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New server build

BSDMan

Weaksauce
Joined
May 23, 2012
Messages
105
I am in the final stages of planning my new server. I haven't built a server for myself in ages so I'd appreciate it if someone could have a look over the specs to see if I have chosen the right parts and that they will all work together correctly.

So without any further delay, here are the specs:

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2620 - 2 GHz - 6-core - 12 threads - 15 MB cache - LGA2011 Socket - OEM

Motherboard: Supermicro X9SRE-F

RAM HynixServer Memory 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600) - HMT31GR7BFR4C-PBT8

Boot drive (mirrored): Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (two of these)

Data drive (RAID): Seagate Barracuda 3TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (4 of these)

Corsair HX 850W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply

Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl Mid-Tower USB 3.0 Case


Obvious questions include, will all this kit work correctly together (ie: CPU and RAM with mobo, correct PSU etc). Also, from the power calculators I have checked on the internet 850W should be plenty for now? I do plan on adding more drives in the future and may even move to a bigger case at some stage.

The one thing I have not included is a CPU cooler. Any suggestions for this? Do I need any other fans for the case maybe?

Thoughts? Suggestions? Concerns?

I'll be using the server for all my media content and for various other services such as web, email etc. I live in the UK and my budget is around the £2000 mark. I won't be overclocking and this server will be running FreeBSD amd64 with ZFS. Not interested in games or video cards. The build in video on the motherboard is fine for what I need it for. I don't need a RAID card as I will be using ZFS RAID. I would like the machine to be as quiet as possible so I am willing to replace the fans in the case with something better/quieter (like Noctua). I may host some VMs on this machine too and currently I have about 3TB of data that will be copied onto it. I have an APC UPS that this server will be connected to.


Appreciate any help please :D
 
The setup looks ok to me. Although the PSU is a tad overkill: You'll be fine with Corsair HX750 even if you plan on adding 20+ hard drives to the PC. Hell you might be fine with the HX650 as well.

As for the CPU cooler, go for something like the Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 variant.
 
The setup looks ok to me. Although the PSU is a tad overkill: You'll be fine with Corsair HX750 even if you plan on adding 20+ hard drives to the PC. Hell you might be fine with the HX650 as well.

As for the CPU cooler, go for something like the Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 variant.

Thanks for the feedback. I was looking at that exact CPU cooler:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/noctua-nh-d14-2011-dual-radiator-cooler-with-pwm-fans-lga2011-only

I was also thinking of getting a couple of the Noctua fans for the case.

I thought the PSU may be a tad overkill! So 750W should be ok for 24 drives and the Xeon?

I'm also curious to know if anyone here has installed FreeBSD 9.0 RELEASE amd64 on the SuperMicro X9SRE-F motherboard successfully. On Supermicros web site they say they support 8.2 but I'm not sure about 9.0. I have emailed Supermicro but they haven't replied yet!
 
So this is essentially just a file server, correct? Or are you going to be doing video encoding on it?
 
I am in the final stages of planning my new server. I haven't built a server for myself in ages so I'd appreciate it if someone could have a look over the specs to see if I have chosen the right parts and that they will all work together correctly.

So without any further delay, here are the specs:

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2620 - 2 GHz - 6-core - 12 threads - 15 MB cache - LGA2011 Socket - OEM

Motherboard: Supermicro X9SRE-F

RAM HynixServer Memory 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600) - HMT31GR7BFR4C-PBT8

Boot drive (mirrored): Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Hard Drive (two of these)

Data drive (RAID): Seagate Barracuda 3TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (4 of these)

Corsair HX 850W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply

Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl Mid-Tower USB 3.0 Case


Obvious questions include, will all this kit work correctly together (ie: CPU and RAM with mobo, correct PSU etc). Also, from the power calculators I have checked on the internet 850W should be plenty for now? I do plan on adding more drives in the future and may even move to a bigger case at some stage.

The one thing I have not included is a CPU cooler. Any suggestions for this? Do I need any other fans for the case maybe?

Thoughts? Suggestions? Concerns?

I'll be using the server for all my media content and for various other services such as web, email etc. I live in the UK and my budget is around the £2000 mark. I won't be overclocking and this server will be running FreeBSD amd64 with ZFS. Not interested in games or video cards. The build in video on the motherboard is fine for what I need it for. I don't need a RAID card as I will be using ZFS RAID. I would like the machine to be as quiet as possible so I am willing to replace the fans in the case with something better/quieter (like Noctua). I may host some VMs on this machine too and currently I have about 3TB of data that will be copied onto it. I have an APC UPS that this server will be connected to.


Appreciate any help please :D

Is this just a file server or what? Reason I ask is your specs are all over the map and way off for anything of server quality unless this is just a network file server.

First, you should be aware that Seagate drives really don't have a good reputation for reliability. They are indeed cheaper than others, but I would HIGHLY recommend Western Digital Black models instead. You said that 3 drives will be used in RAID, not reliable unless you just want speed.

Second, you are going to RAID 0+1 the SSD drives? Why not just dump the data to one of your mechanical drives instead?

Third, there really is nothing here you get besides speed of the SSD drives and maybe a bit more performance over a dedicated network storage server. If you want data backup especially on the fly and no hassle RAID type of storage, I would look at something like the Drobo FS units. Very nice and reliable, I have had mine running for 3 years now.
 
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