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Processor: (3.40 GHz) 4-Core Intel Core i7-6700 Processor
Memory (RAM): 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4 U Memory (for i-series/Core Processors)
Graphics Card: Integrated Graphics (with i series processors only) +$0.00
Drive 1: 3TB HDD SATA 7.2k 3.5" Hard Drive
Drive 2: 3TB HDD SATA 7.2k 3.5" Hard Drive
M.2 Storage: 512GB M.2 SSD NVMe Drive
Price: $291.95
My main concern with this option is energy usage. The CPU's TDP is 65W, the CPU in my current server's TDP is 35W.
It does have a few advantages over my current setup:
- More RAM 8 → 32
- Better CPU, passmark score 4766 → 8091, threads 4 → 8
- Ability to use RAID, current setup only has the capacity for 1 drive.
Is this a good option or is there a better option? I've also been considering using an external drive enclosure with software RAID, but I heard that could be unreliable.
EDIT: Is the price good? Shipping is quite expensive (about $100), so I'm only planning on buying it if the deal is good.
If RAID is what you're after, don't mind the premium for SSD storage and have available 5.25" bays, I highly recommend 5.25" mobile racks. The one I'm using is a a cheap 4 drive one, but if you want something more premium there is always ICY DOCK.
I doubt a 5.25” rack will fit in my closet but thanks for the suggestion 😄
Mobile rack is just what these things seem to be called. Basically it's just a cage that fits multiple 2.5" drives into a CD/DVD drive bay.
Oh okay, I thought it was a lot bigger. It's still not going to fit in my Lenovo SFF PC I use as home server though.
i got a Fujitsu D556/2 (SFF as well) exactly because it seemed to have an optical drive bay. Turned out it does not have one, but some double sided tape and ugly cable management solved the issue for me :D.
Interesting solution. How did you connect it? PCIe?
My model, and I believe all other, have a 4pin molex connector for the power and as many sata ports as the rack can handle (in my case 4). My "mobile rack" came with 4 rather long sata cables (about 30cm) so it was easy to fit them through an empty pcie bracket slot and I just had to buy a somewhat long 4pin molex adapter.
The drives are practically internal, they are just located outside of the case in said "mobile rack".