BUILD First time FreeNAS Build - Advice

[Matt Tyree]

I have put together this build based on lots of reading here on the forums and elsewhere on the web.

Are there any suggestions any one would make? Any crucial mistakes I have made?

This will mostly be a file bucket for backups, but I MIGHT end up moving PLEX onto this NAS.

Thanks so much for any input!

 

[nojohnny101]

I'm on my phone so my response will be short. Others will chime in and give more comprehensive feedback but some things to consider:
- get 1 x 16gb stick of RAM i areas of 2 x 8gb. Makes adding more RAM later easier.
- I have the node 804 and really like it but you should look into other cases just to compare. Check out the define r5 or others. The case is quite large for holding only 6 drives in caddies but it has great cooling and lots of space (easy to work with).
- why are you buying a CPU cooler? Does the i3 not include one? If it does, the stock cooler is sufficient.

 

[Ericloewe]

• Cooler is a waste of money
• Going with two 8GB DIMMs instead of one 16GB DIMM needlessly limits your upgrade paths
• I assume to crap-grade SSD is for the OS, right? Unless it's really the cheapest option by far, try getting a larger one from a more reputable manufacturer. Say, this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S9Q9UKS/?tag=ozlp-20

 

[Matt Tyree]

Interesting. I had one 16GB stick on this build until right before I posted this thread. The mobo manual says 2 or 4 sticks is the best combination. So I split the single 16GB stick into the two 8s. Which would still allow for at least 32GB if I ever needed it. So, will 1 stick still perform just as well (or adequately)?

This is at least the 5th case I have had on this build. I have looked at at least twice that many and finally came back to the 804 because it supported Micro-ATX whereas I had been locked into Micro-ITX build until "broadening my horizons" today. I also abandoned the idea of hot-swap as the cases I looked at had rocky reviews and didn't really seem to warrant the price tags, especially for my use-case. If a hard drive needs to be replaced, I can easily shut the system down to replace it. It's not a mission-critical device.
I have two FD R5s. Love FD cases. I was just trying to keep the size down, but I guess the 804 just goes wider instead of taller. The overall volume really isn't so different.

I rarely put much faith into stock CPU coolers and the Hyper212 Evo is time-tested and cheap as dirt. :) And it can't hurt to have a little extra cooling performance if I add PLEX to this box, right?

Yes, the "crap-grade SSD" :-D comes from posts and guides I read saying that flash drives are no longer the way to go. What I read said that anything more than a 30GB SSD was a waste of space/money as the OS didn't need it all, but would still *use* all of it. So, I looked for inexpensive SSDs around that size and came up with the ADATA. Doesn't the OS get loaded into memory anyway? Isn't the ADATA drive still way better than a flash drive (which is still doable)? What's the reason to waste so much SSD space? Or is what I read outdated? Perfectly happy going with the SanDisk, so don't think I'm arguing with you. I very much appreciate the advice! :)

Thanks, guys!

 

[Matt Tyree]

Subsequent question about the case: If I switched to a Fractal Design Define R5, should I also just step up to an ATX mobo? Any reason to stick with Micro-ATX?

 

[wblock]

I rarely put much faith into stock CPU coolers and the Hyper212 Evo is time-tested and cheap as dirt. :)

I would tend to agree with that, although I actually think the Hyper 212 is normally a bit overpriced. Some would say it's worth it just to avoid the Intel pushpin "I can't believe this was ever approved" mounting, though.

The Intel stock CPU fans are not terrible, particularly the ones with the copper insert. I might use that one, planning to replace it if CPU temperatures were a problem, which they likely will not be.

Going up one grade of SSD, into the $40 128G range, is not a major expense and probably worth it. (Have used many brands of SSD, but not A-Data. Have no clear feeling about their reliability, but have never been tempted to buy one of them.) Or consider two inexpensive SSDs in a mirror. Ignore the wasted space, it is inconsequential.
Current versions of FreeNAS are not loaded into memory. Even if they were, boot media reliability is still kind of important.

 

[Ericloewe]

Some would say it's worth it just to avoid the Intel pushpin "I can't believe this was ever approved" mounting, though.

Yeah, that's a valid argument.

Interesting. I had one 16GB stick on this build until right before I posted this thread. The mobo manual says 2 or 4 sticks is the best combination. So I split the single 16GB stick into the two 8s. Which would still allow for at least 32GB if I ever needed it. So, will 1 stick still perform just as well (or adequately)?

Memory bandwidth will be halved, but it won't affect performance in the vast majority of scenarios.

I rarely put much faith into stock CPU coolers and the Hyper212 Evo is time-tested and cheap as dirt. :) And it can't hurt to have a little extra cooling performance if I add PLEX to this box, right?

The stock cooler handles Prime95 easily, which is much worse than Plex - just a matter of noise. I'm not a big fan of the Hyper 212 (no pun intended) because of the crummy sleeve bearing fan they include with it.

What I read said that anything more than a 30GB SSD was a waste of space/money as the OS didn't need it all, but would still *use* all of it

No, not at all. FreeNAS since 9.3 uses ZFS for boot. One of the nice features it brings along are multiple boot environments enabled by snapshots, allowing you to easily rollback updates. The more room you have, to more you can keep. Additionally, FreeNAS' install size has been growing a bit, with bits and pieces being added - and I wouldn't be surprised to see FreeNAS 10 jump up a bit.
That said, I did most of 9.3's lifespan with a mirrored pair of 16GB USB drives and they were at 70% in the end (mid 60s%, perhaps).

 

[CookiesLikeWhoa]

I would also agree with the CPU cooler. While I do like the Hyper 212 and have two in service, it is a waste of money here. Unless it is a system that will be overclocked (think gaming), the stock cooler will do just fine. Use the money saved to get a decent SSD.

Your case will be fine for your current use, just be aware of how much it limits expandability.

As others have said, try to grab 1 16GB stick instead of 2 8GB sticks.

 

[Stux]

Technically, 2 8GB sticks will have better performance than one 16GB, but for ZFS memory capacity is far more important.

So go for a single 16GB.

Eventually you can add another 16GB, and then the bandwidth will be the same as the 2x8GB.

 

[Matt Tyree]

Thanks for all the input, guys! I'm adjusting my build accordingly! As mentioned, this is my first foray into FreeNAS, so I'm a bit lost. My typical domain is desktops and Windows.

Any insight on my question about moving to full ATX if I move to a Define R5? Any advantages/disadvantages (other than, I assume, price)?

 

[Ericloewe]

Thanks for all the input, guys! I'm adjusting my build accordingly! As mentioned, this is my first foray into FreeNAS, so I'm a bit lost. My typical domain is desktops and Windows. :)

Any insight on my question about moving to full ATX if I move to a Define R5? Any advantages/disadvantages (other than, I assume, price)?

I guess you need longer cables and stuff, but nothing beyond the obvious, either positive or negative. Well, maybe weight, I once had to carry a Cooler Matser HAF X up two flights of stairs and it was no fun.

 

[Matt Tyree]

I actually meant moving to a full ATX mobo if I go to a larger case. Should I still stick with the Micro-ATX mobo?

Here is the updated build based on the input.

 

[CookiesLikeWhoa]

Usually a full ATX mobo has more connectivity options (additional PCIe slots, USB ports, SATA ports, Ethernet ports, etc.) but with the X11 mobo's that's not the case. They actually have less connectivity due to the addition of audio and other non-server essential hardware.

With X11 I would stick with Micro ATX.

 

[Matt Tyree]

Excellent. Thanks!

 

[pwnerman]

I didn't read what most of the others said but why in the world would you buy a 32 gig SSD? You can get a 120ish gig ssd nowday for like 30. also if the ssd is going to take up one of your limited sata ports I would just go with a USB drive. It's a NAS. you won't be rarely ever turning it off and on and won't really be doing any real writing to it. USB Flash drives are the preferred install media for a reason.

 

[Matt Tyree]

Most of the videos and tutorials out there say to use a USB drive, but according to folks on this forum and in this thread, SSD is the way to go now, I suppose.
The 30-ishGB SSD came from a tutorial I read saying that anything more was a waste of space since the OS didn't use more than that but it still rendered the rest of the drive useless. SO, a 250GB SSD ends up with 220GB wasted. But, yes, low capacity SSDs are pretty cheap. Not enough of a savings in buying a 30GB SSD.

 

[Matt Tyree]

That said, I did most of 9.3's lifespan with a mirrored pair of 16GB USB drives and they were at 70% in the end (mid 60s%, perhaps).

Re-reading Ericloewe's post, do you suggest USB flash drives instead of SSDs? You guys suggested a higher capacity SSD, but you didn't really say if SSD was better than USB. If USB is still a good way to do it, then I can just use that and save the SSD for something else.

 

[Stux]

SSDs are better than USB thumb drives because they tend to be more reliable.

USBs are better than SSDs because they don't use Sata ports, which No matter how many you have, another always seems useful (for example when replacing a drive, or for burnin testing a drive (or two))

SSDs can be more expensive, but can be faster. Is it cheaper to use one ssd or two usbs? at least you have a mirror with two usbs

I just use two sandisk cruiser fits 16GB in my builds. Works for me.

 

[Matt Tyree]

USBs are better than SSDs because they don't use Sata ports, which No matter how many you have, another always seems useful (for example when replacing a drive, or for burnin testing a drive (or two))

Good point, also made by pwnerman. My mobo has 8 SATA ports and I'll have 7 drives including the SSD. Although the 6 drives are far more than my current backup gets close to. Like twice as much. Should have some room for a while. But still, does make me wonder if I maybe should go USB. Decisions, decisions! :-D

 

[pwnerman]

SSDs are better than USB thumb drives because they tend to be more reliable.

USBs are better than SSDs because they don't use Sata ports, which No matter how many you have, another always seems useful (for example when replacing a drive, or for burnin testing a drive (or two))

SSDs can be more expensive, but can be faster. Is it cheaper to use one ssd or two usbs? at least you have a mirror with two usbs

Well two 32 gig usb 2.0 sandisk usb sticks will run you about 20 new on amazon. you can get a 120ish gig samsung ssd for around 30 pretty normally now considering nobody uses 120 gig ssds anymore.