SSD for Freenas Plex Server

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Rob1983

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Hi

I am currently in the process of gathering parts to build a Freenas server mainly to run Plex off. I read somewhere that using an SSD to hold the Plex metadata will decrease loading times on large libraries is this true?
My current parts list is as follows:

Case: Fractal Define R4 (http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r4-black-pearl)

Motherboard: Supermicro X10SL7-F (http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C220/X10SL7-F.cfm)

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231V3 3.4GHZ LGA1150 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=intel Xeon E3 processor&Submit=ENE)

Memory: 2x Crucial CT4484988 16GB kit (http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/x10sl7-f/CT4484988)

Power Supply: Coolermaster V650s 650w (http://www.coolermaster.com/powersupply/modular-vs-series/v650s/)

Boot Drive: Sandisk Ultra 16GB flash drive (http://www.sandisk.com/products/usb/drives/ultra3/)

Hard Drives: WD Red 6TB SATA 3 (http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentpop.asp?partid=22517)

I was thinking of converting the 5.25 bay to hold an SSD has anyone done this with this case?
If so could they recommend what parts they used?
Also is one large or two smaller SSD's a better option?
How much memory will i need i currently have 10TB of media but plan to pretty much fill the 32.7TB on this server with media?
Basically any help would be appreciated

Thanks in advance
 

Fuganater

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IDK about putting Plex metadata on a SSD but I sure would be interested in doing it if possible.

32GB RAM is plenty and your CPU is more than powerful enough for Plex.
 

jprouvos

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Hi Rob1983,

I was thinking of converting the 5.25 bay to hold an SSD has anyone done this with this case?
If so could they recommend what parts they used?
Also is one large or two smaller SSD's a better option?
How much memory will i need i currently have 10TB of media but plan to pretty much fill the 32.7TB on this server with media?
Basically any help would be appreciated

I've a similar setup as you're planning to buy.
As my main storage pool I'm running a 8 drive RAIDZ2. And I've added a pool consisting of a pair of mirrored SSD's for all of my Jails & the .system dataset.
Booting happens from a pair of mirrored USB sticks.
On the SSD pool, I have a Plex Media Server jail that mounts the storage pool with all the media. This way the metadata is stored on the SSD pool.
Regular snapshots of this jail allow me to play around with different versions of PMS when upgrades are available.

You can mount the SSDs to the backside of the motherboard tray (hard to replace them, as it involves removing the MB, the R5 solves this with SSD trays) . Or go getto style and just chuck them in the bottom of the drive cage.

Rgds,
J.
 
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Rob1983

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Awesome jprouvos you pretty much answered my question now i know it can work i will buy all the bits and start building!
What size SSD's are you running?
 

jprouvos

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jprouvos

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Awesome jprouvos you pretty much answered my question now i know it can work i will buy all the bits and start building!
What size SSD's are you running?
I'm using a pair of Samsung EVO 850 120GB discs for this. Currently the PMS jail uses approx. 40GB of space including the metadata.
Today I would opt for a 250GB. Not that I'm at the 80% limit of pool usage yet.
But they are just at a real sweet price point right now.
This is completely up to you, what size & brand you prefer.
 

jprouvos

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One more remark. I would go for a SeaSonic G-series PSU instead of the Coolermaster, for a comparable powersupply, the SeaSonic is way cheaper.
Have a look at all the sticky posts about hardware, including the PSU sizing.
 

Rob1983

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Thanks again jprouvos yeah sorry used my original parts build not the updated one i have already purchased Seasonic PSU on previous advice will check SSD pricing and availability where i am
 
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