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Hi there, I am searching since ages for a good solution to create a clone of external USB SSD to a local UNRAID share. I was thinking about and trying out Clonezilla, but it does not show neither the connected USB SSD nor a local unraid Share (which i was adding in the vm config). After creating an image i want to also be able to recreate the created image file to for example a larger SSD. Is there a better and easy way to achieve this? Thanks for any help, and if you need more details, please do not hesitate to ask.

Is there (already) a good solution for this for docker or unraid??

Thanks Lolight, and sorry for implicitly thinking about you understanding my "performance" use case. The Audio Software (ableton live) is able to handle 60 cores, so i guess that should be sufficient. Do i understand your right concerning Power Supply, you say, going for the fanless 700W is good enough?

thanks a lot lolight! I definitely do not want to spend money on components i do not need. But what do you mean by "Way over the top for your use case - there's no need to overspend on powerful components."? Do you refer to all (mainly i guess CPU) components or only to the Power Supply? For example performance wise, if I do want to run an Audio Workstation as a VM, i would "need" a strong CPU, but also to be comfortable the next years (5-7). Not to mention the Plex and other dockers running in parallel And buying a slower CPU would maybe save me 300€ (out of 2k€), but I might miss the top performance when using performance VM. Or am i wrong? Looking at an 13900K, I thought there is no silent Fan to cool that CPU down if 100% performance mode? But i am happy to switch to a silent fan

Any thoughts? This is one of my last questions which size and how many M.2 SSDs to buy 🤯😜

Hi There, i am getting closer to the end of purchasing mostly new equipment (Reusing a few HDDs for storage) for my 24/7 Unraid Server, where the priorities are as following: is flexibility (to run NAS, docker and VMs as needed), is silence, is low or minimal energy consumption while idling, is long "durability" for performance (next 5-7 years it should do his job), is price (ending up with +/- 2k€ is acceptable, if it is cheaper, i am fine😆) In the first place i do not need an extra graphic card, as I want to have one display connection on the board, but if you can recommend a passive GPU with 3 (or more) HDMI ports (each 4K) for office/music applications i am happy to take recommendations. I have 2 open points on my list Passive vs. active Power supply. What do you recommend? I do have two options in the list below. (Note: Overall consumption of devices used should be around 550W (without GPU), which i calculated with Enermax calculator.) I am not going to overclock. How to split pools for cache, vsdisks and docker apps (Open Thread here) : 2x 1TB M.2 SSD for cache and 1x 2TB M.2 SSD for vdisks and docker or 2x 2TB M.2 SSD for cache, vdisks and docker shared? Now here is the list, any feedback welcome: CPU: Intel Core i9-13900K, 8C+16c/32T, 3.00-5.80GHz, boxed ohne Kühler (BX8071513900K) RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB silber DIMM Kit 64GB, DDR5-6400, CL32-39-39-102, on-die ECC (F5-6400J3239G32GX2-TZ5RS) M.2 SSD: 2x Kingston KC3000 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD 2TB, M.2 (SKC3000D/2048G) (See discussion above, I would buy the 1TB versions of the same brand) Parity HDD: Toshiba Cloud-Scale Capacity MG09ACA 18TB, 512e, SATA 6Gb/s (MG09ACA18TE) HDDs: Some old ones I already have 2x 14TB WD Red Pro 2x 8TB WD Red Pro Mainboard: GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X AX AIO Water cooling: Alphacool Eisbaer 360 (11286) Power Supply: PASSIVE: Seasonic Prime Fanless TX-700 700W ATX (SSR-700TL / PRIME-TX-700 / PRIME-Fanless-TX-700) ACTIVE: be quiet! Straight Power 11 Platinum 1000W ATX 2.51 (BN309) Server housing: Fractal Design Define 7 Black Solid, schallgedämmt (FD-C-DEF7A-01) I had to post it even that the list is not 100% best components, but to really remove my doubts I should start now, otherwise I will never buy new hardware. 🥵

Thanks to you all. Maybe now it rings the/my bell: The cache is a pool, and now with 6.9 we can make additional pools (vdisks, docker apps, and any other use cases?). So does it make sense to buy 2x 1TB SSD just for caching 1x 2TB SSD for the rest of pooling vdisks and docker? (or maybe bigger 1x 4TB) OR 2x 2TB SSD (or 4TB) to share these for cache, vdisks and pools? I think version 1 makes most sense, by physically separating caching from the rest of the pools?

ok, thanks, but that is confusing me a bit: Question 1: If I do not have a flash based Array, can is then still run the VM on the cache? Question 2: Lets assume ... i would be storing 5 VMs of size 2 TB being on my cheap normal 20TB HDD drive. I am not using them simultaniously (only 1 is used at the same time) Do i need to buy 5x 2TB SSDs to have the vdisks being on these individual SSDs or can i load the 2 TB on demand on 1x 2TB SSD array. Thanks!

I am getting closer to my final decision but i do have some questions left, which I was not able to read in the manual and therefor I hope are not so stupid 😉: CACHE (M.2 SSD): When i add 2x 2TB SSD as cache, these 2 drives can be used simultaneously either like a RAID 0 or 1 (Performance vs. Redundancy? If i add 3x 2TB SSD as cache I can make RAID 0+1 or 1+0? When I start a VM (which is on a HDD/array) the complete VM is then loaded into the Cache and will run from there using the full speed of the cache? In parallel other services (NAS, VM and Applications) are using also the same cache for the runtime and caching files? If 3 is a yes: The bigger and faster the cache is, the better the performance will be? So 3x 2TB would be better then 2x 2TB, and that will be better then 1x 2TB? ARRAYs (assuming on SATA drives): Parity disk is always needed? Or can i also add an array or disk without connecting a parity disk? For example for copying data from that drive to one array? Is it possible to physically remove a disk of an array and put it for example in an external case and directly connect and read/write data from another PC/Laptop? Is it also possible to plug this "modified" disk back, when using parity disk(s)? If i will be using 1 or 2 parity disks, is it still possible what i describe VM: Is there the possibility to get Android VMs running? ZFS: Would you recommend ZFS from the very beginning or can i upgrade the array at a later stage? thanks!

Thanks Lolight, reading it and summarizing it roughly: * ECC is good, but not necessary in Home Environments -> Motherboards rare, ECC expensive and 2% less performance (https://www.crucial.com/support/articles-faq-memory/ecc-vs-non-ecc) * ECC with on-die is supporting on a "small" (single bit) level to compare the data, before going into the RAM, with the data leaving the RAM -> Improved and better than without ECC * Use good SATA cables, to not corrupt the data -> Any recommendations which to use (and which definitely not)? * Have a backup available, not at the same place where your data is -> Is OneDrive or any other Cloud Storage good enough to keep the "backup" of your important stuff? Do i understand correctly the problem of using Non-ECC RAM: On any write operation data stored on my hard disk could be corrupted. For instance when i backup my photos from my camera over USB (or network) onto my NAS data pool (e.g. just one single bit could "fall" from 0 to 1 or vice versa). As it rarely happens, the likelihood is that 1 picture e.g. out of 100k pictures might be a bit scrambled or worst case not readable anymore. The error would be then discovered when I open up the picture again and i might see the problem or it does not open at all. Read operations, might not be as critical when the data is not used to write it somewhere else? Is there a way/mechanism/tool -also and especially- in unraid to verify the checksums of the files you want to keep safe or at least reduce the risk? For example monitor the "photos" folder?

Hi Beat-0, could you please post your part list what you end up with at the end and maybe you can share your experience so far. I am looking also for a setup around a 13900K thanks!

I am warming this/my thread up as I am turning myself in circles with respect what motherboard to buy. Assuming i am going for the 13900K (which is around 500€ at the moment) as i want to use the system the next 5-6 years and be kind of future proof (knowing that this thing is going to idle a lot - but stepping down to i7/i5 and saving maybe 250€ on an overall +2000€ system does not make too much sense to me, or should it?). So now what is really killing me, that many here are using/recommending the Supermicro and the W680 with ECC? This board is rarely to get and i am not 100% sure if I really need the expensive/slower ECC RAM? Also that the new DDR5 have "On-die-ECC" which is not the same but still better than the old world (and i never realized problems in the past with Non-ECC, but maybe i did not see the errors ). I would be starting with a 64GB DDR5 possibility to upgrade at a later stage. So first question: ECC and W680 or on-die ECC and Z790 I am aiming at a Z790 boards (ATX), with a 2.5Gbit LAN & minimum 6 SATA on board (2 parity and 3-4 Storage - if neede i could upgrade to a bigger hdd when i run out of storage) and 2x M.2/M-Key (PCIe 4.0 x4). Is there a reason (if not using high end graphic cards) to have more than 2x PCIe 5.0 x16? Second Question: Which Mainboard to choose (also W680 or other boards if you have a reason ) Thanks a lot in advance for all your thoughts!

Thanks ljm42 To summarize. OnBoard is as well good and similar to a PCIe (compared to the same chipset - apples of the same sort compared to apples of the same sort ). But always check first if the Chipset is supported and drivers are available for the specific Hardware. right?

*bump* is my question too boring, because answered 1001 times? or am in not specific enough? Or is it not easy to answer?

Hi there, I am planning to setup new hardware to build an unraid system. *youwouldnthaveguessedthat* Thinking about which mobo, and what and how many PCIe slots i should buy, i was thinking about buying a mobo, e.g. https://geizhals.eu/gigabyte-z690-aorus-master-a2625065.html?hloc=at&hloc=de with 10GBase-T (Marvell AQtion AQC113CS) network controller onboard to safe a PCIe slot as spare. Can I use this onboard controller (or any other 10gb chipset) simultaneously with unraid, Plex, any other docker service and passthrough to running VMs (I would assume in bridged mode)? If yes, is there a performance difference between onboard and PCIe controller (even when using the same chipset)? Would you recommend buying a mobo with onboard 10GB network controller in general? Additional to the other questions, but more general: Would you recommend using onboard controllers (Network, Thunderbolt, USB, Audio, ...) and would they work all with passthrough to VM and services?

From a separation of usage and an energetic perspective that makes absolutely sense, but buying an i9 and just use it 1-3 days a week for a few hours would make me feel bad. At the moment i am only having 10+ year old CPUs, motherboard and RAM which even is too bad for unraid (plex, NAS, ...). I am also having an old Synology 412+ which is now really slow and did his job. So I would need to buy another hardware for a new "unraid" NAS. I always like the idea of having one great thing instead of two good things

@JonathanM and @Vr2Io, thanks for both of your posts. Your arguments seem to make very much sense thanks! Vr2lo: Why do you set PL1 to 66W? So both of you would say the overall energy consumption for the K and the T in IDLE mode is pretty much the same (+/- 5W), even without undervolting (by using just the standard settings)? And you would recommend the K instead of the T? As I wont to spare out an extra PCIe graphic card, but still would want to use two 4K Monitors (just "office like" applications) simultaneously as extended Desktop inside windows, what kind of motherboard (ATX or eATX?) could you recommend me for the 13900K, also keeping in mind to have enough SATA ports (minimum 6 better 8 ) and PCIe for future updates? 3? better 4, or 5? I think i definitely need an extra USB PCIe for the low latency (audio interface and midi controllers) music requirements and a 10GB Network PCIe to be future ready (or could amon Board 10GB be good enough to be shared from unraid and VM running?). An extra PCIe graphic card might come sometime later (whenever i have an additional use case or my 2 Monitors do not work on standard Motherboard). Any PCIe needed/recommended/foreseen? The system should be as silent as possible, especially in 24/7 mode, as it is in my office, close to my desk (i need to connect the audio interface, Midi controllers and the Monitors directly to it (i guess ). What CPU cooler would you then recommend me. I understand I have to look for a cooler dealing with 125 Watt TDP? Any additional fans or recommended cases? DDR5 is mandatory I would guess, but what speed would you recommend? Is ECC needed? As I also run a file server on it, but this will not be heavily used. And I believe last but not least, the power supply? Any recommendations to support energy efficiency, but enough power to feed the 13900K (and 2 M.2 (PCIe) SSD and 4HDD, and maybe a future graphic card (but not high end))? Oh, many questions. Thanks already for replying.

Thanks @Vr2Io, I am a bit confused, the PL1/2 value is quite new to me. The PL2 Tau Limit of the T is 28 seconds The TDP, PL1 and 2 for the K is TDP:125 W PL1:253 W PL2:253 W PL2 Tau Limit: Unlimited I thought the TDP is used to calculate the right size for your power unit. Looking at the PL2 for the "K" of 253 Watt and Tau unlimited time, I would understand that you need to calculate 253 Watt for the CPU (instead 125W)? Also the time of the T of 28 seconds, I thought, is the time to allow the maximum time for the PL2 power usage, in total this would mean that the T uses approximately less then half the power then the K. How do I see the minimum need? Generally i do not mind, if I need the full performance to use and pay more power, but i am interested to have a low energy consumption for the time i am not using the VM and other services like plex. If you say, your K in your Unraid System takes an average of 40 Watt: Did you do some special settings (undervolting) of your K? If yes what do i need to look for in the mainboard (which I still need to choose) You say your K needs 40 Watt. How could i approximate the minimum need for the T to compare it properly? Could I assume the T is around 20Watt (using my above assumption of "half the power usage") What is your overall energy need of your system in Watt/h? May I also ask you for your complete hardware list to understand your performance setup?

Hi there, i am a newbie and i want to set up a complete new unraid machine. Primary (24/7) usage will be a NAS with Plex and other stuff running permanently and 2-3 days a week create music with a VM (Digital Audio Workstation) or another VM for deejaying. The latency is hopefully not the issue (at least connecting devices directly to a PCIe USB Port), that is what i read here in the forum My question is now to get the BEST CPU for my adventure (For audio: high frequency first, second Mulitcores, that is what i read in the internet ) That is why i would like to go with the best (or a good) performance/Price ratio for the CPU AND the lowest (compared to the maximum perfornace) overall permanent 24/7 (idle) energy consumption Very simplifed: The AMD CPUs what i read are not as good for unraid and compared to energy consumption. Xeon is what i also read not so preffered for audio and it needs ECC and this is not necessarily needed. That is why i think going for Intel i9 is best? My (un)educated guess would be an Intel 13900T as there the TDP would be around 35Watt compared to the 125Watt of the 13900K. That would mean saving 2.4 KiloWatt per day, assuming a price of about 30cents a KiloWatt, would save approx. 260 Euro a year. Is this calculation correct? The KS is too expensive, the performance of the 13900T and K is (https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/5154vs5143vs5022vs5055vs5160/Intel-i9-13900T-vs-Intel-i9-13900F-vs-Intel-i9-13900K-vs-Intel-i9-13900KF-vs-Intel-i9-13900KS) 13900 T | K Single Thread Rating 4097 | 4689 CPU Mark 51210 | 60024 TurboSpeed 5.3GHz | 5.8 GHz Price is nearly the same for both. I do not want to overclock my system (which might make the server unstable). Can i reduce via BIOS (or software) the idle energy consumption of the K down to the value of the T when i just use the 24/7 services, but go high to the full power of the K when i use the VMs or i need the power for the 24/7 services e.g. transcoding videos in plex? Or must I go for the T to have the low idle consumption and save the energy. Any suggestion, comment, feedback, ideas are very welcome!

@sakistech Hi Sakis, vielen Dank für Deine ermutigende Antwort! 2 Fragen hab ich aber noch: Warum hast du dir einen Xeon und nicht i9 besorgt? Warum hast Du die "Kontakt Libraries" nicht auf deinem Unraid liegen?

Thanks for your your opinion/feedback. I think the unraid (or any other hypervisor) DAW solution would have the benefit, that your performance hardware will still be usefull for other 24/7 things running AND especially if you are not using your DAW regularly. This would save you at least one other bare metal computer lying around unused (okay if it is a laptop you could use it for other OS and use cases, but that would also limit the performance due to a mobile CPU). Another question arises from your feedback saying "add a dedicated PCIe USB card to pass through for both audio and the MIDI controller". Is it not reliable or even not possible to use the onboard USB ports to communicate via passthrough with the DAW VM?

@sakistech Mittlerweile nutzt du ja dein unraid schon mehr als ein Jahr, da würde mich interessieren wie deine Erfahrungen, insbesondere bzgl. deiner Music Production oder "DAW" Workstation. Kann man damit ordentlich Music produzieren, also MIDI Controller und Audio Interface via USB Passthrough ohne Aussetzer nutzen? Das würde mich brennend interessieren! Da Du keine extra Grafikkarte dran hast, nutzt du dann die Ausgänge direkt vom Motherboard? Oder nutzt du die VM via Remote Desktop, geht das auch? Ich möchte mir auch eine DAW VM und noch eine DeeJaying (Traktor, USB Audio Mixer Xone 4D) VM für Unraid bauen. Bereust Du es und was würdest Du besser nicht machen bzw. anders machen? Vielen Dank schon jetzt für Dein Feedback!

@awediohead did you manage to build your "Digital Audio Workstation" in Unraid with little to no latency? I am looking for successful solutions to use it with external USB MIDI controller as well as USB Audio devices. thanks for sharing your experience so far.