Home Server Build Help

[DonJose]

I've got access to different versions of Windows Server (2012 and 2016 and essentials for both) so I'm looking to upgrade my current home 'server' into something that doesn't need the quotations whenever mentioned.  I was wondering if 2016 was worth checking out being brand new and the difference between the main version and the essentials and which one would be best suited for my needs.  My current machine is a hodge podge of parts from multiple builds I did for myself and friends between 2010 and 2012 that I got whenever one of us upgraded our current machines.  Included are

CPU: i7-950 @ Stock
MOBO: ASUS P6X58D-e

RAM: OCZ 12GB (6x2GB) DDR3 1600Mhz

SSD: OCZ 360GB Agility 3

HDD: 4x3TB WD Green (Raid 5)

GPU: Nvidia 8400 GS (Pulled it out of an old HP pre-built, only used for local display)

PSU: EVGA 500B (Only thing bought new)
Case: Some standard mid tower ATX case.  Not sure which exactly.


1. Budget & Location

I plan on selling most of the current system to help fund the new one so I was also wondering what a machine like this could go for.  The changes would be that I'd be keeping the hard drives and SSD, but I'd put in a 120GB Agility 3 for the sale, and I'd replace the GPU with a GTX 460.  I was hoping I could get around $300 USD but I really have no basis for that estimation so if anyone could give me some estimates that'd be great.

In total I'd prefer not to spend more than about $600-650 USD for everything but the HDDs/SSD

2. Aim
So far I've been using the current system for multiplayer game server hosting (Minecraft, Kerbal Space Program, Terraria, Space Engineers etc), VOIP Server hosting (Vent, Mumble, etc), Media Server (Plex), and a personal 'cloud' (NAS + FTP).

3. Monitors
I have an old 4:3 monitor plugged in for local work but 90% of my work is done through RDP so monitors aren't really an issue.

4. Peripherals
Again, 90% of my work is done through RDP from my main rig so I don't need peripherals.

5. Why are you upgrading?
I am currently unable to run multiple plex transcodes at the same time, this is my largest priority for the new machine.  Plex estimates on their website that a CPU with a passmark of about 2000 can handle a single 1080p transcode but I've found their estimates to be on the low end (It's VERY possible my files bit rates are higher than the ones they used for their estimation).  And things get even worse when you start trying to change the original resolution.  My 950 can handle two 1080p files playing at 1080p but trying to play two 1080p files at 720p starts hurting it (though looking through logs not by much).

 

My next priority is to increase my encoding speed when ripping and encoding blu-rays for local storage and playback.

Finally, I also use the machine for hosting multiplayer game servers (Minecraft, Terraria, Kerbal Space Program, Space Engineers, etc) and VOIP servers (Vent, Mumble, etc).  I need to be able to accomplish one of the first two priorities at the same time as this final point (I'm not going to ask a machine to stream multiple video files AND encode videos at the same time).  These server programs will need to run 24/7 for my friends and I to all use at any point.
 

6. Build wants.
I live near a microcenter so in general I can get $30-50 off the newegg/amazon price of most processors.  So far I've been looking and I think a Xeon 1231 v3 (209.99) would work well but after adding the cost of a cheap gpu for local display it might be better to go with a 4790k (259.99) with Intel HD graphics and overclocking capability in the future.  If anyone has any experience with high bit-rate files in plex and thinks these are completely overkill then please let me know.

I'd also like to move away from a mid-tower case and maybe look at some mATX or Mini ITX boards/cases but I'm having a hard time finding one that can fit 4 3.5" HDDs and a 2.5" SSD.  I'm not completely against keeping the drives in an external enclosure but I didn't see any particularly inexpensive 4 drive enclosures.

 

One final thing is that I'd prefer an efficient PSU since the system needs to run 24/7.


Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can give me

[13CA350]

Would you be able to go up to $1K assuming you get some extra value out of components that you have? I really can't make a server build under 600 assuming you will need a pretty beefy processor costing 2-300 dollars alone

[Streetguru]

I've got access to different versions of Windows Server (2012 and 2016 and essentials for both) so I'm looking to upgrade my current home 'server' into something that doesn't need the quotations whenever

If you're not using it as a NAS to store important info you could always get a cheap 8320e rig going, this one is missing the hard drive/Boot USB

 

Single core on the 8320/e is about on par, but it's passmark for multi-core is 8k

 

Also like, you should totally move to like linux man, you can run virtual machines under FreeNAS for the game servers

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dr3KwP

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dr3KwP/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320E 3.2GHz 8-Core Processor  ($128.99 @ Directron)

Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard  ($56.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($33.99 @ Adorama)

Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 5450 1GB Video Card  ($27.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($45.80 @ OutletPC)

Total: $293.76

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-23 19:43 EST-0500

[DonJose]

Sorry for the late response and thanks for the advice guys, 

 

Would you be able to go up to $1K assuming you get some extra value out of components that you have? I really can't make a server build under 600 assuming you will need a pretty beefy processor costing 2-300 dollars alone

 

It all depends how much I can get out of the parts I have.  Do you have any suggestions of what I should list it for or what you would pay for a system like this? going from 650 to 1k on the parts would take me a while to save up the extra cash as money is tight this time of year.

 

If you're not using it as a NAS to store important info you could always get a cheap 8320e rig going, this one is missing the hard drive/Boot USB

 

Single core on the 8320/e is about on par, but it's passmark for multi-core is 8k

 

Also like, you should totally move to like linux man, you can run virtual machines under FreeNAS for the game servers

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dr3KwP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dr3KwP/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320E 3.2GHz 8-Core Processor  ($128.99 @ Directron)
Motherboard: ASRock 970M PRO3 Micro ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard  ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($33.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 5450 1GB Video Card  ($27.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($45.80 @ OutletPC)
Total: $293.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-23 19:43 EST-0500

 

 

I've been looking at FreeNAS a bit and it looks pretty helpful but I was wondering, couldn't I virtualize it within server 2012/2016? I don't have as much experience with linux as I'd prefer and would feel more comfortable on a windows platform unless there is a significant performance hit.

The build looks nice, but couldn't I get a lot more power if I got a machine for 600ish? Or are suggesting to not sell the current machine and run the two in parallel, one for the NAS/Games and the other for plex?

[Streetguru]

 

Sorry for the late response and thanks for the advice guys, 

The build I listed is just a cheap workhorse

 

But ya keeping both might be better overall since you don't have to set up the game servers again

 

 

You do not want to run freeNAS under a VM, it's technically possible, but you just run into too many problems, it's better to give it direct access to the storage drives