This components list is for the 2022 version of the Lab. I basically doubled everything on the server side, so I could have 2 servers instead of 1.
Component List for Servers
I pretty much followed this guide, except for a few small changes since some of the parts were discontinued or changed model number.
| Quantity | Name | Details |
| 2 | SAMSUNG 870 EVO Series 2.5″ 2TB SATA III V-NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-77E2T0B/AM | 2TB SSD, in hind sight, I should have bought an 8TB. I’ll have to install a new one later.. |
| 2 | Supermicro SSD-DM032-SMCMVN1 32GB SATA DOM | SATADOM installs right on the motherboard, and you will install the esxi image onto this drive. 32GB is plenty. |
| 2 | SUPERMICRO MBD-M11SDV-8C+-LN4F-O Mini ITX Server Motherboard | 8 cores, and its pretty beefy, and you can overclock it. I have quite a bit running and i’m only around 60-70% utilization. And up to 512gb of memory should be plenty. Also this model comes with an active fan on the cpu! MBD-M11SDV-8C+-LN4F-O – Active CPU Fan MBD-M11SDV-8C+-LN4F – CPU Heatsink |
| 4 | Noctua NF-A6x25 PWM, Premium Quiet Fan, 4-Pin (60mm, Brown) | Honestly these don’t fit great, it is a snug fit. I would probably have went with just 1, or maybe a single larger fan. But they sure are quiet! |
| 2 | Supermicro CSE-721TQ-350B 350W Mini-Tower Chassis | The tower |
| 1 | 256GB 4x64GB DDR4-2666 PC4-21300 2Rx4 RDIMM ECC Registered Memory by NEMIX RAM | I bought 256gb of memory. This is enough for 128gb for each server. It should be plenty, and it leaves room for expansion later. |
| 1 | 128GB 2x64GB DDR4-2666 PC4-21300 2Rx4 RDIMM ECC Registered Memory by NEMIX RAM | I actually expanded by adding an additional 64GB per supermicro. This is not required, but if you run everything I’m running, you’ll be hovering right around 100-110 GB of consumed memory per server. Too close for my comfort. |
| Multiple | – Ethernet cables – SATA Cables – Monitor/keyboard for configuring and installing esxi on the supermicro – Surge protector or battery pack | You’ll obviously need some extra components that you might already have laying around.. |
Optional Component For Rack Enclosure
The Build
I built this a month or so ago so I’ll have to go back and get some pictures of the internal components, for now, follow the guide here: https://jorgedelacruz.uk/2020/10/05/supermicro-analysis-of-the-best-home-lab-server-2020-supermicro-m11sdv-8c-ln4f/
I don’t have exact steps for the build, but if you’ve built a computer before, its basically the same thing. Ram goes in the ram slots, sata cables to your ssd.. All pretty easy.
Awesome setup, mate! Appreciated you took the time to put all the new components, and also links to the blog!
I have updated my kit, exactly same hardware, same rack, same everything, but moved to a 1U rackmount to use better space, and of course far from my desk as the heat temp on 1U is a bit tricker: https://jorgedelacruz.uk/2022/02/23/supermicro-my-preference-homelab-choice-for-2022-supermicro-a-server-5019d-ftn4/
But AMD ftw! speed/temperature does not have match, yet.
I love this setup! A single server powered so much for me, now I need to add NSX-T and a few other components, and thus need more juice 🙂
I appreciate your original blog, it set me down the AMD path!