TremorAcePV
Explorer
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2013
- Messages
- 88
Hi guys,
First, the hardware:
If you are wondering what usage this will be for, I intend to make use of FreeNAS' new Domain Controller feature, run some plugins such as Plex Media Server and Transmission as well as perhaps a Minecraft server (if I can get that going). I've already got the DC up and running (and mostly working) with my current hardware (far weaker than the above) and it's doing pretty good. Some DNS issues as well as lack of support for some basic Domain Controller functionality, but it's a new feature, so I'll take what I can get.
My questions regarding this build are the following:
In terms of RAM usage, I'm calculating it at 4GB for DC, 4GB for OS, and 1*16 for 16GB of storage which should give me an overhead of at least 8GB with the option to upgrade to 64GB one day ($150 for 32GB to do that, roughly).
I'm open to any other thoughts and considerations about this build. Advice is welcome.
Thanks,
Vitalius.
First, the hardware:
- Dual Intel Xeon X5472 SLANR LGA771 3.0GHz Quad Core CPUs
- Super Micro Computer X7DWN+ LGA 771/Socket J Intel Motherboard
- 32GB (8x4GB) HP 398708-061 ECC DDR2 PC2-5300F 667MHz FBD DIMMs
- NZXT Hale82-M 750w PSU (from gaming PC after PSU upgrade) 80+ Bronze IIRC
- A single 4TB Seagate consumer HDD (will be upgraded to a WD Red or Seagate NAS drive in the future as well as expanded to RAID 0 then RAID 10, so 2 x 4TB for 8TB usable then 4 x 4TB for 8TB usable).
- Two simple 32GB SSDs (got for very cheap) for L2ARC for the single ZPool.
- Whatever I can find to sit it in for the case.
If you are wondering what usage this will be for, I intend to make use of FreeNAS' new Domain Controller feature, run some plugins such as Plex Media Server and Transmission as well as perhaps a Minecraft server (if I can get that going). I've already got the DC up and running (and mostly working) with my current hardware (far weaker than the above) and it's doing pretty good. Some DNS issues as well as lack of support for some basic Domain Controller functionality, but it's a new feature, so I'll take what I can get.
My questions regarding this build are the following:
- The SSDs are SATA II. Should I even bother trying to use them as cache? Will they make a difference for read/write speeds for the single HDD setup? Note that I'm not going to be using them once I get to RAID 0 and 10, but that will take time to save up money.
- Will the fact it's DDR2 RAM affect performance majorly since FreeNAS lives in the RAM? Since it's Quad Channel, it is equivalent to DDR3 in Dual Channel (if I do math correctly) in speeds. However, I am not sure if having 2 CPUs would mitigate that (although with this setup, I have 2 separate quad channel setups so they could each have their own alotted RAM bus).
- What are some recommended cases that can fit this motherboard? Note that it is Enhanced Extended ATX, which is bigger than Extended ATX. I'd rather not have a server rack case myself, but I can't imagine there are many normal desktop PC cases that support this standard. If I have little choice, I'd accept getting one.
In terms of RAM usage, I'm calculating it at 4GB for DC, 4GB for OS, and 1*16 for 16GB of storage which should give me an overhead of at least 8GB with the option to upgrade to 64GB one day ($150 for 32GB to do that, roughly).
I'm open to any other thoughts and considerations about this build. Advice is welcome.
Thanks,
Vitalius.