Custom NAS and Email Build

Lots of questions/advise from me!

What software will you be running?

Why an i5? Surely massive overkill.

No point in going Z170 with a non-k CPU. The H170 chipset has RAID support.

Depending on what software you are running (FreeNAS?) you'd be best off with a 16GB kit.

PSU is overkill, although really not much point in going with anything lower as the price to performance isn't much better.

NVMe isn't really needed in something which isn't reliant on boot speed.

Just 1x WD RED? No redundancy? Also why the Pro drives over the standard WD RED's?

Don't bother with the TP-Link gigabit adapter, buy an Intel based card with more than a single port.

:EDIT: Sorry - I think I've pretty much just pulled the build apart but to me that looks more like a media centre build/Mini-ITX gaming system (Minus graphics card).
 
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Hi thanks for the feedback, I've sent over my response below - I think NAS would've been the wrong description for this build - it'd be more of a Dev/Media server

BuToNz said:
Lots of questions/advise from me!

What software will you be running? Windows 10 or Server 2016

Why an i5? Surely massive overkill.
My main uses for this machine will be

  • Run Plex Server so I can stream audio through my home devices
  • Run a web server (IIS) for local dev and app creation
  • Remote Desktop through RDP for my dev and download media remotely
  • Local app dev with Visual Studio
  • Local backup from my laptop and other devices
  • An incoming mail server is a maybe

No point in going Z170 with a non-k CPU. The H170 chipset has RAID support.
Thanks for the pointer, I'll have a look at a H170

Depending on what software you are running (FreeNAS?) you'd be best off with a 16GB kit.
I'll add in 16GB since, well - Windows.

PSU is overkill, although really not much point in going with anything lower as the price to performance isn't much better.
It was the only decent PSU I could find for the price

NVMe isn't really needed in something which isn't reliant on boot speed.
As I said on my requirements above, I'll need the speed for my development etc. and overall snappiness. (+It'll be quieter for when I'm doing these activities)

Just 1x WD RED? No redundancy? Also why the Pro drives over the standard WD RED's?
I just saw 128MB cache and well.. the rest happened :) I can opt for maybe 2 x 2TB WD RED's

Don't bother with the TP-Link gigabit adapter, buy an Intel based card with more than a single port.

Gotcha- I'll do that!

:EDIT: Sorry - I think I've pretty much just pulled the build apart but to me that looks more like a media centre build/Mini-ITX gaming system (Minus graphics card).
Click to expand...
 
That makes more sense now!

Most of what I said still applies but stick with the i5/NVMe :)

Given this will be essentially a server I'd recommend making sure you do some form of external backup (Using the Windows built in backup will be fine). RAID is not a replacement for a good backup.

Also worth considering a UPS so in the event of power cuts you can safely shutdown without data loss.

Another note: Would something like a HP Microserver Gen8 with a Xeon upgrade not be a better fit? I think you could get that at around the same price with disks. You'll get the benefit of ECC memory support, lower power consumption and better CPU performance. You can add an SSD (SATA) for the boot drive easily.
 
If you are going to spend that kind of monies and do what you want to why not go all Xeon and stuffs?

I'm halfway through building an x99 2011-3 mATX powerhouse :)

Stelly
 
BuToNz said:
That makes more sense now!

Most of what I said still applies but stick with the i5/NVMe :)

Given this will be essentially a server I'd recommend making sure you do some form of external backup (Using the Windows built in backup will be fine). RAID is not a replacement for a good backup.

Also worth considering a UPS so in the event of power cuts you can safely shutdown without data loss.

Another note: Would something like a HP Microserver Gen8 with a Xeon upgrade not be a better fit? I think you could get that at around the same price with disks. You'll get the benefit of ECC memory support, lower power consumption and better CPU performance. You can add an SSD (SATA) for the boot drive easily.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help, I looked at the HP MicroServer but I can seeing it cost a lot more if I did a Xeon upgrade and had my RAM increase to 16GB. + I'll need to buy my drives for it.

Stelly said:
If you are going to spend that kind of monies and do what you want to why not go all Xeon and stuffs?

I'm halfway through building an x99 2011-3 mATX powerhouse :)

Stelly
Click to expand...

I was considering a Xeon CPU but they increased the price of the build. I'm just aiming for something that is powerful enough for me to run all my tasks and also quiet as it'll be sitting in the landing, right next to my router in the house.
 
Mini ATX, just make sure you get high SP fans (static pressure), as there isn't going to be open space to allow 'normal' fans to breathe, so ones with high SP will have the power to make sure they can stick to low rpm and push enough air.

Just my 2 cents.
 
BuToNz said:
Fractal Node 304?
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/fractal-design-node-304-htpc-chassis-black-ca-025-fd.html
Click to expand...

Perfect case, I'll wait for it to get in stock. Thanks

agnes said:
Mini ATX, just make sure you get high SP fans (static pressure), as there isn't going to be open space to allow 'normal' fans to breathe, so ones with high SP will have the power to make sure they can stick to low rpm and push enough air.

Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Definitely will do, thanks for the feedback.
 
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