BUILD FreeNAS + Emby Server HW Build ~$1700-$1800

[OLKent]

Hi, first post, lurking a bunch! I've read a ton on these forums, thanks to all of you for advice!

I'm putting together my first FreeNAS box, intending to run it as a media server + NAS. Emby (via FreeNAS plugin) will drive the media services to primarily direct play or direct stream (kodi clients + FireTV/Android clients running libVLC) but also 1 or 2 transcode streams (Live TV). Transcode streams might bump up later in life to 3-4 depending on family usage and where Emby clients go.

Current media/storage usage is around 3-4TB of used capacity.

Would be great if you guys could critique the builds I've put together.

Option 1: CPU heavy transcoding. Raidz2

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($263.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Supermicro X10SL7-F Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($262.03 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($132.09 @ Adorama)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($132.09 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.56 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Enermax REVOLUTION X't 430W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.55 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Fractal Design GP14-WT 68.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.99 @ SuperBiiz)
UPS: CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPS ($139.95 @ B&H)
Total: $1810.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-14 15:52 EDT-0400

Option 2: ffpmpeg QuickSync GPU accelerated transcodes (when it becomes a 'thing', soon!). Raidz2

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4370 3.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($144.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Supermicro X10SL7-F Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($262.03 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($132.09 @ Adorama)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($132.09 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.56 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Enermax REVOLUTION X't 430W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.55 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Fractal Design GP14-WT 68.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.99 @ SuperBiiz)
UPS: CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPS ($139.95 @ B&H)
Total: $1691.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-14 15:56 EDT-0400

Thanks!

 

[DifferentStrokes]

Option 1 will be go for couple future Plex transcoding streams. I'd go with the first option. Not much more money for a lot stronger machine. Good build. You have been reading up.

 

[Darren Myers]

I agree with @DifferentStrokes go with option 1 for Plex, also thanks for choosing a UPS and proper hardware on first shot :D . My only concern would be the powersupply, i would go with something different...i personally like Corsair or Ultra (Ultra for lifetime warranty...), but seasonic is very popular too.

 

[OLKent]

Thanks Gents!

I agree with @DifferentStrokes go with option 1 for Plex, also thanks for choosing a UPS and proper hardware on first shot :D . My only concern would be the powersupply, i would go with something different...i personally like Corsair or Ultra (Ultra for lifetime warranty...), but seasonic is very popular too.

Yes, struggling with the PSU a bit. I have 8 drives and I can either grab a PSU that can support 8 sata drives or buy a PSU + extra sata or molex cables for the drives. I haven't figured out the best approach yet, thoughts?

I figured the enermax was decent (it comes with 8 sata cables) and i don't have to worry about using molex connectors or purchasing an oversized PSU.

Originally I wanted to go with a SeaSonic 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

Guess I can pick up a couple of StarTech.com PYO2SATA 6in SATA Power Y Splitter Cable Adapter - M/F and go with the SeaSonic.

 

[Ericloewe]

Seasonic G-Series were recently updated to include more SATA cables, I believe. In any case, it should be significantly better than Enermax's product.

As for option 2, QuickSync requires the GPU, which is not usable on the recommended server boards. Even if it ends up being supported (doubtful), you'd need a workstation board, with accompanying disadvantages, like the X10SAE.

 

[OLKent]

Seasonic G-Series were recently updated to include more SATA cables, I believe. In any case, it should be significantly better than Enermax's product.

As for option 2, QuickSync requires the GPU, which is not usable on the recommended server boards. Even if it ends up being supported (doubtful), you'd need a workstation board, with accompanying disadvantages, like the X10SAE.

Ok thanks for the advice. I'll make the Seasonic work as I do prefer that PSU over the other.

I'm not sure I understand your point on the QuickSync and the GPU not being usable on the server boards. Why wouldn't it be usable? According to supermicro, the SL7 target board I'm looking at supports 4th gen i3 processors, and the i3-4170 has an onboard GPU that is QuickSync supported. Logic tells me it would then be usable as long as the software is written to use (i.e. Handbrake). But, what am I missing?

Thanks!

 

[Ericloewe]

Ok thanks for the advice. I'll make the Seasonic work as I do prefer that PSU over the other.

I'm not sure I understand your point on the QuickSync and the GPU not being usable on the server boards. Why wouldn't it be usable? According to supermicro, the SL7 target board I'm looking at supports 4th gen i3 processors, and the i3-4170 has an onboard GPU that is QuickSync supported. Logic tells me it would then be usable as long as the software is written to use (i.e. Handbrake). But, what am I missing?

Thanks!

The boards have no iGPU circuitry at all, so they are disabled, supposedly.

 

[OLKent]

LOL well that would be decisive then, I go with the Xeon processor.

Can anyone confirm that the i3 GPU cannot be used on SL7 mobo?

 

[OLKent]

Seasonic G-Series were recently updated to include more SATA cables, I believe. In any case, it should be significantly better than Enermax's product.

As for option 2, QuickSync requires the GPU, which is not usable on the recommended server boards. Even if it ends up being supported (doubtful), you'd need a workstation board, with accompanying disadvantages, like the X10SAE.

Hi, just a sanity check here. This CPU and Mobo combination should support Quick Sync (as explained in this article). I'm trying to confirm with Supermicro as well. What do you think?

Edit: Looks like the x10sat is a workstation board and doesn't support IPMI. Looking at
X10SLH-F instead, which has C226 chipset supporting Quick Sync and a dedicated RJ45 for IPMI. However, it only has 6 sata ports so I have to figure something out there.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1246 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($276.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Supermicro X10SAT-O ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($255.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($132.09 @ Adorama)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($132.09 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 450W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.55 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Fractal Design GP14-WT 68.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.99 @ SuperBiiz)
UPS: CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPS ($139.95 @ B&H)
Total: $1807.56
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-16 14:16 EDT-0400

 

[Darren Myers]

Get a LSI 9211-8i or a M1015 for more SATA ports, if using a case without a SAS backplane you can get SAS to SATA breakout cables to connect hdds to either the 9211-8i or the M1015

 

[OLKent]

Get a LSI 9211-8i or a M1015 for more SATA ports, if using a case without a SAS backplane you can get SAS to SATA breakout cables to connect hdds to either the 9211-8i or the M1015

Thanks. I think i'll go with a 6 drive pool and worry about adding drives later in life. I just can't afford to pick it up now and I really want Quick Sync in the equation as i think I will use that before I have to worry about upgrading beyond a 18TB usable storage pool. It's a trade off, but I got 90% of what I wanted and lowered the cost to boot.

That being said, I *think* this is my final build.

Any thoughts??

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1246 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($276.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($132.09 @ Adorama)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($132.09 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($108.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Fractal Design GP14-WT 68.4 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.99 @ SuperBiiz)
UPS: CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPS ($139.95 @ B&H)
Other: SUPERMICRO MBD-X10SLH-F ($207.99)
Total: $1706.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-16 19:48 EDT-0400

 

[Darren Myers]

Well, with that build x6 3Tb hdds, youll have ~9.4Tb of usable space (when filling to 80%), see here for a fancy calculator :D , anywho 32Gb of ECC RAM is awesome, Xeon good, Mobo supermicro with IPMI (the one thing i wish i had...) awesome, and having a UPS to sum it all up is awesome, all in all yes great build.

But if you decide to readd the 2 drives, and have a total of x8 3Tb hdds, youll have ~14Tb usable....which is a nice bump from 9.

 

[OLKent]

Well, with that build x6 3Tb hdds, youll have ~9.4Tb of usable space (when filling to 80%), see here for a fancy calculator :D , anywho 32Gb of ECC RAM is awesome, Xeon good, Mobo supermicro with IPMI (the one thing i wish i had...) awesome, and having a UPS to sum it all up is awesome, all in all yes great build.

But if you decide to readd the 2 drives, and have a total of x8 3Tb hdds, youll have ~14Tb usable....which is a nice bump from 9.

Thanks! I'm thinking this is really solid!

Using the calculator, 6 x 3tb gets me 8.592 TiB and I can max out at ~17.18 TiB (assuming 6 x 6tb) before I have to worry about adding more drives.

I can live with that! And who knows maybe 8TB drives will be price competitive by the time i need to start upgrading the 3tb ones. :)

 

[Darren Myers]

Using the calculator, 3 x 3tb gets me 8.592 TiB

Where did you get these numbers from?

 

[OLKent]

The calculator you linked! Attached....

 

[Darren Myers]

The calculator you linked! Attached....

Ah, maybe it was a typo, above it says x3 3's when it should of read x6 3's :P

 

[OLKent]

oops yes, i'll fix it.

 

[Darren Myers]

oops yes, i'll fix it.

Knew i wasnt crazy, or at least *that* crazy :P but yea it looks good.

Just do us all a favor and make sure you make a pit stop over to Bidule0hm awesome thread with some awesome scripts for stuff , it'll save you alot of headache later... https://forums.freenas.org/index.ph...d-identification-and-backup-the-config.27365/

After you order and finalize everything, and get the hdds and HW burned in, then you can start using those scripts when you get in *production*

 

[OLKent]

Yes for sure, that is my next step, doing full burn in and tests on ram and drives as per the guides here, as well as setting up the scripts you linked.

thanks!

I have an issue I'm working through with supermicro. Support guys are checking to see if Quick Sync will work for my application. Here is the email they sent me (after confirming Quick Sync was supported on x10SAT). However, I pointed out that I wont be using any video ports and the GPU will be used purely to encode/decode/transcode audio and video via ffmpeg and storing the file to be served by Plex or Emby.

Let us see what they say! I might be back to a tough decision between Quick Sync support (x10sat) or IPMI / server hardware support (sl7).

Hi Kent,


X10SLH-F can support it but it’s not as straight forward as X10SAT because there is no CPU graphics output port from the board.

We’ve verified it to work with E3-1285 V3 on Win 7 and Win 8.1.


Which OS and application are you planning to use?

Depending OS is Windows or not, we may not have driver for it.



BR,

Milton