Fun server idea, need some info!

[Big Head Tech]

So I decided that I am going to build a server.  The idea is maybe to run a virtual machine and test performance on it.  If it holds up close to my rig now, I may dump both mine and my fiancee's rig.  If not, I will just toy with it, maybe turn it into something useful.  I am trying to do this on the cheap but I have a few questions.

 

1. I am looking at LGA 1366 dual socket.  I found this board readily available: http://www.tyan.com/Motherboards_S7012_S7012GM4NR and it supports the 6 core xeon's.  But the fact that it's PCI-E 2.0 x8 worries me.  I own a 980 TI and if it works well, I am gonna grab another one for 2 virtual machines, but will it bottleneck it horribly?
2. Also, I was considering an L series 6 core, do these boards have standard mounting holes for say a low profile noctua cooler?
3. Should I bother with ECC memory for virtual machine?  It seems ECC DDR3 memory isn't cheap.
4. Would a high quality power supply be enough?  Do these boards take special connectors?
5. Many of these boards have onboard raid controllers.  I was thinking about using a 256GB SSD drive for each PC's plus a 128GB for the server, and 4x2TB WD Reds in raid 10.  Would it be able to handle it?

Thanks guys

 

EDIT: Is ram going to be a pain to buy?  Does most ECC/registered server ram work?

 

 

 

[brandishwar]

1. I'm skeptical that it will, but it's possible it might impact performance slightly.

 

2. As far as I know, there is only one version of LGA-1136 socket layout, so any cooler that says it's compatible with that socket should work. Just make sure to pay attention to the TDP recommendations for Noctua's coolers.

 

3. That's up to you. I recently picked up a pair of 8 GB DDR3 ECC sticks I intend to use for a NAS build coming up. I paid only a little over 60 USD from Amazon -- specifically they're Crucial item no. CT102464BA160B. ECC would be beneficial, but unless you're running data critical applications (a VM tends to not fall under this definition unless it's hosting a database server), then I wouldn't really bother with it. Going on your added question, you can check Crucial's website for the specific item I bough to determine if it's compatible with the mainboard you linked.

 

However if you're considering turning this into a NAS if it doesn't perform to your liking -- you mentioned considering WD Red drives -- then it's typically recommended going with ECC memory, especially if you're going to be using FreeNAS.

 

4. You can tell by looking at the picture of the mainboard that it doesn't have any special connectors. But being a dual-CPU board, it will require two 8-pin CPU connectors (note these are different from the PCI-Express connectors). So an adapter cable may be necessary. Otherwise, any standard PSU of sufficient wattage would be enough.

 

5. The board you linked doesn't have enough connectors to handle 7 drives. You'll either need to use a SATA controller card to get enough connectors -- which using one that supports RAID 10 for the WD Reds will be beneficial -- or reduce the number of drives you'll be using. For example instead of four 2 TB WD Reds, go with 2 4TB drives and put them in RAID 1, which will be less expensive anyway. As for RAID support overall, look at the board's manual.

[Big Head Tech]

11 minutes ago, brandishwar said:

1. I'm skeptical that it will, but it's possible it might impact performance slightly.

 

2. As far as I know, there is only one version of LGA-1136 socket layout, so any cooler that says it's compatible with that socket should work. Just make sure to pay attention to the TDP recommendations for Noctua's coolers.

 

3. That's up to you. I recently picked up a pair of 8 GB DDR3 ECC sticks I intend to use for a NAS build coming up. I paid only a little over 60 USD from Amazon -- specifically they're Crucial item no. CT102464BA160B. ECC would be beneficial, but unless you're running data critical applications (a VM tends to not fall under this definition unless it's hosting a database server), then I wouldn't really bother with it. Going on your added question, you can check Crucial's website for the specific item I bough to determine if it's compatible with the mainboard you linked.

 

However if you're considering turning this into a NAS if it doesn't perform to your liking -- you mentioned considering WD Red drives -- then it's typically recommended going with ECC memory, especially if you're going to be using FreeNAS.

 

4. You can tell by looking at the picture of the mainboard that it doesn't have any special connectors. But being a dual-CPU board, it will require two 8-pin CPU connectors (note these are different from the PCI-Express connectors). So an adapter cable may be necessary. Otherwise, any standard PSU of sufficient wattage would be enough.

 

5. The board you linked doesn't have enough connectors to handle 7 drives. You'll either need to use a SATA controller card to get enough connectors -- which using one that supports RAID 10 for the WD Reds will be beneficial -- or reduce the number of drives you'll be using. For example instead of four 2 TB WD Reds, go with 2 4TB drives and put them in RAID 1, which will be less expensive anyway. As for RAID support overall, look at the board's manual.

I think I'll get a Sata controller card or a raid card IF the performance meets my satisfaction.  What's the difference in this case between a raid card and a sata controller card?  Also look below, looking for compatibility

 

This is the board I am eyeing up: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tyan-S7012GM4NR-S7012GM4NR-B-Dual-Intel-socket-LGA1366-DDR3-motherboard-/331749563091?hash=item4d3dd09ad3:g:6eYAAOSwL7VWj9e0

 

This is the ram I am eyeing up: http://www.ebay.com/itm/48GB-12x-4GB-PC3-10600R-DDR3-1333MHz-ECC-Reg-Server-Memory-RAM-/141852214578?hash=item21070d0532:g:lggAAOSwu4BV5H1L

 

These are the processors I am considering: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCHED-PAIR-2-Xeon-E5645-12M-Cache-2-40-GHz-5-86-GT-s-Intel-QPI-SLBWZ-/321996004846?hash=item4af8751dee:g:BKwAAOSwpzdWr7i~

[Big Head Tech]

Decided that X5670's might be worth it due to raw faster speeds.

[brandishwar]

3 hours ago, Snaeb said:

I think I'll get a Sata controller card or a raid card IF the performance meets my satisfaction.  What's the difference in this case between a raid card and a sata controller card?  Also look below, looking for compatibility

 

This is the board I am eyeing up: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tyan-S7012GM4NR-S7012GM4NR-B-Dual-Intel-socket-LGA1366-DDR3-motherboard-/331749563091?hash=item4d3dd09ad3:g:6eYAAOSwL7VWj9e0

A RAID card is a SATA controller card with RAID functionality built into its firmware. It's handy to have the RAID function built into the controller card, but if you're wanting to use FreeNAS or anything similar to it, then you'll actually want to avoid RAID cards in favor of SATA controller cards to have the NAS software manage everything.

One other thing: be sure to buy a chassis that can properly hold that mainboard. That board is not any ATX-derived form factor.