Is this build any good, and what file system should I use?

[c0d3r3d]

Hi all!
Bit new to this sort of thing, but I hope it's in the right place. :)

I've decided to build a NAS. Reason being, all of the premade ones are low specced for how much they cost, and I believe I've made a good system, on the cheap since my budget is quite low.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/ptz7sY

There's a couple of things I want to ask.
1. Is this any good? Will it do what I want it to (store downloads and possibly game recordings)?
2. UFS or ZFS? These files aren't particularly precious but it's a big bummer if it all does go down the drain.

I've looked at ECC motherboards but they're ridiculously expensive for what I want it to do. I've read the large tips page but all the prices are in $s, and the prices are through the roof.

If there are some parts that aren't particularly great, please tell me some suggestions!
Thanks everyone!

 

[BigDave]

Your parts picker list has NAS4free listed.
For help with that software, go here http://forums.nas4free.org
If you are considering FreeNAS to run your machine, I would recommend
reading the FreeNAS manual and the stickies found in this forum.
Most all questions can be answered with a bit of reading. Pay close attention
to minimum hardware requirements for building a FreeNAS machine,
you will pull out less hair that way:D

 

[L]

As long as you understand the downsides of using non-ecc. If at all possible maybe a little more ram. You didn't say what you are doing with the box?

 

[L]

As long as you understand the downsides of using non-ecc. If at all possible maybe a little more ram. You didn't say what you are doing with the box?

Also, definately use zfs. Tons of resources to setup a nice config

 

[c0d3r3d]

Thanks for the replies!
BigDave, about me having nas4free in the part list: I wasn't sure what nas software to use, and to be honest; I couldn't see the difference when using them in a VM to test. I just forgot to remove that.
Checked the "manual" and I've got the jist. My build seems okay but I just wasn't sure.

Linda: I understand the risks. It's just that for a box to store downloads and other large files it's far more expensive than what I'd like. To be honest, this thing's stretching my budget anyway.

About ZFS: I'm buying 4 3TB drives so I can use 6GB and have the other as a mirror. Does ZFS support a version of Raid 10? Also, people say to use 1GB per TB, but does that take in to account the extra non-usable space?

 

[gpsguy]

If you must go with a desktop board, consider this one: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-m5a78lmusb3

Couple it with an AMD FX CPU and ECC RAM. Round it out with an Intel Pro/1000 CPU. One of our moderators, Joeschmuck, is using one with FreeNAS, as are several other forum members.

ZFS can do striped mirrors. To do so, you'd create 2 - ZFS mirrors (vdevs) and stripe them together for ~5.4Tb usable storage.

 

[c0d3r3d]

Again, thanks for the reply :D

The board: Looks good and fits what I need, so that's on the list.
The CPU: Is the FX4300 good for a task like this?
The RAM: Found 8GB ECC ram from Crucial. Quite expensive, but i have the budget for it.
Intel Pro: What one do I need? One with just one slot or more?
ZFS Stripe: Good to hear!
Got a question though. The FX chips don't have integrated graphics. Do I really need one, or can I take one out of a system just to get it set up and take it out after?
If I need to buy one, it's not that big of a deal.

 

[Knowltey]

Just spend the extra bucks for the ECC support on your hardware. You can still find some reasonably priced hardware out there that has built in support for ECC memory.

 

[c0d3r3d]

Just spend the extra bucks for the ECC support on your hardware. You can still find some reasonably priced hardware out there that has built in support for ECC memory.

I will do. I don't mind paying extra if it makes the box faster and more reliable. (bigger CPU and ECC ram)
Plus, I need it to run quickly anyway, since I want to be able to record footage to it, that is if that sort of thing is possible.

 

[gpsguy]

Joeschmuck is using this NIC in his: Intel NIC EXPI9301CTBLK PCI-E I'd suggest the same, since it's a PCI/e card.

I will be using the same motherboard for my new Windows box. I bought ECC RAM from Crucial. I finally got it up and running over the weekend and am using the onboard video while I do some testing.

 

[SwampRabbit]

That is a very good motherboard, I have two of them. Well the LX Plus models.
You don't need a dedicated GPU with it, it has onboard, which is decent. That's the "AMD 760G" you
see in the motherboard info.

The FX 4300 will work for what you want, also a very good CPU, also have a few of them. ;)
They are priced pretty good usually, it is a 95W max CPU and out performs the pricer 4100, 4130, and similar.

If you can find a FX 6300 for $10 more, I would recommend that.
Not so much for FreeNAS, but if you decide to use the motherboard and CPU for something else later
then the two extra cores maybenefit you in the long run.

 

[c0d3r3d]

Thanks for the NIC suggestion. Cheap and good, added. Does this replace my onboard one, or do I use them together, sort of like NIC SLI?
As you said Swamp, I upgraded the CPU to the 6300 since it was only a tenner more.
Interesting that it has onboard video! I thought it was always in the CPU...

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/ihaterain5620/saved/cFkgXL

I've amended the list. Is there anything else that I need/any suggestions for parts? Again, thanks for your help everyone!

 

[gpsguy]

No, you'll want to use the Intel NIC in lieu of the onboard Realtek. The latter is okay for Windows, but not so good for FreeNAS.

 

[SwampRabbit]

I think the build looks pretty good, but I'm not a expert here.

Possibly increase the RAM to 16GB, if it doesn't break your wallet.
Not sure if those HDDs are OEM boxed, but keep in mind that sometimes nowadays, they don't provide SATA cables.
I think only two come with the motherboard, you may need to get some if you don't have some already.

The AMD CPUs with integrated graphics are the APUs. :)

 

[Starpulkka]

Would be nicer if you buy 8+8=16Gb ecc ram. Also i dont favor mirror stripes heres an example that you can quicly mess it up http://forums.freenas.org/index.php...k-stripe-on-a-zpool-to-a-mirror-stripe.22693/ zfs raidz2 is much simpler setup. When you get parts then build it and before you even thinkin of install freenas, do hardware memory tests hdd tests etc. Don't know does evga psu have japan caps and proper shields, but i would favor seasonic psu. Also for more future stuff if you dont have ups yet it is worth buying for your nas.

 

[SwampRabbit]

I see you just changed your PCPartPicker list.

What made you go with a less CPU and a motherboard that doesn't support ECC RAM? At least MSI's website doesn't state it.
I see it dropped the price a bit, but to be honest it doesn't really fit the hardware requirements for FreeNAS now.
The CPU is fine, but the motherboard and RAM are not now.

The CPU, motherboard, and RAM you had before would have been fine.
Quite a few people run that setup and posted about it, that's why they recommended it.

 

[c0d3r3d]

Did you look at the wrong link? I meant the link in the same paragraph I wrote. (I haven't changed the top one yet)
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/ihaterain5620/saved/cFkgXL
I almost cried at the price of 16GB RAM, but I've added it.
About the UPS: I'll take a look. Thanks for the suggestion.
SATA cables? Pfft. I can buy some good ones somewhere. :)
NIC: Ah, I understand now. Is it because FreeNAS doesn't support realtek ones?
PSU: Again, I'll have a look now. XFX is just as good, right?

 

[gpsguy]

FreeNAS support for Realtek NIC's are iffy at best. A number of users with Realtek NIC's either find they have an unsupported NIC or suffer from poor performance.

As I recall, joeschmuck recently ran into issues with the onboard NIC and picked up an Intel to resolve the problem. His issue may have surfaced after a recent FreeNAS upgrade. Perhaps he might chime in on this thread.

 

[c0d3r3d]

Fair enough. I've heard that Intel's stuff is pretty good anyway, epsecially in terms of NICs.
Also, sorry for asking so many questions, but what wattage PSU should I get?

About my budget:
My budget is a bit different to many others. I'm doing it based on time.
I get £30 (well take 5 off since I have a subscription) a month, and I'm going to use this year's christmas and next year's birthday money to buy this too, totalling £200. All in all, 16 months.
My budget is "24 months", if that makes sense.

 

[SwampRabbit]

Haha, yep I looked at the first one, false alarm.

A 450W PSU should be good, get a Gold certified, but Bronze should be ok. I have no experience with XFX PSUs, just their graphics cards.
I like Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, then Silverstone for the really small sized ones. Pick the wattage and look for some reviews, that's what I do.

With a budget like that, you might just as well save up the money and either buy during a major sale or when things are cheapest.
Technology and prices will change a lot in 16-24 months. Just an option.

Yes the RAM prices can hurt a little, but its well worth it.