Unraid Server Upgrade - MB/CPU

smcw · May 2, 2021

Budget (including currency): $500-700 (CAD)

Country: Canada

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: Unraid (Data storage, 2 Windows VMs, Plex currently using iGPU for transcode - struggles above 1080p or on higher bitrates, and 5 or so misc minor docker containers)

Existing Specs:

Lenovo 3098 Motherboard

Intel Core i5 4570

16GB DDR3 1600

JMB 585 5-port SATA PCIe x4 card (for array HDDs)

2x ADATA SU800 (SATA SSD, 512GB for array cache)

4x HDDs (5-6TB in array with parity disk)

1x HDD for temporary storage

Details: I currently have a machine that I've pieced together and upgraded over the years, the motherboard and CPU were from a refurb machine that I got a deal on at the time at NCIX. I'd like to reuse my existing full ATX case, 500W power supply and accessories (HDDs, SSDs, etc). So it would primarily be a CPU and Motherboard replacement I'd be looking for. Right now I am limited by the 2 ram slots/16GB limit, lack of PCIe x4 slots, lack of SATA ports on the motherboard, and the CPU is starting to show its age especially with multiple VMs going at once. I really can't do more than 2 VMs or the whole machine bogs down.

I haven't been looking in detail at computer hardware and pricing in a while so I'm a bit out of date on what's the norm and what's current. So any advice is appreciated. Please let me know if my budget or anything seems unrealistic or if there's something I could do to future proof this upgrade as this hardware has served me well for over 5 years given the small amount it cost me. I'd like something that can keep me going another 5 and hopefully allow room to expand.

Thanks for any help and advice, it's much appreciated.