TechMeThatsSexy

Yes. What would the difference be to run Pi Hole on a Ubuntu VM / Docker? Maybe I should only get a Pi for a small NAS and a Pi for web server (testing and learning) ?

Hey guys,   Thanks so much for the help so far. The parts list is taking shape, but I’m still a bit uncertain about RAM, MB and HDDs.     MOTHERBOARD:  Im looking for a max 256GB cap. and support multi-GPU-technology (NVlink) to future proof. 8 HDDs. and. 3x M.2 slots would be great. Maybe add a PCI M.2 adapter if the mother board dont have more that 1-2 M.2 slots. Look at these two cards for now. Any suggestions? ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme ASRock TRX40 Creator   RAM: I plan to first buy one 128GB kit, populate the first and thirs slot from the outside towards the CPU, and then be able to expand with another kit (the exact same) to max out the 256 limit on the board in the future. Is 3200 MHz the optimal clock speed for the 3970X? G.Skill RipjawsV DDR4-3200 C16 QC - 128GB F4-3200C16Q-128GVK Corsair Vengeance LPX 128GB (4-KIT) DDR4 3600MHz CL18 (CMK128GX4M4E3200C16)     HARDSRIVES: Which M.2 should I use for OS & cache separately? The Firecuda has twice the capacity as the 970 Pro for almost the same price, is the Firecuda the right choice both as a OS drive and for cache?   I would like to start with one M.2 for the OS and one for cache, and then add another one for cache later, or should I use all 3 M.2 slots for cache?   In that case, can I use a smaller OS drive or why / what would the empty space on a 1 TB 970 benefit the system, would the space be used for cache or is dos the OS drive just faster with OS alone on it and lots of free space? I thought I was going for the 970 until I saw the 510... What to choose for what?

M.2 NVMe (PCI Express 3.0 x4): Samsung 970 Pro Seagate Firecuda 510 WD Black SN750 Intel 660p   2.5” SSD: What would you guys use a 2.5" SATA connected SSDs for when there is a dedicated M.2 for OS and cache in the system? WD Blue 2,5" intern SSD 1 TB    

Thanks true. Maybe better.
Would you only use M.2 970 for cache or combine with other SSDs also? Last question for today then I have to go. Thats for all the good feedback guys! Talk to you later:)

Heard about it, dont know much. Will look into it, thanks.
No, considering buying the Corsair Obsidian 1000D case so that I can build my first server in the same case as the PC. Good idea?

Can I run a VM on Windows 10 for Plex? Is there any point? My Plex library got screwed up since I have the media on a external HDD and the computer crashed several times when I tried to unload everthing from iCloud... Got it all out in the end. Never had crashes before. Maybe because I called Apple support and said im leaving and why^^, Ive heard that Plex library can get screwed up if the machine is turned off often or have a crash. What do recommend for Plex, a dedicated server, or having one server that dos both Plex and hosting a website or two?

I couldnt find any spesifics about ram other then GB. What 4x32 GB RAM do you guys recommend? I will be editing 6-8k on this computer also. MHz higher the better, should I go for 3600 for example and is there any this els I should look for when it comes to RAM, brand or other specs?

Do I need to set anything up for the Samsung 970 PRO SSD to help the other HDDs access data that is often used? Should I keep the 970 mostly empty, except OS & software so it can do its thing? Regarding cache-ing will the OS drive / all 970 SSDs help with cache-ing witout any setup?

Feel rusty. It been a while since ive built a PC. Damn Apple haha. Oh well. Sold the iPad, Macbook and now I just have to get rid of that iPhone:) Can wait to start this PC build.

Thanks man!
Good to know. I though it would be interesting to test it out, but since its not necessary ill rather opt for a stable system.
Yes, ive lost data many years ago and I would like to do my best so that it dosent happen again. Max 2 disk failiure i guess is good?
 
Interesting! I will research more about the difference betwwen PMR and SMR. Most of the data I have today is video that will be accessed with Plex. I guess archive/SMR HDDs do just fine then + SSD help library load faster. But I will be editing video again and those files in use should be located on a SSD. Then I could haev some PMR HDDs for other files maybe.
Yeah, unreal. I dont get it. Hope they are working on this.
I will be editing in 1080 for myself and 4k for someone. Is there a big difference between DDR4 and DDR3? I would rather pay a bit more for a great machine than cheep out on important parts. But then again theres no point in going overkill eighter, even if I would love to!:D

Thanks a lot. This was helpful!

Oh okey, is that also called "cache-ing with SSDs" or am I confusing the two? 10% SSDs per TBs of HDDs is a good rule of thumb?
Looks good! Its now on my parts list.
Okey since the empty space isent just sitting there, bigger is better.
You cleared up a lot of things for me, and saved me A LOT of time. Thanks budd!

If I could avoid server all together to begin with it would be best. I can keep my cloud host for the website for now and expand with a small dedicated server for the website. Good idea.
 
What do you mean by "storage spaces supports tiering"?
 
My parts list is getting out of hand. Ive looked at so many different part. No external storage yet other than external harddrives.

 
Not at the moment. That could wait.
I guess it would be much easier to just internal harddrives in a normal pc and backup on external harddrives. I like to take the difficult route some times:p
Okey, then I have been considering "AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X 3.5GHz Socket TR4"
I copied the wrong text I was thinking about the 970 evo plus. 250 isent enough for a OS drive if I have another drive for sowftware / games? I would like to be able to reinstall the OS without having to install everything els.

Thanks a lot for the great answers!

Is it okey to host websites, cloud etc on a PC instead of a server? The main task is video editing, hosting videos for my website so I have everything in-house. Im not sure yet about the budget, I might have to pay for the machine all by myself or with help from an employeer whom I will edit videos for. Im probably could go for $2-3000 GPU.

Hey!
New to the forum. Love the show btw, and I thought it might be a good idea to ask like minded people for some advise here.
I have been building PCs and doing water cooling since I was a kid so I know how to build, but im a n00b when it comes to servers.
Got started with my own physical cloud (WD HDD), a Plex media server on a Windows 10 PC, and have started to researching different things like;
Ubuntu / Linux, ZFS, Unraid, StableBits, ClonOS, Next Cloud / Own Cloud, Transmission, VM Ware and Proxmox.
 
Im still have a lot learning so please speak to me as if I was a n00b Im generally looking for advise on what hardware to choose,
motherboard & CPU combination etc, but ideas no what software to use is also much appriciated.

How I would like to use the server (If one server can be used for all this tings):
- The server will be my only computer if I can use Windows 10 with GPU passthrough for video editing and rendering with
Adobe Premier Pro and/or Avid, Ableton Live 10, mayeb some CAD modelling etc.
- Email client
- Websites (one to stream video to a small audience, 1 webstore and a couple of small websites. Not massive traffic.
- Cloud
- Media server: Plex
- NAS for backup and filesharing (That Plex can access and a VM that I will use as my daily workstation).
- Cisco IP phone (I heard its possible to host VoIP over Asterisk SIP)
 
Some of the hardware I think I might be needing is:
- Case: Can be server case or it will most likely be a normal PC case, mid-large size. Maybe Corsair Obsidian 1000D. That would be fun to build! :D
- OS drive: "Samsung 960 EVO Series MZ-V6E250BW 250GB"
- Raid controller for example: "LSI SAS 9207-4i4e SGL"
- RAM: ECC +64 GB (Would probably start with 64 GB but would be good to have the possibility to exapnd to 128 or 256 GB in the future).
- Cache: M.2? Is an Intel Optane SSD useful in my case as OS or cache or will it not matter much for me?
- GPU: Would like to have the possibility to add another GPU and use NVlink in the future.
- Networking: "DeLock PCI Express Card 1x 10 Gigabit LAN (89456)" or "DeLock PCI Express Card to 2x Gigabit LAN (89520)"
- HDDs: "Seagate IronWolf Pro ST16000NE000 256MB 16TB" or "WD Red Pro WD141KFGX 256MB 14TB"
Ive heard that Seagate fail more often than WD. I havent fact checked that. What do you guys think?
Would like to be able to start with 2-3 HDDs and expand later with different HDD sizes.
- Motherboard: ?
- CPU: ? 1 or 2? Is it possible to start with 1 CPU and add the same type to the empty socket on the motherboard later?
 
Any suggestions would be much appriciated! Have a good one guys:)
 

Planing to mount a screen with water temp and some fan control in the front soon also. Looking water tubing to fit 6mm nozzles. Haven’t found any yet

I won’t be using a DVD-Rom in this case so I modified the front and installed a 80mm fan and chrome grill I had from a previous build. Turned out pretty good I think:) I have another grill that I’ll probably install in the back on the PSU where I changed out the fan inside.
 
 

Then ill keep the EVGA 1060 (3GB one fan) I have for for NVENC transcoding.
Would have cost my around $70 used in my area, and I just bought a cpu, motherboard and ram for the same price. Is this CPU good enough for run Plex and a VM or two? Dont need any VMs now but would like to install Unraid or something similar so that Plex and another computer can easily access the videos/files. https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/53422/intel-core-i3-2100-processor-3m-cache-3-10-ghz.html

This is the motherboard I’m looking to buy with CPU and 16GB DDR3 1333 from the same guy. I’m waiting for reply on my offer. http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/acer-ipisb-vr-rev-1-01/
 
Could I use the machine as both a Plex server and NAS, and what OS + Software would you recommend, or is it better to build a separate NAS and let the Plex server get the data from the NAS? One machine would be better I think, I guess the is the CPU, RAM, GPU combo good enough?

Changed the fan in the PSU. Need to make some cuts in the side panel of the cabinet to be able to close it with the 120mm radiator on the back mounted on the outside of the case 
 

I’ll only watch 4K through direct stream, and some 1080 transcode to tablet/smartphone sometimes. Thanks for clearing up some stuff for me guys. Appreciate it. 
 
Now the last thing I’m uncertain about is what OS to use on the machine. I don’t have a Windows license and don’t know much about Linux yet. I’m a fast learner. What would you do in my case?
 
I’ll get the CPU and motherboard in the end of the month. I’ll do some more mods in the meantime and post some photos:)

Im doing mostly "direct play" from the Plex server to the screen/TV, so that dos not use transcoding if I got it right? I would rather have a GPU so the few direct stream over the same network to one tablet will work fine now and then.

I can buy this CPU (w/ orgiginal cooler) for only $10! Should I grab it anyway for this Plex server or for a future server / learning Linux etc? https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/53422/intel-core-i3-2100-processor-3m-cache-3-10-ghz.html
 
I can also buy this CPU with motherboard used, for maten $40-50 inkludere shipping. That will good enough for my Plex use now, and the CPU can be used for something els / server in the future maybe. 
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/52214/intel-core-i7-2600k-processor-8m-cache-up-to-3-80-ghz.html
It supports Intel® Quick Sync Video

Thanks, that cleared up some things. I cant find it on the largest website for selling new and used items in Norway. Do you know of a good website that sell used computer parts and ship to Europe / Scandinavia?
Okey thanks for the tips. Have to have that in mind.
 
Now I understand that I cant go really cheap on the CPU. I could change out the RAM, it depends on the CPU and motherboard combo being good enough and reasonable priced. I can buy 16 GB og DDR2 ECC for aprox. $50 or 16 GB og DDR3 ECC for $70, but is there any point of having ECC for a Plex server?
 
I just dont know

Anyone know where it’s possible to buy a used or a new GPU block for a reasonable price? That might be the biggest Inveatment into this Plex server, then ofc some TB HDDs to expand later.

Building a Frankenstein Sever😂 from parts I had laying around, bought a few cheap used parts and got the GPU, RAM and case for free from my cousin when I helped him upgrade his gaming PC. Can post some pictures of the progress. All the molex is for the pc fans I had for an old build several years ago.

Thanks for the confirmation. That was my thought to let the GPU transcode 1 stream at the time, and cheap-out on the CPU.
Im the only one going to be using the Plex server at this time. Dont have kids yet, so I have time to upgrade that server later.
I can get this one for $5 used; "Sempron 3600+ Manila". I it this one?

Thank for the reply. I would rather buy a good CPU and replace the RAM than use the 8GB ram for this project. Are any of the CPUs good and worth buying for Plex? I think I can get some DDR3 ram sticks for cheap also. Or would it be better for Plex to have better ram like DDR4 and/or ECC?