Xeon or Core platform for Supermicro based build?

[azjet77]

I recently picked up a Supermicro 16 bay chassis to build my NAS with and now I am trying to determine what motherboard/CPU combo would do well with my requirements.

The system will be used almost exclusively as a file and media server. I will not be running VMs or Plex or other apps on it. I do need it to be reasonably power efficient, reliable, and with room for expansion. I will most likely use 2 PCI slots upfront (HBA and 2.5GbE network card). Having it run reasonably cool would be nice, since it will be located in a garage which experiences temp fluctuations with the seasons). I anticipate having 24TB of storage to start with and potentially grow it to 48-64TB within a year.

The primary question is, should I go with Core or Xeon based build? My friend who built a similar server went with X13SAE-F + i3-13100 (with ECC RAM). I've read multiple posts of people using older used Xeon mobos + CPUs, so it can work either way, but do I gain/lose anything by using one platform vs the other? Suggestions appreciated.

The other question is, how much memory should I start with - 64GB?

 

[Ericloewe]

2.5GbE network card

Don't. 2.5GbE is a swamp full of misery not worth crossing for a minor speedup. 10GbE is the minimum viable upgrade over 1GbE.

he primary question is, should I go with Core or Xeon based build? My friend who built a similar server went with X13SAE-F + i3-13100 (with ECC RAM). I've read multiple posts of people using older used Xeon mobos + CPUs, so it can work either way, but do I gain/lose anything by using one platform vs the other? Suggestions appreciated.

The newer stuff is a lot more expensive, but faster and with typically better I/O. The older stuff is a known quantity, low cost and low risk.

The other question is, how much memory should I start with - 64GB?

It depends. 32 GB would probably be fine as a starting point.

 

[azjet77]

It sounds like I should go for low cost lowest TDP mobo/CPU combo since I won't be running VMs apps, does that sound right? What generation of boards and processors should I look at that will be able to support (in the sense of pushing data through) 10Gbe connection?

 

[Ericloewe]

Single user or multiple users? Multiple users are not too difficult for even a Xeon E3 v3, given that a single thread should be capable of pushing something like 5 Gb/s over SMB, disks permitting.

 

[azjet77]

Most likely multiuser. Does it make a big difference over single user access?

 

[Ericloewe]

Well, Samba is single-threaded per connection, so it scales well with the number of users but has trouble saturating faster networks with a single transfer.

 

[azjet77]

Well, Samba is single-threaded per connection, so it scales well with the number of users but has trouble saturating faster networks with a single transfer.

Well in that case I'll definitely set up different users (plex, etc).

 

[Ericloewe]

It's not about user accounts, it's about how many connections are going on.

 

[azjet77]

Oh it'll definitely have multiple connections

 

[Etorix]

It sounds like I should go for low cost lowest TDP mobo/CPU combo since I won't be running VMs apps, does that sound right?

It sounds right, and low-power embedded Xeon would serve you well.
I was thinking of the X10SDV series (and if you can find a -7TP4F or -7TP8F you won't even need any further add-in card), and went quickly looking for one on the STH forum. Instead, I found a X11SSH-GF-1585L and its 64 GB RAM for $269. 8 threads @3.0 GHz (3.7 turbo) should do fine for SMB to a few users.

FS: Lots of Supermicro servers/motherboards, DDR4 RDIMMs, drives, etc

Zelle preferred as PayPal fees add up. Will also entertain trades since I like new toys and rotate through hardware regularly, though currently not in need of a whole lot. I think my reputation should help: Heatware Local pickup available in Phoenix. Will ship internationally. $459 shipped -...

forums.servethehome.com

 

[azjet77]

It sounds right, and low-power embedded Xeon would serve you well.
I was thinking of the X10SDV series (and if you can find a -7TP4F or -7TP8F you won't even need any further add-in card), and went quickly looking for one on the STH forum. Instead, I found a X11SSH-GF-1585L and its 64 GB RAM for $269. 8 threads @3.0 GHz (3.7 turbo) should do fine for SMB to a few users.

FS: Lots of Supermicro servers/motherboards, DDR4 RDIMMs, drives, etc

Zelle preferred as PayPal fees add up. Will also entertain trades since I like new toys and rotate through hardware regularly, though currently not in need of a whole lot. I think my reputation should help: Heatware Local pickup available in Phoenix. Will ship internationally. $459 shipped -...

forums.servethehome.com

Thanks, that looks great. I PM'd the seller, hopefully it's still available.