Help with FreeNAS Build

[devexityspace]

I am looking to build a Media Server for home use. This will be used to stream 720p & 1080p large video files to multiple devices in the home (I currently have 2 Rooted Chromebox set up in my house which will be used as the client(s) for accessing the media server). I'm not entirely sure if I will be using PLEX, XBMC or OpenELEC (Suggestions?). What I do know, is I want the NAS to run FreeNAS. My build below utilizes the recommended ECC requirements and 32GB RAM (which is the max for the MOBO I chose). I'm not sure if that will be ok for 36TB worth of data (I've read a lot of posts that said RAM should be 1:1.. will this make a difference?).

Lastly, I need a quiet cooling suggestion for this build.

Thanks in advance!

CURRENT POSSIBLE BUILD: (Let me know your thoughts!)

MOBO: ASRock E3C236D2I Mini ITX Server Motherboard LGA 1151 Intel C236
$239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813599005

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 SkyLake 3.3 GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1151 80W BX80662E31225V5 Server Processor
$234.99 (more expensive at Amazon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Intel_Xeon_E3_LGA_1151-_-19-117-612-_-Product

RAM: Crucial 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM ECC Registered DDR4 2133 (PC4 17000) Server Memory Model CT2K16G4RFD4213
$179.99 (more expensive at Amazon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...m_re=DDR4_2133_ECC_RAM-_-20-148-840-_-Product

PSU: SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready
$77.99 (same price @ Amazon. Giant Eagle Gift Cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7151119&cm_re=SeaSonic-_-17-151-119-_-Product

CASE: Fractal Design Node 304 Black Aluminum/Steel Mini-ITX Small Form Factor Computer Case
$79.99 (more expensive at Amazon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re=Fractal_Design_Node-_-11-352-027-_-Product

HDD: WD Red 6TB NAS Hard Disk Drive - 5400 RPM Class SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch - WD60EFRX
234.53/each (x6 drives: $1407.18) -- same price at Amazon (Giant Eagle Gift Cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822236737

FLASH DRIVE: Will put the FreeNAS OS on the a Flash Drive to run the server.

COOLING: ?? Help!

TOTAL: $2220.13

 

[danb35]

32GB RAM (which is the max for the MOBO I chose). I'm not sure if that will be ok for 36TB worth of data (I've read a lot of posts that said RAM should be 1:1.. will this make a difference?).

The recommendation for 1 GB of RAM per 1 TB of capacity is a loose rule of thumb. The minimum is 8 GB for safe and stable operation. For most home users, 16 GB is a good "sweet spot" between price and performance. ZFS loves RAM, so it's pretty much impossible to have too much. Your 32 GB will be fine, but you've spec'd the wrong stuff. You've got Registered DIMMs listed, while your CPU/motherboard take unbuffered.

Speaking of your CPU, you've picked one with an integrated GPU. That will do nothing for you with FreeNAS, and isn't required by that motherboard (the IPMI includes a basic video controller). It won't hurt anything, but those usually cost more than the equivalent parts without the integrated GPU.

 

[devexityspace]

The recommendation for 1 GB of RAM per 1 TB of capacity is a loose rule of thumb. The minimum is 8 GB for safe and stable operation. For most home users, 16 GB is a good "sweet spot" between price and performance. ZFS loves RAM, so it's pretty much impossible to have too much. Your 32 GB will be fine, but you've spec'd the wrong stuff. You've got Registered DIMMs listed, while your CPU/motherboard take unbuffered.

Speaking of your CPU, you've picked one with an integrated GPU. That will do nothing for you with FreeNAS, and isn't required by that motherboard (the IPMI includes a basic video controller). It won't hurt anything, but those usually cost more than the equivalent parts without the integrated GPU.

Ahh, I missed the unbuffered. I found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...R4_2133_ECC_unbuffered-_-20-014-107-_-Product but I've never used Black Diamond memory. Im generally a fan of Crucial, but I wasnt able to find ECC Unbuffered DDR4 2133 in that brand. This unbuffered RAM ups the price a bit (difference of $29 so not a big deal)

I don't see any reviews on the Black Diamond RAM so I am a bit nervous about it right off the bat

 

[nojohnny101]

did you check out ASRock's Memory QVL list for your board?
http://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=E3C236D2I#Memory

That would be a good place to start. I couldn't find anything available from crucial which is where most people start. strange, they usually have something for everything.

 

[Stux]

Such a pity there's no mini itx skylake boards which take 64Gb :(

 

[danb35]

Im generally a fan of Crucial, but I wasnt able to find ECC Unbuffered DDR4 2133 in that brand.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/e3c236d4u/CT9028972

 

[sremick]

Hey look, it's the updated LGA1151 version of my build.

Check my sig for what I did (and my cooling choice). I also went fanless for the PS since I found 400W to be more than adequate. But there's nothing wrong with your choice.