Freenas and Plex using OLD Xeon

[mpepin07]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking these forums for awhile but this is actually my first post. I got the itch to build my own NAS awhile ago and have been doing some research on it for the past few weeks. The main uses for this NAS will be file sharing, backups, and as a Plex media server. As for Plex, the heaviest use I can see is probably five 1080p streams going at once, with two of them needing transcoding. As I said though, this would be the MAX usage, while average would simply be two 1080p streams. I currently have 2 WD Red 4TB drives, and would like to eventually add two more.

The part I need help with is choosing the cpu, mobo and ram. Right off the bat, the motivation behind this project will be more for learning experience and fun rather than out of necessity. Because of this, I would like to spend as little money as possible, however, I would not be against spending more (lets say $500 for mobo, cpu and ram) if there is a justification for it. After both searching eBay and looking at new parts, these are the options I am currently considering:

Option 1:
Supermicro X8SIL-F
Intel Xeon X3450
16Gb DDR3 ECC ram
~$75

Option 2:
Supermicro X10SLM+-LN4F
Xeon E3-1240v3
16Gb DDR3 ECC ram
~$175

Option 3:
Supermicro X11SSL-F
Intel Xeon E3-1230v6
16Gb DDR4 ECC ram
~$500

I am curious if I can get away with the X3450 (a 10 year old cpu) and save some cash for more storage. If not, the E3-1240v3 will likely be my choice unless someone can give me a reason to drop some more cash on new components. I am also open to other suggestions, both new and used. I look forward to your replies!

 

[Basil Hendroff]

Update: As a rough guide, the X3450 is similar in performance to the E3 1220-V2 I use in my FreeNAS/Plex server, though the vintage is about the same (2014 making them both about 5 years old) https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Xeon-X3450-vs-Intel-Xeon-E3-1220-V2/m10439vsm3482, whereas the E3-1240v3 has a better spec https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Xeon-E3-1240-V2-vs-Intel-Xeon-E3-1220-V2/m5484vsm3482 FYI, I have not yet run into a problem Plex transcoding with several devices accessing Plex.

 

[Chris Moore]

I've been lurking these forums for awhile

While lurking, did you see these example parts:

Intel Xeon E3-1230V2 SR0P4 3.30GHz Processor
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SR0P4-Inte...d-Core-CM8063701098101-Processor/202572624908
US $74.00

Super Micro X9SCM-F, LGA 1155, Intel C204, Micro ATX server motherboard
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-SuperM...rd-Accessoreis-are-not-included-/352358089215
US $77.77

16GB 2X8GB Memory RAM Intel Xeon E3 ONLY DDR3, 1600MHz, ECC, CL11, 2R, X8, 1.5V, Unbuffered, DIMM, 240-pin
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16GB-2X8GB...-CMT-SFF-Intel-Xeon-E3-ONLY-B89-/301855376261
US $126.00

Dell H310 6Gbps SAS HBA LSI 9211-8i P20 IT Mode
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-H310-...-IT-Mode-for-ZFS-FreeNAS-unRAID-/162834659601
US $56.55

1M Mini SAS 4i SFF-8087 36-Pin Male to 4 SATA 7-Pin Splitter Adapter Cable NEW
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1M-Mini-SA...7-Pin-Splitter-Adapter-Cable-NEW/272098511869
US $7.39

 

[mpepin07]

I did look into the into the v2 chips, but the v3's seem to be only marginally more expensive and use the same mobo. Due to this, I have ruled out the v2's unless I come across one that is stupid cheap. As for SAS controllers, I do not believe I will be needing one in the near future, as I will only be using 4 drives which is supported by all of the boards I am considering.

 

[Chris Moore]

I did look into the into the v2 chips, but the v3's seem to be only marginally more expensive and use the same mobo.

Different board between v2 and v3. Different socket.


Hardware Recommendations Guide Rev. 1e) 2017-05-06
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?resources/hardware-recommendations-guide.12/

Hardware Recommendations by @cyberjock - from 26 Aug 2014 - and still valid
https://forums.freenas.org/threads/hardware-recommendations-read-this-first.23069/

 

[mpepin07]

Ahh you're correct, I was confusing this with v3 and v4 using the same board. And yes I have read this thread already. It was very informative and helped me narrow down my options. One of the recommendations is to stay away from anything pre Sandy Bridge (X3450) due to power considerations. If, theoretically, power is a moot point, is there any other reason to rule out these older cpu's?

 

[Chris Moore]

Heat was the reason, other than power, that made me change. I was using a system with socket 1366 Xeon processors for a couple years at home and didn't have a big problem with that. I think it mostly depends on the budget. Depending on the exact CPU there are some features that you might not have.
What is the budget you are looking at?