CPU and Mobo help. First build of anything ever!

[Jebusfreek666]

Hey all, thanks for your time in helping me understand all of this. As I said, this will be the first time I have done anything really with a computer, besides putting more memory in a laptop once and fiddling around with the innards of my apple II when it broke when I was a kid. I am currently in the planning process of my build, while simultaneously trying to teach myself about the inner workings of these systems. I am currently planning on using the following.

CPU: E3-1231v3
Mobo: Supermicro X10SL7-F

My use for this build will primarily be for a plex media server. In addition to this I would like to set it up as storage for myself and my kids. I am thinking about getting the kids chromebooks for Christmas and I'm hoping the NAS would allow for me to give them each a place to store things. I am just starting to scratch the surface of the different things I can do with this NAS via plugins and jails (which I am still researching). Here are my questions.

1. I know that many on this forum have used these products for their builds, but some of them stretch back 2 years or so. Should I still be looking at these, or is it time to move on to newer tech? From what I can see, these 2 items seem to offer the best combination of cost and capability. I also just realized that this Mobo only allows up to 32gb ram. If I am able to use 10-12 HDD, then I would like the ability to have up to 64gb of RAM. According to what I have read, ZFS is a resource hog and will require 1gb ram for each TB. If I can do 10-12 HDD, and assume I use 4tb drives, that would mean I need 40-48gb of RAM. So I would like the ability to use 3x 16gb sticks, and have a 4th open for addition later if needed.

2. I will be having multiple connections through plex, possibly at the same time and requiring transcoding for HD media. I want to plan for worst case scenario and have plenty of extra resources so this thing is never really stressed. Looking at the passmark (I know this is not the end-all be-all for CPU's) I think this will be sufficient, but want to know what the experts think. At most, I will have 4-6 users connecting and transcoding at the same time. I don't want the nas to struggle at all. The majority of the time, it will only have to handle 2-3 at a time, and I'm sure it wont always be transcoding.

3. I see you can connect SATA drives to SAS ports, and this Mobo has 8x SAS2 (6Gbps) via LSI 2308. I am currently planning on at least 8 drives, but would really like to kick it up to 10-12 (not counting SSD for boot and jails). This board also has 2x SATA (6Gbps), 4x SATA (3Gbps). I am assuming I can use these in addition to the SAS ports. But since there is a speed difference in the SATA ports, I am thinking I should probably only use the 2 6Gbps SATA ports to keep everything equal. This would mean I am only able to have 10 HDD correct? I would like to keep everything as clean as possible to allow for better airflow, and I am sure with it being my first build it will get a little hairy.

Thanks for the help. I am sure this will be the first of many posts I will be making over the next 6 months or so. I am excited to learn and get my hands dirty.

 

[CookiesLikeWhoa]

1: That information is still relevant, you can make a really nice system using that gear. Will it be top of the line? No, but if it suits your use it's irrelevant.

2: Plex recommends a passmark score of 2000 per stream. For 4-6 streams you would need a passmark score of 8-12k. I don't think you would need that much CPU. Most content can be found in x264/mp4 format, which does not need to be transcoded for the majority of devices. If you really want to be sure, you're likely going to have to bump up to the e5 realm which will cost you a bit more.

3: Generally you are correct. You'll need breakout cables for the SAS connections, and will get 2x4 SATA connections with them. HDD's cap out at around 200MB/s which does not even saturate a 3Gb/s connection. Unless you're connecting a SSD, you will not have to worry. If you need more HDD connections consider getting an HBA. There are many recommendations here for them. You will also need to flash the LSI2308 to IT mode for everything to be happy for FreeNAS.

Make sure you grab some ECC ram, you will be limited to 32GB's of UDIMMS with that mobo/CPU. Supermicro's webpage will have a compatibility listings.
Look into getting a battery backup for your system as well. Cyberpower makes decent affordable backups.
Used server Chassis are loud. They offer a great value but can sound like a jet in your room.

 

[Spearfoot]

3. I see you can connect SATA drives to SAS ports, and this Mobo has 8x SAS2 (6Gbps) via LSI 2308. I am currently planning on at least 8 drives, but would really like to kick it up to 10-12 (not counting SSD for boot and jails). This board also has 2x SATA (6Gbps), 4x SATA (3Gbps). I am assuming I can use these in addition to the SAS ports. But since there is a speed difference in the SATA ports, I am thinking I should probably only use the 2 6Gbps SATA ports to keep everything equal. This would mean I am only able to have 10 HDD correct? I would like to keep everything as clean as possible to allow for better airflow, and I am sure with it being my first build it will get a little hairy.

Welcome to the forum!

I own an X10SL7-F motherboard and am quite happy with it; see 'my systems' below for details. However, as you pointed out, it is getting a little 'long in the tooth' and is limited to 32GB of RAM. This may not be an issue for you, depending on your use-case, but you may want to consider a newer board capable of using more RAM. In fact, if you're planning on using 10-14 large hard drives (e.g., 6 or 8TB in size) , you'll probably need more than 32GB of RAM. The rough rule-of-thumb for RAM is 8MB plus 1MB for each TB of disk space. Suppose you set up two vdevs, each a RAIDZ2 array of 7 x 8TB drives, yielding ~80TB of storage. With that much storage, you would definitely want 64GB of RAM.

The speed difference between the motherboard's SATA ports is negligible and you won't have any problem running as many as 14 HDDs with the X10SL7 if that's your goal.

I use a Fractal Design case (a Define R4, see 'my systems' for link) which not only provides excellent air flow but is quiet as well.

If you haven't already, visit the Hardware Recommendations for more information.

Good luck!

 

[Jebusfreek666]

Welcome to the forum!

I own an X10SL7-F motherboard and am quite happy with it; see 'my systems' below for details. However, as you pointed out, it is getting a little 'long in the tooth' and is limited to 32GB of RAM. This may not be an issue for you, depending on your use-case, but you may want to consider a newer board capable of using more RAM. In fact, if you're planning on using 10-14 large hard drives (e.g., 6 or 8TB in size) , you'll probably need more than 32GB of RAM. The rough rule-of-thumb for RAM is 8MB plus 1MB for each TB of disk space. Suppose you set up two vdevs, each a RAIDZ2 array of 7 x 8TB drives, yielding ~80TB of storage. With that much storage, you would definitely want 64GB of RAM.

Thank you for the quick response and informative response. I have looked at the hardware post, and found it quite useful and informative. Do you have a specific suggestion for a board that offers basically the same function as the one I have selected but will allow for up to 64gb ram? So far, this is the only thing I see holding me back with this particular board.

 

[CookiesLikeWhoa]

Thank you for the quick response and informative response. I have looked at the hardware post, and found it quite useful and informative. Do you have a specific suggestion for a board that offers basically the same function as the one I have selected but will allow for up to 64gb ram? So far, this is the only thing I see holding me back with this particular board.

The Supermicro X11SSL-CF will support it and has more or less the same functionality. But you'll need to get a V5 processor instead of a V3.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

The Supermicro X11SSL-CF will support it and has more or less the same functionality. But you'll need to get a V5 processor instead of a V3.

Anything else, so I would still be able to get the same processor? I could probably live with 8 HDD. Just want to be able to used 64gb ecc ram if it turns out I do need it.

 

[Stux]

Anything else, so I would still be able to get the same processor? I could probably live with 8 HDD. Just want to be able to used 64gb ecc ram if it turns out I do need it.

I too would recommend an X11 skylake board. 64GB, 8 Sata, ddr4, etc.

You need to use a Skylake processor not a Haswell. That's v5 not v3/v4. Thus E3-1230v5 iirc.

X11-SSM-F is a good board. X11-SSL-CF if you need more than 8 Sata ports.

You can always add a PCIe HBA to go beyond 8 later as well.

Populate the X11 boards with 16GB sticks.

 

[danb35]

You'll need breakout cables for the SAS connections,

Not with the X10SL7--it presents its SAS ports as SATA ports. All you need is a standard SATA cable per SATA drive. If you want to connect it to, say, a SAS expander, though, you'd need a reverse breakout cable.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

Seems to me that supermicro is very heavily favored on this forum. I have not seen anyone using, or suggesting asrock, asus, or any other brands.

 

[danb35]

If you haven't seen anyone using Asrock, you just haven't been looking--there are front-page threads in this very forum about using Asrock motherboards. But you're right that Supermicro is favored. Asus doesn't seem to have a lot of traction in the server market.

Edit: And Asrock is what iXSystems sells in the FreeNAS Mini.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

The Supermicro X11SSL-CF will support it and has more or less the same functionality. But you'll need to get a V5 processor instead of a V3.

I too would recommend an X11 skylake board. 64GB, 8 Sata, ddr4, etc.

You need to use a Skylake processor not a Haswell. That's v5 not v3/v4. Thus E3-1230v5 iirc.

X11-SSM-F is a good board. X11-SSL-CF if you need more than 8 Sata ports.

You can always add a PCIe HBA to go beyond 8 later as well.

Populate the X11 boards with 16GB sticks.

Not with the X10SL7--it presents its SAS ports as SATA ports. All you need is a standard SATA cable per SATA drive. If you want to connect it to, say, a SAS expander, though, you'd need a reverse breakout cable.

The X11sll-CF looks like it only has 6 SATA, but 8 SAS. Can the SAS ports be used with just a SATA cable like on the X10SL7?

 

[danb35]

The X11sll-CF looks like it only has 6 SATA, but 8 SAS. Can the SAS ports be used with just a SATA cable like on the X10SL7?

Do they look like SATA ports? Then yes.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

If you haven't seen anyone using Asrock, you just haven't been looking--there are front-page threads in this very forum about using Asrock motherboards. But you're right that Supermicro is favored. Asus doesn't seem to have a lot of traction in the server market.

Edit: And Asrock is what iXSystems sells in the FreeNAS Mini.

That's interesting that they use it for the premade systems. And admittedly, the majority of the threads I have been reading are regarding others builds and almost every one of them is supermicro. Also, what is your avatar? I have been looking at it for a while trying to figure it out.

Edit: OHHH.... just realized its from Babylon 5. NICE!

 

[Stux]

The X11sll-CF looks like it only has 6 SATA, but 8 SAS. Can the SAS ports be used with just a SATA cable like on the X10SL7?

It needs a Mini SAS HD breakout cable. Each cable connects four Sata drives to one of the two MiniSAS-HD connectors on the mobo.

 

[danb35]

Also, what is your avatar?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorlon

 

[Stux]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorlon

Good.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

I too would recommend an X11 skylake board. 64GB, 8 Sata, ddr4, etc.

You need to use a Skylake processor not a Haswell. That's v5 not v3/v4. Thus E3-1230v5 iirc.

X11-SSM-F is a good board. X11-SSL-CF if you need more than 8 Sata ports.

You can always add a PCIe HBA to go beyond 8 later as well.

Populate the X11 boards with 16GB sticks.

Thanks for the advice. I really do appreciate it. So, with just some quick research, I have come up with 3 different CPU's. The e3-1230 v5, e3-1240 v5, and e3-1245 v5. They are all similarly priced, within about $25 of each other. Any thoughts as to one I should definitely get, or avoid?

 

[Stux]

Thanks for the advice. I really do appreciate it. So, with just some quick research, I have come up with 3 different CPU's. The e3-1230 v5, e3-1240 v5, and e3-1245 v5. They are all similarly priced, within about $25 of each other. Any thoughts as to one I should definitely get, or avoid?

1245 has built in processor graphics. Unneeded. Avoid.

1240 is 3.5% faster than 1230. Decide if it's worth it.

Ps. Probably not, unless the 1240 or 1245 are basically the same price as a 1230, then the wise thing is just to get the 1230.

 

[Jebusfreek666]

1245 has built in processor graphics. Unneeded. Avoid.

1240 is 3.5% faster than 1230. Decide if it's worth it.

Ps. Probably not, unless the 1240 or 1245 are basically the same price as a 1230, then the wise thing is just to get the 1230.

Looks like I could get the 1230 for around $230 with discount codes right now. 1240 would be $255, and the 1245 would be $265. Probably should just save the extra cash for memory or something.

 

[Stux]

Looks like I could get the 1230 for around $230 with discount codes right now. 1240 would be $255, and the 1245 would be $265. Probably should just save the extra cash for memory or something.

Yes. If there was extra cache or anything like that on the 1240 it might be worth it, but its literally the same chip with just the base multiplier set to 35 instead of 34.