BUILD Please review my budget FreeNAS build (X9SCM-F+G2020+ECC)

[RAIDer]

Hi all. This is my first post in the forum. I have been reading lot of previous threads in this forum (including the awesome PPT for noobs like myself and the hardware discussions) for the past week. This is the configuration I came up with that is within my budget.

Motherboard: SuperMicro MBD-X9SCM-F-O
Processor:

Intel Pentium G2020​

Memory:

Kingston 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 ECC Unbuffered Server Memory w/TS Intel Model KVR16E11/8I​

Case:

Fractal Design Node 304​

Power Supply: ​

SeaSonic SSR-360GP 360W ATX12V v2.31 80 PLUS GOLD​

USB Stick (For FreeNAS OS):

SanDisk Cruzer Fit 8GB​

HDDs: 4x WD Red 2TB (on RAIDZ2)​

This NAS is for home use, will be running 24x7. I would be using this NAS primarily for storing OS volume backups, VM backups, and multimedia. Will probably attempt to setup DLNA streaming too in future.

My questions:
1) Please let me know if there are any compatibility issues or other gotchas anyone of you faced using same/similar setup.
2) Idle power usage is one of my biggest concerns. Any idea how much idle power would this build consume?
3) My current storage needs do not exceed 1 TB. I am planning to put 4x WD Red 2TB disks on RAIDZ2 configuration. Any issues with this approach?
4) I can't seem to find Kingston 16 GB (2x8GB) ECC Unbuffered Memory kit on either Newegg or Amazon. Can you recommend any other reputable online stores shipping to California?

 

[cyberjock]

You have to go under server memory to find the RAM you will need. There is no 16GB kit for the 1600 RAM(at least not for sale that I could find with 1 minute of searching). But, you can search for the part number you listed on Newegg and Amazon and find them for $99 each.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LMNXS0/?tag=ozlp-20

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239399

 

[RAIDer]

You have to go under server memory to find the RAM you will need. There is no 16GB kit for the 1600 RAM(at least not for sale that I could find with 1 minute of searching). But, you can search for the part number you listed on Newegg and Amazon and find them for $99 each.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LMNXS0/?tag=ozlp-20

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239399

Thanks. I was apprehensive about buying individual sticks but it seems to be the only choice available. Any thoughts on the build?

 

[KMR]

It seems like you have done your homework and have a very nice build selected. Congrats. I have / had basically the same build as the one you have selected (I upgraded a couple of things recently) and it is very stable. As for power consumption I would take a guess that it would consume somewhere around 50W or perhaps a little less. The one thing I will say that you have omitted here is a UPS. Please don't forget the UPS!

 

[JohnK]

I bought my memory from SuperBiiz
I bought the 32gig kit that had free shipping, but even for 16gig it might still be cheaper than Amazon and NewEgg.

Also I believe that processor only support DDR3-1333.

I have a similar set up (same Power Supply) with 6 WD Red 3 Tb on the SuperMicro X10 platform and I idle around 55W.

 

[RAIDer]

It seems like you have done your homework and have a very nice build selected. Congrats. I have / had basically the same build as the one you have selected (I upgraded a couple of things recently) and it is very stable. As for power consumption I would take a guess that it would consume somewhere around 50W or perhaps a little less. The one thing I will say that you have omitted here is a UPS. Please don't forget the UPS!

Thank you. I am planning to buy a UPS couple of months later. Out of my budget at this point :(

 

[RAIDer]

I bought my memory from SuperBiiz
I bought the 32gig kit that had free shipping, but even for 16gig it might still be cheaper than Amazon and NewEgg.

Also I believe that processor only support DDR3-1333.

I have a similar set up (same Power Supply) with 6 WD Red 3 Tb on the SuperMicro X10 platform and I idle around 55W.

Thx. Since ECC memory is expensive (about $100 per 8 GB stick), I have decided to future-proof myself with DDR3-1600 in case I upgrade the processor in future.

I like your build setup. Actually, my second choice for the motherboard is also X10-SLM-F. Upgrading my setup to X10-SLM-F-O and that Intel Pentium G3420 would cost me only $17 more. But, I have read few threads here about USB 3.0 being an issue with FreeNAS 9.x versions?

Have you faced any issues with USB3.0? Did you have to disable it in BIOS?

 

[JohnK]

Have you faced any issues with USB3.0? Did you have to disable it in BIOS?

I have read about ppl facing issues and that the solution is disabling USB3.0. I even went as far as doing my first install on the USB 2 header. With all that said, the USB 2 install failed. I then moved the USB drive over to the USB3 header, something I did not see until after I bought the USB2 header adapter, and it worked just fine. Now I find that when I reboot Freenas from GUI that it sometimes fails. I then IPMI reboot and it has worked every time. I been doing that because the SuperMicro manual not too clear as to how to disable USB3. Anyway with everything just working fine and I have had no problems other than a failing hard drive that needed RMA. I'm not planning on fooling around too much until I have my backup system up and running. Uptime is everything to keep the wife happy. I have also bought my second X10 for my backup server!

Edit: Mine now works fine with xHCI mode disabled in the BIOS

 

[cyberjock]

Any thoughts on the build?

That's the same motherboard I have. It's an amazing board. You don't have AES-NI so I wouldn't use encryption and the CPU might not do Plex transcoding. But other than that, nothing wrong with that config at all.

Just make sure when the system is built that your hard drives stay below 40C and you should be okay!

 

[MtK]

might be a stupid question but, does that MB fit that case...?

 

[Dusan]

might be a stupid question but, does that MB fit that case...?

Good catch. Node 304 is a Mini-ITX case (board size 17 x 17 cm), X9SCM-F is microATX (24,4 x 24,4 cm), so it definitely won't fit.

 

[MtK]

Good catch. Node 304 is a Mini-ITX case (board size 17 x 17 cm), X9SCM-F is microATX (24,4 x 24,4 cm), so it definitely won't fit.

I just bought the Fractal Define Mini for that reason...

 

[MtK]

also, would that PSU be enough for the system (with 6 drives)?

 

[Dusan]

also, would that PSU be enough for the system (with 6 drives)?

Definitely. The system will probably idle around 40-45W, maybe a bit lower. The highest load happens when the drives spin up. According to the WD spec sheet the peak draw is 1.73A which translates to about 20W. 6 drives times 20W = 120W, this still leaves plenty of PSU capacity for the rest of the system.
My setup is very similar (X9SCL, E3 Xeon, 16GB RAM, the same PSU) just with 5 HDDs and one SDD and runs perfectly.

 

[MtK]

Definitely. The system will probably idle around 40-45W, maybe a bit lower. The highest load happens when the drives spin up. According to the WD spec sheet the peak draw is 1.73A which translates to about 20W. 6 drives times 20W = 120W, this still leaves plenty of PSU capacity for the rest of the system.
My setup is very similar (X9SCL, E3 Xeon, 16GB RAM, the same PSU) just with 5 HDDs and one SDD and runs perfectly.

that's the board (+16GB) I have but with G2020.

Thanks!

 

[MtK]

(...the same PSU) just with 5 HDDs and one SDD and runs perfectly.

just curios:
how did you get power to all the drives?
the PSU comes with only 4 power cords (for SATA drives)...

 

[cyberjock]

just curios:
how did you get power to all the drives?
the PSU comes with only 4 power cords (for SATA drives)...

Probably a power splitter like http://www.staples.com/office/suppl...14&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=34-82687538-2

 

[MtK]

probably
is it ok to use the old IDE power cord with a convertor?

 

[cyberjock]

probably :)
is it ok to use the old IDE power cord with a convertor?

You mean the old 4-pin molex? Sure can!

 

[Dusan]

just curios:
how did you get power to all the drives?
the PSU comes with only 4 power cords (for SATA drives)...

The PSU also provides three 4 pin Molex connectors (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...onnector.jpg/330px-Molex_female_connector.jpg). One of my drives is in a removable bay that actually uses directly the Molex connector. For the SSD I used this converter: http://www.alza.sk/redukce-napajeni-pro-sata-d42345.htm