Possible new DIY build to use with HexOS

[Mindless999]

Hi all,

First of all thanks for all the developers with all the time and effort in this product. I can really see the vision, and hope you will be able to have full 1.0 available soon.

While we're waiting for this, I currently am already looking (and maybe already go install it) on a DIY system, which I want to get to replace my Synology (I really hate the direction they are going into now). With this in mind, I am wanting to build a full DIY system since my Synology is also almost nearing it's end of life and possibly I would need to replace it anyway in the next few months / years.

This is a work in progress list on what I am going for: https://nl.pcpartpicker.com/list/86bFyW

Explanation on what I have with this build:
2 SSD disks, which will be used for HexOS installation. I prefer HexOS to also have a redundant disk.
2 NVMe disks, for supper fast-storage / VM's I might run
3 HDD disks for general storage, I don't need speed for that, but want to make sure it's durable.

What I want to keep from the list:
3 HDD's for 20 TB (or more) since I think it's currently the sweet spot for storage per GB. These disks I require to be "NAS" based disks.
2 NVMe disks. I think the 2 TB is the sweet-spot, so I am selecting these. I don't need the fastest, since it won't run much etc, but prefer to have it like this
The case I really like. If there is something similar to this case which you'd recommend, please let me know, but I kind of already want to have this case.

Everything else is up to debate. I don't want a *to* power hungry system, but I want to run at least a few VM's. it would be like 1 or 2 VM's i'm running, only for backup if my main server would suddenly die, and I need to recover files.
The amount of memory is a bit based on the amount of storage that's used + a little overhead for the VM's. If you'd recommend less, tell me why, if I should need to do more, please explain 🙂 . I am leaning more towards AMD since I think their performance is slightly better than Intel right now, but I am not saying I won't go for Intel.
Also, I prefer to go with new so I know that I'm the first user, and not that someone already used almost everything, as well as have the warranty with it. 

What is the thoughts of other people? Did I pick good? did I do overkill, did I pick something that's not good enough? What would you recommend etc.

Thanks in advance!

[Mobius]

I personally would go with intel if you plan on hosting a plex or jellyfin server. If you don't it doesn't really matter what you go with.
One thing to keep in mind the network interface card (nic) on your motherboard is not compatible with hexos.
the cheapest compatible one i could find is this one https://nl.pcpartpicker.com/product/WQTp99/asus-rog-strix-b650e-i-gaming-wifi-mini-itx-am5-motherboard-rog-strix-b650e-i-gaming-wifi
However that one is short on sata ports. like your original pick so you will still need a hba card.

you should go with the seagate exos drives that are higher end and cost less. (don't ask me to explain why its like this because i have no idea)

[Mindless999]

EXOS is definitely a lot cheaper, and makes a lot of sense, thanks for that tip!
I looked into the differences, and what I read, but I am not 100% certain, is that the EXOS is bought in higher bulk, thus is cheaper, as well as that there are a few firmware features that are added to the Ironwolf (Pro) that can make them more expensive. But this is all assuming and not fully certain.

I am running Plex as a separated VM, and might add a video card for that machine to help with it, so no Plex / Jellyfin will not run on HexOS.

For the network card, thanks, I didn't know that that one was not compatible. I thought that all of the newer generations kind of were supported. Does this have to do, that it's not an intel chip for the network cards?

For those who want to follow the updated list is now this:
https://nl.pcpartpicker.com/list/YkMCkf

[Mobius]

I tried to keep to a similar budget and made the build i would rather have for the price.
https://nl.pcpartpicker.com/list/Wb3wZc

cpu: 12700k - cheapest cpu with intel uhd 770 igpu
Mobo: asus something or other - has intel nic so theoritcally shouldn't cause you trouble and i like asus motherboards
ram: gskill 64gb 5200mhz cl36 - slightly cheaper ram that is slightly faster and personally i like gskill ram, its the only brand i purchase ram from anymore
cooler: thermalright peerless assassin 90 - its cheaper, should still fit in case and a reoccuring theme here, i like thermalright coolers
os drive - cheaper ssd - its as big as you need, significantly cheaper, from a trusted brand and for fun i made it a triple mirror
storage drive- 24tb exos, i like going with big drives and there are 4 of them because we can lol
psu: went for a cheaper 750w psu because you have no need for a 850w even at max capacity, we could go even smaller but this one is very efficient

edit: seems like i was typing this out before your newest post, so i'll look into it
edit 2: i would say just take my list and adjust storage to your preferred budget
you may even be able to find new exos drives for less on ebay but as i'm in a different part of the world than you its hard for me to check
just make sure with any segate drives your purchase, regardless of how trusted the retailer is, you check the farm data to see if it actually is new.

[Sonic]

30 minutes ago, Mindless999 said:

For the network card, thanks, I didn't know that that one was not compatible. I thought that all of the newer generations kind of were supported.
 

This is not really a HexOs issue, It's the lack of good Realtek drivers for Linux based systems.

[Sonic]

29 minutes ago, Mobius said:

just make sure with any segate drives your purchase, regardless of how trusted the retailer is, you check the farm data to see if it actually is new.

See:

https://nascompares.com/2025/02/21/updated-fake-used-seagate-ironwolf-hdds-now-reported-how-to-check-your-drives/

for more background info

[Dylan]

4 hours ago, Mindless999 said:

EXOS is definitely a lot cheaper, and makes a lot of sense, thanks for that tip!
I looked into the differences, and what I read, but I am not 100% certain, is that the EXOS is bought in higher bulk, thus is cheaper, as well as that there are a few firmware features that are added to the Ironwolf (Pro) that can make them more expensive. But this is all assuming and not fully certain.

I am running Plex as a separated VM, and might add a video card for that machine to help with it, so no Plex / Jellyfin will not run on HexOS.

For the network card, thanks, I didn't know that that one was not compatible. I thought that all of the newer generations kind of were supported. Does this have to do, that it's not an intel chip for the network cards?

For those who want to follow the updated list is now this:
https://nl.pcpartpicker.com/list/YkMCkf

I've been buying THESE direct from Seagate and have been really impressed with their performance. This also has the benefit of really low chance of counterfeit drives and WAY cheaper prices (though it appears you are in the EU so unsure how the price/shipping would work for you)

Best of luck!!

[Theo]

If you haven't already i'd definitely check out serverpartdeals.com. Got 4 Exos drives from them and like others said cheaper per TB than Iron wolfs. and even with shipping International, in my case UK, still comes out cheaper.