Help/Suggestion on a new Server Build

[mvbashyam]

I am currently running a very lightweight FreeNAS on a AMD Quadcore processor and MSi MB that I built 5 years ago. I am looking at building a new FreeNAS server that is at least 16GB RAM, a decent Xeon CPU and can take in at least 8 drives. Primarily will be using it for Photos, Movies and Plex with 4K encoding or with good encoding power. It seems from the guides and posts that to build a SuperMicro based configuration the price runs to close to $1000. I am looking to spend somewhere around $500 to $600. I wanted to check here to see if any of you had any suggestions on any Dell or HP servers that I can buy from eBay that would be ideal for running FreeNAS? I would like a quieter system. I am looking for a workstation tower build. Any help/suggestions would be really helpful. I looked at some Poweredge servers like a 2950 that have large RAM etc... but I like something that is like a desktop/workstation where I dont have to worry about cooling and noise as I will be putting this in a closet.

Any pointers/suggestions on what servers to look for and where would be great.

 

[warllo]

Does your budget need to include the costs of disks?

 

[mvbashyam]

No disks excluded. I am going to reuse the disks from my current build. I need to get everything else but the disks.

 

[IceBoosteR]

Mhh I think a Dell R520 could fit your needs - or a similar system. But make sure you buy a SAS HBA and flash it to IT mode, otherwise you will have issues, as the Dell controller is not passing thru the disks to FreeNAS by default (and it is strongly recommended that FreeNAS/ZFS is able to have acess to the physical disks).
But maybe you want something to build by yourself eith used parts aswell? @Chris Moore always have good recommendations aroudn that topic (sorry for involving you Chris^^) but it depends on what you would like to do: Buy or build.
Have you seen the HW recommendations guide? https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?resources/hardware-recommendations-guide.12/

-Ice

 

[mvbashyam]

Yes I have see the recommendations guide. If I go for a Medium build and get a X11 as per the guide it easily touches $800 or $900. I wanted to see if I could either buy previous gen Xeon processors from eBay or used parts and build it myself to keep the cost low. Dell R520 seems to be pretty pricey and out of my range.

 

[IceBoosteR]

Yes I have see the recommendations guide. If I go for a Medium build and get a X11 as per the guide it easily touches $800 or $900. I wanted to see if I could either buy previous gen Xeon processors from eBay or used parts and build it myself to keep the cost low. Dell R520 seems to be pretty pricey and out of my range.

Depends if you get a good deal or not.
Then, I would suggest you try a used Supermicro X9 motherboard like the X9SRL-F and a used Xeon E5-2600 (v2) and registered DDR3 RAM. That should fit your needs.

 

[Chris Moore]

where I don't have to worry about cooling and noise as I will be putting this in a closet.

You still need airflow to keep the drives and CPU cool. Don't suffocate your system because you can burn it up with too much heat in a non-ventilated closet.

 

[Chris Moore]

But maybe you want something to build by yourself eith used parts aswell? @Chris Moore always have good recommendations aroudn that topic (sorry for involving you Chris^^) but it depends on what you would like to do: Buy or build.

Ice, I know that I suggested other hardware to you in a different thread, but for a seriously low cost build, this might be worth considering:
I just suggested something like this to someone else a couple weeks ago, but I couldn't find the post to point you at.
Here is what I would suggest for a tower build that you want quiet and inexpensive while still capable.

CASE: Fractal-Design-Define-R5-FD-CA-DEF-R5-BK-Black-Silent-ATX-Midtower-Computer-Case - US $99.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/263674323506

POWER: Corsair-Certified-CS-M-Series-CS650M-650W-80-Plus-Gold-Active-PFC-Modular-Power - US $64.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/382130407495

System Board: Super Micro X9SCM-F Motherboard w/ Heatsink/Fan & I/O Shield - US $75.00
https://www.ebay.com/itm/273350608871

CPU: Intel SR00H Xeon E3-1230 3.20GHZ Socket 1155 - - US $55.09
https://www.ebay.com/itm/273313040616

Memory: 8GB Memory RAM for SuperMicro X9 Series - - US $82.00 * 2 = $164
https://www.ebay.com/itm/163130855012

Drive Controller: LSI-SAS-9211-8i-8-port-6Gb-s-PCI-E-Internal-HBA-Both-Brackets-IT-MODE - US $59.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/152937435505

Drive Cables: Mini SAS to 4-SATA SFF-8087 Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable - - US $12.99
https://www.ebay.com/itm/371681252206

Thermal Compound: Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Paste Grease Conductive Compound for CPU/GPU - US $6.95
https://www.ebay.com/itm/302624513215

I may have missed some accessorie, and I didn't include drives, but this should get you all the key components and it is at $539 as of 18 July 2018
I just picked these on eBay and they are all available right now.

 

[Chris Moore]

4K encoding or with good encoding power

I suggest that you skip the 4k... Here is why:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinm...-screens-but-look-the-emperor-has-no-clothes/

Just encode your video at 1080p and be happy.

 

[mvbashyam]

@Chris Moore - Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I will look into the configuration. Is there any special setup I need to do for the drive controller or will FreeNAS pick it up? Also I should be able to use my current ZFS setup from my existing disks even through the controller correct?

 

[Chris Moore]

Is there any special setup I need to do for the drive controller or will FreeNAS pick it up?

The hardware driver is built in. Eventually, you may need to update the firmware because the operating system has version 21.something where the last firmware release was 20.00.07.00. It works without any configuration to make the drives visible to ZFS.

Also I should be able to use my current ZFS setup from my existing disks even through the controller correct?

If you had them connected to a regular SATA interface before, this should pickup the hardware with no difficulty. Just be sure to exit the setup wizard because it might try to create a new pool instead of importing your existing pool.

What version of FreeNAS are you running? It is possible that you might be able to save your configuration and import it in the new system or even just move the boot drive over to the new system. FreeNAS detects hardware during boot, so it is possible to switch your system to new hardware without reinstalling the operating system

 

[mvbashyam]

I am running 11.1u5.

I ended up buying a x11ssm-f in a really good deal along with CPU. I will save config and try using the same usb key. On a side note can I just get one 16gb ddr4 2400 Ram and install in one slot or do I have to get in pairs? I don't want more than 16gb and finding 2x8GB has been hard for $210 or less

 

[Chris Moore]

I am running 11.1u5.

I ended up buying a x11ssm-f in a really good deal along with CPU. I will save config and try using the same usb key. On a side note can I just get one 16gb ddr4 2400 Ram and install in one slot or do I have to get in pairs? I don't want more than 16gb and finding 2x8GB has been hard for $210 or less

https://www.supermicro.com/QuickRefs/motherboard/C232/QRG-1785.pdf

 

[Chris Moore]

This matches the spec:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Compu...-Mem-1rx8-Ddr4-Udimm-2400mhz-Ecc/332582712795
but it is more than you wanted to spend.

 

[Chris Moore]

This would work in the system, just at a slightly lower frequency. Save you some money.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/N0H87AA-MB...M-Memory-HP-Z238-Z240-Worstation/192354600959

 

[Chris Moore]

However, it is only a couple bucks a stick to get the fastest memory your system will use:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1CA79AA-MB...y-HP-Z238-Z240-Tower-Workstation/202103947538

 

[mvbashyam]

Thanks Chris. Yes that is more expensive than I want to spend for 16GB. Would this work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/283009607457

 

[mvbashyam]

Or maybe I can get two of this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/183341766900 @Chris Moore ?

 

[Chris Moore]

Thanks Chris. Yes that is more expensive than I want to spend for 16GB. Would this work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/283009607457

No. That is Registered memory (RDIMM) and your system can only use un-buffered (UDIMM) memory.

 

[Chris Moore]

Or maybe I can get two of this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/183341766900 @Chris Moore ?

Looking at the markings, it isn't clear that this is ECC memory. I would go with one of the others I suggested. Like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1CA79AA-MB...y-HP-Z238-Z240-Tower-Workstation/202103947538