be an excellent system board for you. I have certainly been happy with the two of this model I have.
Here is a link to the parts list I used:
https://www.ixsystems.com/community...anges-to-upgrade-as-high-as-512gb-of-ram.110/

@Chris Moore
I really appreciate you taking the time to get back me. Thank you.

 

[DCswitch]

@Chris Moore - Do I need special cable to attach the LSI SAS controller to the IBM Expander? I ordered the Expander and it should be here tomorrow or Monday.

 

[nikalai2]

You need internal mini SAS 36 pin SFF 8087 to mini SAS 36 pin SFF-8087 cable. click

 

[DCswitch]

@nikalai2 Cheers to you, sir. Ordered!