NAS / general purpose server build

[krokcy]

Hey!

 

I'm looking to build a server primarily to be a NAS but also to host various other services; home automation, maybe a small minecraft server.

Apart from the specs it's very important it's quite and small (or stylish.. ) as it will be in my living room. Hence the slightly overkill cpu cooler and PSU.

 

I'm mostly unsure of what CPU to pick. I know the use case is pretty broad/vague, I'm just not quite sure if going a step up is worth it? Most of the services I'm thinking of hosting isn't that CPU intensive. (Except maybe the Minecraft server, but when i say small, I mean like 2-3 players at a time) And I shouldn't need any transcoding, mostly streaming to my tablet or my LG C7 tv and haven't needed transcoding yet!

 

Also PCPartPicker warns me that the AB350 chipset might need a bios update, but I don't have a compatible CPU lying around so that's not gonna happen. Is this still an issue? Or do I need to go for a x570, which is more than double the price. If that's the case is there a motherboard/cpu combo that makes more sense?

 

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASRock AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Value 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
Storage: Kingston A2000 250 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
Storage: Seagate IronWolf NAS 4 TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Seagate IronWolf NAS 4 TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive 
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair RMi 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

 

Would of course love any other feedback.

[Bowis]

31 minutes ago, krokcy said:

Hey!

 

I'm looking to build a server primarily to be a NAS but also to host various other services; home automation, maybe a small minecraft server.

Apart from the specs it's very important it's quite and small (or stylish.. ) as it will be in my living room. Hence the slightly overkill cpu cooler and PSU.

 

I'm mostly unsure of what CPU to pick. I know the use case is pretty broad/vague, I'm just not quite sure if going a step up is worth it? Most of the services I'm thinking of hosting isn't that CPU intensive. (Except maybe the Minecraft server, but when i say small, I mean like 2-3 players at a time) And I shouldn't need any transcoding, mostly streaming to my tablet or my LG C7 tv and haven't needed transcoding yet!

 

Also PCPartPicker warns me that the AB350 chipset might need a bios update, but I don't have a compatible CPU lying around so that's not gonna happen. Is this still an issue? Or do I need to go for a x570, which is more than double the price. If that's the case is there a motherboard/cpu combo that makes more sense?

 

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200G 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASRock AB350 Gaming-ITX/ac Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Value 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
Storage: Kingston A2000 250 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
Storage: Seagate IronWolf NAS 4 TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Seagate IronWolf NAS 4 TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive 
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair RMi 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

 

Would of course love any other feedback.

Hey there, built a Plex Server / Gaming PC myself at the end of 2019, had the same criteria that you had (about small and silent) but quickly changed route.
This probably won't be answer you want but I'm still going to give it to you.

Temperatures matter and the work load you plan for today may not be the same you get tomorrow.
Meaning, adding higher quality content to your Media Server or simply more consumers devices will demand more processing power.
Processing power that is fine today but might not be along the road, maybe you want to game to, or host more people on the server, or transcoding becomes a thing.
-> Remember a PC will last you a long time, and your needs will vary over that time, plan for the future too.

I don't want to guess but you probably already have a computer for gaming, if not why do you want a Minecraft server that looks to be for you and your friends?
Assuming you do have a gaming computer, you might want to take advantage of the already bought hardware, maybe it's even more powerful then that Ryzen 3.

Here's my example, I do have my computer running a Plex Server at the same time that I'm gaming.
The server is in an office, where I game, but most consumer devices for the Plex Server are on other rooms (tablets, TV's) even in other houses (friends and family).
The only thing I have to guarantee is a good internet connection between server and consumer device, you don't need to have the computer near your TV to play content there.

"Oh but my TV is old and doesn't support the Plex (or other) app!" -> A 'smart box' like Roku / NVIDIA Shield / Apple TV  / Chromecast / Amazon thingy are cheaper options to the above PC that will let you transform your 'Dumb TV' into a 'Smart TV'

--> The take away is, try to repurpose the hardware you already have for the most use cases possible.

If my assumption is wrong please let me know,
Hope it helps!

[krokcy]

Thanks for the response!

Ye I have been using my gaming pc with Universal Media Server for a while now. But it's in my bedroom and as such has to be turned off every night - which, first world problem and all, but I would like to have dedicated hardware for my server needs.

 

And future proofing has been part of my considerations. But it'll always be a trade off. The most demanding thing could potentially be transcoding, but I'm going on the assumption i won't need that.

For now I'm aiming for reasonable future proofing, while still getting decent value.

[Bowis]

On 4/19/2020 at 5:16 PM, krokcy said:

- snip -

Hi again!

In that case let's address some of you choices:

-> PSU:
You don't need a 650W, I would maybe aim at 400W, maxing it at 500W.
Below I've listed some Seasonic fanless PSU's (there're more brands, I just trust Seasonic more), not sure how they fit in your budget.
https://dk.pcpartpicker.com/products/power-supply/#F=1&m=71

 

Everything else seems reasonable, the CPU/Motherboard 'issue' depends on the board manufacture.
You just need to pick a board and research it.
Here's a board example that is B450 but supports new Ryzen:
https://dk.pcpartpicker.com/product/kbx2FT/asus-rog-strix-b450-i-gaming-mini-itx-am4-motherboard-strix-b450-i (see comments)

 

 Again not sure how that specific board fits in your budget, but it has two M.2 SDD slots, maybe that's important if you want a more clean build and don't want that SATA SDD.
-> Everything can be changed but that depends on budget and need.

Hope it helps!