My server is long overdue for an overhaul. I recently had a gfx card die on my HTPC, and with all the new virtualization features in unraid 6, I think its time to build a multipurpose server.

 

I need some advice around the core components, specifically the Motherboard, CPU, and RAM. What should I buy?

 

I will be using the server primarily for:

• Media streaming to up to 3 HTPCs
  
• Running docker apps like NZBGet, NZBDrone, CrashPlan, CouchPotato, Deluge, MariaDB (for Kodi), SyncThing
  
• Fairly heavy par checking, unpacking, and compressing files
  
• Providing Crashplan backups for my family, 4-5 computers
  
• Acting as an HTPC for at least 1 room, preferably 2 if I can pass through the appropriate hardware to 2 VMs
  
• Emulating older console gaming systems, which tends to not be optimized to use multiple cores
  
• Gaming, but I am not a hardcore gamer or anything
  

 

Budget is flexible, but I don't want to spend thousands if I can help it. After reading through the forums I can't help but think: "WWGCD: What would garycase do?" Any help is greatly appreciated!

... WWGCD ...

 

:)

 

Well ... given what you're suggested you want to do, I can at least suggest a couple paths ...

 

(1)  A Socket 1150 E3 series Xeon with a good motherboard that supports ECC RAM.    Something like an E3-1270v3 or 1280v3 with a Supermicro MBD-X10SAT-O ATX, which has 3 x16 slots to support a couple of video cards along with an add-in controller card:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182830

 

It supports ECC RAM, although it's still unbuffered, so I'd start with 2 8GB modules, and just leave it at that if you're satisfied with the performance from 16GB.  You CAN add 2 more modules to get to 32GB, and with ECC that's probably okay, as any single-bit errors will be automatically corrected.

 

Performance would be very good -- PassMark in the 10,000 range for both of those CPUs.

 

 

(2)  If you don't mind "going for the gusto", go with an E5-series Xeon with registered RAM.    This will bump the cost up a grand or so, but will also give you much better performance, and support for effectively as much RAM as you care to install, since they'll be buffered modules.

 

An E5-2640v3, 2650v3, or 2660v3 (or even a 2690v3) will give you FAR more performance than an E3 series unit ... scoring 14,000 to 20,000 on PassMark ... but these cost 3-5 times what the E3 series CPU's do.    Motherboards for these cost $300 or so, or a bit more if you want a dual-socket board [which would give you an upgrade path to add a 2nd physical CPU if you needed even MORE CPU power  ].    Here's a dual CPU board with 3 PCIe x16 slots and 16 memory slots (!!) for a bit over $400:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182349

 

 

Personally, I'd probably go for #1 ... and just build two of them if I found I needed more "oomph".  But #2 is really tempting -- and is definitely a more "industrial strength" system 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

As much as I would love to go for option #2, I am leaning toward option #1. The Xeon E-1271 or E-1276 v3 look like a great fit for my purposes. 3.6Ghz with 4.0Ghz TurboBoost should be enough horsepower for applications that can't take advantage of multiple cores. I was looking into the E-128x series but I cant seem to find any for sale from the normal places I would go to, and they don't seem to be worth double the price of the E-127x.

 

I was also considering a Core i7 4790K since it supports VT-d and would be great for my single core applications... but since my primary use case is more server oriented, I think you sold me on ECC support.

I agree -- The E5-based systems are VERY attractive, but are also a LOT more costly.  Unless you have a clear need for prodigious amounts of memory (where the buffered RAM is really a necessity), an E3-based system is much more cost-effective ... I'm not all that price-sensitive, but would still build an E3-based system if I was building one today.

 

I consider ECC a necessity for server applications ... if your data is important enough to build a fault-tolerant server, it seems a good idea to also have a fault-tolerant memory subsystem      ESPECIALLY if you think there's any chance you'll ever install more than 2 memory modules ... which significantly increases the bus loading with unbuffered modules and makes periodic single-bit errors much more likely.    As I noted earlier, I'd just install 2 8GB ECC modules to start, and only add 2 more if you find that you're running applications that need more RAM (e.g. multiple VMs may put you in that position).

 

The Core i7-4790k is indeed a good processor; but an E3-1276v3 is nearly identical with a few additional advanced technology features, the same graphics, and ECC support.  Single core applications will run just as well on the Xeon.  [There's a minor bump in performance on the Core i7 because it's clocked higher; but it's very nominal ... not enough that you'd notice a difference outside of benchmarks.]

 

As far as ECC RAM goes, are there particular modules you would recommend for the SuperMicro X10-SAT-O board?

 

I see that it supports 1.5V and 1.35V. I don't have much experience with ECC RAM so I'm not sure if some manufacturers/brands have a better track record than others.

Any of the quality brands is fine -- Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, etc.

 

I'd probably just buy these:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239117

 

LV modules (1.35v) are fine, since the board supports them ... they run a bit cooler since they operate at a lower voltage

 

... here's a low-voltage version that's actually less expensive !!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239646

 

Yeah I was looking at those. NewEgg had a Crucial 16GB kit (8x2) 1600 CL11 1.35V for like $30 less than that, but its out of stock now and it looks like the prices at other stores also jumped overnight.

 

Interestingly it looks like the SuperMicro board supports 1.35V but it will run at 1.5V anyways, so I suppose it doesn't really matter.

 

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/xeon/c220/x10sat.cfm -> Tested Memory List

"Please note: The qualified 1.35V DDR3 will operate at 1.5V"

 

Thanks again for all your help!

 

Since the board runs the modules at 1.5v, I'd simply buy 1.5v modules.