Would this be ok for an unRAID server?

tech3475 · November 2, 2020

I'm currently thinking of upgrading from my current unRAID server to a Ryzen based system.

Current System:
HP Gen8 Microserver
Intel E3-1230 V2 @ 3.30GHz
16GB ECC RAM
4 x 10TB HDD
2 x 2TB HDD (via PCI-E SATA card)
1 x 256GB SSD (for VMs via onboard SATA 2 port)

Most 'server grade' ebay options are impractical due to size and/or cost, so I'm thinking of making a Ryzen rig since that supports ECC RAM and I happen to have a case, PSU and GPU lying around and could use the 3700x in my gaming desktop (upgrading the desktop to a 5000 on release).

The potential spec:

To purchase:
32GB ECC RAM (2x Kingston KSM26ED8/16ME, which is listed on the QVL) Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BGDG5ZP
ASUS Prime X570-PRO ATX Motherboard Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07TNMC2R4

I chose this specific motherboard due to it's PCI-E slots, since I'd like to potentially expand in the future.

Currently owned hardware:
Ryzen 3700x (already own) Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Ryzen-3700X-Processor-Cache/dp/B07SXMZLPK
Corsair CX750 (already own) Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008RJZR40
AMD 5450 (basic video) Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0036DD4CY
Tacky looking Case (already own) Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0071KZNUY
Cooling - See below
Storage (from existing rig, including existing PCI-E SATA card)

For VMs:
Intel Ethernet (for PfSense VM)
GTX 1080ti (for Windows VM, when I upgrade gaming desktop)

My plans for this rig:
1) Storage (the case offers more 2.5"/3.5"/5.25" slots and the Mobo more PCI-E slots for SATA cards).
2) Docker (e.g. Crashplan)
3) Windows VM (may install a 1080ti when I upgrade my gaming desktop in the future and passthrough to VM for transcoding)
4) PfSense VM (pasthrough an Intel Ethernet PCI-E card)

Overall the only parts I'm looking to buy specifically for this system if possible is the RAM and PSU if possible, which for me will cost around £386 at most I'd like to go £400 for these parts.

For CPU cooling, would the Wraith Prism be adequate? The case is unfortunately too small for the Noctua NH-D14 I have lying around but I do have the Wraith Prism still in the box.

AFAIK the only downside to this approach is the lack of lights out management, but this shouldn't be too big of an issue for me.

Is there anything else I should consider, are there problems I haven't considered or would this work ok?

Thank you.

manikyath · November 2, 2020

i'd replace the power supply, the green label corsair CX are mehh.. it's not going to spontaniously combust, but if you're going to do an upgrade, you may as well get a nice high quality 80+ gold unit.

little 'protip' with that tacky case: you can get a hotswap bay to fit in the 5.25" bays for your hard drives.

past that: looking good to me, not that i am afraid of doing jank...

tech3475 · November 3, 2020

20 hours ago, manikyath said:

i'd replace the power supply, the green label corsair CX are mehh.. it's not going to spontaniously combust, but if you're going to do an upgrade, you may as well get a nice high quality 80+ gold unit.

little 'protip' with that tacky case: you can get a hotswap bay to fit in the 5.25" bays for your hard drives.

past that: looking good to me, not that i am afraid of doing jank...

Thanks for the feedback.

I had actually thought about using the 5.25" bays for that purpose, the main reason I'm sticking with this case is it's HDD/SSD storage capacity compared to similar newer tower cases I've seen.

I may upgrade the PSU in time, but for now I just want to see if the rig works since I can always upgrade the PSU later and I may opt to upgrade the gaming rig's (which does have an 80+ Gold PSU) instead and move that PSU into this if necessary.