Build Advice - Want to run NAS and Docker containers for web dev

[monkeyblue201]

Hi,

I'm really keen to build my first FreeNAS but have spent ages going through forum posts and the hardware guides to try and get the right spec for the build, and I'm trying to avoid super expensive costs with the Xeon stuff.

The server we will look to run for storage and also docker containers which will contain various web development sites.

I've built a parts list here but also listed below for ease
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/4cYfxG

• CPU: Intel - Core i3-6300 3.8GHz Dual-Core Processor
• CPU Cooler: be quiet! - Pure Rock Slim 35.1 CFM CPU Cooler
• Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-X150M-PRO ECC Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
• Memory: Crucial - 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory
• Storage: Western Digital - Green 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
• 4 x Storage: Western Digital - Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive
• Video Card: MSI - GeForce GT 710 1GB Video Card
• Case: Fractal Design - Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case
• Power Supply: Corsair - CXM (2015) 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks Aaron

 

[Chris Moore]

I'm really keen to build my first FreeNAS but have spent ages going through forum posts and the hardware guides to try and get the right spec for the build, and I'm trying to avoid super expensive costs with the Xeon stuff.

If this is strictly for internal test and development and will not be exposed to high traffic, you might be able to run with the low capacity hardware you selected, but it is not a solution I would suggest, especially not that system board. You have a 'desktop' style board with audio capabilities for a server that does not produce any audio. Additionally, with no integrated video in the board, you will be forced to use one of the expansion card slots for a video card that is only ever going to display a text console. No matter how cheap the video card, it wastes one of your very limited number of expansion slots. Then this board has two (old school) 32 bit PCI slots that are not good for anything. Very bad choice.
We have also had other forum members have very bad results with the WD Green SSD drives. Use Intel or Samsung instead.

You would be much better off with something like this, even if it is used gear, it is still a better choice:
I just suggested something like this to someone else a couple weeks ago, but I couldn't find the post to point you at. Here is what I would suggest for a tower build that you want quiet and inexpensive while still capable.

CASE: Fractal-Design-Define-R5-FD-CA-DEF-R5-BK-Black-Silent-ATX-Midtower-Computer-Case - US $99.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/263674323506

POWER: Corsair-Certified-CS-M-Series-CS650M-650W-80-Plus-Gold-Active-PFC-Modular-Power - US $64.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/382130407495

System Board: Super Micro X9SCM-F Motherboard w/ Heatsink/Fan & I/O Shield - US $75.00
https://www.ebay.com/itm/273400083962

OR different heatsync

System Board: SuperMicro X9SCM-F Intel Xeon E3 Intel C204 Chipset Micro ATX Server Motherboard - US $79.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192561781616

CPU: Intel SR00H Xeon E3-1230 3.20GHZ Socket 1155 - - US $55.09
https://www.ebay.com/itm/273313040616

OR faster / newer

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230V2 3.30GHz Quad-Core CPU Processor SR0P4 LGA1155 - C737 - US $94.95
https://www.ebay.com/itm/263869242230

Memory: 8GB Memory RAM for SuperMicro X9 Series - - US $82.00 * 2 = $164
https://www.ebay.com/itm/163130855012

To connect up to eight hard drives if you need more ports than the six on the system board:

Drive Controller: LSI-SAS-9211-8i-8-port-6Gb-s-PCI-E-Internal-HBA-Both-Brackets-IT-MODE - US $59.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/152937435505

Drive Cables: Mini SAS to 4-SATA SFF-8087 Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable - - US $12.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/371681252206

Thermal Compound: Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste Grease Conductive Compound for CPU/GPU - US $6.95
https://www.ebay.com/itm/302624513215

I may have missed some accessories, and I didn't include drives, but this should get you all the key components

I just picked these on eBay a week or so ago and they were all available then but I know there are differences, "across the pond". Still, this should give you an idea of the kind of hardware you should be looking at. Not desktop computer gear. Not for a server.

 

[kdragon75]

Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-X150M-PRO ECC Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Mmmm camo... what if you lose your motherboard?


Sorry I couldn't resist.:D

 

[monkeyblue201]

Thanks for the replies, ideally I would prefer to buy brand new hardware is there any other motherboards you would recommend other than Supermicro they seem to be £200+ brand new in the UK.

I did find this one £210 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Supermicro...TF8&qid=1535312849&sr=1-3&keywords=supermicro

And it looks like it would support the i3 or would you recommend the Xeon E3-1200

Thanks

 

[monkeyblue201]

After some thought I now have this for my build what do you think?

• CPU: INTEL SR00N INTEL XEON QUAD CORE PROCESSOR E3-1270 3.4GHZ 8M
• CPU Cooler: Arctic Freezer Low Profile Intel CPU Cooler 11 LP
• Motherboard: Supermicro MBD-X9SCM-F-O Retail Motherboard (Intel C204 PCH Chipset, SATA, LAN, IPMI, Single Socket)
• Memory: ** Need to source **
• Boot Storage: Intel 545s 256GB 2.5" SATA3 Internal SSD/Solid State Drive
• 4 x Storage: Western Digital - Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive
• Case: Fractal Design - R5 Mid Tower
• Power Supply: Corsair 650 Watt RMx Fully Modular RM650X

Comes in around £793 in UK prices, everything above is brand new apart from the CPU.

 

[Chris Moore]

After some thought I now have this for my build what do you think?

• CPU: INTEL SR00N INTEL XEON QUAD CORE PROCESSOR E3-1270 3.4GHZ 8M
• CPU Cooler: Arctic Freezer Low Profile Intel CPU Cooler 11 LP
• Motherboard: Supermicro MBD-X9SCM-F-O Retail Motherboard (Intel C204 PCH Chipset, SATA, LAN, IPMI, Single Socket)
• Memory: ** Need to source **
• Boot Storage: Intel 545s 256GB 2.5" SATA3 Internal SSD/Solid State Drive
• 4 x Storage: Western Digital - Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive
• Case: Fractal Design - R5 Mid Tower
• Power Supply: Corsair 650 Watt RMx Fully Modular RM650X

Comes in around £793 in UK prices, everything above is brand new apart from the CPU.

CPUs are usually very durable. I wouldn't worry about a used one.
I do worry about that low profile CPU cooler though. They don't usually cool well, so the fan needs to run at a higher rate which usually makes them much louder. I have one of those cases and I know that the Fractal Design - R5 Mid Tower has plenty of clearance for a standard cooler.
If you really like the Arctic brand, you could go with something like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ARCTIC-Fre...1-3-2066-1156-1155-1151-1150-AMD/202059136707

This is the kind of memory you need for that system board:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crucial-16...00-ECC-UDIMM-PC3-12800E-11-13-E3/302858746652

 

[Chris Moore]

Memory: ** Need to source **

This would also work:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-16...2800-DDR3-SDRAM-M390B1G73BH0-YK0/283123208556

 

[monkeyblue201]

This would also work:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-16...2800-DDR3-SDRAM-M390B1G73BH0-YK0/283123208556

Thanks for the help Chris, I've just pulled the trigger this morning and ordered everything :) I switched out the CPU Cooler as you mentioned and also found the same ram on ebay.co.uk for £41.

Total build cost is £833 or £694 excluding VAT as we can claim that back.

I'm looking forward to the next part now getting it all built and setting up FreeNAS :)