This is my first time building with a server processor.
Main challenge is in determining CPU / MoBo.
Basic setup will be:
Proxmox as primary OS
Virtualized TrueNAS
– and, to avoid the quite valid observation, I understand this would likely be best as multiple boxes. For now, circumstances dictate that it be built as an ‘everything machine’ and then moved to dedicated boxes later.
This will be a homelab / personal / private work server used for a bit of everything:
virtualized TrueNAS (HBA in IT mode)
CCTV
media server & transcoding
Multiple containers / vm’s for dev work
Home automation
I can easily see having 10 containers / vm’s running concurrently.
Hoping to get some guidance on minimum processor specs to look for.
To avoid a dGPU, my goal is to use a Xeon with QuickSync.
Get the Proxmox set correctly to work with TrueNAS.
You need to be more specific on a few items in your list. CCTV - just recording, running facial recogition, etc? VMs, resources dedicated? Everything else is fairly lightweight.
You have to be very careful to run a TrueNAS in Proxmox. A lot of potential for trouble, corruption, etc.
I suggest you find a chip with Video to allow the GPU to help BlueIris / Frigate / whatever work with AI or buy an external tensor unit and plug it in via USB. I’m about to give Frigate a try as I found ZoneMinder in CORE to be terrible. Frigate allegedly will allow use of the Coral TPU and will allegedly run inside a Docker container.
CCTV, currently just recording, but facial recognition could certainly be in the future – that was a great question.
dedicated resources: Other than making sure there is no lag for TrueNAS, CCTV, media streaming, there is nothing currently planned.
I like to tinker, but want a base system that ‘just works’. My total budget for this, including case, redundant system SSD x 2, ECC RAM, HBA, PSU is around 2k (I already have the NAS drives).
Initial RAM is likely to be 64GB ECC unbuffered.
I am likely to be the only one connected to it most of the time.
Check the drive model numbers to make sure they are all CMR and not SMR recording tech.
Research the processor models you listed. I don’t know which do Quick Sync.
You need to have enough cores for the VMs you want to run but other than that, you really don’t need much for a processor.
You can go through the Resources section to see posts and some past builds along with the ZFS primer and hardware advice. HBA, just stay away from RAID models that can’t be flashed into IT mode or just look for a plain HBA.
Thank you all who replied. Your assistance is incredibly helpful and is the likely reason for potential success.
Main Parts are ordered – Sanity check welcome.
CPU: Xeon E-2378G
MoBo: SuperMicro X12STL-F
RAM: OWC 64GB (2x32GB) DDR4 3200MHz ECC UDIMM
Storage (OS): 2x 2T WD Black SN850 SSD
Storage (Scratch): 4T WD Black SN850 SSD
HBA: LSI Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8-port 12Gb/s
Storage (NAS): Migrating existing Exos X18
Case: SilverStone Technology CS382 8-Bay
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Freezer 36 CO
Have been doing as much research as is possible, but still have some questions:
Does the SuperMicro X12STL-F support bifurcation?
unless it is called something else, it is not listed in the PlatformFeatureSupportMatrix pdf.
If not, is there a recommendation for another MoBo that will accept the Xeon E-2378G, provide iGPU capabilities, and can support HBA, 3 x NVMe (potentially via a PCIe card)?
If it does support bifurcation, here is the current PCIe config:
4.0 x8 (in x16 slot)
4.0 x8 (in x8 slot) → will be used for HBA
4.0 x4 (in x8 slot)
3.0 x2 (in x4 slot)
Any suggestions for PCI → NVMe M.2 cards that can handle 2 M.2 gracefully?
Other items still looking for and would welcome suggestions:
