Is this a good buy? a noobs question

Timelesscow · March 4

Hi, im new to homelab and NAS, but i'we wanted a NAS for quite a while. Both to develop my skills in networking, but also to use as a mediastreaming server and storage.

I'we looked at different pre-built NAS, but recently decided to go for something 2nd hand.

Since i'm no expert in networking gear, and have no experience in enterprise gear, i feel like im stumbeling in the dark when encountering some of the ads.

Two of the ads that peaked my interest is from the same company.

HPE DL380 G9
16 core (32 logic)
256 GB RAM
8x 4TB SAS discs
2x 1TB SSD Cache
Intel Xeon E5-2620 v4 @2.1GHz
5000 NOK (473 USD)

HPE DL380 G8
16 core (32 logic)
256 GB RAM
8x 600GB SAS 10k Discs in Raid 5
Intel Xeon E5-2665 0 @ 2.4 GHz
2500 NOK (237 USD)

Is any of these a good buy? If this is the wrong place to ask this, please let me know

jaslion · March 4

You need basically nothing to run a nas. These are old servers and will consume a lot of power being a network drive.

NikolakiH · March 4

1 hour ago, Timelesscow said:

Since i'm no expert in networking gear, and have no experience in enterprise gear, i feel like im stumbeling in the dark when encountering some of the ads.

You don't need enterprise gear for a home NAS. At its heart, a server is just a computer, and you don't need a particularly powerful computer to be a decent home NAS (unless you are running some crazy setup for like 10+ friends/family members or something). I currently use my previous gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, 28GB of RAM, 2x8TB HDD) as a NAS and media server, and it's plenty for me and my parents (You probably want a little more storage than that, though). I could try to help you narrow down some specs for your specific use case if you want.

Timelesscow · March 5

9 hours ago, jaslion said:

You need basically nothing to run a nas. These are old servers and will consume a lot of power being a network drive.

That's what I feared, power consumption is absolutely going to be a factor. Since I got no experience in enterprise gear I was wondering if this was usable in a homelab and if it's a good deal.

8 hours ago, NikolakiH said:

You don't need enterprise gear for a home NAS. At its heart, a server is just a computer, and you don't need a particularly powerful computer to be a decent home NAS (unless you are running some crazy setup for like 10+ friends/family members or something). I currently use my previous gaming PC (Ryzen 5 5600, 28GB of RAM, 2x8TB HDD) as a NAS and media server, and it's plenty for me and my parents (You probably want a little more storage than that, though). I could try to help you narrow down some specs for your specific use case if you want.

I realize that a server doesn't need powerful gear to run, and that I could just use my old gaminglaptop. When I came over the ads, I was manly looking for mITX (maybe even mATX) mobos AM4 (maybe even AM3+) with at least 6x sata3. Maybe a cheap AM4 Ryzen 3/5 (or something comparable from intel) that I can undervolt, but with the option to upgrade if I want to transcode 4K video. My plan is to have at least 4x 4TB in RAID 5. For me, the main problem is space. A chassis that is thin enough to be hidden in our closet. Thinking about getting a modcase 3d printed, or if I find something cheap SFF 2nd hand

jaslion · March 5

3 hours ago, Timelesscow said:

upgrade if I want to transcode 4K video

Use jellyfin and a low power gpu.

Basically if you want to be cheap DO NOT get mitx. Get a atx or matx system add a lsi raid card (30$) for any sata you need and you're off.

Basically a 4th gen i5 is cheap and can be made quite power efficient. 16gb of ram and q ssd and boom done.

3 hours ago, Timelesscow said:

. A chassis that is thin enough to be hidden in our closet. T

What about ventilation? These things NEED fresh air to cool ans a closet has none of that.

Also a server is LOUD AS HELL!!!!! Like a LOUD vacuum cleaner that gives hearing damage if exposed to it for long periods.

Bersella AI · March 6

21 hours ago, Timelesscow said:

That's what I feared, power consumption is absolutely going to be a factor.

Then some used models of branded commercial PCs would be a better deal for you. I utilized, for example, a used HP EliteDesk 800 G3 SFF PC as NAS. Equipped with Pentium G4600 & 2 spinners, it has done pretty well in basic storage, media streaming, and 4K transcoding, while consuming only 20W of power in idle. Also, this model has 4 PCIe slots for expansions such as additional Flash storage, networking & GPU computing.

In regard of power saving, the less spinners are equipped, the lower power would be drawn, and an array of 4x 4TB would be inferior to 2 larger drives.