F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Create a desktop server build for BuildAdviceNew

Create a desktop server build for BuildAdviceNew

Create a desktop server build for BuildAdviceNew

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DeltaMuffinMC
Junior Member
41
10-13-2021, 12:41 AM
#1
I’m organizing a desktop server setup and seeking guidance on hardware decisions.
Potential Applications
Media: Jellyfin
File hosting: FileZilla Server
Network filtering: AdGuard or Pi-hole
Remote access: TailScale, RustDesk
Development: Visual Studio Code (projects plus testing)
Virtualization: 1–2 virtual machines
Storage/Backup: Local PC backups, torrent client
Monitoring & Management: Self-hosted status page, ticket system (work-related)

Suggested Components
Case: DARKROCK Classico ($90)
Abundant drive bays and good value.
OS Storage: 500GB–1TB NVMe M.2 SSD ($80–$150)
HDDs: Seagate BarraCuda 8TB ×12
SATA 6 Gb/s, 5,400 RPM, 256MB cache ($100–$200 each)
Motherboard: Need suggestions
RAM: 64GB–128GB DDR4 or DDR5 (~$300)
CPU: Need suggestions
CPU cooler: Need suggestions
Power supply: Need recommendations
Operating System: Windows Server or Linux (preference leans toward Windows)
Budget: Approximately $1,000 available, aiming for essentials only, avoiding unnecessary upgrades. This machine will be used mostly during the day.
D
DeltaMuffinMC
10-13-2021, 12:41 AM #1

I’m organizing a desktop server setup and seeking guidance on hardware decisions.
Potential Applications
Media: Jellyfin
File hosting: FileZilla Server
Network filtering: AdGuard or Pi-hole
Remote access: TailScale, RustDesk
Development: Visual Studio Code (projects plus testing)
Virtualization: 1–2 virtual machines
Storage/Backup: Local PC backups, torrent client
Monitoring & Management: Self-hosted status page, ticket system (work-related)

Suggested Components
Case: DARKROCK Classico ($90)
Abundant drive bays and good value.
OS Storage: 500GB–1TB NVMe M.2 SSD ($80–$150)
HDDs: Seagate BarraCuda 8TB ×12
SATA 6 Gb/s, 5,400 RPM, 256MB cache ($100–$200 each)
Motherboard: Need suggestions
RAM: 64GB–128GB DDR4 or DDR5 (~$300)
CPU: Need suggestions
CPU cooler: Need suggestions
Power supply: Need recommendations
Operating System: Windows Server or Linux (preference leans toward Windows)
Budget: Approximately $1,000 available, aiming for essentials only, avoiding unnecessary upgrades. This machine will be used mostly during the day.

J
julotrib51
Junior Member
3
10-14-2021, 02:42 PM
#2
Bigger drives would simplify the setup. There are several boards with six ports and a few with eight. This setup seems feasible using an 8 stick configuration with DDR4. Four sticks of RAM with DDR5 usually don’t mesh well.

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor
($219.25 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($44.39 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z790 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
($231.10 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 128 GB (4 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
($316.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Montech CENTURY II 1050 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power...
J
julotrib51
10-14-2021, 02:42 PM #2

Bigger drives would simplify the setup. There are several boards with six ports and a few with eight. This setup seems feasible using an 8 stick configuration with DDR4. Four sticks of RAM with DDR5 usually don’t mesh well.

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor
($219.25 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($44.39 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z790 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
($231.10 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 128 GB (4 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
($316.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Montech CENTURY II 1050 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power...

T
TheBozoPlays
Senior Member
642
10-16-2021, 01:28 AM
#3
Do not cut corners on the PSU. I see "server" clearly; though eight HDDs might seem excessive, what factors justify needing that many? Which software applications will run on the server? Most developers list requirements as "minimal," "recommended," or "best." You aim for the highest possible performance without overspending. Set up a chart or grid to verify each app’s hardware needs. The server hardware should handle the toughest ones. Search online and carefully review all user guides and manuals for the parts you’re considering. Focus on every detail, even in diagrams.
T
TheBozoPlays
10-16-2021, 01:28 AM #3

Do not cut corners on the PSU. I see "server" clearly; though eight HDDs might seem excessive, what factors justify needing that many? Which software applications will run on the server? Most developers list requirements as "minimal," "recommended," or "best." You aim for the highest possible performance without overspending. Set up a chart or grid to verify each app’s hardware needs. The server hardware should handle the toughest ones. Search online and carefully review all user guides and manuals for the parts you’re considering. Focus on every detail, even in diagrams.

S
ssauce
Member
162
11-06-2021, 05:30 PM
#4
Thank you for your comments. The decision to use 8tb drives comes from the ability to secure a favorable price through a vendor for work. I intend to combine a large Jellyfin server with this new setup, as the Jellyfin folder alone exceeds 10tb.

For software, I aim to stick to what was outlined in the use case. My preferred options are Windows Server 2022 or Ubuntu Server, though I’m more comfortable with the former.

Thanks again, and I’ll keep checking while searching for parts.
S
ssauce
11-06-2021, 05:30 PM #4

Thank you for your comments. The decision to use 8tb drives comes from the ability to secure a favorable price through a vendor for work. I intend to combine a large Jellyfin server with this new setup, as the Jellyfin folder alone exceeds 10tb.

For software, I aim to stick to what was outlined in the use case. My preferred options are Windows Server 2022 or Ubuntu Server, though I’m more comfortable with the former.

Thanks again, and I’ll keep checking while searching for parts.

Y
Ytueur
Member
54
11-07-2021, 07:28 PM
#5
I'm focusing only on the parts you're interested in getting advice about. The $1k budget won't cover a motherboard with enough SATA slots. Raid controller cards might fit, but they can become costly quickly.
Y
Ytueur
11-07-2021, 07:28 PM #5

I'm focusing only on the parts you're interested in getting advice about. The $1k budget won't cover a motherboard with enough SATA slots. Raid controller cards might fit, but they can become costly quickly.

R
ragemonster6
Junior Member
16
11-08-2021, 12:52 AM
#6
Yes, that’s the reason I needed assistance—I realized there might be constraints. I considered increasing the TB per drive and consolidating them, or using virtual drives to combine some.
R
ragemonster6
11-08-2021, 12:52 AM #6

Yes, that’s the reason I needed assistance—I realized there might be constraints. I considered increasing the TB per drive and consolidating them, or using virtual drives to combine some.

M
Morphire
Member
244
11-08-2021, 02:35 AM
#7
Bigger drives would simplify the process considerably. There are several boards featuring six ports, and a few with eight. This setup seems feasible, using an 8 stick configuration with DDR4. Four sticks of RAM with DDR5 usually don’t perform well.

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor
($219.25 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($44.39 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z790 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700
($231.10 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 128 GB (4 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16
($316.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Montech CENTURY II 1050 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX
($109.90 @ Amazon)
Overall Cost: $921.63
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts

Generated by
PCPartPicker
2025-09-10 08:17 EDT-0400
Edit* Noted the emergence of 2x64GB DDR5 kits; latency is somewhat poor, but it shouldn’t be a major concern for your needs.
M
Morphire
11-08-2021, 02:35 AM #7

Bigger drives would simplify the process considerably. There are several boards featuring six ports, and a few with eight. This setup seems feasible, using an 8 stick configuration with DDR4. Four sticks of RAM with DDR5 usually don’t perform well.

PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor
($219.25 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Royal Pretor 130 81.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($44.39 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z790 Pro RS/D4 ATX LGA1700
($231.10 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V 128 GB (4 x 32 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16
($316.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Montech CENTURY II 1050 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX
($109.90 @ Amazon)
Overall Cost: $921.63
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts

Generated by
PCPartPicker
2025-09-10 08:17 EDT-0400
Edit* Noted the emergence of 2x64GB DDR5 kits; latency is somewhat poor, but it shouldn’t be a major concern for your needs.

C
CrazyBessyCat
Posting Freak
912
11-08-2021, 04:36 AM
#8
Thanks! It's clearer to use larger drives because of the few available slots. I'll choose 10tb drives.
C
CrazyBessyCat
11-08-2021, 04:36 AM #8

Thanks! It's clearer to use larger drives because of the few available slots. I'll choose 10tb drives.

G
Gabrieland121
Junior Member
23
11-08-2021, 06:14 PM
#9
You don't have to fret about the number of SATA ports on the motherboard when you have an extra PCIe x8 slot for an LSI IT-mode HBA controller card. These cards are available in various models, offering choices for 4, 8, 12, 16, or even 20 hard drives.
Check the forums for more details here: https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...an...odels.599/
I purchase genuine LSI cards second-hand on eBay (ex server pulls), and you can also find Chinese "clones" on different websites. These cards work just as well with SATA or SAS drives, but avoid combining the two types on a single card.
Ensure you install the IT (Intiator Target) firmware on the card, not the IR (RAID) firmware. Operating systems like TrueNAS Core require full visibility of the drives, which can be limited by IR firmware.
Look for part numbers that end in -12i (IT-mode), not -12e (IR mode). A number ending in 12 indicates support for 12 drives; for more, seek a -16i card for IT-mode 16 drives.
The SAS3008 series operates at PCIe x3 speed (12Gb/s), but I still use the older SAS2008 series at PCIe x2 speed (6Gb/s) with 8 hard disks in TrueNAS Core. Here are some recommended cards for up to 8 drives:
- https://www.amazon.com/SAS3008-9300-8I-8...B0DCGP6Z87
- https://www.amazon.com/SXTAIGOOD-9211-8i...B0BWY1VH3V
You'll need three SFF-8087 forward breakout cables for 12 hard disks.
- https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Int...B012BPLYJC
- https://www.servethehome.com/sas-sa...80...onnectors/
G
Gabrieland121
11-08-2021, 06:14 PM #9

You don't have to fret about the number of SATA ports on the motherboard when you have an extra PCIe x8 slot for an LSI IT-mode HBA controller card. These cards are available in various models, offering choices for 4, 8, 12, 16, or even 20 hard drives.
Check the forums for more details here: https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...an...odels.599/
I purchase genuine LSI cards second-hand on eBay (ex server pulls), and you can also find Chinese "clones" on different websites. These cards work just as well with SATA or SAS drives, but avoid combining the two types on a single card.
Ensure you install the IT (Intiator Target) firmware on the card, not the IR (RAID) firmware. Operating systems like TrueNAS Core require full visibility of the drives, which can be limited by IR firmware.
Look for part numbers that end in -12i (IT-mode), not -12e (IR mode). A number ending in 12 indicates support for 12 drives; for more, seek a -16i card for IT-mode 16 drives.
The SAS3008 series operates at PCIe x3 speed (12Gb/s), but I still use the older SAS2008 series at PCIe x2 speed (6Gb/s) with 8 hard disks in TrueNAS Core. Here are some recommended cards for up to 8 drives:
- https://www.amazon.com/SAS3008-9300-8I-8...B0DCGP6Z87
- https://www.amazon.com/SXTAIGOOD-9211-8i...B0BWY1VH3V
You'll need three SFF-8087 forward breakout cables for 12 hard disks.
- https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Int...B012BPLYJC
- https://www.servethehome.com/sas-sa...80...onnectors/