Ive currently got the server in my signature. It has and still is perfect for my previous needs as a Plex/file server and to run backups. I however am planning on going to an esxi host with a VM running Server 2016 filling the current role and then 3-4 CentOS VM's as a lab while I study for my RHCSA and beyond as a learning/personal lab setup. Yes I will be running these VM's 24/7 (at least at some point), so my requirements are not flexible.
I feel like a Ryzen R7 1700 would be a perfect CPU for this role especially considering the sub $300 price. However it seems to me like the AM4 platform, especially ITX and mATX is lackluster. Is there any expectation for the platform to get better offerings soon?
Ideally Id want ITX, but would be willing to move a step up to mATX. A perfect situation would be dual port gigabit built in and 6+ sata on board. Every ITX is 4 sata and 1 ethernet. I found 1 or 2 mATX boards with dual gigabit, and a couple with 6+ sata but not both afaik. It just seems like all of the ITX/mATX AM4 boards are aimed at extreme budget builds.
The problem with ITX having single NIC and 4 sata is that with only the 1 pcie slot I cant add a NIC and more sata ports (at least I couldnt find an AIB with both on it). I considered using USB3 nics and a sata board but it looks like esxi support for USB NIC's requires some funky stuff to make it work. The situation with mATX is the choice of cases that are both relatively slim and support 6+ internal 3.5" drives is limited and has trade offs although right now this is more likely the route I take. It sux because the Node 304 case is awesome and fits right in my TV stand, but just barely. Anything larger and I then have to find another spot for it in my apt that it doesnt stand out like a soar thumb and still gets airflow.
Intel has some much nicer ITX boards but nothing that reasonably supports a sub $300 8c/16t processor.
So anyone else built a R7 server in an ITX or mATX facotr and have recommendations for overcoming these issues?
Some of my ideas that do not seem like they will pan out are:
I feel like a Ryzen R7 1700 would be a perfect CPU for this role especially considering the sub $300 price. However it seems to me like the AM4 platform, especially ITX and mATX is lackluster. Is there any expectation for the platform to get better offerings soon?
Ideally Id want ITX, but would be willing to move a step up to mATX. A perfect situation would be dual port gigabit built in and 6+ sata on board. Every ITX is 4 sata and 1 ethernet. I found 1 or 2 mATX boards with dual gigabit, and a couple with 6+ sata but not both afaik. It just seems like all of the ITX/mATX AM4 boards are aimed at extreme budget builds.
The problem with ITX having single NIC and 4 sata is that with only the 1 pcie slot I cant add a NIC and more sata ports (at least I couldnt find an AIB with both on it). I considered using USB3 nics and a sata board but it looks like esxi support for USB NIC's requires some funky stuff to make it work. The situation with mATX is the choice of cases that are both relatively slim and support 6+ internal 3.5" drives is limited and has trade offs although right now this is more likely the route I take. It sux because the Node 304 case is awesome and fits right in my TV stand, but just barely. Anything larger and I then have to find another spot for it in my apt that it doesnt stand out like a soar thumb and still gets airflow.
Intel has some much nicer ITX boards but nothing that reasonably supports a sub $300 8c/16t processor.
So anyone else built a R7 server in an ITX or mATX facotr and have recommendations for overcoming these issues?
Some of my ideas that do not seem like they will pan out are:
- USB3 NICs, sata AIB
- pcie splitter/riser giving me 2x pcie (x16 to two of any combination really) allowing a dual port or greater NIC and another AIB for sata.
- AIB with both ethernet and sata