First time FreeNAS build, need help!

[pintu1228]

Hi, all this is my first post and first build so please bare with me.

So I got all my parts mentioned above:

CPUs: Dual Intel Xenon X5650
Motherboard: Supermicro X8DTH-IF
CPU cooler: passive coolers from supermicro (2 of them)
RAM: Hynix HMT151R7BFR4C (4GB) ECC x 4 sticks = 16 GB total
Case: Supermicro SC933T-R760B
Drives: 3 x 2TB WD RED and 1 x 3TB WD RED (will replace the 3TB with 2 more 2TB to have them all the same size, I know freeNAS doesn't like different sizes)

Questions:

1. Wondering if I should get more RAM or not?

2. The case has a triple redudent PSU but should I replace this with ATX psu to reduce the noise? The triple redudent PSU has only 1 8-pin CPU connector and the motherboard requires 2, should I be looking for a ATX power supply with 2 of these? If so, can you help me find a PSU that would work for me??

3. If I go ahead and install FreeNAS, I am confused on what they said regarding the pool. If I make a pool with 5 X 2TB WD Red drives and later need to add more, I cannot add to the existing pool, correct? If so, if I make another pool with say 2 X 2TB WD Red drives, will I be able to put new movies into the folder created on the 1st pools or will I have to make a entirely different dataset under new pool?

4. Is there any sort of apps I can download on mobile devices (IOS, android) to play music from freeNAS (I used to own the Synology DS1512+ and had apps that could stream music/videos to my phone)?

5. Regarding question 4, is there a way I can install FreeNAS and then install Xpenology as VM inorder to use the apps such as audio station, photo station, video station? For my house needs, I will be using Plex as it is build into my TV.


Thanks in adavance

 

[pintu1228]

one more question, should I get the IBM M1015 HBA and flash it, my motherboard only has 6 ports.

Thanks

 

[marbus90]

1. you can remove CPU2 and use 3x4GB DIMMs on one CPU. Upgrading should be done via 3x16GB RDIMMs from the Tested Memory list.
2. an ATX PSU doesn't fit in a 3U chassis
3. you can include the 3TB in the same array. it'll work, you'll just lose that TB. you can replace the 3TB with a 2TB later on or just replace all the 2TBs with bigger ones - or leave it as-is.
4. there is, but I'm not into jails...
5. is blasphemy apart from plex (which is available in a jail).

 

[pintu1228]

Anyone else have some thoughts about my questions?

 

[Robert Trevellyan]

1. No way to know for sure until you see how the system performs
2. No expertise, sorry.
3. part 1 - you can only expand a pool by either adding a vdev or replacing all disks in a vdev with larger disks. part 2 - no, a dataset cannot span pools. You should probably read this.
4. Plex.
5. There is a VirtualBox jail template that you can run VMs on, if that helps.