ISO HTPC, Indexer, BitCoin Miner, NAS, Web Server, and General Purpose Server…Future Proofed.

[eriknorthrop]

The title says it all. Those are the tasks i want to accomplish and so far I have just the HTPC (XBMC), Indexer, and Web Server (properly serving pages) working. Performance is an issue when it comes to XBMC and the future bitCoin miner but everything else is mainly ethernet IO.

My main concern at this point is the set up i have:

Hardware:
HP Proliant ML350 G5, Dual intel 3.0 GHz quad core processors
16GB RAM
Intel 330 120GB SSD (OS installed here)
4 WD RED 3TB HDD + 4 Other Disparate HDs linked with FlexRAID (Used for the obvious)
2 IOCREST PCIe x1, 4 port SATA 6G non-RAID, Marvell 88SE9214 (Provides HD Connectivity to overcome Motherboard limitations) SI-PEX40064
1 ZOTAC ZT-60604-10L GeForce GT 610 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

Software:
Ubuntu Server 12.04
FlexRAID

The server motherboard is not meant for my desired uses, i realize that but, it was a great value for the money. After looking at the specifications from HP, this server is not meant to run Ubuntu and I’m sure is not made to do the things I’m asking of it. I believe these machines are better at acting at virtualization in a multi-server environment.

Moving forward i am interested in a build that will make each of my desired tasks operate very efficiently while providing a smooth 1080p/HD (video/audio) XBMC media experience. Most importantly, the running tasks/jobs/whatever should not be competing for resources or create conflicts with each other or create compatibility issues and the same goes for the hardware configuration. Ideally, id like to do this on a budget while not taking on a 200/month electric bill.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for the read and the feed back.

 

[DComander1x]

The title says it all. Those are the tasks i want to accomplish and so far I have just the HTPC (XBMC), Indexer, and Web Server (properly serving pages) working. Performance is an issue when it comes to XBMC and the future bitCoin miner but everything else is mainly ethernet IO.

My main concern at this point is the set up i have:

Hardware:
HP Proliant ML350 G5, Dual intel 3.0 GHz quad core processors
16GB RAM
Intel 330 120GB SSD (OS installed here)
4 WD RED 3TB HDD + 4 Other Disparate HDs linked with FlexRAID (Used for the obvious)
2 IOCREST PCIe x1, 4 port SATA 6G non-RAID, Marvell 88SE9214 (Provides HD Connectivity to overcome Motherboard limitations) SI-PEX40064
1 ZOTAC ZT-60604-10L GeForce GT 610 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

Software:
Ubuntu Server 12.04
FlexRAID

The server motherboard is not meant for my desired uses, i realize that but, it was a great value for the money. After looking at the specifications from HP, this server is not meant to run Ubuntu and I’m sure is not made to do the things I’m asking of it. I believe these machines are better at acting at virtualization in a multi-server environment.

Moving forward i am interested in a build that will make each of my desired tasks operate very efficiently while providing a smooth 1080p/HD (video/audio) XBMC media experience. Most importantly, the running tasks/jobs/whatever should not be competing for resources or create conflicts with each other or create compatibility issues and the same goes for the hardware configuration. Ideally, id like to do this on a budget while not taking on a 200/month electric bill.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for the read and the feed back.

The following build, should help, though, you can upgrade from the 6 core AMD to an 8 core version, and re-use your Raid Card, HDDs and SSDs.
This should run fine in everything, and doesn't require a separate GPU, and everything is Linux/Unix compatible.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($93.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($93.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($182.79 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($182.79 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($115.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($115.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($115.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($102.59 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Delta Electronics FFB1212EH-F00 150.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Delta Electronics FFB1212EH-F00 150.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Delta Electronics FFB1212EH-F00 150.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1409.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-11 14:14 EST-0500)

 

[sora]

The title says it all. Those are the tasks i want to accomplish and so far I have just the HTPC (XBMC), Indexer, and Web Server (properly serving pages) working. Performance is an issue when it comes to XBMC and the future bitCoin miner but everything else is mainly ethernet IO.

My main concern at this point is the set up i have:

Hardware:
HP Proliant ML350 G5, Dual intel 3.0 GHz quad core processors
16GB RAM
Intel 330 120GB SSD (OS installed here)
4 WD RED 3TB HDD + 4 Other Disparate HDs linked with FlexRAID (Used for the obvious)
2 IOCREST PCIe x1, 4 port SATA 6G non-RAID, Marvell 88SE9214 (Provides HD Connectivity to overcome Motherboard limitations) SI-PEX40064
1 ZOTAC ZT-60604-10L GeForce GT 610 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

Software:
Ubuntu Server 12.04
FlexRAID

The server motherboard is not meant for my desired uses, i realize that but, it was a great value for the money. After looking at the specifications from HP, this server is not meant to run Ubuntu and I’m sure is not made to do the things I’m asking of it. I believe these machines are better at acting at virtualization in a multi-server environment.

Moving forward i am interested in a build that will make each of my desired tasks operate very efficiently while providing a smooth 1080p/HD (video/audio) XBMC media experience. Most importantly, the running tasks/jobs/whatever should not be competing for resources or create conflicts with each other or create compatibility issues and the same goes for the hardware configuration. Ideally, id like to do this on a budget while not taking on a 200/month electric bill.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for the read and the feed back.

The following build, should help, though, you can upgrade from the 6 core AMD to an 8 core version, and re-use your Raid Card, HDDs and SSDs.
This should run fine in everything, and doesn't require a separate GPU, and everything is Linux/Unix compatible.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($93.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($93.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($182.79 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($182.79 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($115.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($115.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($115.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($102.59 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Delta Electronics FFB1212EH-F00 150.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Delta Electronics FFB1212EH-F00 150.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Delta Electronics FFB1212EH-F00 150.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1409.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-11 14:14 EST-0500)

This build should also mine coins relatively fast!

 

[ex_bubblehead]

^
No it won't. The difficulty level has risen to such a height that CPU/GPU mining is no longer viable. Even those using FPGA miners are finding that they need large numbers of machines (at great cost) to make it worthwhile.

 

[eriknorthrop]

Thank you all for the participation and guidance. This is the build i ended up going with:

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($177.69 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 520 Series Cherryville 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($179.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.87 @ Mwave)
Case Fan: Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-140 66.0 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.50 @ Mwave)
Case Fan: Fractal Design FD-FAN-SSR2-140 66.0 CFM 140mm Fan ($14.50 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 850W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $1695.48

In my original post, I stated that I wanted to mine for coins. Well, since there are new coins out there that use mcrypy which can definitely be done with a GPU, I am also successfully mining albeit at a relatively slow pace. Its a good exercise in how virtual currency works though.

Notes on the build. Its a great machine and I'm vary happy with the overall performance and ease of construction. I have placed myself in a good future resistant position with the CPU and RAM upgrades. I would have liked to go dual socket, just because. As a side note, I would like to see less preference for Windows from the motherboard manufacturers and more emphasis on the big three (Linux, Mac and Windows) but the market is what it is.

Happy building.