Entry posted by wpirobotbuilder
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In terms of raw performance, you can pick up some older dual-socket CPUs that'll beat out modern quad cores at the same price point (though they'll use more power).
The build will probably be a ZFS storage box at first, and if I upgrade later on I might use it to host virtual machines or as a computing node or something.
Specs:
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Intel x5650 @2.66 GHz (x2) - Each one consumer about the same amount of power as a 4670K and has the same raw performance (though much less performance per clock)
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24GB DDR3 1333 ECC Memory (3x8GB) (x2) - The motherboard I'm looking at has 6 slots, and supports up to 96GB of memory. However, 96GB of registered ECC memory would cost an arm and a leg, and I found 24GB kits for relatively little, so I'm going with 48 to fully populate the board. For a ZFS build, a lot of RAM will make it speedy, and an ESXi machine will help with VM hosting.
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ASUS Z8NR-D12 - I ended up not being able to find a Z8NA-D6, but Newegg is selling this model for $200. What's more, it's being sold from a reputable reseller with some RMA support. Unfortunately it limits the cases I can install it in.
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RM 850 - It's got two 8-Pin CPU connectors, which are required for the motherboard I'm using. I'm looking for one with less wattage, and the Seasonic 520W might be one (I'm looking for confirmation).
- NVidia GT 520 - The board doesn't come with a graphics adapter, and I have one lying around.
- I'll probably pick up an LSI 9211 if I end up needing more than 6 drives.
- The drives will probably be WD Red or Seagate NAS, my research shows little reason to choose an SE over a Red, with the exception of peak performance. However my intention is to have a lot of data hit the cache first before going to the disk, so the performance doesn't matter as much.
- If the system performs well enough, I might pick up an Intel I350-t4 (4x1Gb) or an Intel x540 (10Gb NIC). A network iSCSI target for game footage, video editing, backups will help a good deal if the array can push upwards of 300 MB/s.
- I need an SSI EEB case. A full tower ATX seems like a waste, so I'm looking at the GD07 from Silverstone. I might go rackmount, but I'm having trouble finding a rackmount case with SSI EEB compatibility. Here's a 2U one from Norco. A 1U would be ideal but is much harder to find power supplies for (and is also much louder).
The memory kit itself is listed as:
MP/N: KVR1333D3D4R9SK3/24G
these 8GB dimms are listed:
KVR1333D3D4R9S/8GHA
KVR1333D3D4R9S/8GHB
These models all have the same model: KVR1333D3D4R9S
Since the Kingston part is a kit of 3 dimms, am I right in saying that the
memory is compatible with the motherboard, officially? I believe it is, since
the end of the Kingston part number seems to indicate the # of dimms and the
total kit size, while the Asus QVL only specifies dimms.
EDIT:
No more ASUS Z8NA-D6. Can't find it anywhere, and the new one I'm looking at is $130 cheaper, and supports twice as much memory.
The original case I was looking at from Norco isn't listed as compatible with an ATX power supply. If I end up using this system as an ESXi host, then I won't need the hotswap bays as much. The new case I'm looking at has 6 internal bays for drives, which is more than I need.
Can't use the GD07 or GD08 either. I wouldn't be able to use the drive cage. Got to find a new case for it.
I HAVE BOUGHT PARTS:
CPUs: Intel x5650 (x2) - Bought off e-bay, pulled from a working system and tested. Should be fine as long as they aren't damaged in shipping, CPUs don't die very easily.
Motherboard: ASUS Z8NR-D12 - It's the only one I could find that was relatively cheap (Newegg is trying to shed these babies), and it came with RMA support and a 3-year warranty. Can't beat that.
CPU Cooler: Intel BXSTS100C - It's meant for a 130W LGA1366 CPU, so it should be able to work with the x5650's no problem while being quieter than it otherwise would be.
RAM: 24GB DDR3 1333 ECC Memory - It's Kingston, so I know they did the validation well. It's not directly listed on the Asus QVL (they only list DIMMs, not kits), however I got this reply from Kingston support, which I interpret as "The part is supported, but discontinued. Here's a better option".
Hello <redacted>,The memory is this kit may not necessarily contain modules made with the same DRAM specified in these other part numbers. Both of these parts is discontinued. The best match for these part numbers is to make sure you purchase parts on the server premier list. But we do support this part with this motherboard. Here is the list of supported parts for this system.
The best match for the part numbers you listed is KVR13LR9D8/8EF.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reply to this e-mail with full email history. Thank you for using Kingston on-line technical support.
Regards,
Glenn Neumeister
Kingston Technology
Technical Support
8am to 5pm Monday - Friday PST
==========================================
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04/06/2014 12:44 PM
To
,
cc
Subject
Kingston Product Information Request: US, Memory, Private
Reply By
Laurie Cuff
Category
New Email
4/6/2014 12:44:59 PM
Country: US
Product Line: Memory
Customer Type: Private
Comp/MB Mfgr: Asus
Comp/MB Model: Z8NR-D12
Email Address: <redacted>
First Name: <redacted>
Last Name: <redacted>
Phone Number: 413-219-1841
Kingston P/N: KVR1333D3D4R9SK3/24G
Request: I am searching for a specific model of memory, either the KVR1333D3D4R9S/8GHA or KVR1333D3D4R9S/8GHB. Both are on the QVL for the motherboard I have given. I have found a memory kit (the one entered as the Kingston Part Number), which uses three 8GB sticks, and I wanted to make sure that the sticks used in that SKU are one of the two desired memory stick types. Thanks very much!
I only bought one kit so I could see if it would work (running a single CPU). If it doesn't work, I'll send it back. Worst case, I'm out $180. I'll take the chance, since the modules they list as compatible are about $100/8GB, whereas this is $60/8GB. If this kit isn't compatible, I'll go to town with modern, supported RAM. Then I can fill this baby up with up to 96GB (not that I need that much RAM for a storage server ;))
PSU: Seasonic S12II 520W Bronze - I don't need much power for this build, and according to the Seasonic website it has one 8-pin and one 4+4 pin CPU connector, so I should be able to use it with this motherboard. It's got power for 6 SATA drives, and I can use 4 molex-SATA power adapters if I need more drives. Seasonic confirmed that it should work:
Dear <redacted>,Thank you for interesting at SEASONIC products and contacting our support department.
You can use both 8-pin or 8/4-pin EPS connectors for your server with 95W LGA 1366 CPUs.
If you have any further question, please feel free to contact us.
Best Regards,
Support Team
Sea Sonic Electronics Co., Ltd.
OS Drive: Adata SP600 64GB - Going to host the OS while I verify the system gets put together. Once I can verify that all components are working, I'll reuse it as a ZIL or L2ARC, or maybe for something else. Fantastic deal, only cost me $5 more than the 32GB version.
For now, it'll be running in single-socket mode, which I believe I can do (more linked here). Once I get the memory I need, I'll install the second CPU.
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