Optimum Performance Needed on 5 - 3TB 6Gb/s HDDs

[d4v15]

I've been away from FreeNAS since version 7 and I want to come back with a strong version 9 setup. So, I decided to go big or go home. I bought 5 - 3TB WD hard drives and want to be able to use them to their fullest extent. I'm planning on having one as a hot swap spare because I refuse to lose data ever again, and I'm looking forward to the ZFS capability.

My initial concern is the motherboard; however, I will also be looking for optimal RAM and processor. These hard drives are SATA 6Gb/s and I would very much like to have a compatible motherboard to fully utilize that option. I would really appreciate mobo suggestions that won't break the bank, while still giving me functionality. The one exception I would be willing to look at is an internal SATA controller card (or multiple) with a lowered end mobo. Essentially, I just want the most bang for the least buck (don't we all?), and I would really love suggestions from anyone willing to give them.

Feel free to ask me any questions if I left something out, and thank you in advance.

 

[TheSmoker]

I personally went for a quad core fm2 socket cpu, 32g ram and a mobo with 8 6gbps sata ports, micro atx format.
The ram will cost you as much as the mobo+cpu. :)
I was also able to passively cool the cpu as well.
Also i added a dual port gigabit intel nic for network connectivity as most of the amd boards are coming with realtek nics...

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[d4v15]

Would you be able to post links for your hardware? I just want to make sure I'm looking at the right ones.

 

[TheSmoker]

Mobo:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4383#ov
Cpu:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/pages/consumer-desktops.aspx#7
A8-5600K
Memory:
http://www.corsair.com/us/memory-by...hannel-ddr3-memory-kit-cmz32gx3m4a1600c9.html

You can find them at you favourite webshop. I did not provided any links because i'm using web stores from different part of the world than you. ;)

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[TheSmoker]

Double post deleted.

 

[TheSmoker]

Cpu cooler:
http://www.thermalright.com/html/products/cpu_cooler/hr-02_macho_reva.html

 

[Yatti420]

If you are going to run Freenas 9.. Your going to need..

Lots of ram for ZFS
Decent CPU for SMB/NFS sharing..
High Quality/build PSU

I wouldn't go out purchasing CPU cooler etc.. No overclocking on a fileserver for the data you can't lose..

I'd just skip building something without ECC if you plan on using your fileserver for data you can't lose..

I've been looking at Asus server boards with 1155 (pentium/i3/xeon) support to swap out what i'm running now.. Sadly looks like only 32nm intel pentium chips..

Edit: What kind of drives did you buy? If they are the WD greens id either take them back (get reds?) or take a look at WDIDLE tool from WD..

 

[Yatti420]

If you are going to run Freenas 9.. Your going to need..

Lots of ram for ZFS
Decent CPU for SMB/NFS sharing..
High Quality/build PSU
Mobo with gigabit ethernet.. **

I wouldn't go out purchasing CPU cooler etc.. No overclocking on a fileserver for the data you can't lose..

I'd just skip building something without ECC if you plan on using your fileserver for data you can't lose..

I've been looking at Asus server boards with 1155 (pentium/i3/xeon) support to swap out what i'm running now.. Sadly looks like only 32nm intel pentium chips..

Edit: What kind of drives did you buy? If they are the WD greens id either take them back (get reds?) or take a look at WDIDLE tool from WD..

 

[Mguilicutty]

Also, don't worry about SATA3. SATA 2 is more than a spinny storage drive will ever need, even though the drives all support 3.