Seeking advice for first build

[TOMMY-V]

Hi all,

 

New to the Unraid scene and planning my first build.

 

The purpose of the build is to replace 3 existing devices on my home network.
1) 2012 MacMini i3 used as a Plex / App server
2) Synology DS410j 12TB NAS
3) Raspberry Pi3 running Home Assistant

 

The build will be spread over 3 phases with no timings set at the moment.

 

1) Application server to host Home Assistant, Plex, Sonarr, Radarr, ... in Docker containers (replace MacMini and RPi3)
    - AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (no GPU)
    - GigaByte Aorus B450 M    
    - 16GB Corsair kit 2400 (on HW compatibility list for the MB)
    - ADATA XPG SX8200 256GB nvme M.2 SSD
    - MSI nvidia GT-710 1GB
    - Sandisk Cruzer Fit 32GB as Flash drive
    
2) Add High(er) end GPU for Plex HW transcoding (once I get into HEVC-4K, now only H264-1080p)
    - nvidia 1050/1060/...
    
3) Add WD Red array (replace Synology)
    - 8 TB drive as parity
    - 2/3x 4TB as storage

    - Max 6 drives in total using all SATA ports on the MB

 

Some extra info:
1) I plan to add the NAS functionality last, during phase 1 & 2 my current NAS will remain functional as the fileserver for Plex / Apps
2) When adding the higher end GPU, the lower end GPU will remain in the system
3) VMs are not crucial, rather a nice to have
4) The server will run 24/7, headless

5) The server will be used from phase 1 on

 

I already watched a lot of videos on YT (mainly Space Invader One and Byte My Bits) and have concluded that this is the plan that works best for me.
Although I gathered a lot of info online, there are still some things that aren't completely clear to me.
Hoping to find some answers/advice here.

 

So, if anybody can help:

1) Can I start out without an array and only the M.2 SSD for app data, until I add phase 3?
2) When adding more drives, is there an easy way to migrate stuff on the SSD to the array and from then on use the SSD as cache?
3) When adding the high end GPU, can I use the low end GPU as passthrough for VMs? Will I gain antyhing this way when VMs will only be connected to remotely?
3) Is there anything I am missing hardware wise?
4) Any warnings using this setup as planned?
5) A cool serve name :-)

 

Thanks!

[trurl]

You must have at least one data drive in the array. 

[trurl]

3 hours ago, TOMMY-V said:

1) I plan to add the NAS functionality last, during phase 1 & 2 my current NAS will remain functional as the fileserver for Plex / Apps

The usual way would be to do the NAS functionality FIRST. This is the simpler part of the setup and a good way to get any kinks worked out of the hardware before proceeding to the more complex setup of your applications. And it doesn't make much sense to setup your media applications (plex) before you transfer your media.

[TOMMY-V]

@trurl, thank you for your answer.

 

I'll revise my setup. Leave out the NVME (seems that compatibility with those isn't 100% anyway) and replace it with a normal HDD to start with.

MY current NAS will be the last device to be replaced. I'll use that to backup the data on the data disk regulary.

 

 

[trurl]

That nvme should work fine as a cache drive, and I recommend installing a cache drive before setting up any applications, since ideally that is where they should reside. You will still need an HDD in the array though.