Intel D-1518 or Xeon E2-1220v3?

[Alexdi]

I'm having some trouble picking between approaches to a new file server. My basic requirements are:

* 9+ SATA
* 16GB+ ECC RAM
* Passmark 5000 or better CPU
* 10 GBe x 1
* ITX

The solution is destined for a UNAS 8-bay case. The OS is likely to be Rockstor on top of ESXi, or Rockstor alone if that doesn't work. BTRFS is the major draw here. The device also needs to run Plex and Crashplan; this is where ESXi and a lightweight Windows install come in if that doesn't work on Rockstor. It'll be directly-connected via 10GBe to my workstation (hence the "ext. NIC").

Motherboard: Super Micro X10SDV-4C-TLN4F ($520.00)
Memory: Samsung 16GB (1 x 16GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A9x14 29.7 CFM 92mm Fan ($15.95 @ Amazon)
Ext. NIC: Intel X540-T2 10G ($160.00)
HBA: Adaptec 5805-8 ($0.00)
...
Total: $1634.94

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220 V3 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($140.00)
Motherboard: Asrock E3C224D4I-14S ($210.00)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($42.34 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($99.99 @ Adorama)
NIC: Intel X520-DA1 10GB SFP ($50.00)
Ext. NIC: Intel X520-DA1 10GB SFP ($50.00)
...
Total: $1429.72

From what I see, the extra $200 gets me a few more 10 GBe ports (superfluous here) in an RJ-45 format that's likely to match a future 10GBe switch (years out, realistically), and DDR4 memory (also not likely to make much difference; I never see expanding this box past 32GB).

One significant difference is the 10GBe approach. I can use cheap SFP NICs if I'm installing my own. If I use SM's integrated 10GBase-T, I have to buy a 10GBase-T NIC for the workstation. I'm therefore leaning toward the 1220 system now.

Is there a factor I'm not considering? Thanks!

 

[Patrick]

Do not get the Adapted 5805 at this point. Get a LSI HBA (SAS2008 or newer).

Why V3 not V5?

 

[Alexdi]

I already have the 5805, it's been lovely as a RAID controller and I imagine the same as a pass-through. The V3 appears to be the least expensive of the various Xeons. I've talked myself into ECC memory and 10GBe, but don't have much of a use case for anything more powerful.

 

[kiwimonk]

I've been looking at the same kind of setup. You actually wouldn't be able to run v5 chip in that motherboard as it's FCLGA1150, but a v4 would work. I'm personally leaning towards the Xeon-D since it should draw less power.

BTRFS is also my goal. I tested RockStor in a VM for a bit and didn't feel it was ready for primetime. Have you considered running Xpenology? It should be getting BTRFS support once they get 6.0 up and running.

 

[hjfr]

Motherboard: Super Micro X10SDV-4C-TLN4F ($520.00)
Memory: Samsung 16GB (1 x 16GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A9x14 29.7 CFM 92mm Fan ($15.95 @ Amazon)
Ext. NIC: Intel X540-T2 10G ($160.00)
HBA: Adaptec 5805-8 ($0.00)
...
Total: $1634.94

You can' add both external NIC and HBA card because there is only only one PCI-E port on this motherboard.
But you have 2x 1GB and 2x 10GB (copper) integrated.

 

[kiwimonk]

You can' add both external NIC and HBA card because there is only only one PCI-E port on this motherboard.
But you have 2x 1GB and 2x 10GB (copper) integrated.

The external NIC is for his second computer in the Xe0n-D build... Since the board already comes with onboard copper 10G. The Xeon E3 board comes with a HBA onboard, so the situation is reversed.

 

[Alexdi]

I hadn't actually heard Xpenology, I'll check it out. My take on Rockstor is that the GUI is a little too beta, but BTRFS itself is good enough and you can control it easily by command line. The main draw is that I expect it to progress faster in ways that I care about relative to the other Linux distros because the focus is so narrow.

Incidentally, my build is totally different than the above-- I opted for an Xeon X3450 / X8SIL-F / 16GB combination because I couldn't justify a larger spend. All three of those parts came to around $130. (If the X8SIL wasn't so picky about RAM, I'd have 32GB. Humbug! Ha.)