Dual Xeon Server Build

[Tinkerlad]

Hi guys,

 

I watched the video on the 8 core xeon build the other day and it got me thinking... My server could well and truly use replacing. currently I have a q6600 with 4GB of ram, and its running flat out pretty constantly.

 

First up what its used for;

 

• I'm developing a very process heavy bit of software. It can have in excess of 500 processes at any one time (though each one isn't insanely taxing in it own right)
• VM's Everything will be run through proxmox,
  • it will have 1 instance of WinServer 2012 R2 running my software in dev.
  • There will be one FreeNAS instance, that will host a 10TB ZFS array that I already have. This instance will also run plex to stream all my movies including transcoding.
  • Multiple Arch based containers that have various roles that aren't too taxing on the system.
• Also will be used in the future in the development of Swarm AI

Next up what I have been looking at so far.

• 4U server chassis, this is so I can fit larger fans to keep noise down. (I sleep in the same room) ARK IPC-4U408PS from newegg AU ($165AUD)
• 2x Xeon E5620 Quad @ 2.4GHz from ebay $60AUD for both
• SUPERMICRO X8DTL-iF from ebay $398.99AUD + Shipping
• 2x Kingston 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Model KVR16R11S8K3/12 from newegg AU (total $266AUD) ( I am looking for ECC)
• I already have all the HDD and Sata cards I need.
• 2x PC Cooler Yellow Ocean S90 from newegg AU ($82.14AUD total)

There will be as many NICs as I can fit into it in order to get a higher bandwidth. I'm ideally hoping for at least 2 x 4 port Gigabit NICs but these are from another budget. I also have a couple of other expansion cards I'd like... So PCI/(E) lanes are a must and are why I chose the Mobo I did.

I would really like to get two hex cores but my budget is pretty firm at a max of $1000AUD.

 

Let me know what you guys think of the build

[EmriBG13]

Hi guys,

 

I watched the video on the 8 core xeon build the other day and it got me thinking... My server could well and truly use replacing. currently I have a q6600 with 4GB of ram, and its running flat out pretty constantly.

 

First up what its used for;

 

• I'm developing a very process heavy bit of software. It can have in excess of 500 processes at any one time (though each one isn't insanely taxing in it own right)
• VM's Everything will be run through proxmox,
  • it will have 1 instance of WinServer 2012 R2 running my software in dev.
  • There will be one FreeNAS instance, that will host a 10TB ZFS array that I already have. This instance will also run plex to stream all my movies including transcoding.
  • Multiple Arch based containers that have various roles that aren't too taxing on the system.
• Also will be used in the future in the development of Swarm AI

Next up what I have been looking at so far.

• 4U server chassis, this is so I can fit larger fans to keep noise down. (I sleep in the same room) ARK IPC-4U408PS from newegg AU ($165AUD)
• 2x Xeon E5620 Quad @ 2.4GHz from ebay $60AUD for both
• SUPERMICRO X8DTL-iF from ebay $398.99AUD + Shipping
• 2x Kingston 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Model KVR16R11S8K3/12 from newegg AU (total $266AUD)
• I already have all the HDD and Sata cards I need.
• 2x PC Cooler Yellow Ocean S90 from newegg AU ($82.14AUD total)

I would really like to get two hex cores but my budget is pretty firm at a max of $1000AUD.

 

Let me know what you guys think of the build

I think the build is grate but is the price is with the Windows Server?

[Electronics Wizardy]

I think the build is grate but is the price is with the Windows Server?

I think he is using proxmox which is free. Windows isn't used that much in there server world and the os is something that depends on your use. I even think there is a free version of windows for hosting servers.

[ostercraft123]

Hey Tinkerlad,

first of all: my respect for doing 1. coding and 2. for trying to figure out a way to use cheaper server parts for that...

 

But i wouldn't go ahead and buy new parts, sure they have warranty and all that good stuff, but if you are working whith very cheap (60 AUD) CPU's, then don't buy a mainboard that is six time's the cost of your CPU's. Try also getting a used one off ebay or something and try getting used RAM too.And what the coolers belong i can't say anything but are they even compatible?

 

EDIT: I looked at your profile and what the hell of a system you have there...
i7 4790k

2x gtx 980's

...

Why don't use that system for your needs or if you want to game use your old q6600 sytem for transcoding your videos and doing your code stuff. That way the old q6600 system can be an independent NAS without a performance loss on a regular basis just because you are coding...

[EmriBG13]

I think he is using proxmox which is free. Windows isn't used that much in there server world and the os is something that depends on your use. I even think there is a free version of windows for hosting servers.

I didn't read that, I jumped to the specs immediately.

[manikyath]

i'd just like to add that based off of userbenchmark, the FX8350 is about 50% faster than a single xeon across the board, and twice as fast in integer crunching.

 

although i dont really like FX, budget numbercrunching is a thing they're good at, and you could consider.

 

EDIT: ps: yes i know you're going dual, i'm just saying going a single FX could clear up a lot of money for other stuff.

[ostercraft123]

i'd just like to add that based off of userbenchmark, the FX8350 is about 50% faster than a single xeon across the board, and twice as fast in integer crunching.

 

although i dont really like FX, budget numbercrunching is a thing they're good at, and you could consider.

 

EDIT: ps: yes i know you're going dual, i'm just saying going a single FX could clear up a lot of money for other stuff.

I didn't think about that but you are totally right. Just go with an AMD based System. It's also pretty old architechture and such but it has better driver support and after all it's pointed at consumer use so you don't have to figure out stuff all the time and live with the frustration of not getting something to work.

 

Here is a basic AMD System:

Mainboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138372

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231965

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154109

 

I assume that you already have a hard drive and all the other components like a cheapo graphics card laying around, but even if not you are getting a way cheaper system with better performance...

[Tinkerlad]

 

 

I think the build is grate but is the price is with the Windows Server? 

I am lucky enough to already have access to a license as the software I am working on is sponsored by work.

 

 

 

But i wouldn't go ahead and buy new parts, sure they have warranty and all that good stuff, but if you are working whith very cheap (60 AUD) CPU's, then don't buy a mainboard that is six time's the cost of your CPU's. Try also getting a used one off ebay or something and try getting used RAM too.And what the coolers belong i can't say anything but are they even compatible?

I've been looking around on ebay for a nice board. One thing which I forgot to mention, and which I will try and fix in the OP, is that I am looking for the larger number of PCI/(E) slots to fit NICs into. I'm also wary of buying an odd shaped board that isnt a standard atx form factor, as I'm not sure how mounting would go...

 

 

 

 I looked at your profile and what the hell of a system you have there...

i7 4790k

2x gtx 980's

...

Why don't use that system for your needs or if you want to game use your old q6600 sytem for transcoding your videos and doing your code stuff. That way the old q6600 system can be an independent NAS without a performance loss on a regular basis just because you are coding...

 

Thanks, It took a bit to put together and the rad actually doesn't fit in the case so its zip ties to the roof..... Anyway, the reason I want to offload from my main pc is that in order to test my software it slows down my machine to the point that I can barley use it. This isn't great as when I do a test run it is usually over a week in duration... Always an inconvenience. If I was to put this onto the q6600, this test would take even longer.

 

 

 

i'd just like to add that based off of userbenchmark, the FX8350 is about 50% faster than a single xeon across the board, and twice as fast in integer crunching.

I see your point, however the nature of my work is in data protocols and doesn't involve much integer crunching. I'm sure the FX chip may still be faster, however my motivation for going Xeons is that I was originally considering the Xeon E5645 chips which would give a total of 12 cores and 24 threads. I am still considering that, just trying to find them cheaper... They are about $100AUD per chip... the other reason is I wanted the ECC memory.

[Electronics Wizardy]

I suggest you look at used servers like a dell poweredge r510. You can get them from ebay for about 400 and they have 2 cpu's and raid cards, and you know everything works.

[Tinkerlad]

I suggest you look at used servers like a dell poweredge r510. You can get them from ebay for about 400 and they have 2 cpu's and raid cards, and you know everything works.

 

I've had a look around and found a couple of r610s available at around 450. That way I get the dual E5645s and get the 12 cores total..

 

The other thing I was looking at is I found an Intel S5520UR board available for about $150, has anybody had much experience with these?