BUILD SuperMicro build

[cryptyk]

I was looking for a place that would build a server for me, but I didn't really find anywhere that allowed customized solutions that fit the needs of FreeNAS without charging exorbitant prices. Puget Systems was the closest, FWIW.

So I've decided that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. I've read through the forums quite a bit today and I'm trying to build something as close to "officially" supported as possible. The intent is to have a home NAS that will serve plex content throughout the house, act as a backup and storage unit, and also as a web/ftp/torrent server (I have gigabit internet (both ways) at home). In the future, I may want to use it as a virtualization server and one day be able to transcode 4k content via plex.

Here's the build:
Case: Fractal Design R5
Mobo: SuperMicro X11SSH-CTF-O
CPU: Xeon E3 1230 V5 (Eventual upgrade to the fastest 12xx CPU as prices come down and 4k content becomes available)
Ram: 2x Crucial CT16G4WFD8213 - 16GB ECC 2133 UDIMM (Eventual upgrade to 64GB to support virtualization serer)
PSU: SeaSonic X-850
Boot drive: Crucial Mx300 275GB SSD (Overkill, but cheap)
Data drives: 8x WD Red 3TB (Eventual upgrade to bigger drives as prices come down)

Total build cost without the data drives, before tax and shipping: $998.66
One odd note. The UDIMMs are $88 each at NewEgg, but the combo pack with 2 of them costs $429. (??)

I'm going to setup two vdevs, each with Raidz2 for a total of 24TB raw and 12TB usable.

Is there anything I'm missing? Will those bits come with all of the cables, screws, gizmos, etc. that I need?

Thanks!

 

[MrToddsFriends]

Is there anything I'm missing? Will those bits come with all of the cables, screws, gizmos, etc. that I need?

According to the info on the Supermicro website the retail version of that board (-O) is shipped with 6 SATA cables and the bulk version (-B) with 2 of them.
https://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C236_C232/X11SSH-CTF.cfm

 

[philhu]

why not get an sc847 case and an x8DTN+ mb?

36 disk slots, nice motherboard, usually comes with 24gb or 48gb, dual xeon.
MB also has 6 sata onboard which I use for a mirrored ssd boot drive, and an l2arc ssd


I got mine for $700, then upgraded cpu and memory for $30 more.

Workhorse, works great and with 25 disks in it, runs less than 410 watts.

It replaced a very old dell 2950, which used 1777 watts (OUCH).

The SM has IPMI in it too, and it works fine!

 

[cryptyk]

I was trying to stay in a tower form factor because I have a specific spot the machine needs to live in. I'll also never need 36 disks. I'm not opposed to the idea, but a 4u seems like an odd fit for a home system in my uneducated view.

 

[philhu]

well, they do a 2u, with 24 disks, runs about $575

I have mine in my basement, and I bought alternative Supermicro fans to quiet it about 60%. That and my tivos and roku live down there with a hdmi matrix switcher, sharing all device to 4 tv's

I just always thought a rack machine is a good choice for an always on server. Having done rack builds for work for 40+ years

 

[cryptyk]

Mines going to live on a small shelf in my living room. Volume is a serious issue. I don't have a basement in my one bedroom high-rise apartment :)

 

[philhu]

good point :)

 

[cryptyk]

Ugh. Now you have me thinking. I could put a 4u in my HVAC closet and run my network cables to there really easily. That closet would dampen all of the noise.

Heading to ebay to see what kind of servers I can find...

 

[cryptyk]

Aaaannnnd I just bought a server.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112104719385

The things that pushed me over the edge is that it already has 48TB installed. I know they're used, but I can't get even close to that when buying the drives new. Worst case, I'll resell it on ebay and buy the above build.

Now I get to set it up and try to quiet it down :)

Thanks all!
Ryan

 

[philhu]

:) I like extra thinking. And in the hvac closet, excellent.

Remember, the machine will generate heat. I have quite a few machines in my basement, so I added a little fan, dryer duct to send air from above rack to my living room.

Warms it up a few degrees in the cold part of the house!!!

 

[cryptyk]

I live in San Diego, so we only run the heater one week per year. That's usually in the middle of January when the temperature drops below 60 degrees for a few days ;)

 

[philhu]

Aaaannnnd I just bought a server.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112104719385

The things that pushed me over the edge is that it already has 48TB installed. I know they're used, but I can't get even close to that when buying the drives new. Worst case, I'll resell it on ebay and buy the above build.

Now I get to set it up and try to quiet it down :)

Thanks all!
Ryan

Very nice! I am impressed

There are quite a few articles on SM fans, and how to buy replacement ones that are alot quieter. Mine had 8 fans at 6400 RPM, I bought 8 fans at 2700 RPM and put them in the cases for the 8 loud fans, since they click into place. My sig shows fan models to start looking at

My disk temps went up about 4 degrees to 45 from 41 and the sound dropped to HALF

I also used the 6 sata ports on the mb to boot a miror boot ssd drive and install an l2arc and slil drive

SSD drives 64G and under are CHEAP! If you do this, make sure you buy SLC SSD drives, not MLC. MLC are faster by a bit, but will die in 3 months due to contant I/O while the SLC ones work well with the I/O

 

[philhu]

We get to -20 quite a bit in Boston. This causes freeze spots sometimes because the outside is sooo cold. Every warming degree helps!