Plex FreeNAS Build recommendations

[pintu1228]

Hi, I am going to be building a FreeNAS plex server for my friend and wanted to get your input and suggestions on the below build:

Case: Fractal Design Node 304
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352027

PSU: Seasonic SS-750KM3 750W
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

Motherboard: ASRock E3C226D2I
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157466

RAM: Crucial 2x 8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 1,35V Unbuffered EEC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148770

CPU: ??

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9I
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608029

OS medium: SanDisk Cruzer Fit 32GB


Can you recommend a Xeon processor to go with this build?


Thanks

 

[melloa]

It's been awhile since I read the https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?resources/hardware-recommendations-guide.12/ but if I had to start a new server I'd go supermicro. You can find X11SSM-F-O for $184 ...
Also:
- What size pool?
- What other applications besides Plex?
- How many users?

 

[Vito Reiter]

If you're set in stone on those other pieces of hardware the Intel Xeon E3-1285 V4 (or very similar CPU's) should do great even in 4K. If you're planning on lower resolutions like 720p/1080p you could get away with a cheaper processor, although you'll probably want expansion room for the future.

Also:
- What size pool?
- What other applications besides Plex?
- How many users?

This makes a difference too.

 

[pintu1228]

Thanks,

I am looking to fit it into a small case, minimal power consumption and noise.

Pool size will be 4 x 2 TB Western Digital Red drives
Applications: Plex, Sonarr, Couchpotato, owncloud, NZBget
# of users: total of 3-4 concurrent users for plex

In terms of the hardware, is there any motherboard you would suggest for mini-ITX to fit into a smaller case and have it future proof?

Also is my PSU I chose, too much power and will it fit in my case?

 

[joeschmuck]

Your links are all jacked up, I'll fix them.

You never specified the drives you plan to use and you have a HUGE power supply. Since that case can only hold 6 hard drives, I suggest you have too large of a power supply and thus loss of some efficency.

Also, do you know what Plex will be transcoding for source material? DVD, Blueray, 4K, and how many streams at once? This should be a main consideration.

If you do not know these answers then you should not be choosing components just yet. Also, that is a small case which means more heat buildup inside so you must factor that in as well. Since you are building this for someone else, you need to get it right the first time otherwise if something goes wrong, you will never hear the end of it.

 

[Stux]

Biggest issue with the board you've chosen is the 16GB ram limit.

Might want to consider/price a XeonD. You get a 128MBGB ram limit, everything including CPU and cooler built in. And a PCI slot to add more disks eventually.

Alternatively look at the MicroATX X11 board that was recommended

 

[Ericloewe]

You get a 128MB ram limit,

Party like it's 1999?

 

[Stux]

Party like it's 1999?

:)

Fixed

 

[pintu1228]

Thanks can you provided some parts recommendations for both Xeon-D and X11 for below $1000 not including drives. I currently have 4x2 TB Red drives laying around that I will be using.

Plex will be transcoding from 1080p and possibly 4k source to 3-4 streams.

 

[pintu1228]

What do you think about this build:

CPU: Intel E3-1231v3
Mainboard: Supermicro X10SL7-F
RAM: 2x8GB Crucial CT102472BD160B
PSU: SeaSonic SS-520FL2
Case: Fractal R5

Do you recommend more RAM and a bigger PSU?

 

[SweetAndLow]

Smaller power supply would be fine. No need for a big one. That system will use about 40w at idle and 150w when transcoding multiple streams.

That board is full atx and older generation. Why don't you take the advice you asked for?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[pintu1228]

Here is motherboard x11 I am deciding on, but lost on which PSU and CPU to go with it?

SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SSH-F-O or SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SSH-LN4F-O

 

[SweetAndLow]

the E3-1230 is a great starting place and can do ~5 1080p streams easily. I think when i had mine it was network bottle necked not cpu. If you feel you want more then jump to the 1240 or even higher.

For the power supply i would get the seasonic 450w (LINK) or bump to the 550W if you really want to. Without a graphics card in a server the power consumption is much different than a gaming PC.

 

[pintu1228]

Thanks, does this look good:

Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SSH-F-O

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V5

RAM: ???

PSU: SeaSonic SSR-550RM

Case: Fractal Design Define R5

SSD (for jails): Samsung 256GB SM951 Single Sided 80mm (2280/2280SS) M.2 PCI Express 3.0 x4

OS Drive: SanDisk Cruzer Fit CZ33 32GB USB 2.0 Low-Profile Flash Drive


Just can't figure out how much RAM to use and what brand.

 

[melloa]

Do you recommend more RAM

Yes. 8GB is minimun for FreeNAS, 16GB the sweet spot. Add Plex and other things you wanna do, I'd go with 32GB. The unit for the memory is GigaBytes, right @Ericloewe? ;)

 

[SweetAndLow]

Thanks, does this look good:

Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SSH-F-O

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V5

RAM: ???

PSU: SeaSonic SSR-550RM

Case: Fractal Design Define R5

SSD (for jails): Samsung 256GB SM951 Single Sided 80mm (2280/2280SS) M.2 PCI Express 3.0 x4

OS Drive: SanDisk Cruzer Fit CZ33 32GB USB 2.0 Low-Profile Flash Drive


Just can't figure out how much RAM to use and what brand.

Skip the SSD unless you can prove it makes things better. And if you can I really want to hear it.

Get 16GB dimms and get 1 or 2 of them. This way if you want you can one day max things out at 64GB.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[pintu1228]

thanks, will skip ssd and with 1x16GB samsung ram stick (from the supermicro motherboard website).

1. Do you think its worth it to go up to E3-1245 v5 instead of E3-1230 v5 for extra $40?

2. Also as far as PSU goes, would I need more power if I wanted to add more drives later or will the 550W work? Just want to have a quiet system but still allow future additions.

3. Quick question, FreeNAS 9.3.10 (latest version) allows for installation on USB drive, I know I read couple of posts on here saying it didn't but wanted to make sure I won't need to put it on M.2 SSD drive?


Other than that, should I go ahead and purchase the hardware?


Thanks for all the help

 

[SweetAndLow]

1. the 1245 is not a good upgrade. The 1240 would be a better choice if you think more cpu is needed. the 1230 has a passmark score of 9708 and the 1240 has a passmark score of 10375. Those are pretty darn similar when it comes to a plex transcoding workflow.

2. How many more drives? 550W is plenty. read this if you want to know more: https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/proper-power-supply-sizing-guidance.38811/

3. 9.3.10 is not the latests it is actually really old. 9.10.2-U3 is the latest. Most people install freenas to two usb drives in a mirror for redundancy. USB's are the normal way to do it. Some people have started to install to a small ssd but that isn't a requirement just improves reliability since usb's can be cheap and unpredictable. Sandisk cruzer fits are the suggest usb around here.

 

[pintu1228]

Thanks,

I will stick to 1230 since its not that much of a difference as you mentioned.

I will be starting off with 4 X 3 TB drives and will add 2 more later on, what would be best config for these? raidz1 or 2?

 

[SweetAndLow]

Thanks,

I will stick to 1230 since its not that much of a difference as you mentioned.

I will be starting off with 4 X 3 TB drives and will add 2 more later on, what would be best config for these? raidz1 or 2?

Read the noob slideshow. You can't just add drives. You should start with 6 drives in raid z2.

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