BUILD Basic Assembly Questions

[thepixelgeek]

I'm beginning to assemble the parts, and I have a couple basic assembly questions. Mostly regarding cable types/configuration for connecting backplane (12 HDs).

• X11SSM-F-O
• IBM Serveraid M1015
  
• iStarUSA M-3120-ATX 12-Bay

1. How does the backplane connect to the M1015? What are those three silver connectors on the backplane? Do I connect two silver connectors, each going to the MiniSas connector on the the M1015, for a total of 8 drives? Cable recommendations?


2. How does the backplane connect to the Motherboard? Silver connector (type?) to (4) SATAs? Cable recommendations?

3. Assuming I will need to plug in all 12 molex to power all 12 HDs? If so, my PSU (SeaSonic SS-1050XP3) didn't supply enough--only 5. Cable recommendations?


4. What PCIe slot is best for M1015? I'm seeing two different types, PCH and CPU.





FULL BUILD COMPONENTS:

MOBO: SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SSM-F-O
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5
RAM: Crucial 32GB Kit (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 ECC UDIMM CT7982365
HDD: (6) WD Red 4TB NAS HDD - 5400 RPM
HDD: (6) Seagate Ironwolf NAS 4TB HDD - 5400 RPM
BOOT: (2) ADATA Premier SP600 32GB SATA III (ASP600S3-32GM-C)
PSU: SeaSonic SS-1050XP3 1050W
CASE: iStarUSA M-3120-ATX 12-Bay Trayless Storage
HBA: IBM Serveraid M1015 SAS/SATA Controller 46M0831
ADD: StarTech.com SAS8087S450 50cm Serial Attached SCSI SAS Cable - SFF-8087 to 4x Latching SATA
(3) Noctua NF-F12 PWM Cooling Fan
(2) Noctua NF-A6x25 PWM
Noctua NH-D9L cpu cooler

 

[Ericloewe]

What are those three silver connectors on the backplane?

SFF-8087, I presume, though it's hard to be sure from the image.

Do I connect two silver connectors, each going to the MiniSas connector on the the M1015, for a total of 8 drives?

Yup.

Cable recommendations?

Anything but Super China Happy Sun Great Star Flower Quality.

2. How does the backplane connect to the Motherboard? Silver connector (type?) to (4) SATAs? Cable recommendations?

SFF-8087 Reverse Breakout cable.

3. Assuming I will need to plug in all 12 molex to power all 12 HDs? If so, my PSU (SeaSonic SS-1050XP3) didn't supply enough--only 5. Cable recommendations?

Seems like massive overkill. In stark contrast with the crap Chongx caps. Ewwww.
Molex Y cables should be fine, just make sure they're decent quality and the cables are AWG16 (~1.5mm^2) or better.

4. What PCIe slot is best for M1015? I'm seeing two different types, PCH and CPU.

CPU. All the PCH PCIe lanes are shared with SATA, USB, networking and low-speed IO. And they're all crammed into four PCIe 3.0 lanes to the CPU.

 

[thepixelgeek]

SFF-8087, I presume, though it's hard to be sure from the image.

I have StarTech.com SFF-8087 to 4x Latching SATA, BUT when I tried to see if it fit in the silver connector, the 8087 side didn't appear to insert correctly. I can take a better picture when I get home. Guessing user error...iStarUSA does say it is in fact a MiniSas backplane....and obviously I'll need a SFF8087 to SFF8087 cable.

SFF-8087 Reverse Breakout cable.

Is that different than the StarTech.com SFF-8087 to 4x Latching SATA? Assuming yes because it's "reversed" but it's not obvious why it's reversed...look the same to me.

I see your response here.

Molex Y cables should be fine, just make sure they're decent quality and the cables are AWG16 (~1.5mm^2) or better.

Does that mean two molex connectors per one 4pin (PSU side) is fine/safe?

 

[Ericloewe]

I have StarTech.com SFF-8087 to 4x Latching SATA, BUT when I tried to see if it fit in the silver connector, the 8087 side didn't appear to insert correctly. I can take a better picture when I get home. Guessing user error...iStarUSA does say it is in fact a MiniSas backplane....and obviously I'll need a SFF8087 to SFF8087 cable.


Is that different than the StarTech.com SFF-8087 to 4x Latching SATA? Assuming yes because it's "reversed" but it's not obvious why it's reversed...look the same to me.

I see your response here.


Does that mean two molex connectors per one 4pin (PSU side) is fine/safe?

Yeah.

 

[thepixelgeek]

SOLVED...the SFF8087 fits fine...user error on my part...had it upside down.


SOLVED...I'll purchase more cables...80807 to 8087, Molex and 8087 reverse breakout cable.

PSU Airflow Question:
I tried fitting my power supply into the case...it fits tightly, but the fan is up against the lid--1/4" gap. Will that restrict airflow? I tried flipping it so the fan is facing the bottom. The problem is that the screw holes don't line up.


Motherboard Power Cable Question:
Says to use 24pin AND 8 pin connectors on the motherboard to power it. Where does the 8 pin come from? From the PCIe connectors?

Also, the PSU has a 24 & 10pin labeled MB...assuming I need to use both? The cable supplied is a 24/10 pin to 24pin.



Otherwise, the iStar case seems to be of good quality. Pretty solid construction....However, I don't have much to compare.

 

[Ericloewe]

Yeah, I'm not too sure about that PSU ventilation. Not something I'd be comfortable with.

Where does the 8 pin come from?

CPU power.

Also, the PSU has a 24 & 10pin labeled MB...assuming I need to use both? The cable supplied is a 24/10 pin to 24pin.

It's 18+10 and yes, you connect both parts on both ends.

 

[thepixelgeek]

Yeah, I'm not too sure about that PSU ventilation. Not something I'd be comfortable with.

Perhaps another PSU, or just flip it even though screws don't line up....I'm sure I can make it work.

It's 18+10 and yes, you connect both parts on both ends.

Aha! It is 18...thanks!

As for cables...these look ok?
NORCO C-SFF8087-D SFF-8087 to SFF-8087 Internal Multilane SAS Cable
NORCO Computer Parallel Cables (C-SFF8087-4S)

Still looking for good molex cables......all look super cheap to me. Recommendations?

 

[thepixelgeek]

By the way, the molex supplied with the psu are 18 awg...wont be using them...but just seem thin regardless..

 

[thepixelgeek]

SOLVED...The PSU face plate on the chassis is removable...so I flipped it. All screw holes line up and fan is facing down.

 

[thepixelgeek]

To power the backplane, should I be using the 8pin connector, not 6pin, on the psu?

2 molex to 8pin?

Molex | Molex
Y
8pin

 

[Ericloewe]

By the way, the molex supplied with the psu are 18 awg...wont be using them...but just seem thin regardless..

18? Bah. In that case, I recommend you acquire more Molex chains. Seasonic don't sell cables, but they recommend a store that does. The name eludes me right now.

 

[Ericloewe]

To power the backplane, should I be using the 8pin connector, not 6pin, on the psu?

2 molex to 8pin?

Molex | Molex
Y
8pin

What? No, those are for CPU and PCIe power. Fortunately, they don't fit where they don't belong on Seasonic units.

 

[thepixelgeek]

What? No, those are for CPU and PCIe power. Fortunately, they don't fit where they don't belong on Seasonic units.

Time to buy another PSU...it wont power 12 HDs because it only has 5 - 6pins. Recommendations?

I'm now looking at their Prime series...looks like they have 6 - 6pin connectors.

Tempted to make my own molex to 6pin. I noticed Icemodz.com sells custom cables.

 

[Ericloewe]

Time to buy another PSU...it wont power 12 HDs because it only has 5 - 6pins.

What gives you that idea? Each cable has several connectors.

 

[thepixelgeek]

What gives you that idea? Each cable has several connectors.

How many molex can be on ONE 6pin? I thought 2.

edit: my Seasonic has 3 molex on one chain, so guess that's my answer.

 

[thepixelgeek]

CableMod is another good source for custom cables.

 

[CraigD]

If your PSU uses a single 12v rail, you can use many spliters from one cable

I have used molex to 3 molex in the past, currently use molex to 5 SATA, and SATA to 5 SATA

Just watch them while you burn them in

Have Fun

 

[Ericloewe]

If your PSU uses a single 12v rail, you can use many spliters from one cable

That's not the issue. The cables don't carry infinite current.

 

[CraigD]

Your right cables don't carry infinite current

My server has only been up since May 2016

I have 9 SATA drive running from one Molex connector and have 6 more running from one SATA connector

Have Fun

 

[Ericloewe]

I have 9 SATA drive running from one Molex connector

That's roughly 18A at spinup. Makes for quite a voltage drop over the cable, which is likely to ruin your day, eventually. It's also about 50% over the connector's rating, but we can let that slide since it's only a second or less.

6 more running from one SATA connector

That's nearly three times the current rating for SATA connectors. And SATA connectors have been known to catch fire under less strenuous conditions.