New NAS Build for Home Use/Plex

[wil421]

Hello,

I am planning to get a home NAS built. I have things like photos, GoPro Videos, and misc files. I plan to run Plex and I have made a CPU considerations and notes below. My current i7-7700k desktop/Plex Server can have trouble if it needs to transcode 4k to 1080p with one stream. I am picking up a Dell R720 locally for virtualization and to setup a home lab. The NAS may take some file backups and other things from the home lab. My personal data and Plex come first.

After looking at the hardware guide I have changed my original build to use ECC, Supermicro, Seasonic, and a few other things. I've also read a ton of threads. Especially the comments about old vs new hardware.

I understand the new vs old hardware argument but I would like to have longevity and lower power consumption. Upgrading RAM and replacing failed hard drives is ok. Upgrading and managing FreeNAS is also fine with me. I could also replace my cpu when the C246/LGA 1151 platform ages for datacenter use. My last few builds have lasted a long time.

Motherboard
Supermicro MBD-X11SCH-LN4F-O C246 LGA 1151 (X11SCH is preferred but I can't find it in the US.)
$270

CPU
Intel Xeon E-2146G (out of stock at most places, 2176G can be found.)
~$350 prices varies (2176G $375-$420)

RAM
2 x Supermicro 16GB SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR4 2666 MTA18ADF2G72AZ-2G6E1 (32GB Total)
2 x $110

Storage
6 x WD Red 2 TB NAS Drives (ZFS/RAIDZv2)
6 x $70

OS Drive
Existing Intel SSD or existing 2 x USB

Cooler
Existing cooler I have on hand is a Enermax ETS-N31.
Open to suggestions.

PSU
750w Seasonic FOCUS Plus Series SSR-750FX 80+ Gold ATX12V & EPS12V Full Modular
$110

Case
Rosewill RSV-L4000 - 4U Rackmount Server Chassis 8 Bays 7 Fans
$129
Server Rack will be purchased locally separate from the build.

Final Cost
~$1500

Questions

1. What am I forgetting beside cables or maybe power cable extenders?
2. Any concerns with TimeMachine and FreeNAS? I haven't searched much on this topic but I will.

Future Expansion
10G SFP+ Peer to Peer and/or 10G switched storage network separated from my home Unifi network. I have read and will confirm I am using FreeBSD supported NICs.

Plex Notes
I usually have only 1-2 1080p streams at a time sometimes 3 1080p. My current i7-7700k keeps up fine. Sometimes I have trouble with the 4k to 1080p transcode but not much lately after Plex app updates. If 2 people were to try a 4k to 1080p transcode then I will probably tell someone to watch something else.

Thank you,

wil421

 

[Chris Moore]

OS Drive
Existing Intel SSD or existing 2 x USB

SSD is a better choice here.

4U Rackmount Server

with this and

Final Cost
~$1500

If you are going to spend that much and you are looking to get a 4U rack mount server, you should get a used server from eBay instead.
Something like this would be good:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supermicro-4U-SAS2-Storage-2x-E5-2620-16GB-LSI-9265-8I-Rails/383001589533
Just change out the hardware RAID controller to a SAS HBA like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-H220-6G...0-IT-Mode-for-ZFS-FreeNAS-unRAID/162862201664
and start plugging in your drives.
If I recall correctly, that server can be upgraded to 1TB of RAM using Registered ECC memory and you can upgrade the processors if you need more horsepower. It is a real workhorse.

 

[wil421]

SSD is a better choice here.

with this and

If you are going to spend that much and you are looking to get a 4U rack mount server, you should get a used server from eBay instead.
Something like this would be good:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supermicro-4U-SAS2-Storage-2x-E5-2620-16GB-LSI-9265-8I-Rails/383001589533
Just change out the hardware RAID controller to a SAS HBA like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-H220-6G...0-IT-Mode-for-ZFS-FreeNAS-unRAID/162862201664
and start plugging in your drives.
If I recall correctly, that server can be upgraded to 1TB of RAM using Registered ECC memory and you can upgrade the processors if you need more horsepower. It is a real workhorse.

The hardware is tempting but the 4k transcode ability could be lacking. I will have to upgrade sooner.

4U is not a requirement. 8 drives would be preferred. I do not know much about server chassis.

 

[Chris Moore]

The hardware is tempting but the 4k transcode ability could be lacking.

That server board can have two processors like this:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+E5-2697+v2+@+2.70GHz&id=2009
Plenty of room to upgrade later in the same board. Two of those 12 core processors would give you 24 real cores and 48 hyper-thread cores. More than enough... Even if you need to upgrade the CPUs in that board, it would still be a bargain.

 

[cklmll95]

Just found your answer to wil421 and i like the option. Are these servers loud?

 

[Chris Moore]

Are these servers loud?

It depends on details of the specific unit you are looking at and your tolerance. The one I have is not loud by my standard. I have two servers in my office at home and I am able to have a conversation without difficulty. Here is a link to a YouTube video I made while I was in my office with the server running:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPv_ikws7A0