First post, first build. I hope I'm doing it right. :p
Parts
I am gonna start out with 4 storage HDDs and 2 sticks of RAM and add the remaining half at a later point.
I realize, two CPU fans is overkill but I have an old Noctua NH-D14 lying around that I'm gonna repurpose for this build.
Purpose
The main purpose of the system is storage of documents, media and at a later point VM data accessed via iSCSI.
For now, virtualized services will reside on FreeNAS. I'm planning on adding a dedicated Proxmox host in the near future to move VMs / containers there and use iSCSI storage on FreeNAS.
The system will be part of my homelab where I'm the only user.
Services I'll be running, off the top if my head:
Questions
CPU
Should I get the E-2224 (4C/4T) over the E-2234 (4C/8T). I think FreeBSD dropped utilization of Hyper-threading which means FreeNAS inherently did, so I might as well save 60 bucks.
PSU
Regarding the PSU, I read the Proper Power Supply Sizing Guidance. I collected what I could gather from data sheets. CPU data is from an STH benchmark and RAM/Mobo are guesstimates in accordance to above mentioned guide. The maxed out configuration would have the following power consumption:
The chosen PSU load should be between 20% and 80% load at all times for maximum efficiency.
I'd love to get the 550 W PSU from Seasonic because 10 years of warranty at that price point, kinda unbeatable. Also, I like to buy Seasonic, they have yet to disappoint me.
With my estimated idle power of the maxed out system I feel like I'm cutting it too close. If I overestimated by 10 W I'm below minimum load (20%). And before the system is maxed out I'm gonna be below that anyway.
I feel like I'm grossly overthinking this. For all my previous builds I've used one of the popular PSU calculators but I'm really struggling now because I feel like efficiency is important for system running 24/7. Any input is very much appreciated.
I will get a UPS, too but I have to figure out how to set that up best. The (future) Proxmox host utilizing storage via iSCSI over the network will need a UPS, as will the network switch connecting the hosts. Probably some kind of master / slave setup.
Parts
Part | Qty. | |
---|---|---|
Motherboard | Supermicro X11SCH-LN4F | 1 |
CPU | Intel Xeon E-2234 | 1 |
RAM | Samsung DIMM 32 GB (M391A4G43MB1-CTD) | 4 |
Storage HDDs (SATA) | Seagate IronWolf 12TB | 8 |
Boot Drive (M.2) | KIOXIA (Toshiba) RC500 250GB | 1 |
SLOG (M.2) | Intel Optane Memory M10 16GB | 1 |
PSU | Seasonic Focus GX 550W | 1 |
Case Fans | Noctua NF-A14 PWM | 3 |
CPU Fans* | Noctua NF-A15 PWM | 2 |
I am gonna start out with 4 storage HDDs and 2 sticks of RAM and add the remaining half at a later point.
I realize, two CPU fans is overkill but I have an old Noctua NH-D14 lying around that I'm gonna repurpose for this build.
Purpose
The main purpose of the system is storage of documents, media and at a later point VM data accessed via iSCSI.
For now, virtualized services will reside on FreeNAS. I'm planning on adding a dedicated Proxmox host in the near future to move VMs / containers there and use iSCSI storage on FreeNAS.
The system will be part of my homelab where I'm the only user.
Services I'll be running, off the top if my head:
- Plex
- container for backup management
- nextcloud
- Unifi Controller
- Ubuntu for Wordpress development
- Confluence / JIRA
Questions
CPU
Should I get the E-2224 (4C/4T) over the E-2234 (4C/8T). I think FreeBSD dropped utilization of Hyper-threading which means FreeNAS inherently did, so I might as well save 60 bucks.
PSU
Regarding the PSU, I read the Proper Power Supply Sizing Guidance. I collected what I could gather from data sheets. CPU data is from an STH benchmark and RAM/Mobo are guesstimates in accordance to above mentioned guide. The maxed out configuration would have the following power consumption:
Watts [load] | Watts [idle] | |
---|---|---|
Motherboard (x1) | 25 W | 25 W |
CPU (x1) | 94 W | 31 W |
RAM (x4) | 16 W | 16 W |
HDD (x8) | 172.8 W | 40 W |
M.2 boot (x1) | 3.8 W | 3.8 W |
M.2 SLOG (x1) | 2 W | 2 W |
Noctua NF-A14 (x3) | 4.68 W | 0.94 W |
Noctua NF-A15 (x2) | 1.92 W | 0.48 W |
Total | 320.2 W | 119.22 W |
The chosen PSU load should be between 20% and 80% load at all times for maximum efficiency.
PSU rated power | min. load (20%) | max. load (80%) | efficent? |
---|---|---|---|
400 W | 80 W | 320 W | no |
450 W | 90 W | 360 W | yes |
500 W | 100 W | 400 W | yes |
550 W | 110 W | 440 W | yes |
600 W | 120 W | 480 W | no |
I'd love to get the 550 W PSU from Seasonic because 10 years of warranty at that price point, kinda unbeatable. Also, I like to buy Seasonic, they have yet to disappoint me.
With my estimated idle power of the maxed out system I feel like I'm cutting it too close. If I overestimated by 10 W I'm below minimum load (20%). And before the system is maxed out I'm gonna be below that anyway.
I feel like I'm grossly overthinking this. For all my previous builds I've used one of the popular PSU calculators but I'm really struggling now because I feel like efficiency is important for system running 24/7. Any input is very much appreciated.
I will get a UPS, too but I have to figure out how to set that up best. The (future) Proxmox host utilizing storage via iSCSI over the network will need a UPS, as will the network switch connecting the hosts. Probably some kind of master / slave setup.