I have around 30TB of data scattared around between cloud services, external hard drives, a small plex server, etc.

I would like start a storage server to store everything, with a bit of computing power for other task (plex as mentioned).

I’m looking on ebay at the Dell Edgeserver t330 or similar, starting with 3x 18TB drives, and since it has 8 bay, I’ll have plenty of space for future upgrades. It seems have also a decent cpu, so it should handle plex and some other tasks without issues.

My concerns is about noise; it is going to be put under a desk in my lab and not inside a rack, I saw some videos on youtube and it doesnt seem too noisy, but hard to tell from a video. And for power usage, it will run mostly at idle I think, so I dont think it will drink too much.

Do you think it make sense? Any suggestion?

As said, the only hard requirements are quite a bit disk spaces for future expansion (6x-8x 3.5 drive support) a decent cpu, and doesnt have to be too noisy.

I’ve also evaluated buying a parts a built it from scratch, using like the new intel n100 with is very powerful with low power usage, a big case and so on for a similar price.

  • sx44@lemmy.worldOP
    2·
    1 year ago

    Thats the current approach, I’ve a small asrock j3455, in a microatx case with debian all bare metal, but does not have any room for more than 2 disks, so thats why I’m looking for an upgrade and so concentrate everything.

    The reason why I’m also checking out used server stuff is mainly costs, here (EU) I can get that Edgeserver for around 250/300 eur, and I have just to pop in some disks and thats done, while for that money, you just get a decent cpu+mobo+ram combo, and than add on top a case, ps and cooling. Ofc everything 2nd hand, let alone the buying new stuff.

    • TCB13@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      EU here as well. Thing is that old server hardware is always more expensive comparatively less older consumer hardware and wastes a LOT more power. That is why I would avoid it.

      • sx44@lemmy.worldOP
        1·
        1 year ago

        On the power I agree, but as I said I found on ebay that dell t330 (250/300 eur) for the same price of a i7 6th, a mobo and 16gb ram, which on top I have to add cooling (a decent one for around 50 eur), case (for that many disks, around 150 eur min) and psu(something not too shitty, so 50-60 eur), thats why I started considering it.

        Which case are you using? The only affordable thing that I found available that is able to house 8 disks is the enthoo phanteks, for around 120 eur.