Hi all.

 

My current NL40 build (3TB Red Parity --> 4x3TB Red array; Intel SSD cache) is aging and unable to keep up to version 6. The visualization aspect of V6 is a much welcomed feature to me; thus wanting to move my array to new H/W. Appreciate any advise/guidance to finalize the parts for the new build.

 

Usage:

• File share for 3 PC
  
• Video for 2 media players
  
• 2 Windows VM for testing purpose
  

 

Suggestions needed for:

 

Casing: Looking for a case with relatively similar footprint as the NL40, and have shortlisted either the DS380 or PC-Q25. Height is not an issue, but footprint should be similar. Any other suggestions welcome.

 

Motherboard: I guess I am limiting myself to ITX motherboard here. Was eyeing on Asrock E3C226D2I mainly due to on-board 6 SATA and USB header. Should the need arise, playing with the option to add in a controller card (have one with Marvell 88SE9215 lying around somewhere) for 4 more ports. 10 drives (2 cache, 1 parity, 7 array) should be more than adequate. Any other suggestions?

 

CPU: Will go for socket 1150; and able get my hands on E3-1231V3 CPU for good price from a buddy; similar price as brand new i3-4170 here. Guess this is confirmed unless otherwise suggested.

 

Existing parts

RAM: For the sake of VM, I have budgeted for 16GB of ECC RAM

 

Cache: Reusing the existing Intel SSD and have another 250GB SSD lying around to form the cache pool.

 

Array/Parity: Reusing existing drives.

 

Thanks in advance and appreciate any suggestions.

 

 

Any windows VM you want to do something graphically intensive with (i.e. gaming, video, etc.) will require it's own video card. In addition, if you want the VM to output it's own display to a separate monitor it will also require it's own video card.

 

This is a problem with ITX and 2 Windows VM's for testing. You'll only have 1 PCIe slot.

Any windows VM you want to do something graphically intensive with (i.e. gaming, video, etc.) will require it's own video card. In addition, if you want the VM to output it's own display to a separate monitor it will also require it's own video card.

 

This is a problem with ITX and 2 Windows VM's for testing. You'll only have 1 PCIe slot.

 

Thank you. Is this to say if there is no need for graphics intensive tasks, it is fine without a dedicated graphics card?

Just need said VM to run some scripts or patches for testing purpose. Access by remote desktop or equivalent is sufficient.

 

 

 

Any windows VM you want to do something graphically intensive with (i.e. gaming, video, etc.) will require it's own video card. In addition, if you want the VM to output it's own display to a separate monitor it will also require it's own video card.

 

This is a problem with ITX and 2 Windows VM's for testing. You'll only have 1 PCIe slot.

 

Thank you. Is this to say if there is no need for graphics intensive tasks, it is fine without a dedicated graphics card?

Just need said VM to run some scripts or patches for testing purpose. Access by remote desktop or equivalent is sufficient.

 

Mr-Hexen is right I think. But to go a bit further....

 

If you're going to do graphic intensive tasks (e.g. gaming) I consider it unlikely you would do this over a remote desktop protocol (either VNC or RDP) therefore you would want a dedicated graphics card to output that to its own monitor. Indeed as has already been pointed out above you would also need a slot on your MB to house a Video Card you can passthrough to each VM whose display you wanted to output.

 

If you're needs are not graphic intensive (e.g. web browsing, administration etc) then a remote desktop protocol would be fine. If you're needs are somewhere in the middle (say watching a HD movie then its a judgment call). It has been proven that you can watch a HD movie over RDP (see LT's homepage for videos). I would not even try and use the VNC protocol for that though, just RDP.

 

In my scenario I use 2 x Windows 10 VM's. One for running backup software and one so I have a Windows Machine I can access from any other computer (as I operate in an almost exclusively MAC environment) and RDP works fine and dandy. I very rarely use VNC except for administration / troubleshooting.

Hi,

 

Thanks for the comments.

 

Just to have an update to the project thus far.

Casing: Settled for a Fractal Design R5 as a local shop had some good deals; in transit.

 

Motherboard: Scored a AsRock E3C224D4I-14S from a web dealer. Figured the mini SAS and on-board Sata ports would suffice/maximize my UnRaid Plus license, and its good pairing to the CPU i have on hand. Frees up the PCI slot (although only 8x) for graphics or other cards in the future) It is in transit as I typed this.

 

CPU: E3-1231V3 CPU already in the bag. Just need to source for a HSF. 

 

Memory: Starting with 16GB worth (2x8GB) of ECC memory, leaving me headroom to increase another 16GB when needed.

 

Existing parts

Storage/cables etc are being reused from existing pool of parts.

 

Update again when parts arrive and when I have time on hand to start building. In the mean time, any other comments/suggestions are welcomed. Cheers.

Intel retail cooler is more than adequate for a 1231v3.  Don't waste money on anything fancier.

Intel retail cooler is more than adequate for a 1231v3.  Don't waste money on anything fancier.

 

Agreed.

Intel retail cooler is more than adequate for a 1231v3.  Don't waste money on anything fancier.

 

Indeed. Thanks!

 

Added: To clarify, the CPU does not comes with its original cooler. Just need to source for another retail LGA1150 cooler.

Intel retail cooler is more than adequate for a 1231v3.  Don't waste money on anything fancier.

 

Indeed. Thanks!

 

Added: To clarify, the CPU does not comes with its original cooler. Just need to source for another retail LGA1150 cooler.

 

Lots on eBay, and most retailers sell them.  Arctic and Asaka do clones of the Intel retail heatsink, which are decent enough too.  Paying $50 for a high tower heat sink is a waste of money.