I have just decided to upgrade me unraid setup from i7490S with 16GB DDR3 to i512500t 32GB DDR5. My main use cases are few docker including Plex and Frigate for security cameras and a VM for Home Assistant. Over the last few years  I've started to feel like the system is sluggish.

 

Also got a new Silverstone CS382 hot swap case with 8 bays. 

 

Before I begin the build I have a couple of questions for those with more experience than me. 

 

1) Am I likely to notice an uplift in performance with new CPU and more RAM? Started to wonder if Unraid is a bottleneck and TrueNAS would be more performant. For example Plex just feels sluggish in opening and loading library etc 

 

2) I have a spare 8TB drive that I want to prepare to add to the array when on of the existing 7 x 8TB goes bad. Am I "wearing" this drive if I leave it powered up in a bay but unassigned? Or is it best to keep it in a drawer somewhere? 

 

3) Have just bought a couple of NVMEs. I'm thinking of using existing SSD (2.5") for downloads only (for mover to move to the array as they do today) and having VMs and Docker/Appdata each on their own NVME

 

Really welcome any advice here before I jump into yen rebuild. 

55 minutes ago, Dazzling said:

performant. For example Plex just feels sluggish

Are you sure your docker related shares 

 

https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/manual/shares/user-shares/#default-shares

 

have no files on the array? 

On 1/1/2025 at 11:12 AM, Dazzling said:

3) Have just bought a couple of NVMEs. I'm thinking of using existing SSD (2.5") for downloads only (for mover to move to the array as they do today) and having VMs and Docker/Appdata each on their own NVME

 

I think this is where you're going to see an improvement.  My file servers (i3-10100) are slightly better than your existing CPU but my dockers are sitting in a couple fast NVMe drives.  At least for me I don't see a problem.  My plex works nicely.

 

On 1/1/2025 at 11:12 AM, Dazzling said:

2) I have a spare 8TB drive that I want to prepare to add to the array when on of the existing 7 x 8TB goes bad. Am I "wearing" this drive if I leave it powered up in a bay but unassigned? Or is it best to keep it in a drawer somewhere?

 

That's a good question.  I don't have room in my servers for a drive to just sit there so I have a couple sitting on a shelf.  To me that avoids unnecessary heat and power usage but sitting on a shelf usually isn't good over the long term.  At the very least it's smart to spin the drive up every 6 months or so.  That helps to keep the components in working order.  I just connect it to an external drive bay, let it spin for a little while, then remove it and put it back on the shelf.

Edited January 5, 20251 yr by TimTheSettler