These were originally built as a VSAN which I plan on replicating once I build a proper home vSphere environment. Each of the 740s have about 12TB raw in them but I'd like to load the 8 empty bays in each, anyone know where I can get a stack of cheap/used 1.8TB 2.5" SAS drives? I care more about capacity compared to speed as I plan on making the 440 a standalone all flash host.
OK FOR EVERYONE SAYING I AM GOING TO NEED A PERSONAL NUCLEAR REACTOR TO RUN THESE:
I just looked at a similar host (same hardware but way more disks) at work that is running about 60% CPU load and a ton of disk IO
Data: Average usage: 310 Watts Max Peak: 402 Watts Min Peak: 192 Watts
I think people mistakenly assume that these enterprise servers draw like thousands of watts or something. Yes they are certainly more than an efficient small home server but they aren't some three-phase commercial electric clothes dryer.
I think it's mostly that even "smallish" power draws like 300W adds up in cost quicker than you think if it's on 24/7. I don't know where you live or what you pay for power, but I live in one of the cheapest places for power in the US and pay ~$0.12/kWh, and that still equates to ~$1000/year/kW for 24/7 operation. I know when I finally did the math it surprised me.