Should i get a used server?

[PurpleCodes]

Looking to setup a home nas and was pointed in the direction of getting a used server. Something like https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Poweredge-R720-3-5-2x-E5-2650-2ghz-16-Cores-64gb-H710-8x-Trays-2x750w/373084497508?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225074%26meid%3D1fb0c0aec282454aa3b3109325775b73%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D373079905611%26itm%3D373084497508%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

 

but I have also been made aware that used servers may not be reliable. What is the reliability of a used server

 

[jaslion]

For a nas this is beyond overkill and not really that power efficient. If you want to diy nas get like a low power pentium used system and that will do more than enough.

[Jae Tee]

I would just build a simple pc, possibly used parts and be done with it.

[Senzelian]

Reliability depends a lot on individual components.

But if you're out for reliability, then for that price you can get a used Synology NAS with 4 bays, with better software support.

[PurpleCodes]

I'm not just going to use it for a nas I am planning to have lots of different docker containers and vms and such.

[Senzelian]

5 minutes ago, PurpleCodes said:

I'm not just going to use it for a nas I am planning to have lots of different docker containers and vms and such.

Would still build a PC instead.

I know rackmounted server hardware is "cool", I fell for that aswell, but it's also a good way to throw away your money.
 

If you want reliability, buy current gen hardware.

Old server hardware is inefficient, loud and might not support all the features you want.

 

The server you linked is at least 5 years old. The CPU architecture is 7 years old now.

[jaslion]

10 minutes ago, PurpleCodes said:

I'm not just going to use it for a nas I am planning to have lots of different docker containers and vms and such.

You should have mentioned that. Either way a second gen ryzen system will be a bit more but will have far superior single core performance, be newer, use standardized components, not be ear deafening loud and well just be usefull. Those old servers are pretty meh nowadays as even for your purpose they have fallen a good ends behind.

[PorkishPig]

50 minutes ago, PurpleCodes said:

I'm not just going to use it for a nas I am planning to have lots of different docker containers and vms and such.

Keep in mind that power consumption will be absolutely through the roof.

 

What exactly are you looking to run? The media server in my signature comfortably handles:

• FreeNAS running the following in FreeBSD Jails:
  • Plex
  • Sonarr
  • Radarr
  • Transmission
  • Tautulli
  • MineOS
• Ubuntu-flavored Docker VM running:
  • Portainer
  • Terraria
  • Wordpress
  • Poste.io

This is seven year old hardware, mostly benefiting from QuickSync support for Plex hardware transcoding, something that the E5-2650 lacks.

[Salacious B Crum]

On 7/13/2020 at 3:03 PM, Jae Tee said:

I would just build a simple pc, possibly used parts and be done with it.

X2 I have both and my DIY unRAID server (based on a pre-built i7 6700) has been rock solid for years now and it has 12 drives running a dozen docker apps and serves as my plex media server

[Dravinian]

6 hours ago, mrbilky said:

X2 I have both and my DIY unRAID server (based on a pre-built i7 6700) has been rock solid for years now and it has 12 drives running a dozen docker apps and serves as my plex media server

I would be interested in your thoughts on going beyond the sata ports on your MB, assuming that your MB doesn't have 12.

 

I have reached the point where any further expansion is going to require me to start looking at Host PCIe adapters with SATA ports (see how I am avoiding calling HBAs, is that even the name or am I completely mangling that word) but honestly, my knowledge in this area is currently at a flat 0.

[Salacious B Crum]

19 hours ago, Dravinian said:

I would be interested in your thoughts on going beyond the sata ports on your MB, assuming that your MB doesn't have 12.

 

I have reached the point where any further expansion is going to require me to start looking at Host PCIe adapters with SATA ports (see how I am avoiding calling HBAs, is that even the name or am I completely mangling that word) but honestly, my knowledge in this area is currently at a flat 0.

I have a Dell H310 6Gbps SAS HBA w/ LSI 9211-8i flashed to IT mode installed in both my servers to pass the drives to the OS individually 8 drives are on that and the rest on the motherboard for which there is 8 sata ports I have had no problems at all regarding HBA playing nice with unRAID

[akio123008]

Are you aware of the noise these 2u servers produce? I wouldn't recommend one if you don't have a server room. 

[Kisai]

On 7/13/2020 at 12:00 PM, PurpleCodes said:

Looking to setup a home nas and was pointed in the direction of getting a used server. Something like https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Poweredge-R720-3-5-2x-E5-2650-2ghz-16-Cores-64gb-H710-8x-Trays-2x750w/373084497508?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225074%26meid%3D1fb0c0aec282454aa3b3109325775b73%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D373079905611%26itm%3D373084497508%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

 

but I have also been made aware that used servers may not be reliable. What is the reliability of a used server

 

I do not recommend pre-owned servers for home use as they operate at maximum cooling 100%, which is like having a screaming baby at all hours.

 

If you want a home NAS, build a FeeNAS box from a PC that can be passively cooled, or order a pre-made one. Or you can just buy whatever off newegg. 

 

The problem with reliability is that those typical Atom/Celeron/ARM NAS boxes weakest point is their power supply. So if they expire, you have to throw the entire unit out, and the data on it is just gone. With a FreeNAS system, it's just a PC, so you can replace parts in it just like any other PC.

[GimmeGaming]

I have a Dell R620 (1u version of the R720 with 2.5" drive slots). Once you don't add the upgraded 10gb dual nic's the system is usually pretty quiet (replacing the standard 4 * 1gb nics with the 2 * 10gb/ 2 * 1gb card increases the fan profile). When powering it up, It sounds like a jet engine until the bios fully loads though. This usually takes about 2 minutes but if its on 24/7 this is a non issue.

If you have a closet to put it in or an attic, you should be fine and wont notice it.

Me personally I run loads of VM's so a rack servers is always going to be a better option. That server would allow you to add 100's of gb's of ram to run as many vm's as you want. I run about 40 on mine without issue.

[Maticks]

I have an R720 originally was going to use for my home NAS, its now sitting in my data centre at work as server there.

It is loud... those fans run up 22000RPM, i would compare it to having a Dyson V10 on all the time, its that type of pitch noise.

 

I made it silent a bit if you play with the power settings the eco mode seems to make it drop the RPM's a bit.

If you install any PCI Express cards it starts screaming.

 

I have ESXi running on mine with Unraid loaded in a VM inside ESXi, then a few other VM's running directly in ESXi using Dell's Raid 5 setup for the drives on the raid card.

But the Xeon processors suck power and don't really deliver that much performance you'd get a quieter and faster machine building your own from say an old threadripper or even a 6700k or 8700k. though you have a heap of cores on the Xeon its low clock and low IPC i have E5-2630 in mine.

 

12 Threads vs 8 Threads the consumer chip performs better and it can throttle down to 800Mhz when idle so more power saving.