I'm looking to upgrade my Unraid server to mainly run a few streams of local plex and maybe try out other features of Unraid or virtualize an OS to learn more. What would you recommend?

 

Would you recommend a Xeon build with the Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 or Intel Core i5-6600K?

 

Xeon Build:http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BFZtcf

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ASRock ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($77.88 @ OutletPC)

Memory: Mushkin Essentials 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($55.98 @ Newegg)

Total: $373.85

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

 

6600K Build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/d4H2hM

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/d4H2hM) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/d4H2hM/by_merchant/)

 

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80662i56600k) | $233.99 @ SuperBiiz

**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2) | $24.89 @ OutletPC

**Motherboard** | [ASRock ASRock Z170A-X1/3.1 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z170ax131) | $92.98 @ Newegg

**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f42400c15d16gvr) | $59.99 @ Newegg

| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |

| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $431.85

| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00

| **Total** | **$411.85**

 

 

Since you're going to use a motherboard that's not server-grade and doesn't support ECC memory, you may as well just use the i5.

 

Was not really worried about the ECC factor for my use. The Xeon does support hyperthreading and the I5 doesn't. Another route I was maybe thinking is migrating my current Haswell I5/motherbard to my Unraid box and get the new I5 Skylake for my day rig.

 

Isn't there still benefits of the 1231 for Unraid use even if it is not used with ECC like the hyperthreading. The PassMark score is great on it and I was not worried about overclocking which really is what the Skylake platform is about. I have seen a lot of reviews of the 1231 for gaming use but it seems like it is a great all round CPU with I7 features.

Hyperthreading isn't a big deal [there are still only 4 cores], but the Xeon does provide a bit more "horsepower" (PassMark 9607 vs. 7799 for the i5), and does it with slightly lower power consumption (TDP 80w vs. 91w for the i5).

 

My initial thought was the i5 would be appreciably less expensive, but looking at the current pricing they're very close, so yes, even without taking advantage of the ECC support the Xeon is a better choice.

 

 

I hate to be a party pooper, but the 1231 does not have onboard video....

That mobo will not post without a video card.