The Linnofil Super NAS!
Posted: 2013-01-14 23:20
I have during the last year worked a lot on a PC based DIY NAS, trying to optimise the performance of my DS system. This has been discussed a lot during development on the Swedish tunedem forum. It has been very rewarding. Some members there have built their own. I now think it is mature enough to launch it here, on an international scale. :-)
I would like to have the latest (best) spec in this first post. So I will not elaborate over all the work done in this first post. I would just like you to know that this NAS is in a totally different league to all other standard NAS units available on the market. I think that the difference between this NAS and a good standard (optimised with good HDD's etc.) NAS is a bigger upgrade to your DS, than adding a Radikal to an LP12.
If performance from your DS is your thing, then this is the thing to do!
Suggested links may not be the best place to buy that particular component, it's just informative. Find your best deal for you in your local country. I have not indicated any prices, since they tend to change frequently. At the time of this post a Super NAS with 670 GB (unformatted) capacity will cost around $1650. A Super NAS with 1270 GB (unformatted) capacity will cost a little bit above $2500. This is very good value!
Hardware Specification:
1: NAS case, Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced :
(Suggestion only, as the case's effect on performance is largely untested. But tests have clearly indicated a preference for horizontal motherboards. So avoid cases with vertical mounted motherboards. The Cooler Master has space for 6 SSD's and a full size optical drive (space can be used for HDD) as well as a normal size ATX PSU. Side fan needs to be changed to item 8 below, front fan removed? )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119261
2: ATX PSU, Seasonic PowerSupply X-460FL, 460W passive cooling:
(The X and the SS is most likely the same product. The Platinum version is used by most builders)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817151099
3: Motherboard, Asus E45M1-I Deluxe Mini-itx, (processor, graphics and passive cooling is included):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131807
4: RAM, Kingston 2x4 GB DDR3 PC10600 1333MHz (KTH9600B/4G) (HP):
(Performance difference for RAM's are not fullt tested (will never be...), but these are the best we know right now.)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002R9J62U
5: S-ATA internal cables, Deltaco SATA-1000, 30 cm (12") black with straight connectors:
(Not sold in US or UK.)
This cable is marked with "SATAIII Serial ATA 6.0Gbit/s (then a brand symbol that looks like "9U", or a mirrored R fused with a U) AWM E332199 2725 26 AWG 80°C 30V VW-1"
(Remember to buy same amount as you have drives) I don't know where this can be bought internationally. But here is a picture of it. http://www.inet.se/produkt/8906189/seri ... 6gb-s-0-3m
6: OS/SW drive, Samsung 840 Pro.
(Fast, but space not needed for OS/SW can, only in case of emergency, be used as FLAC storage! Still better than most SSD for FLAC storage.) The older Samsung 830 is also a very good (equal) choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820147192
6: Optional OS/SW drive, 120 GB Intel 320 SSD.
(Slower, but space not needed for OS/SW can happily be used for FLAC storage)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820167052
7: FLAC/media storage drive, 600 GB Intel 320 SSD. (Multiple drives may be necessary)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820167061
7: Optional FLAC/media storage drive, 300 GB Intel 320 SSD. (Multiple drives may be necessary)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820167058
I have both 120, 160 and 600 GB Intel 320 drives and the 120/160 versions sound the same. The 600 GB is a little bit better then the smaller ones. I'm unsure about the 300 GB as I don't have one myself. The differences are small and all the Intel 320 SSD's I have tested are very good. (Tested the 300 GB indirectly.) Next best SSD is the older Intel X-25 G2 series. 6 drives are the maximum for this motherboard, if the eSATA port is used. (Loop the cable back in the case.) A total FLAC/media capacity of 3550 GB (unformatted) is the maximum for this NAS, with six 600 GB drives.
8: Cooling fan (If needed), Fractal Design Silent Series 80 mm. (Other sizes may be OK.)
http://www.amazon.com/FRACTAL-CASE-FAN- ... 008MJ1H3U/
9: Power cable, use the latest Linn cable. The one sold by Linn here in Europe works very well.
I use a Microsoft 3000 blue track mouse and keyboard, but I don't know if it affects the performance. Same with the monitor, I don't know if it affects the performance. But a LED monitor is likely the best. But mine is turned of (power unplugged) when listening anyway.
Software Specification:
1: OS, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832116986
2: Anti-virus, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012/3:
(Only needed if your DS network is "online".)
http://free.avg.com/eu-en/free-antivirus-download
3: Media (DLNA) Server SW, Asset UPnP Premium:
http://secure.dbpoweramp.com/store/prod ... 0&V_ID=557
Install instructions:
Install all the hardware as if building a normal desktop PC. Install the all the SW on the OS drive, start with the Win 7 OS on the OS drive. (An external DVD drive is very helpful during install.) Install the Anti-virus. Upgrade all Windows stuff if you are using it "online". Install the drivers from the ASUS CD or go online for the latest versions. If you have an Intel 320 SSD as OS/SW drive, the remaining space (about 70 GB) on the drive after installing OS and other SW can be used for FLAC storage. But it is wise to leave at least 10GB for future OS upgrades and SW installs etc.
The case fan (if any, it's better with a fan (80 mm F.D. S.S.) than without) must be connected to the processor fan pin header. Do not connect it to the chassis fan header. For each case it is a good idea to check if the indicator LED's shall be connected or not. For my case it's better to have the SSD access LED connected, but the power LED disconnected.
SATA cables, (if you can get hold of the same Deltaco SATA-1000 or whatever it is branded as in your country) they shall be connected with the text on the cable running from the motherboard to the drives, but always check direction. I have one that sounds best the other way. If you have to find other cables, buy lots of different cables and try them out with the tune method. Then report back all details here. Remember to check direction before comparing. Cables may also have a burn in time of at least a week. So be sure you are comparing the same thing.
Edit 1, 2013-Feb-5:
1. Updated with new case, Cooler Master Elite 120 as some builders had problems with the originally suggested Fractal Design Node 304.
2. Added more info on the PSU, Platinum.
3. Reversed the order of suggested OS drives (item 6) to avoid users suffering from the 8mb bug on their OS drive.
4. Minor spell fixes.
5. Changed the RAM recommendation to the Kingston's from the A-Data 1600 MHz Game Series after tests by Nicolav and Music Lover.
Updated the case recommendation with som more information based on my tests that indicated a clear preference (big difference) for horizontal placement of the MB.
I would like to have the latest (best) spec in this first post. So I will not elaborate over all the work done in this first post. I would just like you to know that this NAS is in a totally different league to all other standard NAS units available on the market. I think that the difference between this NAS and a good standard (optimised with good HDD's etc.) NAS is a bigger upgrade to your DS, than adding a Radikal to an LP12.
If performance from your DS is your thing, then this is the thing to do!
Suggested links may not be the best place to buy that particular component, it's just informative. Find your best deal for you in your local country. I have not indicated any prices, since they tend to change frequently. At the time of this post a Super NAS with 670 GB (unformatted) capacity will cost around $1650. A Super NAS with 1270 GB (unformatted) capacity will cost a little bit above $2500. This is very good value!
Hardware Specification:
1: NAS case, Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced :
(Suggestion only, as the case's effect on performance is largely untested. But tests have clearly indicated a preference for horizontal motherboards. So avoid cases with vertical mounted motherboards. The Cooler Master has space for 6 SSD's and a full size optical drive (space can be used for HDD) as well as a normal size ATX PSU. Side fan needs to be changed to item 8 below, front fan removed? )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119261
2: ATX PSU, Seasonic PowerSupply X-460FL, 460W passive cooling:
(The X and the SS is most likely the same product. The Platinum version is used by most builders)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817151099
3: Motherboard, Asus E45M1-I Deluxe Mini-itx, (processor, graphics and passive cooling is included):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131807
4: RAM, Kingston 2x4 GB DDR3 PC10600 1333MHz (KTH9600B/4G) (HP):
(Performance difference for RAM's are not fullt tested (will never be...), but these are the best we know right now.)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002R9J62U
5: S-ATA internal cables, Deltaco SATA-1000, 30 cm (12") black with straight connectors:
(Not sold in US or UK.)
This cable is marked with "SATAIII Serial ATA 6.0Gbit/s (then a brand symbol that looks like "9U", or a mirrored R fused with a U) AWM E332199 2725 26 AWG 80°C 30V VW-1"
(Remember to buy same amount as you have drives) I don't know where this can be bought internationally. But here is a picture of it. http://www.inet.se/produkt/8906189/seri ... 6gb-s-0-3m
6: OS/SW drive, Samsung 840 Pro.
(Fast, but space not needed for OS/SW can, only in case of emergency, be used as FLAC storage! Still better than most SSD for FLAC storage.) The older Samsung 830 is also a very good (equal) choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820147192
6: Optional OS/SW drive, 120 GB Intel 320 SSD.
(Slower, but space not needed for OS/SW can happily be used for FLAC storage)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820167052
7: FLAC/media storage drive, 600 GB Intel 320 SSD. (Multiple drives may be necessary)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820167061
7: Optional FLAC/media storage drive, 300 GB Intel 320 SSD. (Multiple drives may be necessary)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820167058
I have both 120, 160 and 600 GB Intel 320 drives and the 120/160 versions sound the same. The 600 GB is a little bit better then the smaller ones. I'm unsure about the 300 GB as I don't have one myself. The differences are small and all the Intel 320 SSD's I have tested are very good. (Tested the 300 GB indirectly.) Next best SSD is the older Intel X-25 G2 series. 6 drives are the maximum for this motherboard, if the eSATA port is used. (Loop the cable back in the case.) A total FLAC/media capacity of 3550 GB (unformatted) is the maximum for this NAS, with six 600 GB drives.
8: Cooling fan (If needed), Fractal Design Silent Series 80 mm. (Other sizes may be OK.)
http://www.amazon.com/FRACTAL-CASE-FAN- ... 008MJ1H3U/
9: Power cable, use the latest Linn cable. The one sold by Linn here in Europe works very well.
I use a Microsoft 3000 blue track mouse and keyboard, but I don't know if it affects the performance. Same with the monitor, I don't know if it affects the performance. But a LED monitor is likely the best. But mine is turned of (power unplugged) when listening anyway.
Software Specification:
1: OS, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832116986
2: Anti-virus, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012/3:
(Only needed if your DS network is "online".)
http://free.avg.com/eu-en/free-antivirus-download
3: Media (DLNA) Server SW, Asset UPnP Premium:
http://secure.dbpoweramp.com/store/prod ... 0&V_ID=557
Install instructions:
Install all the hardware as if building a normal desktop PC. Install the all the SW on the OS drive, start with the Win 7 OS on the OS drive. (An external DVD drive is very helpful during install.) Install the Anti-virus. Upgrade all Windows stuff if you are using it "online". Install the drivers from the ASUS CD or go online for the latest versions. If you have an Intel 320 SSD as OS/SW drive, the remaining space (about 70 GB) on the drive after installing OS and other SW can be used for FLAC storage. But it is wise to leave at least 10GB for future OS upgrades and SW installs etc.
The case fan (if any, it's better with a fan (80 mm F.D. S.S.) than without) must be connected to the processor fan pin header. Do not connect it to the chassis fan header. For each case it is a good idea to check if the indicator LED's shall be connected or not. For my case it's better to have the SSD access LED connected, but the power LED disconnected.
SATA cables, (if you can get hold of the same Deltaco SATA-1000 or whatever it is branded as in your country) they shall be connected with the text on the cable running from the motherboard to the drives, but always check direction. I have one that sounds best the other way. If you have to find other cables, buy lots of different cables and try them out with the tune method. Then report back all details here. Remember to check direction before comparing. Cables may also have a burn in time of at least a week. So be sure you are comparing the same thing.
Edit 1, 2013-Feb-5:
1. Updated with new case, Cooler Master Elite 120 as some builders had problems with the originally suggested Fractal Design Node 304.
2. Added more info on the PSU, Platinum.
3. Reversed the order of suggested OS drives (item 6) to avoid users suffering from the 8mb bug on their OS drive.
4. Minor spell fixes.
5. Changed the RAM recommendation to the Kingston's from the A-Data 1600 MHz Game Series after tests by Nicolav and Music Lover.
Updated the case recommendation with som more information based on my tests that indicated a clear preference (big difference) for horizontal placement of the MB.