May 23, 201313 yr Hi, I'm currently considering the upgrade of my unraid server. The main goal is to get the server able to run properly Plex Server (transcoding Full HD movies) which is currently not possible with my Celeron E1400 (hit 100% CPU when transcoding). So far, my choice is the following: - Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H. Details about it can be found here: http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4440# - CPU: Intel i5-3570 I believe it should be more than enough to allow Plex Server to handle at max 2 simultaneous transcodings. Few questions: - Should I consider 8GB for RAM, or 4GB is enough ? - Is the stock fan coming with the i5 silent (I currently use the stock fan with my E1400 and it's quiet) ? Any other comments and/or suggestions are welcome! Thanks! Napryc
May 23, 201313 yr Hi, I'm currently considering the upgrade of my unraid server. The main goal is to get the server able to run properly Plex Server (transcoding Full HD movies) which is currently not possible with my Celeron E1400 (hit 100% CPU when transcoding). So far, my choice is the following: - Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H. Details about it can be found here: http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4440# - CPU: Intel i5-3570 I believe it should be more than enough to allow Plex Server to handle at max 2 simultaneous transcodings. Few questions: - Should I consider 8GB for RAM, or 4GB is enough ? - Is the stock fan coming with the i5 silent (I currently use the stock fan with my E1400 and it's quiet) ? Any other comments and/or suggestions are welcome! Thanks! Napryc The 3570 is a very good choice. This will give you about 7 times the processing "horsepower" of your current Celeron [PassMark CPU benchmark of 6996 vs. 1036 for the Celeron]. For a few more $$ you could bump up to an i7-3770 (PassMark 9454), which would give you even more "horsepower" (about another 35%) ... but I'd certainly expect the i5 to be "enough" I'd absolutely go with 8GB of RAM ... or even 16GB. Whichever you choose, just install two modules -- so use either 2 4GB modules or 2 8GB modules. The memory subsystem will be much more reliable with only two modules installed. The Intel stock fans for the Ivy Bridge CPUs are reasonably quiet => I don't think you need to use an after-market cooler for this. [You can always change it later if you disagree ... but I don't think you will]
May 23, 201313 yr ..another option is to go for a E3-12xxv2 XEON, which offers HT, which AFAIK plex would make use of. Edit: E3-1230v2 will offer HT as a good start. If you're not going with a E3-12x5v2 model, you'll need a cheap GPU card to start with (maybe the board will post without it, once unRAID is installed.) A XEON offers an upgrade path to a server board later, while an i5 and i7 won't (no ECC support). If this is an option I'd go for a XEON without GPU (E3-12x0v2 model) to be sure all server chipsets and BIOS revs. will work with it.
May 23, 201313 yr A Xeon E1230v2 is indeed a good choice if you want to use a server motherboard. It's slightly less powerful than the i7-3770 (PassMark 8926 vs. the i7's 9454); but certainly powerful enough. However, the i7 also has hyperthreading, so that's not an advantage for the Xeon. The key differences are that the Xeon supports ECC memory (good), but does not have integrated video; and the i7 is slightly more powerful.
May 23, 201313 yr Author Hi garycase, Ford Prefect, I didn't think about the Xeon option... from Plex forums, HT is not mandatory, but provide faster transcoding, so it's a nice to have feature. However, i5 should do the job properly, especially because I won't have that much simultaneous transodes (2, maybe 3). Here in Europe, Xeon E1230v2 and i7-3770 are similar prices, and about $90 more expensive than i5-3570, so it's too be considered... Moving to a server-grade mobo is not something I had in mind neither, but since the Gigabyte is already $260, would there be a server-grade mobo around this price which offer the same features I'm interested in ? Especially, this mobo offers 9 on-board SATA ports, and I haven't seen any LGA1155 Supermicro mobo with that much ports. Anyway, I have few options: 1. i5-3570 + Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H: It will cover my needs, can limit upgrade possibilities 2. i7-3770 + Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H: More expensive than (1), can limit upgrade possibilities but brings HT 3. E1230v2 + Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H + basis Graphic Card: A bit more expensive than (2), but add ECC support and provide more flexibility for future upgrade 4. E1230v2 + server-grade mobo + basis Graphic Card: More expensive, but provide highest quality. Problem, might require a SATA extension card to handle 8 drives So far, I'm quite happy with my current Gigabyte mobo, which has been running for almost 3 years with no problems... so I tend to believe this new Gigabyte should also be robust... what would bring a server-grade mobo ? What is the good point of ECC memory in Unraid usage ? Other question, that Gigabyte mobo has 2 GbE ports, 1 Atheros and 1 Intel. If I remember properly, Unraid can now do Ethernet Port aggregation... woudl this be possible even if it's 2 different brands? Not very important at the moment, but who can say :-) Anyway, thanks again for all your comments!
May 23, 201313 yr Anyway, I have few options: 1. i5-3570 + Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H: It will cover my needs, can limit upgrade possibilities 2. i7-3770 + Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H: More expensive than (1), can limit upgrade possibilities but brings HT 3. E1230v2 + Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H + basis Graphic Card: A bit more expensive than (2), but add ECC support and provide more flexibility for future upgrade 4. E1230v2 + server-grade mobo + basis Graphic Card: More expensive, but provide highest quality. Problem, might require a SATA extension card to handle 8 drives #3 does NOT add ECC support => while the motherboard does support an E1230v2 (as long as it has at least the F8 BIOS revision), it does not support ECC memory. So even though the CPU would have that support, it won't work with that motherboard. #4 is a good option IF you think you may want to eventually move to a virtualized (ESXi) solution, or if you want ECC support. #2 is, in my view, your best choice. The most processing power of any of the options; built-in graphics; and HT support. From what you've described as your usage, this is what I'd recommend. what would bring a server-grade mobo ? ECC support and support for ESXi What is the good point of ECC memory in Unraid usage ? ECC memory will automatically correct single-bit errors; so your memory subsystem will be more reliable. However, as long as you don't install more than 2 modules in a board that uses unbuffered RAM, and don't "push" the memory (no overclocking, etc.), the memory should be very reliable. Other question, that Gigabyte mobo has 2 GbE ports, 1 Atheros and 1 Intel. If I remember properly, Unraid can now do Ethernet Port aggregation... woudl this be possible even if it's 2 different brands? Not very important at the moment, but who can say :-) You can't aggregate with different ports -- but in an UnRAID environment there's very little (if any) potential benefit from aggregation anyway, so I wouldn't be concerned about this.
May 23, 201313 yr I basically "dismissed" your Option #1 => but just to be clear, this IS a reasonable option. I just think that for the relatively small price "penalty" the 35% boost in CPU power, much better graphics [HD4000 vs. HD2500 => no benefit in UnRAID, but just in case you ever decide to "repurpose" the system ... ], and hyperthreading support are worth the difference. But if you don't want to spend that difference, the i5-3570 would indeed be a very nice upgrade.
May 24, 201313 yr in addition what garycase already pointed out.. #4 does not need at GPU card. A "good" server mobo comes with IPMI (remote management and kvm-over-ip) and has got a (tiny) GPU on board. I only found this board with an onboard SAS (LSI 2008) controller, adding another 8 ports: http://www.asus.com/Commericial_Servers_Workstations/P8BCSAS4L/ It is around 225EURO, here in Germany. What I do not like with it is, that it is PCI extension cards mostly....I would not recommend it, hence. For the same price you can get a SM X9SCM-F or -iiF with a M1015, I think.
May 24, 201313 yr What is the good point of ECC memory in Unraid usage ? ECC memory will automatically correct single-bit errors; so your memory subsystem will be more reliable. However, as long as you don't install more than 2 modules in a board that uses unbuffered RAM, and don't "push" the memory (no overclocking, etc.), the memory should be very reliable. ...the actual purpose behind that is, that a bit in a memory module can not be guaranteed to be stable in its state. Environmental factors or events could have an influence too, like EMP and make it simply flip. If a bit flips and this bit is representing a part of a file being written to disk, your file will be corrupt without the system (and yourself) knowing it. The chance is quite rare and the effect has a statistical distribution....however it can be seen. People running large datacenters see it more often, hence. There are two variants of ECC memory....un-registered(or also called unbuffered) and registered memory modules. The unbuffered (UDIMM) will detect a bit error, whilst registered (RDIMM) will also correct a single bit error. Edit: With ECC (when supported) your system will correct single bit errors and detect double bit errors. Note that with the 1155 platform, only UDIMMs are supported.
May 24, 201313 yr There are two variants of ECC memory....un-registered(or also called unbuffered) and registered memory modules. The unbuffered (UDIMM) will detect a bit error, whilst registered (RDIMM) will also correct a single bit error. NO !! Two different topics altogether. Whether or not RAM is buffered is completely independent from whether or not a RAM module happens to have ECC capability. Registered modules by definition have buffered control lines, so the loading on the memory bus is dramatically reduced ... making it practical to have a large number of installed modules without degrading the signaling waveform. It's true that virtually all registered modules have ECC capability -- but not a technical requirement [The simple fact is that if anyone who cares enough to use registered modules will almost certainly want ECC ] But if a module has ECC capability, it absolutely CORRECTS single bit errors -- whether it's buffered or not !!
May 24, 201313 yr There are two variants of ECC memory....un-registered(or also called unbuffered) and registered memory modules. The unbuffered (UDIMM) will detect a bit error, whilst registered (RDIMM) will also correct a single bit error. NO !! Two different topics altogether. Whether or not RAM is buffered is completely independent from whether or not a RAM module happens to have ECC capability. Registered modules by definition have buffered control lines, so the loading on the memory bus is dramatically reduced ... making it practical to have a large number of installed modules without degrading the signaling waveform. It's true that virtually all registered modules have ECC capability -- but not a technical requirement [The simple fact is that if anyone who cares enough to use registered modules will almost certainly want ECC ] What's wrong with the statement that there are two types of ECC memory? When you shop for ECC memory, you will find UDIMMs and RDIMMs...first characteristic: ECC, second: U or R ... not the other way around. See: http://www.servethehome.com/unbuffered-registered-ecc-memory-difference-ecc-udimms-rdimms/ ...and of course there are even more attributes to shop for when hunting for ECC modules, like dual- or quad-rank. But if a module has ECC capability, it absolutely CORRECTS single bit errors -- whether it's buffered or not !! Hmmm... you have a point there. I am sure my brain fetched this from a tech doc i've read recently...but maybe my brain is going the way of the Terry Patchett To be more correct, it is not the module that will correct the error, it is the chipset/memory-controller that will do it....the module will just store/supply the extra bits to perform that task
May 24, 201313 yr What's wrong with the statement that there are two types of ECC memory? When you shop for ECC memory, you will find UDIMMs and RDIMMs...first characteristic: ECC, second: U or R ... not the other way around. Actually it's exactly the other way around => systems either use buffered or unbuffered RAM [and if they use buffered RAM, they may use registered modules or FBDIMMs (fully buffered)]. THAT is the characteristic that MUST be correct. You MUST match that. As I noted earlier, virtually all buffered modules (both registered and FBDIMMs) also happen to support ECC. With unbuffered modules, you have a choice of whether or not they support ECC. But the part of your earlier comment that really caught my attention (and got the "NO !!" comment) was your statement that unbuffered ECC modules only detected the errors !!
May 25, 201313 yr Author Hi, thank you for all the information, suggestions and comments... I think I will go for the i7 and Gigabyte board... I think I got fooled regarding ECC support, as Gigabyte states on the site that the board has "Support for non-ECC memory modules" which I translated - obviously too fast as I didn't find any mention - that it actually supports ECC memory Again, thanks a lot!
May 26, 201313 yr Actually it's exactly the other way around => systems either use buffered or unbuffered RAM [and if they use buffered RAM, they may use registered modules or FBDIMMs (fully buffered)]. THAT is the characteristic that MUST be correct. You MUST match that. As I noted earlier, virtually all buffered modules (both registered and FBDIMMs) also happen to support ECC. With unbuffered modules, you have a choice of whether or not they support ECC. So, a IvyBridge XEON will suport unbuffered memory, ECC and non-ECC (like some Celerons, Pentium G and i3 model as well).. With a 1155 server mobo, like the SM X9SCM-iF, where it states that unbuffered ECC is "supported"...can I take it, that it will work with unbuffered non-ECC modules as well as long as these are unbuffered? AFAIR, the XEON will work on desktop mobos which do not support ECC...the SM will not work with i5/i7 which do not support ECC memory. In my simple mind, I translate this into the fact that the SM will "require" ECC RAM (unbuffered) and a CPU which supports ECC memory....but I don't see it clearly in the specs.
May 26, 201313 yr Memory standards do change, and some terms have migrated, to some extent, from one definition to another over the years... Compatibility, match compatibility codes on CPUs and mother-boards, follow manufacturer recommendations for CPU, motherboard, and memory match-ups... If marked as 'supports' it may also suggest in some instances that other configurations are NOT supported... Bottom line, make sure you are using the documentation that was (is) current at the time the system components were produced, and or updated... (this will sometimes also equate to a mother board claiming compatibility with a given memory size, and or standard, that then later to revisions in memory, may not be usable...) As a result, the information to follow next, may not be 100% correct, now, in the past, or in the future... Just because a memory configuration "may" be valid electrically, it does not also mean that it is now, or ever will be actually made available on the market, or at an affordable price point if made available... Now the disclaimer and fear factors have been issued... 1 - Un-buffered memory modules - The basic "desktop" memory standard, cheap and easy to find. NO extra special features or functionality. SHOULD work in all systems designed for Un-buffered memory, (even boards designed for ECC Un-buffered - but BIOS settings may NEED to be set to disable ECC, or memory errors may be EXPECTED) 2 - Un-buffered ECC memory modules - Same technology as #1 above - ADD extra bits for ECC for single bit error detection and correction and multi-bit error detection. For ECC BOTH the mother-board needs to be designed for it, it needs to be implemented AND ENABLED in BIOS, AND the CPU NEEDS to support it, (in newer generation hardware), (or in the case of older hardware, active support needs to be implemented in hardware memory controllers, and is transparent to the CPU) 3 - Registered memory modules - (sometimes referred to as buffered modules) - (buffered and registered are similar and while older memory standards were simply buffered, the newer registered memories use a slightly different approach to accomplish the same thing) - Essentially buffers the memory from the memory controller on the mother board, providing a more stable electrical interface for data integrity. This creates a slight additional delay in data transfer, so memory cycles are a little longer. (but if faster memory is used, the overall delay may be non-existent). - MUST be used on a motherboard designed to use REGISTERED (or buffered on older systems), (even boards designed for ECC Registered - but BIOS settings may NEED to be set to disable ECC, or memory errors may be EXPECTED) 4 - Registered ECC memory modules - This class incorporates BOTH add-on technology options. (see #2 and #3 above) - Same board and CPU/hardware requirements as #2 for ECC use, For ECC BOTH the mother-board needs to be designed for it, it needs to be implemented AND ENABLED in BIOS, AND the CPU NEEDS to support it, (in newer generation hardware), (or in the case of older hardware, active support needs to be implemented in hardware memory controllers, and is transparent to the CPU) - Same electrical requirements as #3 above for electrical interface, - MUST be used on a motherboard designed to use REGISTERED (or buffered on older systems). Summary - Un-buffered should only be used with un-buffered - Always match memory to mother board. Registered should only be used with registered - Always match memory to mother board. ECC use requires full support, Mother board, memory controller, BIOS, and/(or) CPU (depending on age of hardware). ECC memory modules SHOULD work on hardware that does not have support for ECC functionality, (but no guarantees there...) The extra bits, would be wasted and a waste of the extra money to buy them for such a system... Special notes: - SOME motherboards have multiple memory slots to support different memory technologies and standards, USUALLY only ONE type should ever be used at a time on these boards, such as ONLY registered, or ONLY un-buffered - or ONLY DDR-2, or ONLY DDR-3... etc.. (for REALLY REALLY OLD examples... ONLY SIP or SIMM, ONLY DIP or SIP, ONLY 16-pin DIP or 24-pin DIP...) - There is another type NOT mentioned above - FULLY BUFFERED memory modules - These are NOT electrically compatible with anything mentioned above and SHOULD be physically keyed differently to prevent insertion into incompatible motherboards. Allows higher density memory configurations, at reduced performance levels... (I would suggest to AVOID these completely)
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