NK 4.0 mini build with X9SCM-F and Cooler Master NR400 case

Builds [LGA1155] NAS Killer 4.0
#1

As my parts for this build are arriving I wanted to share my new project and the build log.

The foundation of the build was to find the right case, not too big, but able to accommodate 3-4 HDDs.
The turning point though, was finding a good deal for X9SCM-F board, so microATX factor it was. This lead to choosing the Cooler Master MasterBox NR400 (with ODD) which I found also discounted.

Type Part Price
Case Cooler Master MasterBox NR400 ODD 179 PLN
Motherboard Supermicro X9SCM-F (with some Celeron onboard) 65 PLN
CPU Intel Xeon E3-1220v2 80 PLN
RAM 4GB DDR3 ECC UDIMM 40 PLN
CPU Cooler Arctic Freezer 12 CO 133 PLN
SDD ADATA SU 650 120GB from existing setup
HDD WD Red 3TB from existing setup
PSU Be Quiet! System Power 9 400W 80+ Bronze 139 PLN (used)
Total ----- 636 PLN ~ $166

Orders log

First came the motherboard

3EC0262C-02E7-4EB2-A47E-D9C7A87D18A8_1_201_a
3EC0262C-02E7-4EB2-A47E-D9C7A87D18A8_1_201_a4032Ă—3024 2.95 MB

then the case

159B3E7B-885E-47D4-BE03-B32401C25E20
159B3E7B-885E-47D4-BE03-B32401C25E203024Ă—3024 3.76 MB

the processor

AB353C14-12D9-48E8-8FF7-803D96A68C0A_1_201_a
AB353C14-12D9-48E8-8FF7-803D96A68C0A_1_201_a2974Ă—2671 1.04 MB

and eventually the PSU

783F2BD1-8E36-45F1-A912-69F5F61C2D3B_1_201_a
783F2BD1-8E36-45F1-A912-69F5F61C2D3B_1_201_a4032Ă—3024 1.85 MB
4E16D9C7-71F1-4AAF-9723-448C3BF8AA94_1_201_a
4E16D9C7-71F1-4AAF-9723-448C3BF8AA94_1_201_a4032Ă—3024 1.84 MB

1 Like
#2

I’ll start with table top build, as advised by @JDM_WAAAT.
Some of the parts, like CPU cooler and disks are still used in my current setup, so they will find a new home later on. I’ll use the boxed Celeron cooler for table top build and testing.

1 Like
#3

Subscribed! Looking forward to more updates.

#4

The initial setup went good. It was actually a floor, not a table top build (see picture) :slight_smile:.
Tonight (it’s already 10PM) I’m going to switch to the new case.
Thanks for following, it’s quite a journey for me, since I started with NAS case from PINE64 and half year after found out about this community from a selfhosted.show episode.

IMG_7321.HEIC
IMG_7321.HEIC4032Ă—3024 2.31 MB

2 Likes
#5

As long as it’s not carpet, you’re good. Make do with what you have :slight_smile:

#6

No carpets involved, only wood and electricity.

1 Like
#7

This night, straight from table

IMG_7325.HEIC
IMG_7325.HEIC3024Ă—4032 3.07 MB

The cooler and memory are in place

IMG_7326.HEIC
IMG_7326.HEIC3024Ă—3024 1.79 MB

I made a mistake though, by starting to tighten the screws with the screwdriver from the beginning. They are pretty loosely fitted and I put more force than needed. It is better to start with bare fingers, to “catch” the treading first.

#8

In da case

IMG_7327
IMG_73274032Ă—3024 2.25 MB

Power on test successful

2 Likes
#9

Looking good!

#10

I finished the build at 2AM that night and haven’t time to update.

Cables definitely need more management (after I buy second HDD)

IMG_7331.HEIC
IMG_7331.HEIC3024Ă—3024 1.69 MB

The front looks pretty clean IMHO

IMG_7332.HEIC
IMG_7332.HEIC3024Ă—4032 2.12 MB

#11

Some takeaways from the build process:

  • this case has 2 fans included, they are 3-PIN so always on. I connected the front one via attached MOLEX to 3-PIN adapter, but the rear one directly to the board. The fans were marketed as silent (reviews confirmed that), but in my opinion they’re not.
  • having set the fan performance in BIOS to Optimal (which means 30% for the FAN1-4 as default) I expected the CPU fan will stop (it’s a semi passive fan, starting at 40%) but that didn’t happen. I wondered if that’s because the 3-PIN fan is connected to the same zone (FAN1-4). I confirmed that partially by disconnecting the rear fan - the CPU would eventually stop (reboot needed), but the next day, after couple of reboots (because I was configuring unraid), the fan went crazy (high-low) cycle again.
  • eventually I set up IPMI connection to be able to read/set the fan settings without entering BIOS, hopefully it works as expected.
#12

Swap the fans to Arctic P12 PWM PST!
Most of us here use them, and they are indeed silent and very performant.

#13

I already ordered P14 for the front. Next update after installation.

1 Like
#14

Cześć i czołem!

Thanks to your post I’ve noticed the great deal we are having over here currently for the mobo and cpu :wink:

However I am having trouble finding approperiate memory, if I see correctly this board only accepts ECC udimm sticks. Would you mind sharing where locally did you get yours ?

#15

Cześć @Bretos

Yes, it’s ECC udimm only board. I bought one 4GB stick from my friend.
You can find some on allegro, e.g. https://allegro.pl/oferta/pamiec-ram-micron-4gb-ddr3-ecc-udimm-9866598100 or https://allegro.pl/oferta/4gb-ddr3-ecc-udimm-12800e-dell-r220-r320-t320-t20-9092330549 but the price is much higher.

#16

Todo:

  • swap the (not) silent case fans to Arctic P-series ones
  • buy additional 4GB of RAM
  • buy SATA cables to have them in one color and appropriate length
  • disconnect unused cables (audio, USB3) when possible

Nice to have list:

  • swap the CPU to E3-1270 V2 when I find it in good price locally
  • buy 1-2 HDD for parity/more storage
#17

It’s me again. Since last time I managed to complete two things from my todo list.

  1. I swapped two non-silent CM fans (front and back)

IMG_7333.HEIC
IMG_7333.HEIC3024Ă—4032 1.91 MB
IMG_7334.HEIC
IMG_7334.HEIC3024Ă—4032 1.83 MB

to one Arctic P14 PWM PST (40 PLN)

IMG_7336.HEIC
IMG_7336.HEIC3024Ă—4032 2.08 MB

For my current setup it should do the job.

  1. I bought additional 4GB of RAM for 60 PLN

Beside that I was pondering with setting the fan schedule but that’s a story for separate thread.

My build, complete for now, stands already on a shelve

IMG_7352.HEIC
IMG_7352.HEIC3024Ă—4032 1.68 MB

2 Likes
#18

Nice build, I’m planning on doing something similar. Any particular reason you’re looking to move to the E3-1270v2?

#19

Nothing particular, just the performance gain, but only if the price for the CPU drops. I’m pretty satisfied with current performance.