BUILD Freenas noob with a few more question.

[Ferriseidon]

This is my first FreeNAS build, although I've built many PCs before. I'm building mostly for a file/media server, backup location for my other PCs and would like to be able to do Plex transcoding as well as other plugins. I think I've got most of my hardware narrowed down but I still have a few questions. I'm totally willing to spend some extra money now in order to save time and effort upgrading later.

My plan is for a 6x4TB RaidZ2 setup with an extra drive ready in case of failure.

I have read:
So you want some hardware suggestions: http://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/so-you-want-some-hardware-suggestions.12276/
and Slideshow for noobs: http://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/slideshow-explaining-vdev-zpool-zil-and-l2arc-for-noobs.7775/
both very helpful.

Case: Lian Li PC-V354B or Fractal Design Define R4 (still deciding)
Motherboard: Supermicro MBD-X9SCM-F-O
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2
Drives: 6x4TB WD Red + one extra
RAM: 32GB ECC (have to check for compatibility/availability)
SATA card: IBM M1015 (crossflashed to IT mode, have to find one at a good price, safe to search Ebay?)
PSU: Not sure, 500W should be enough, at least 80Plus Gold
USB flash drive (4GB)

Questions:
1. Am I better off going with a 6 drive RaidZ2 and having an additional drive ready to swap in in case of failure or should I just go with a 7 drive RaidZ3?

2. I chose my motherboard/CPU based off many other posts/suggestions. Would I be better off choosing a newer X10 Supermicro board/Haswell CPU or stick to the older, tested stuff?

Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[indy]

I feel that a 6 drive raidz2 with a cold spare is a good choice for a home server.
It would also mean that you will most likely not need that M1015.

Haswell stuff costs pretty much the same and works fine.


Other thoughts:

500W is way too much, it will cost more and run at a lower efficiency.

32GB is a waste on a home-server imo.
Why not start with 16GB as you can always upgrade anyway.

The Define Mini is a little smaller than the R4 and would also be adequate.

 

[Yatti420]

Xeon is overkill.. PSU is preference at this point although Indy's point is valid.. If you plan to expand and have the case then stick with a higher wattage PSU.. Use brand name USBs.. The x9 is a good series.. I only have problems with IPMI-Freenas integration..

 

[jgreco]

500W is not necessarily "way too much." There's a sticky at the top of the hardware forum that discusses hardware selection and includes a simple way to determine the correct sizing for a supply. It would not be unusual for a system that consumes 150-200 watts idle to have a 500 watt supply, and that'd be a good thing. For a smaller system, slightly smaller supplies are fine, and it is likely that for your described system that'd be around 350W.

 

[Ferriseidon]

Thanks for the feedback. I looked into jumping up to the X10 series but have not found as many favorable reviews as with the X9s so I'll probably stick with that. Maybe the newer boards only have reviews from people that had problems. Better safe than sorry.

I did use a power estimator on some website and did come out to mid 300W. I figured with disk spin up on boot and possible future expansion 500W would be about right.

I also found the Fractal Define Mini which is now on the top of my list. Thanks for the tip.