E5620 vs E4300

[Chura]

Hi,

I'm into building my first FreeNAS thing :)
I have two options here to start from :
1. Intel E5620 + Supermicro X8STi (80w TDP) + 12gb
2. Intel E4300 + Supermicro PDSML-LN2+ (65 TDP) + 8gb

Do you think the E4300 will be enough or I better go safe with the E5620 ?
I'm not sure how relevant it is, but in power perspective i'm looking for cheapest running one.

Thanks!

 

[mav@]

Those CPUs are so distant in time (3.5 years), market (server vs desktop) and performance (4x2.4GHz Core-i vs 2x1.8GHz Core2Duo), that I would have no any doubt to take the first one.

Comparing by TDP, especially between different generations IMHO pointless. TDP is a power consumption during full load, and in that case you would really like to have more performance, unless you have strictly limited peak power or heat/noise budget. During idle periods newer CPUs should have lower power consumption due to more efficient power management technologies.

 

[Chura]

Thanks!
When thinking of power, other then the CPU. The board itself takes extra power as well. Should I take this into consideration ?
Also, Since the first option is ATX form, meaning bigger case. Can you recommend on cheap one ?

 

[mav@]

When thinking of power, other then the CPU. The board itself takes extra power as well. Should I take this into consideration ?

Chipset and memory indeed have some power consumption. But unlike CPU they in most cases can survive without cooling fan, that means power consumption no more then 5-10 Watts. Besides, chipsets are also advancing same as CPUs, so newer one usually consume less then the old one. Also in the first case CPU TDP already includes memory controller, while in second case those are on chipset account.

Also, Since the first option is ATX form, meaning bigger case. Can you recommend on cheap one ?

Free from some nearest junkyard, with replaced PSU and fans? :) If serious, form the picture of the first board, it seems like optimized for 1U case. It means that if you want to stick some extension cards into it you may need some PCIe risers, that may mean specific case, or some metal craftwork with dremel. :)

 

[Chura]

yeah the current case its in is a 1U
but it won't fit my home, also it have 4cm fans that make a lot of noise.

 

[mav@]

Familiar situation. :) Server board/CPUs plus huge heatpipe coolers is my recipe for good night sleep. :)

 

[Chura]

looks great.
why you have 2 heatsink ? dual cpu sockets ?
The board is ATX ?

 

[mav@]

There is old Supermicro X8DTH-6F dual-Xeon board. It is even bigger -- EATX, but I was able to find large desktop case that accommodated it. That is not only my home storage, but also my main day-job development server, so I have to combine power and queietness. :)

 

[HoneyBadger]

Familiar situation. :) Server board/CPUs plus huge heatpipe coolers is my recipe for good night sleep. :)

I like the franken-fitting of the Coolermasters (CM212 family?) but cover those rear slots and install some low-speed 120mm fans in the front to push air over your drives, right now they're in a dead airflow spot unless you've got something else going on.

 

[mav@]

install some low-speed 120mm fans in the front to push air over your drives, right now they're in a dead airflow spot unless you've got something else going on.

There are two inflow 90mm low-speed fans just behind the drives and open grid before them. I would indeed better put single 120mm on the front panel, but that is a question to the case designer -- there is almost no openings in both front panel and HDD cage in that direction.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Well then, go ahead and ignore my posting because it looks like you've got it all sussed out.

(But cover those back slots though. ;) )

 

[mav@]

But cover those back slots though. ;) )

OK, OK, closed! Mostly... ;) Two lowest slots are intentionally open to ventilate pretty hot Chelsio T422-CR NIC.