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Physical Hardware

Basic Components

Compute

Processor

Intel Core i7-8700k - This is the processor I had been using in this PC prior to converting it into a "home server" and there is nothing particularly special about it other than it was very fast when I bought it. It is a great consumer CPU even to this day but it is starting to feel more limiting as a server CPU due to its lack of ECC support, lower cores/thread count, and limited PCI lanes that it provides.
Cores / Threads 6 / 12
Base Frequency 3.6 GHz
Burst Frequency 4.7 GHz
Cache 12MB L3 Cache
TDP 95W

GPU

Intel UHD Graphics 630
Base Frequency 350 MHz
Burst Frequency 1.2 GHz
Max Memory 64GB
QuickSync Video Yes

Motherboard
Manufacturer Gigabyte
Model Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 (rev 1.0)
CPU Support for 8th Generation Intel Core i7 / i5 / i3 processors in the LGA1151 package
Chipset Intel Z370
Memory
  • 4x DDR4 DIMM supporting up to 64GB
  • Dual channel memory architecture
Display
  • 1x HDMI 1.4
  • 1x DisplayPort 1.2
Networking
  • 1x Intel 1GbE
  • 1x Rivet Networks Killer E2500
Expansion
  • 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 (running x16/x0 or x8/x8)
  • 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 (running at x4)
  • 3x PCIe 3.0 x1
Storage
  • 3x M.2 PCIe x4/x2
  • 6x SATA3
USB
  • 2x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type-A)
  • 7x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type-A)

Similarly this motherboard was bought with the intent of building a powerful PC instead of a more server oriented box. It reflects a lot of the same constraints as the processor.

Memory

CorsairVengeance DDR42666MHz(1x16GB)
  • 2Rx8
DualRank
  • CAS
    • ManufacturerSlot 1 CORSAIR
    ModelVengeance
    TypeDD4R4
    Capacity4xLPX 16GB
    Speed 2666MHz
    Specifications
      Latency 16
    • timing 16-18-18-35
    • 1.2V
    Slot 2 Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 2666MHz (1x16GB)
     
    • 2Rx8 Dual Rank
    • CAS Latency 16
    • voltagetiming 16-18-18-35
    • 1.2V
    Slot 3 Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 2666MHz (1x16GB)
     
    • Non2Rx8 ECCDual UnbufferedRank
    • CAS Latency 16
    • timing 16-18-18-35
    • 1.2V
    Slot 4 Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 2666MHz (1x16GB)
     
    • 2Rx8 Dual Rank
    • CAS Latency 16
    • timing 16-18-18-35
    • 1.2V

    Case

    Fractal Design - Define R6 USB C (Blackout) - A fantastic case with an attractive minimalistic design that holds a lot of hard drives and excellent sound dampening.
    Manufacturer Fractal Design
    Model Define R6 USB C (Blackout)
    Features
    • 10x HDD, 2x SSD
    • Sound dampening
    • Excellent build quality

    Storage

    # Capacity Interface Type Manufacturer & Model Speed
    6x 10TB SATA HDD Western Digital WD1000WMAZ SATA3 6.0Gb/s
    2x 512GB SATA SDD Samsun SSD 860 EVO SATA3 6.0Gb/s
    2x 1TB NVMe SDD Inland Professional PCIe 3.0 x2
    2x 256GB NVMe SDD Inland Professional PCIe 3.0 x2
    2x 512GB NVMe SDD Samsung SM981/PM981 PCIe 3.0 x2

    Cooling

    Power Supply

    EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G+ 850W

    • Features
      • Fully modular

    UPS

    APC Back UPS PRO BN-M2 1500VA

    • Features
      • 900Watts / 1.5kVA
      • 6x Battery backed outlets
      • 4x Surge outlets

    Add-On Cards

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