Hi eveyrone,

 

I will soon be building an Unraid server for all my files and media (mostly Plex), and also I will use a couple of Windows VMs to game and edit video (Adobe Premiere).

 

Would love your feedback on the following components before buying:

 

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor  ($749.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U14S TR4-SP3 140.2 CFM CPU Cooler  ($74.89 @ Newegg Marketplace) 
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty X399 Professional Gaming ATX TR4 Motherboard  ($439.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory  ($399.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 1.0TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($397.00 @ Newegg Business) 
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Mini Video Card  ($274.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design - Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($137.66 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic - PRIME Ultra Titanium 1000W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A15 PWM 140mm Fan  ($21.41 @ OutletPC) 
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM  140mm Fan  ($21.65 @ OutletPC) 
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM  140mm Fan  ($21.65 @ OutletPC) 
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM  140mm Fan  ($21.65 @ OutletPC) 
Other: LSI 9305-16i x8 lane, PCIe 3.0 SAS SAS 9305 12 Gb/s SAS Host Bus  ($445.15 @ Newegg Business) 
Other: LiNKFOR 2x Mini 10Gbps SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable HDD Hard Drive Splitter Cable 50cm  ($20.98 @ Amazon) 
Other: LiNKFOR 2x Mini 10Gbps SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable HDD Hard Drive Splitter Cable 50cm  ($20.98 @ Amazon) 
Other: LiNKFOR 2x Mini 10Gbps SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable HDD Hard Drive Splitter Cable 50cm  ($20.98 @ Amazon) 
Other: LiNKFOR 2x Mini 10Gbps SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable HDD Hard Drive Splitter Cable 50cm  ($20.98 @ Amazon) 
Total: $3328.92
 

 

Thanks!

 

20 minutes ago, txenakis said:

Power Supply: SeaSonic - PRIME Ultra Titanium 1000W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

1KW is over-kill in my opinion, you probably only need a 650W-750W for what is listed.

 

25 minutes ago, txenakis said:

Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty X399 Professional Gaming ATX TR4 Motherboard  ($439.99 @ Amazon) 

I would search through the forums, if you haven't already, for that board - just to see if anyone has any issues with it. I don't know of any off hand, for your chosen board, but the motherboards I feel have the most snags for running VM's. 

 

 

LSI 9305 was SFF8643, so SFF8087 cable was wrong.

And why you buy a 16i card for Define R5 ?

Edited June 16, 20188 yr by Benson

8 hours ago, Benson said:

LSI 9305 was SFF8643, so SFF8087 cable was wrong.

And why you buy a 16i card for Define R5 ?

 

Thanks I'll get the correct cables.

 

I plan to use 15 drives in the R5 using additional drive cages.

Make sure the ram is Samsung bdie, typically for that speed it should be cl14.

Also TR is quad channel, consider either going 4x8(32GB) or 4x16GB(64GB) from the get go, note running on the second bank (using all 8 slots) may impact ability to run at full rated speed.

 

It’s actually pretty similar to my TR build, so it should serve you well, my Taichi has been flawless.

 

Also be aware TR refresh is only a few months away, this may or may not be a factor for you.

Thanks I'll check the RAM. I would love the new threadripper but it will be pricey and the 1950x is only 630 at Microcenter, so i think it will be enough for my needs.

 

I noticed in your build you have a RAID0 cache. Should I get 2x512GB m.2 instead of a 1TB one? Or maybe a second SSD?

 

Also how is the airflow in this case with these components? Should i get extra fans or are the ones that come with the R5 enough?

 

Thanks

1 hour ago, txenakis said:

hanks I'll check the RAM. I would love the new threadripper but it will be pricey and the 1950x is only 630 at Microcenter,

Another thing to consider is to lurk on the "Buy, Sell, Trade"  and this forum thread (Threadripper 2! - Lounge)  maybe you could find a community member willing to sell their TR for a deal?

 

-- just a thought.

Good call, I'll take a look. Thanks!

13 hours ago, txenakis said:

I noticed in your build you have a RAID0 cache. Should I get 2x512GB m.2 instead of a 1TB one? Or maybe a second SSD?

It's given a performance boost over a single 1TB, but I'd also consider running 2x512GB in the default RAID1 for data redundancy.

Of course you could stick with what you have chosen and add another stick later on

Really depends on budget and how critical (or replaceable) the data you are working on is.

 

Also how is the airflow in this case with these components? Should i get extra fans or are the ones that come with the R5 enough?

I would fill the front with fans (+1 fan), particularly to keep drives cool, in my case it made a noticeable difference getting good airflow to my parity (WD Black) drive.

I also found my system ran cooler with the side panel fan (+1 fan) added (non windowed R5).
 

 

Thanks will do!

On 6/15/2018 at 11:08 PM, txenakis said:

Hi eveyrone,

Other: LSI 9305-16i x8 lane, PCIe 3.0 SAS SAS 9305 12 Gb/s SAS Host Bus  ($445.15 @ Newegg Business) 
Other: LiNKFOR 2x Mini 10Gbps SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable HDD Hard Drive Splitter Cable 50cm  ($20.98 @ Amazon) 
Other: LiNKFOR 2x Mini 10Gbps SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable HDD Hard Drive Splitter Cable 50cm  ($20.98 @ Amazon) 
Other: LiNKFOR 2x Mini 10Gbps SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable HDD Hard Drive Splitter Cable 50cm  ($20.98 @ Amazon) 
Other: LiNKFOR 2x Mini 10Gbps SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin Multi-Lane Forward Breakout Internal Cable HDD Hard Drive Splitter Cable 50cm  ($20.98 @ Amazon) 
Total: $3328.92

 

 

Not sure why you are opting for this controller card. It is pretty pricey and unless you are running SSDs off the card, not going to equate to s performance advantage.

 

For about $150, you can buy an LSI SAS9201-16i card which will work well for 16 spinners.  For example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LSI00244-9201-16i-OEM-PCI-Express-2-0-x-8-SATA-SAS-Host-Bus-Adapter-Card/113060096975?hash=item1a52e82bcf:g:QVwAAOSwvmNbIUaj

 

If you don't need 16 ports, the -8i version is about $50.

 

Hook SSDs to motherboard ports.

 

You might also look at Monoprice for the SFF-8087 breakout cables:

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8186

 

$5.39 is a lot less than $21. (and there is a 15% off code for Father's Day). They do charge shipping but it is nominal.

 

This is 1/2 meter, but you can buy longer lengths if needed. Shorter is better though. Just measure approx distance. I have mostly 1/2m, but one 3/4m.

 

Good luck!