My personal FreeNAS server 2.0

[79wjd]

Today I received the upgraded components for my server. I'll still be running FreeNAS 9.3 and I'll probably still use the same install. But for now I've just got to stress test the hardware, so for the next 24 hours I'll be running the server in its current state (with a single HDD connected containing windows) and running Aida64 Extreme and then switching over to Memtest 86+. 

 

My original hardware: 

• Pentium G3250 
• MSI H81m-P33 
• 8GB G.Skill DDR3 @ 1333mhz 
• SYBA SI-PEX40064 Sata Controller 
• NZXT Source 210 
• Corsair CX500m 
• 3x4TB WD RED (JBOD)
• 1TB Seagate Barracuda (2007~) + 1TB WD Green (2009~) (Mirror'd) 

The New (used) stuff: 

• Xeon E3 1230v2 
• Supermicro X9SCM-F 
• 32GB ECC DDR3 
• APC BE750G (UPS)

The cable management is atrocious, I know. Unfortunately, the Source 210 doesn't have a large enough cut out to get the 24 pin cable up at the top (and right now it's a few inches too short to reach through the side cut out -- so I'll need to buy an extension at some point). I also haven't connected any of the drives yet as I'm running a stress test in windows and I didn't want to mess around with the other drives. 

 

I would love to also upgrade to a Define R4/R5 as well as an SSD, but I don't see myself doing either as I can't rationalize spending the money on either. So if anyone's feeling generous, just let me know  

 

The new server:

 

The old server:

[ConnorDahne]

I'm about to build a freenas server using a very similar build to your old one.

How do you like the source 210 for a case??
The build looks good.

[79wjd]

I'm about to build a freenas server using a very similar build to your old one.

How do you like the source 210 for a case??

The build looks good.

It feels pretty cheap (it feels sturdy though), but it gets the job done and is something I consider to be a solid case. The reason why I'd want the R4/R5 is for the better aesthetics (although I can't even see it), quieter operation (I could just dial back the fans/replace the stock cooler), and because the drive bays pointing towards the side panel and being on sleds would make adding drives and cable managing them much tidier looking (whereas now imo it looks pretty bad -- which again, is irrelevant). With that said, I actually prefer that the Source 210 has a triple 5.25" bay as three 5.25" bays is the thickness required to put HDDs sideways -- and thus the Source 210 supports up to 13 3.5" drives whereas the R4/R5 only support 10 (using 5.25" to 3.5" adapters).  

 

So yeah, I have no real complaints with the Source 210, and I'd have no problems recommending it. 

[ConnorDahne]

It feels pretty cheap (it feels sturdy though), but it gets the job done and is something I consider to be a solid case. The reason why I'd want the R4/R5 is for the better aesthetics (although I can't even see it), quieter operation (I could just dial back the fans/replace the stock cooler), and because the drive bays pointing towards the side panel and being on sleds would make adding drives and cable managing them much tidier looking (whereas now imo it looks pretty bad -- which again, is irrelevant). With that said, I actually prefer that the Source 210 has a triple 5.25" bay as three 5.25" bays is the thickness required to put HDDs sideways -- and thus the Source 210 supports up to 13 3.5" drives whereas the R4/R5 only support 10 (using 5.25" to 3.5" adapters).  

 

So yeah, I have no real complaints with the Source 210, and I'd have no problems recommending it. 

I've been looking for a cheap case that holds a lot of hdd's, and previously had been considering a forty dollar rosewill "redbone"

I trust nzxt more than rosewill.

I'll be using a pentium g3258 as my cpu or a low power i3 4130t.

[79wjd]

I've been looking for a cheap case that holds a lot of hdd's, and previously had been considering a forty dollar rosewill "redbone"

I trust nzxt more than rosewill.

I'll be using a pentium g3258 as my cpu or a low power i3 4130t.

I'd go with the source 210 personally.

[ConnorDahne]

I'd go with the source 210 personally.

Sorry to steal your build log and make it about myself, I appreciate the advice! 

Your NAS looks pretty awesome, how much of a performance increase have you noticed after switching to the xeon?

[79wjd]

Sorry to steal your build log and make it about myself, I appreciate the advice!

Your NAS looks pretty awesome, how much of a performance increase have you noticed after switching to the xeon?

i just got the Xeon this afternoon, so I don't really know. The pentium had enough performance for me (I was able to handle 1-2 6MB/s 1080p transcoded streams). The reason I decided to upgrade was because I needed an additional 8gb of memory, so I figured it would be a good time to upgrade to ECC and I was able to get the cpu, board, and ram for $360, so I couldn't say no.

/hijack away, the purpose of the forums is to help

[ConnorDahne]

i just got the Xeon this afternoon, so I don't really know. The pentium had enough performance for me (I was able to handle 1-2 6MB/s 1080p transcoded streams). The reason I decided to upgrade was because I needed an additional 8gb of memory, so I figured it would be a good time to upgrade to ECC and I was able to get the cpu, board, and ram for $360, so I couldn't say no.

/hijack away, the purpose of the forums is to help

Ah, I'll be using the build mostly for file storage at home.

Would you happen to know if you can put an i3 4130t into a standard z97 motherboard??

I'm putting together the build from spare parts, and haven't seen a definite answer either way on that.

It's an 1150 socket, so I feel like it should work.

[79wjd]

Ah, I'll be using the build mostly for file storage at home.

Would you happen to know if you can put an i3 4130t into a standard z97 motherboard??

I'm putting together the build from spare parts, and haven't seen a definite answer either way on that.

It's an 1150 socket, so I feel like it should work.

You can, but if you're using it as a file server I would recommend going with ECC memory (and a c222,c224, or c226 chipset board) to ensure data integrity. I also would just get a normal i3, the low tdp isn't going to save you any money on electricity anyway.

But if ECC isn't an option (which I can understand if you already have the z97 board), then it will be fine.

[ConnorDahne]

You can, but if you're using it as a file server I would recommend going with ECC memory (and a c222,c224, or c226 chipset board) to ensure data integrity. I also would just get a normal i3, the low tdp isn't going to save you any money on electricity anyway.

But if ECC isn't an option (which I can understand if you already have the z97 board), then it will be fine.

At the moment ecc and c222 chipset aren't an option unfortunately.

I already have the low power i3 from a steam machine I used to have, and the pentium from one of my first ultra cheap builds.

My z97 board only has 6 sata ports, but a sata card similar to yours should help with that. 

[79wjd]

I wired everything up and decided to permanently add a drive.

 

It's literally a rats nest....

[79wjd]

I added three more drives -- a 4tb HGST 5k4000 and two 1tb WD Blue, removed the 1tb wd green/1tb barracuda, and replaced the CX500m with an RM650x. I also tidied up the cables a bit, although it stills looks terrible.