On Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 4:04 PM, Peter Bridge <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm looking to buy some new hardware to build a home ZFS based NAS. I know > ZFS can be quite CPU/mem hungry and I'd appreciate some opinions on the > following combination: > > Intel Essential Series D945GCLF2 > Kingston ValueRAM DIMM 2GB PC2-5300U CL5 (DDR2-667) (KVR667D2N5/2G) > > Firstly, does it sound like a reasonable combination to run OpenSolaris? > > Will Solaris make use of both processors? / all cores? > > Is it going to be enough power to run ZFS? > > I read that ZFS prefers 64bit, but it's not clear to me if the above board > will provide 64bit support. > > Also I already have 2 SATA II disks to throw in (using both onboard SATA II > ports), but ideally I would like to add a OS suitable PCI SATA card to add > maybe another 4 disks. Any suggestions on a suitable card please? >
------ quoting myself in another (possibly off-topic post) ------- I've tested OpenSolaris build 98, Belenix 0.7.1 and os20080501 on the Intel D945GCLF2 Dual Core 1.6GHz Atom Mini-ITX Board. Note the "2" at the end of the part number - this indicates the dual-core Atom CPU. All run fine and this board supports a single 2Gb DIMM. It's a little slow if you're building a desktop box, but fine if you're just doing lightweight browsing, word processing etc. Note that the board chipset consumes more power than the Atom CPU. A typical system based on this board will consume around 55 Watts. The other good news - this board costs about $80 (including the soldered in CPU). Just add a 2Gb DIMM and an IDE drive and you're up and running! ------ end of quote - save time typing! ------ This is a great board - but a step backwards in terms of total CPU horsepower, max memory size and expansion capability. It's 32-bit. Would I recommend it for ZFS - no. Is it future proof - no. You have not described your requirements (low-power ??, low-cost ??). But I'll contribute some pointers anyway! :) See this article entitled: G31 And E7200: The Real Low-Power Story October 10, 2008 – 1:50 AM – Motherboards at: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-e7200-g31,2039.html The E7200 dual-core (2.53GHz with 3Mb of cache) is a "sleeper" product IMHO. Low power (well below the published 65W power envelope), plenty of grunt and priced to go. Couple this chip on a system with 4 or 8Gb of RAM and you have a winner. For example, consider the "mid tier" system here: http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/15737/5 (the motherboard is $126) with an e7200 CPU and 2 memory kits from here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=KVR800D2K2%2F4GR&x=0&y=0 Also, take a look at: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052108080%201052420643%201052315794%201052516065&name=5 - look at the pricing *after* rebates and you're looking at brand-name memory (2 * 2Gb = 4Gb total) for $65 here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298 With ZFS - the most important hardware component is RAM. Get as much RAM as your motherboard will support (along with any budgetary constraints). My advice is the E7200 CPU, 8Gb of RAM and you'll have a smile on your face every time you use this system. If you want a small system that is pre-built, look at every possible permutation/combination of the Dell Vostro 200 box. Yes - I just put together a system based on this box and made a few "modifications" - like replacing the PSU with a Corsair VX450W, added 4 * 1Gb of RAM and an ATI Radeon 4850 (BTW Nvidia is much better supported under OpenSolaris). This system was built as a cost effective gamer box - but it would make a great ZFS box for 2 to 4 SATA drives (with the upgrades listed above [minus the graphics card]). Email me offline if I can answer any further questions. PS: It'll probably take you 2 or 3 hours to evaluate every combination possible of the dell Vostro 200 box - but the price/performance is unbeatable and it's hard to put together a comparable system, from parts, for less money. Obviously Dell gets Intel processors for way less than you and I. Regards, -- Al Hopper Logical Approach Inc,Plano,TX [EMAIL PROTECTED] Voice: 972.379.2133 Timezone: US CDT OpenSolaris Governing Board (OGB) Member - Apr 2005 to Mar 2007 http://www.opensolaris.org/os/community/ogb/ogb_2005-2007/ _______________________________________________ zfs-discuss mailing list zfs-discuss@opensolaris.org http://mail.opensolaris.org/mailman/listinfo/zfs-discuss
