[ASRock OR SuperMicro - First Build]

11 hours ago, tdallen said:

Nope, just answering your question about whether an SSD or 7200rpm black drive is better suited to the cache drive.  The main use of the cache drive these days in unRAID is *not* to cache writes the the array.  The cache drive has become the defacto "application" drive, it's where you install your Dockers and VMs.  SSDs are generally very fast but small in comparison to HDs - they are ideally suited to being the "application" drive.  If you intend to use the cache drive for both applications and in the traditional manner of caching writes to the array, though, then a fast HD may work out better depending on how much data you write each day.

AH ok, yeah i had been doing reading over some of the older posts and people where referencing cache write drives. being used for dockers and VM's makes sense, ill have to work out how large an SSD i will need.

 

11 hours ago, tdallen said:

Xeon's are good CPUs.  That said, the ASRock - X99M Extreme4 is a very expensive 2011 motherboard over here in the states, and the E5-1620 v3 is very low end Xeon E5 CPU - seems like an odd combo unless you are getting a great deal on the parts.  If it were me, I'd either get a cheaper motherboard and an E3 Xeon (and spend a lot less overall), or I'd put a more serious E5 on that motherboard if you really need the horsepower.

Just started looking at trying to purchase that Mobo, and its actually kinda difficult because its so old. Means ill probably do the Supermicro build and maybe up spec the mobo and CPU on that or ill look at a better asrock mobo and newer cpu.

 

GRrrrr. the hassles of building a rig. lol

[ASRock OR SuperMicro - First Build]

On 16/06/2017 at 10:17 PM, tdallen said:

Hi, some random comments:

 

- An SSD is generally better if you only plan to run applications from the cache drive, while a 7200rpm Black can be better if you want to support lots of data between mover runs.  Personally, I'd recommend an SSD and have writes go directly to the array.

- I'm curious about your thinking behind the E5-1620 v3 in the ASRock build.  Is it something you're getting a good deal on?  It has the benefits of the E5/2011 architecture, but only the cores/performance of a modern E3 (4 cores hyperthreaded, 9752 Passmarks). It's also 140w chip so a bit more expensive to run and more heat/noise.

- The ASRock motherboard and CPU support quad channel ECC RDIMMs, but the memory you've picked appears to be standard DDR4.

- I'd go further up the food chain on the Supermicro E3 build.  The E3-1220v3 is only a 4 core, non-hyperthreaded (7654 Passmarks) chip.  I'd go up at least to the 124x chips with hyperthreading.

- I wouldn't buy 3TB drives for a new build.  I prefer to manage a smaller number of large drives and would get 4TB at a minimum.  Actually, if I were doing a new build I'd put in WD 8TB Red parity drives and Seagate 8TB archive drives (best $ per TB).

So let me see if i get this right, your suggesting the SSD but NOT as a cache drive?

Also what CPU you suggesting? i just picked that one because ive heard good things of Xeon CPU's

As for RAM, i guess i could swap it out for Crucial DDR4-2400 RDIMM 32GB (4x8GB)

 

As for drive size, cost in Australia 3-4TB Drives are cheaper perTB then the larger drives.

Other than those changes, Does anyone see any other issues with the ASrock build. Im liking that one more personally.

[ASRock OR SuperMicro - First Build]

SSssssoooo... does anyone have any feedback on either build, or suggestions on either build???

[ASRock OR SuperMicro - First Build]

Hey Guys,

 

So im looking to build my first UNRaid box to be used as a media share, torrent box & Probably Home Theater PC. I've spent alot of time going over different builds and peoples reviews of hardware and came up with a Supermicro build. Then one of my mates suggest looking at ASRock Boards. So i then went through the trouble of making a second build using an ASRock board.

 

Basically looking to purchase all parts new, so happy to swap things out of a build for better ones if people have specific recommendations.

Here are my 2 builds that i managed to come up:

https://au.pcpartpicker.com/user/Natcoso9955/saved/6YLsYJ

https://au.pcpartpicker.com/user/Natcoso9955/saved/bz9NGX

 

The CPU coolers etc where just after thoughts as i dont really know much about them but figured since it would probably be running most of the time best to have one.

You'll notice that i have added a graphics card to both builds, i figured if i plan on running kodi for the Home Theater then id probably need a graphics card.

 

Im still not sure whether and ssd is better for the cache drive or a 7200rpm black drive is better suited.

 

Pretty much looking for great storage now, with the possibility of eventually just replacing drives with larger ones. i dont need at this stage a shitload of storage. Plan on storing all the family photos and movies, as well and shows and movies, etc. maybe later down the track i may also want to run steam\steam OS from it for some couch gaming etc, but not a super important thing right now.

 

If anyone has any feedback or suggestions regarding either of these builds id greatly appreciate any advise.