Are these components powerful enough for my server? Anything you would change?

[Janddy]

Hi, I was hoping to get some more experienced eyes to look over my planned build and let me know if you see any problems or have suggestions.

 

I'm upgrading from a really old store-bought desktop PC with a dual core Celeron CPU and 8GB of RAM, that I threw some hard drives in. I have found that my RAM is often completely full which causes problems for my dockers, and the CPU maxes out as well.

 

The server is used for file and media storage, backups, standard media apps (Sonarr/Radarr etc.), Nextcloud, and a bunch of other dockers eg. Bookstack, Paperless, Linkace, Unifi Controller, Calibre. Note - there is no Plex/Jellyfin as my media server runs on my Nvidia Shield so no transcoding is needed.

 

In the future I will probably keep adding dockers when I find fun new projects (probably Home Assistant at some point). No VMs at the moment but I'd like to have enough power to be able to run one if I ever have the need.

 

Here are the parts I am looking at:

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/gXJ7Dc

CPU: Intel Core i3-9100 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: Gigabyte C246M-WU4 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard

Memory: Timetec Hynix IC 32GB KIT (2x16GB) DDR4 2400MHz PC4-19200 Unbuffered ECC 1.2V CL17 2Rx8 Dual Rank 288 Pin UDIMM. Note: will look to expand to 64GB eventually if 32GB is not enough.

Cache: 2 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive (mirrored)
Storage: Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: 2 x Hitachi Deskstar NAS 8 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Seagate IronWolf 8 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: 2 x Seagate IronWolf 12 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Platinum 550 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

Case: SilverStone RM21-308 Black 2U Rackmount Case

Cables: 2 x SilverStone CPS03-RE 50cm Mini SFF-8087 to SAS/SATA Cable
Case Accessory: SilverStone Sliding Rail Kit for SilverStone RM21-308 Chassis

 

Questions:

• Do you think the CPU is a good choice and powerful enough? I picked it because it supported ECC RAM, has integrated graphics (mostly for BIOS, but also just in case I need it) and Xeon CPUs seemed really expensive. Would have gone newer but 10th gen i3's don't support ECC.
• Any thoughts on the motherboard and RAM? That RAM kit is one of the only ones I could find with 32GB unbuffered ECC 2400MHz.
• Does it look like I've forgotten any parts? Cables I will need etc? I've never used hot swap bays or HDD backplanes so not sure if I've got everything to connect the hard drives.

 

Notes:

• No budget really - just want something powerful enough, but not overkill.
• I already have the hard drives.

[Ford Prefect]

...looks like you picked the parts quite well.

 

As far as I am concerned, I'd opt for the Corsair RMx 550 (2021) PSU https://au.pcpartpicker.com/product/bRvdnQ/corsair-rmx-2021-550-w-80-gold-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-cp-9020197-na...AFAIK this is the most efficient PSU at the moment when it comes to the lower end spectrum of power consumption while running low.

Since the unraid server will most likely run with HDDs spun down, this is a good investment.

Just make sure, that it really fits into that case, as space might be tight.

 

...unclear as to why you'd go for the 2.5HDD at this time.

The MB has 8 SATA Ports and the Case will (exactly) fit 8 HDDs via its Backplane.

 

MB and CPU will support up to 128GB of RAM...if you'd like to expand anyway, I'd start with a single 32GB module, then add a second later, leaving room for another upgrade even later on.

 

[Janddy]

Thanks so much for taking the time on this.

 

I'll look into the Corsair RMx 550. I assumed the platinum rating on the Silverstone would make it more efficient than a gold one but I guess not necessarily... It looks like the Corsair is a bit longer which puts it at the 160mm stated limit of the case. It should still fit, but you're right - it might be tight.

 

Sorry, that 2.5 HDD is actually 3.5. I must have selected the wrong one in PC Part Picker and didn't notice.

 

I thought the CPU only supported 64GB RAM so that's why I was planning for expandability up to 64GB. This is from the Intel spec sheet:

 

 

Unless that doesn't mean what I think it does?

[Ford Prefect]

This Corsair PSU is particulary good when running on low power. Its efficiency is much higher, compared to others in that part of the allowed spectrum. Being a gold standard PSU compared to a platinum standard PSU means it will be (a little) less efficient when running on high output.

But your rig will only reach that limit when doing a cold boot when the 3.5" HDDs and everything else will fire/spin up.

My guess is, that most of the time it will sit there, running some Dockers on the Cache drives, maybe consuming even below 20/25W.

So this is the spot you should look at, when shopping for a optimal efficient PSU in a unraid rig.

 

Yes, my bad..the i3-9xxx will only allow for 64GB RAM, but a future XEON and this server chipset MB will allow for 128GB.

As each RAM module will consume 1-2 extra Watts, just by being installed, using larger Modules can save some energy as well. Ultimately you want pairs for enabling dual-channel mode but you could start with one....for a couple of Dockers and unraid itself, 32GB is plenty.

Nowadays going with what is available now often is the only choice anyway.

 

[Vr2Io]

On 12/20/2021 at 2:39 PM, Janddy said:

CPU: Intel Core i3-9100 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor

Suggest at least 6 core, but if you insist use ECC memory, then not much choice.

 

** I use 9700k with 128GB , 9800K with 256GB .... all out of spec. but no problem **

 

On 12/20/2021 at 2:39 PM, Janddy said:

Cables: 2 x SilverStone CPS03-RE 50cm Mini SFF-8087 to SAS/SATA Cable

This cable need HBA controller, if you use mobo SATA, you need reverse type cable instead forward type, both have same outlook.

Edited December 22, 2021 by Vr2Io

[Janddy]

5 hours ago, Ford Prefect said:

This Corsair PSU is particulary good when running on low power. Its efficiency is much higher, compared to others in that part of the allowed spectrum. Being a gold standard PSU compared to a platinum standard PSU means it will be (a little) less efficient when running on high output.

But your rig will only reach that limit when doing a cold boot when the 3.5" HDDs and everything else will fire/spin up.

My guess is, that most of the time it will sit there, running some Dockers on the Cache drives, maybe consuming even below 20/25W.

So this is the spot you should look at, when shopping for a optimal efficient PSU in a unraid rig.

 

I've looked up some data on the Corsair, and it does seem to be really efficient at low power. However comparing to the Silverstone I think it seems pretty similar? (Not trying to prove you wrong, or defend the Silverstone - just trying to make sure I'm not missing anything).

 

https://www.corsair.com/corsairmedia/sys_master/productcontent/WW_RMx_Series_2021_QSG_AA.pdf

 

https://www.anandtech.com/show/10207/the-silverstone-strider-platinum-550w-psu-review/4

 

Corsair RM550x:

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-rm550x-power-supply,4484-5.html

 

Silverstone 550w:

https://pcper.com/2016/10/silverstone-strider-platinum-550w-power-supply-review/5/#ftoc-heading-6

 

Seems like at 55w they are both around 84-88% efficient and at 20w they are around 75-78% efficient. It's kind of hard to tell exactly without precise markings on the graphs, but they seem pretty close. Do you have any other links about the Corsair's low power efficiency vs others? Or is the Corsair just better at going down even below 20W which isn't measured by these charts or something?

 

6 hours ago, Ford Prefect said:

Yes, my bad..the i3-9xxx will only allow for 64GB RAM, but a future XEON and this server chipset MB will allow for 128GB.

As each RAM module will consume 1-2 extra Watts, just by being installed, using larger Modules can save some energy as well. Ultimately you want pairs for enabling dual-channel mode but you could start with one....for a couple of Dockers and unraid itself, 32GB is plenty.

Nowadays going with what is available now often is the only choice anyway.

 

 

Yeah I agree 32GB is plenty for the time being. I was originally looking for a single 32GB stick to leave upgrade options open (and saving power would be nice too), but I couldn't find any 32GB sticks at 2400MHz that were unbuffered - they all seemed to be buffered/registered. Like you said - availability really limits choices.

[Janddy]

1 hour ago, Vr2Io said:

Suggest at least 6 core, but if you insist use ECC memory, then not much choice.

 

Yeah good point. 6 cores would be nice but I was thinking it might be overkill for my applications at the moment - using more power and costing more initially. I thought ECC memory would be a decent upgrade as people often recommend it for servers and I like the sound of better stability, but I guess it might also be overkill for a small server such as this.

 

1 hour ago, Vr2Io said:

This cable need HBA controller, if you use mobo SATA, you need reverse type cable instead forward type, both have same outlook.

Hmm this is interesting.... I just had a look at other cables on that store. Would this one be the correct cable? They look the same but look to be in opposite directions.

However the one I picked has "Re" in the name - does that not mean reverse? Also the image on the page in the one I picked has SFF-8087 side going to the HDD backplane and the SATA 7-pin going to the motherboard sata ports. I thought that's how it would work, since my backplane has an 8087 port and the motherboard has sata ports? Why doesn't that work?

Sorry if these are stupid questions, I'm new to SAS.

[Vr2Io]

5 hours ago, Janddy said:

However the one I picked has "Re" in the name - does that not mean reverse?

Yes, sorry I miss that, this one "Re" is correct. I don't expect reverse cable have SGPIO sideband signal.

Edited December 22, 2021 by Vr2Io

[Ford Prefect]

9 hours ago, Janddy said:

I've looked up some data on the Corsair, and it does seem to be really efficient at low power. However comparing to the Silverstone I think it seems pretty similar? (Not trying to prove you wrong, or defend the Silverstone - just trying to make sure I'm not missing anything).

No, that's exactly what you should look at,

Good finds RE the silverstone PSU....I am actually not sure if they are the original Brand or maybe there is even the Corsair inside

I had some insight, from the German section of the forum, where a fellow user/moderator posted measurements from the Corsair.

Typically the efficiency from a standard PSU at that power level of 20-30W is around or well below 50%, but not 75%....so, yes...both seem good.

 

9 hours ago, Janddy said:

Seems like at 55w they are both around 84-88% efficient and at 20w they are around 75-78% efficient. It's kind of hard to tell exactly without precise markings on the graphs, but they seem pretty close. Do you have any other links about the Corsair's low power efficiency vs others? Or is the Corsair just better at going down even below 20W which isn't measured by these charts or something?

As said, I found hints/infos in the German section: 

Edit: ...it is a bit hidden, but there is the graph (for 230V): https://gutt.it/corsair-rm550x-550w-netzteil-vs-picopsu-90/

 

9 hours ago, Janddy said:

Yeah I agree 32GB is plenty for the time being. I was originally looking for a single 32GB stick to leave upgrade options open (and saving power would be nice too), but I couldn't find any 32GB sticks at 2400MHz that were unbuffered - they all seemed to be buffered/registered. Like you said - availability really limits choices.

You are not limited to 2400MHz RAM...this is according to the speed of the i3-9xxx CPU, but you can go as high as the MB/Chipset allows, as there are XEONS that allow for higher Bandwidth. These will fall back into 2400MHz when deployed along with the i3. As the MB is fairly old, at the time it was new there were not many 32GB modules listed as compatible, but this normally would not imply a problem.

These will work, as they are listed by kingston for that MB: https://www.kingston.com/germany/en/memory/search/model/101362/gigabyte-c246m-wu4-motherboard?capacity=32 gb&capacity_2=32 gb

But any other major/quality brand with the same specs should do as well, like Samsung

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by Ford Prefect

[Janddy]

Thanks for linking those posts, interesting reading (with the help of google translate 😋). Also I saw you linked in one of those posts you have the same motherboard and the i3 8100. I see why you liked my choices

 

22 hours ago, Ford Prefect said:

Typically the efficiency from a standard PSU at that power level of 20-30W is around or well below 50%, but not 75%....so, yes...both seem good.

 

Wow yeah 50% or lower would not be good. Good to see these two PSUs are much better than that!

 

22 hours ago, Ford Prefect said:

You are not limited to 2400MHz RAM...this is according to the speed of the i3-9xxx CPU, but you can go as high as the MB/Chipset allows, as there are XEONS that allow for higher Bandwidth. These will fall back into 2400MHz when deployed along with the i3. As the MB is fairly old, at the time it was new there were not many 32GB modules listed as compatible, but this normally would not imply a problem.

These will work, as they are listed by kingston for that MB: https://www.kingston.com/germany/en/memory/search/model/101362/gigabyte-c246m-wu4-motherboard?capacity=32 gb&capacity_2=32 gb

 

Hmm ok that's interesting. Opens up options a bit. That Kingston module seems to be pretty available locally (Australia), although it is about $120 more expensive, I guess because of the higher density and higher speed. I think the Samsung M391A4G43MB1-CTD would be good but I can't find it for sale in Australia. I did find some Crucial ones though - 3200MHz and 2666MHz (that one says REG in the title but I'm pretty sure it's not, according to Crucial's website).

Now I just need to convince myself it's worth paying a little extra to get expandability to 128GB in case I need it one day. And then decide between 3200MHz and 2666MHz.

[Ford Prefect]

 

8 hours ago, Janddy said:

Now I just need to convince myself it's worth paying a little extra to get expandability to 128GB in case I need it one day. And then decide between 3200MHz and 2666MHz.

Actually here is someone using more than 64GB with that MB and i3-91xx (German again, sorry): 

If you are on a budget and availability is there, maybe go for 2x16GB and add 2x32GB later...96GB is still plenty.

[jj1987]

9 hours ago, Janddy said:

Wow yeah 50% or lower would not be good. Good to see these two PSUs are much better than that

Not Sure about availabilty in Australia but the new beQuiet Pure Power 11 FM Series is also quite decent at Low Power, though not completely on the Same Level AS the mentioned Corsair. But still at roughly 70%

[Janddy]

16 hours ago, Ford Prefect said:

Actually here is someone using more than 64GB with that MB and i3-91xx (German again, sorry):

 

This is really cool. Great find. Makes the decision easier knowing this is an option.

 

16 hours ago, Ford Prefect said:

If you are on a budget and availability is there, maybe go for 2x16GB and add 2x32GB later...96GB is still plenty.

 

I think that makes sense. I can't see myself needing more than 96GB and starting with 2x16GB is a cheaper entry point and will give me time to see what my RAM needs really are and how it grows before jumping up to 32GB modules if need be.

 

15 hours ago, jj1987 said:

Not Sure about availabilty in Australia but the new beQuiet Pure Power 11 FM Series is also quite decent at Low Power, though not completely on the Same Level AS the mentioned Corsair. But still at roughly 70%

 

Just looked it up, it looks pretty decent. Can only find it in one shop here but it is a bit cheaper than the Corsair and Silverstone which makes it one to consider. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Lolight]

15 hours ago, Janddy said:

Can only find it in one shop here but it is a bit cheaper than the Corsair and Silverstone which makes it one to consider.

Don't need to look for a specific model.

Any of the 80 Plus Titanium rated PSU's (from well-known brands) would be very efficient at low loads.

 

[Ford Prefect]

12 hours ago, Lolight said:

Don't need to look for a specific model.

Any of the 80 Plus Titanium rated PSU's (from well-known brands) would be very efficient at low loads.

...just be careful as that table is based on percentage of the nominal power.

Especially Titanium rated models are at the higher Power range....10% of a 1000W PSU is 100W, that of a 550W PSU is still 55W, but we are/were talking about 20-25W load here.

[Janddy]

Yep good points. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!