Question About Specs

[joogy696]

I am brand new to FreeNAS but am fascinated by the potential. I have my hardware specced out but before i actually make the purchase i had a few questions i'd like to have answered.

1. RAM - for the ZFS file system the tutorials recommend 8 GB of RAM. The motherboard i have specced out can support 16 GB of RAM. Would it be worth it to max it out at 16GB? what will the benefits be?
2. Storage - I plan on using a RAID-Z1 array. I have 4 6TB drives specced out. That should equate to 18TB of actual storage correct? 6*3=18 with the 4th drive being used for parity.
3. Configuration - do you see any problems with my specs? From what i gather this should be a pretty powerful solution that should last a while.

Case - SR30169T2-250 Chenbro compact server Chasis
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...eywords=SR30169T2-250+Compact+Server+Chassis+

Motherboard - H97I-PLUS Asus H97
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8992468&CatId=8586

CPU - BX80646G3450 Intel Pentium G3450
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8947624&CatId=9758

RAM - KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G Kingston RAM 16GB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8947673&CatId=11479

USB for the OS - SDCZ36-008G-B35 Sandisk 8gb Flash Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=630605&CatId=2633

Storage - WD60EFRX WD Red 6TB drives (4 of them)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9149259&Sku=

Does any of this seem like overkill? Am i missing any critical parts?

Thanks in advance for any feedback

 

[cyberjock]

You need to do more research. Desktop components and non-ECC RAM are not acceptable for FreeNAS.

 

[joogy696]

So based on my specs here should i throw them all out and go back to the drawing board or are some specs acceptable?

 

[joogy696]

The RAM that I have specced - KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G - is ECC RAM it is NOT non-ECC

 

[anodos]

Raidz1 with 6TB drives isn't a good idea. 6x4tb in raidz2 is a better option and probably costs about the same. You would have to change cases though.

 

[joogy696]

Thanks. I'll keep my drive configuration the way it is. What about the rest of the hardware?

 

[anodos]

Thanks. I'll keep my drive configuration the way it is. What about the rest of the hardware?

Okay. I understand playing with fire is fun. You will want a proper server motherboard.

 

[joogy696]

Ok i will look into a proper board. Thank you

 

[cyberjock]

Ok.. and your motherboard and CPU won't use ECC RAM... so what gives?

 

[joogy696]

I got that. I'm looking into that now. Reason behind me posting to this forum, to get feedback/guidance

 

[cyberjock]

Look at supermicro X10 or X9 motherboards.. and a Pentium G2020, i3 (proper socket for your board), or a xeon.

 

[joogy696]

Thanks that was Extremely helpful I appreciate that.

These are my new specs
Motherboard - Supermicro X9SAE - thanks goes to cyberjock and anodos
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2681648&CatId=9594

CPU - Intel Pentium G2020 Processor - thanks goes out to cyberjock
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7651325&CatId=9759

RAM - KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G Kingston RAM 16GB (This is ECC RAM)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8947673&CatId=11479

USB for the OS - SDCZ36-008G-B35 Sandisk 8gb Flash Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=630605&CatId=2633

Storage - WD60EFRX WD Red 6TB drives (4 of them)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9149259&Sku=

Any recommendations on a proper ATX case. I've been reading that finding the proper case is a big piece of the puzzle

 

[joogy696]

i found this case Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case it looks pretty solid and it has more than enough drive bays. In addition this new motherboard supports a lot more RAM. IS there a benefit to adding more than 16 GB worth?

 

[gpsguy]

If you're going to by a Supermicro, get a proper server board with IPMI, instead of a desktop board with onboard audio.

 

[joogy696]

What about this board?
ASRock E3C226D2I Mini ITX Server Motherboard LGA 1150 Intel C226 DDR3 1600/1333 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157466
and this CPU
Intel Xeon E3-1275V3 - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8224974&CatId=1969

Both support ECC RAM, the board has an intel nic, 6 sata ports.