TrueNAS SCALE build - help

[popovdeyan]

Hi,

I want to build a personal NAS for storage, plex, maybe a windows virtual machine for occasional usage, maybe nextcloud. Don't attack me i am quite new to the idea. I have read somethings but a need help with the build.

So my current future build is:

1. Fractal Design Node 804 Case​

2. Intel Core i5-12400 12th Generation Desktop Processor

3. MSI MAG B660M Mortar DDR4 Motherboard Micro-ATX - has 6 SATA, 2.5 Gbe, 4 slots of RAM - not sure if it supports ECC RAM? Is ECC RAM that crucial for such a build for home usage.

4. Samsung 980 250 GB PCIe 3.0 (up to 2900 MB/s) NVMe M.2 Internal Solid State 1 for system 1 for caching

5. Timetec Hynix IC 32 GB KIT (2 x 16 GB) DDR4 2400 MHz PC4-19200 Unbuffered ECC 1.2 V CL17 2Rx8 Dual Rank 288 Pin UDIMM Server Memory RAM Module Upgrade (32 GB KIT (2 x 16 GB)

6. HDD will be WD Red plus - 3 or 4 HDDs 8 TB.

7. EVGA Supernova 650 GT, 80 Plus Gold 650 W (in order if a decide to put some dedicated GPU for some other reason.)

Questions.

1. Is the integrated iGPU in 12400 enough for 4k transcoding and playback of h264 and h265? Do i need a dedicated GPU.

2. I read there are some issues with the 12gen Intels, but i also read they will be addressed in the upcoming version of TRUENAS SCALE. Is this true.

3. ECC ram - is ECC ram that important? The data transfer will not be 24/7. The server will be addressed a couple of times a week.

4. Is 32 GB is enough for 32 TB storage. They will be upgradable to 64 if needed in the future.

5. SSD - 250 GB sticks will be enough for system and caching.

 

[DaSnipe]

So couple of things

1. The 12400 won't be supported until Bluefin for the iGPU, so you'll have to run nightlies or be patient if you go that route

2. See above

3. I've seen arguments on both sides, honestly I run ECC RAM since I bought used Server/enterprise stuff, but if it's not on 24/7 you should be fine

4. Yeah you'll be fine, you have room to grow

5. You'll be wasting the drive for booting, cheap out on the boot drive, and then you can get a better m.2 for apps/cache or whatever, should def be using RAM for transcoding first IIRC.

 

[Roadblock]

1. Fractal Design Node 804 Case
2. Intel Core i5-12400 12th Generation Desktop Processor
3. MSI MAG B660M Mortar DDR4 Motherboard Micro-ATX - has 6 SATA, 2.5 Gbe, 4 slots of RAM - not sure if it supports ECC RAM? Is ECC RAM that crucial for such a build for home usage.
7. EVGA Supernova 650 GT, 80 Plus Gold 650 W (in order if a decide to put some dedicated GPU for some other reason.)

I'm looking at using this same parts. How did your build go?

 

[ChrisRJ]

If you want your NAS to be as reliable as possible, those components are less than ideal.

Please check the hardware recommendation guide

Hardware Recommendations Guide

This is the latest edition of the FreeNAS Community hardware recommendations guide. The current major version is R2, dated January 2021, with the last minor update on 2021-01-24. The format has moved away from the forum post form factor, to...

www.truenas.com

Also, you will very likely benefit from reading at least the first couple of things on the "Recommended readings" in my signature.

Overall, without knowing your use-case in detail (that includes as much performance details as possible) it is not possible to make good recommendations.

 

[Belperite]

I'm looking at using this same parts. How did your build go?

In case you don't get a reply, I've a very similar build. Here is my experience after about 4 months or so.

Note that my use case is primarily a media server with apps and VMs for non-critical homelab stuff. I do essential backups elsewhere.

1. Fractal Design Node 804 Case - Good case, didn't encounter any issues with the build. All drive bays internal. Strongly suggest labelling the HDD mounts with the HDD serial numbers (labels facing towards you). The HDD light is blue-white and points downwards onto whatever surface the case is resting on.
2. Intel Core i5-12400 12th Generation Desktop Processor (with iGPU) - No issues encountered, although I've not tried GPU passthrough to anything yet. Using the included cooler. I've not seen the temperature go above 35˚C.
3. Asrock B660M Steel Legend - No issues seen. Chosen because 6 SATA ports. Currently using the on-board Realtek RTL8125 ethernet, no issues seen with current use-case, will fit an Intel NIC if this changes.
4. Samsung 980 250 GB - Needed to upgrade the firmware on it via an Ubuntu live USB to get rid of spurious temperature warnings, otherwise no issues seen.
5. Corsair Vengeance LPX Black DDR4-RAM 3600 MHz non-ECC (yes I know, but see use-case. Purchased in full knowlege of potential pitfalls. 64GB total). - No issues seen so far.
6. 6 x Seagate ST4000VN006 4TB (pool 2 x RAIDZ1 | 6 wide) - no issues seen.
7. Corsair CV550 - no issues seen, the whole system draws about 70w on average, when idling.

Conclusion: Been fine for me so far. As ever, YMMV.