PLEX Server Build. Is this good?

[chilicheeseburger]

So guys, I'm planning on buildig a home server for runnig PLEX with all the files actually stored on the server. Iy might serve other purposes as well but i put this together with plex in mind.

I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to RAID arrays and that. I know about it in theory but don't really have any practical experience with it.

The Server should be able to handle 2 1080p transcodings simultaneously. Also I'm aiming for low power consumption.

Is this a good server build for PLEX?

I'd like to run ubuntu as an OS.

I'm not to sure about the RAID Controller and the hard drives. Will those HDDs work for RAID?

The controller can do RAID5, but I don't understand wether these drives will work well in a RAID Array.

CPU should be good as far as I can tell.

Will the PSU suffice? 350W ain't a lot..

I already have 8GB of Crucial Ballistix DDR3 RAM and a CM Hyper T4 Cooler btw.

Here's the parts:

https://www.mindfactory.de/shopping_cart.php/basket_action/load_basket_extern/id/8a926a2200b23a3ee36bd5cbea7a1a42183fac4d70eea026298

[RichardsD]

Yeah I suppose the specs are fine.. but for a server dedicated to storing your files I'd honestly want more professional components.  I'd probably get some NAS grade HDDs at least.. because if this is going to run 24/7 you need drives rated for such.

 

PSU is fine.

 

Will those HDDs work for RAID? Sure.  Your motherboard will most likely support onboard RAID, I am a little suspect of that RAID Card, as I have never heard of that brand and I'm not sure if it includes breakout cables, or if it's for SAS or SATA.  

 

PSU is fine for a server.

 

So in conclusion, yes any drives will "work", but honestly for a server, especially a file server I would get better pro hdds.

[chilicheeseburger]

Yeah I suppose the specs are fine.. but for a server dedicated to storing your files I'd honestly want more professional components. I'd probably get some NAS grade HDDs at least.. because if this is going to run 24/7 you need drives rated for such.

PSU is fine.

Will those HDDs work for RAID? Sure. Your motherboard will most likely support onboard RAID, I am a little suspect of that RAID Card, as I have never heard of that brand and I'm not sure if it includes breakout cables, or if it's for SAS or SATA.

PSU is fine for a server.

So in conclusion, yes any drives will "work", but honestly for a server, especially a file server I would get better pro hdds.

Thanks for your reply

According to the shop site the drives are intended for 24/7. Altough that may be a mistake from them.

Can you suggest an entry level raid controller that can do raid 5?

[RichardsD]

-

 

Oh, if they are that's awesome.  It said Deskstar, I didn't look past that. 

 

I don't live in Germany, so I couldn't tell you where to buy one, but look on the LSI website and find one with the features you need, and look in the lowest end sections, because although their cards are really quite good, they get pricey quickly.

 

But honestly, if you want to just do RAID 5 with a single drive container, the onboard should be fine, I doubt a raid card would increase speed.

[chilicheeseburger]

Oh, if they are that's awesome. It said Deskstar, I didn't look past that.

I don't live in Germany, so I couldn't tell you where to buy one, but look on the LSI website and find one with the features you need, and look in the lowest end sections, because although their cards are really quite good, they get pricey quickly.

But honestly, if you want to just do RAID 5 with a single drive container, the onboard should be fine, I doubt a raid card would increase speed.

Alright then, I guess I'll go with something like the WD red or deskstar NAS, then use the onboard raid.

[Napper198]

I don't live in Germany, so I couldn't tell you where to buy one, but look on the LSI website and find one with the features you need, and look in the lowest end sections, because although their cards are really quite good, they get pricey quickly.

 

Even the entry 3ware SAS 9750-4i goes for other 900€ so this is probably no option here.

 

@chillicheeseburger

 

I wanted to send you a build, but that shop doesn't allow for the cart to be sent, so I'll just copy paste it below:

 

 

  WD Red WD30EFRX

3TB

Artikelnr. 90472361; 0,645kg auf Lager und sofort lieferbar

Lieferzeit 1-2 Werktage 109,90 € 439,60 €

 

  Fractal Design Node 804

mini/micro ITX mit Fenster schwarz

Artikelnr. 90551851; 6,695kg auf Lager und sofort lieferbar

Lieferzeit 1-2 Werktage 85,90 € 85,90 €

 

   Intel Core i3-4130T

Boxed inkl. Lüfter

Artikelnr. 90523456; 0,24kg kurzfristig verfügbar

Lieferzeit 3-5 Werktage 111,90 € 111,90 €

 

  ASRock H87M

Sockel 1150 mATX

Artikelnr. 90512309; 0,937kg kurzfristig verfügbar

Lieferzeit 3-5 Werktage 69,50 € 69,50 €

 

  Super Flower Golden Green HX 80Plus Gold

350 Watt

Artikelnr. 90560429; 2,08kg kurzfristig verfügbar

Lieferzeit 3-5 Werktage 49,90 € 49,90 €

 

  SanDisk SSD

128GB

Artikelnr. 90469309; 0,063kg auf Lager und sofort lieferbar

Lieferzeit 1-2 Werktage 49,59 € 49,59 €     Warenwert 806,39 €

 

[Denned]

Plex server doesn't require much CPU power, it can be run on nearly everything (except most arm based NAS's) An old laptop would work just as good.

 

My setup is a Netgear Readynas Nv+ v2 (4 HDD's in RAID5), and a Fujitsu q900 (tiny PC, with mobile CPU and 4GB RAM). It can perfectly run multiple 1080p streams.

Although Plex can be installed on the NAS, the ARM cpu's aren't strong enough to transcode.

 

So maybe a NAS with some tiny PC or an old laptop is worth considering.

[chilicheeseburger]

Even the entry 3ware SAS 9750-4i goes for other 900€ so this is probably no option here.

@chillicheeseburger

I wanted to send you a build, but that shop doesn't allow for the cart to be sent, so I'll just copy paste it below:

WD Red WD30EFRX

3TB

Artikelnr. 90472361; 0,645kg auf Lager und sofort lieferbar

Lieferzeit 1-2 Werktage 109,90 € 439,60 €

Fractal Design Node 804

mini/micro ITX mit Fenster schwarz

Artikelnr. 90551851; 6,695kg auf Lager und sofort lieferbar

Lieferzeit 1-2 Werktage 85,90 € 85,90 €

Intel Core i3-4130T

Boxed inkl. Lüfter

Artikelnr. 90523456; 0,24kg kurzfristig verfügbar

Lieferzeit 3-5 Werktage 111,90 € 111,90 €

ASRock H87M

Sockel 1150 mATX

Artikelnr. 90512309; 0,937kg kurzfristig verfügbar

Lieferzeit 3-5 Werktage 69,50 € 69,50 €

Super Flower Golden Green HX 80Plus Gold

350 Watt

Artikelnr. 90560429; 2,08kg kurzfristig verfügbar

Lieferzeit 3-5 Werktage 49,90 € 49,90 €

SanDisk SSD

128GB

Artikelnr. 90469309; 0,063kg auf Lager und sofort lieferbar

Lieferzeit 1-2 Werktage 49,59 € 49,59 € Warenwert 806,39 €

Thanks, I prefer Intel as well but the AMD Processor I picked seems fine and the ASUS board can handle RAID5. What's the benefit of going with the i3? Lower power consumption?

[Napper198]

Thanks, I prefer Intel as well but the AMD Processor I picked seems fine and the ASUS board can handle RAID5. What's the benefit of going with the i3? Lower power consumption?

 

Yes, the T-models are optimized for low power consumption and cool operation. Even though there is an A8-6500T on AMD side, the i3 still has an max 10W TDP advantage and since the i3 has hyperthreading as well it should perform identical.

 

Using an ASUS mobo for the intel would just cost too much money, since a mATX board with 6x SATA3 woult already set you back 100€

Edited January 5, 2015 by Napper198