BUILD X9SCM-F ECC ZFS hardware check

[thewiep]

Hi,

I read the following (very) interesting threads:
http://forums.freenas.org/threads/so-you-want-some-hardware-suggestions.12276/
http://forums.freenas.org/threads/ecc-vs-non-ecc-ram-and-zfs.15449/
a big thanks to the posters!

I now know for sure I want/need ECC, I love my data!

main requirements:
- main storage of data or backup volume to rsync to
- it will hold important data so ECC

optional/possible requirements:
- encryption (geli?)
- perhaps some media to stream (normally no need for transcoding)
- Linux Jail for CrashPlan

The system will not run 24/7, it will most likely run 2 to 9 hours a day.

I got the following list of hardware in mind which I think will be ok but I would like to be sure (as I don't really know much about hardware).

MB: Supermicro X9SCM-F
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/C202_C204/X9SCM-F.cfm

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2
http://ark.intel.com/products/65732/

RAM: Kingston KVR16E11/8EF
http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/Default.aspx?DeviceType=7&Mfr=SMI&Line=X9SCM-F&Model=70800&Description=Kingston_ValueRam_Memory_Server_Premier_Memory_for_SMI_X9SCM-F_Supermicro_-_X9SCM-F_Motherboard

PSU: Seasonic G-Serie 360Watt
http://www.seasonicusa.com/G-series-360.htm

HDD: 2 x Western Digital Red 1TB WD10EFRX
http://www.wdc.com/global/products/specs/?driveID=1085&language=1

Perhaps if not using encryption, the processor might be overkill?

I just want a system where I can have peace of mind that the data is safe.

Any feedback is appreciated.

thanks in advance,
grtz,
W.

 

[thewiep]

did some reading up on RAM.

It seems that there's also a difference between Registered and Unbuffered.
Registered seems to be a bit more reliable:
http://www.servethehome.com/unbuffered-registered-ecc-memory-difference-ecc-udimms-rdimms/

but since the X9SCM-F only supports Unbuffered and people with a lot of knowledge on these boards are using them I don't think it will make that much difference.

Then there's also clockspeed and CL.
According to calculations in this link:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2144176
The difference between 1333 CL9 and 1600 CL11 is really small.
It also seems like you will not notice it.

So, the X9SCM-F supports max 1600 and with the info I found so far I think the RAM I have in my list should be ok.

I think that the motherboard and RAM are a good combo.
The HDD's were already purchased a while ago.

Next is the processor..
I would still appreciate some feedback :)

 

[thewiep]

Reading further threads on the forum:
http://forums.freenas.org/threads/encryption-performance-benchmarks.12157/
it seems that CPU's which have AES IN support will make a lot of difference in speed when using geli encryption.

not so important for regular transfers for me but very interesting when doing rsync or scrubbing on a zpool where all disks are geli encrypted.

I think I just confirmed the CPU on my list :)

 

[cyberjock]

did some reading up on RAM.

It seems that there's also a difference between Registered and Unbuffered.
Registered seems to be a bit more reliable:
http://www.servethehome.com/unbuffered-registered-ecc-memory-difference-ecc-udimms-rdimms/

That's not quite true. The reliability is the same. The issue is with very large quantities of RAM. RAM locations are nothing more than microscopic capacitors. Their capacitance increases to a point at which the signal degrades. For DDR3 design that limit is at 8GB DIMMs. Registered DIMMs can be any size, but as soon as you start talking >8GB you ARE using Registered RAM. There currently are no RAM sticks bigger than 8GB of RAM that aren't unregistered/unbuffered.

 

[thewiep]

Hi cyberjock,

thanks a lot for the explanation!
While I read the article, it seems I didn't understand it :)

Now it also makes sense to me why the module size for X9SCM-F is 8GB.

Also from reading more threads here it seems that the Seasonic G-Serie 360Watt is a great match for the system.
Using following calculator seems to confirm this:
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

The WD RED are also being used here with success.

All parts are verified so I guess I'll start looking for good places to get the parts.
This will be my first setup with server material, exciting! :)

 

[thewiep]

rethinking the RAM
instead of 1 bar of 8GB - Kingston KVR16E11/8EF (1600Mhz CL11)
go for set of 2 bars 8GB - Kingston KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G (1333Mhz CL9)

KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G is also listed as supported on the Kingston site and from what I read users here have success with it.

 

[jgreco]

If there's no price difference, get the 1600 stuff.

 

[thewiep]

thanks a lot for the feedback!
I ordered the 1600.

I also ordered the same hardware for myself but bumped RAM to 16GB.

Both kits arrived and put them together this week.
They are up and running with FreeNAS 9.2.1.

Really glad to know my data is safer now then before! :)