Looks good ... the I3 should have plenty of processing power, and as I noted earlier, the only notable feature missing from it is vt-d => not needed if you don't plan to pass through any I/O devices to a VM.

 

Just had a look at a E3-1230v3 - it doesnt have processor graphics so i would need a GPU wouldn't i? Then i would lose the single PCI slot on the mini-itx board. If i can stretch to a xeon i guess i should be looking at a 1225,1226 or 1245?

 

EDIT - Actually only the 1245 has HT and graphics. Hmmm.

Agree ... the 1245v3 would be a very good choice => includes vt-d;  includes processor graphics (with about 20% higher performance than the graphics on the i3 you were looking at);  and provides almost double the processing power of the i3.

 

For a bit less $$, the 1226v3 has the same graphics as the 1245, with performance about midway between the i3-4170 and the E3-1245v3  [PassMarks are 5173 for the i3,  7418 for the 1226, and 9534 for the 1245]  Note that the 1226v3 does not support hyperthreading, but that's not a major performance issue.

 

I'd go with the 1245v3, but if the extra $$ is a concern the 1226v3 is a good choice.

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/node-series/node-304-black

 

That Node 304 is a VERY sweet looking case. Would look a lot nicer sat next to my R5 than the Silverstone DS380 does I have to admit.

 

That being said, it is a shame that you are limited to 265mm Height. I still feel that the Silverstone DS380 is the best choice for SFF unRAID Builds at the current time: http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=452

 

With dimensions of: 211mm (W) x 285mm (H) x 360mm (D) and drive bay capacity of 12 total drives with 8 hot-swappable 3.5” or 2.5” SAS/SATA and 4 fixed 2.5” drives IT really cuts the mustard in ways of meeting current requirements and giving expandable headroom that other competing models just don't! It even comes with a SATA/SAS Back Pane that the drives drop into which reduces the need for SATA power cables which (as already noted) are scarce on the SFF PSU's.

 

I guess it is a moot point given it doesn't meet your requirements and you may have already pulled the trigger on your purchase BUT if it happened that there was a little more space to play with than you posted, then I think it would be an excellent choice at least to consider!

 

I did look at the Silverstone case, and I totally agree with you. It is an excellent case. I just can't fit it in.

So as i always do, i start looking at different options!

 

There is a small chance that I can get a Xeon processor at a 'ridiculously' good price. So now i am looking at mini-itx socket 2011v3. From what i have found there is only 1 motherboard - http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/X99E-ITXac/?cat=Specifications

 

Seems to take ECC RAM.

 

Any thoughts on this?

Xeons come in different flavored, are you sure you need socket 2011?

If you want to use an E5 series Xeon (Socket 2011), I'd suggest using a board with a Cxxx chipset (server grade chipset) ... like this board:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157615

 

This board supports ECC memory and has integrated IPMI (so you can run it completely headless).

 

 

HOWEVER ... the E3-1245v3 you were looking at earlier has PLENTY of performance for what you've been discussing.  It's not at all clear that you need an E5 series CPU.

 

The only reason i am looking at the E5 now is that there is a chance i can get it for very cheap - like less than the i3 cheap.

 

garycase - thank you so much - everywhere i look i could only find that 1 mini-itx socket 2011 board!!

I would need an additional SATA card with it.

... The only reason i am looking at the E5 now is that there is a chance i can get it for very cheap - like less than the i3

 

Which model of the E5 are you looking at?

 

... The only reason i am looking at the E5 now is that there is a chance i can get it for very cheap - like less than the i3

 

Which model of the E5 are you looking at?

 

Ah i thought it was a v3 but it's a v2 - and (unless garycase comes up trumps again) there are no scoket 2011v2 mini-itx motherboards....

Neither the board I listed 'nor the board you were originally looking at for a v5 supports v2 CPU's.

 

I think the E3-1246v3 is your best choice for a Xeon-based system in a mini-ITX form factor unless you want to spring for a v3 E5 series CPU like the superb 6-core  E5-1650v3