Hello
I've recently picked up one of those HP microservers and it comes with 1GB ECC pre-installed. I am planning on using FreeNAS 8.0 and it recommends between 4-6GB RAM for a ZFS mirror which I'd like to use. I'm also debating just using FreeNAS 7.0 and two UFS disks with software RAID or whatever but that's for another topic.
Anyway, I have two choices, I can pull the 1GB out and plop two 4GB non ECC sticks in for about ?65 quid or so, or I can just put a 4GB ECC in for about ?50, and have it as 5GB total.
I guess I can always upgrade it with another 4GB ECC in future as it'd be a shame to just remove the 1GB straight away as I have no use for it at all. Plus I'd like to 'do it proper' and if it's going to be a decent server box I might as well go the whole hog.
Any opinions? I know some would say just put 8GB normal in and forget about it, but I think 5GB is enough really considering it says between 4-6GB and that's probably for more intensive use than I'll be requiring from ZFS.
A lot of the guys who bought these boxes just plonked a normal 4GB in with the 1GB and it just disabled ECC. But my OCD would get to me if I did such a thing.
What would you do?
I basically know the differences between normal ram and ECC, and maybe it is overkill for the home but at least I could sleep softly at night.

I've recently picked up one of those HP microservers and it comes with 1GB ECC pre-installed. I am planning on using FreeNAS 8.0 and it recommends between 4-6GB RAM for a ZFS mirror which I'd like to use. I'm also debating just using FreeNAS 7.0 and two UFS disks with software RAID or whatever but that's for another topic.
Anyway, I have two choices, I can pull the 1GB out and plop two 4GB non ECC sticks in for about ?65 quid or so, or I can just put a 4GB ECC in for about ?50, and have it as 5GB total.
I guess I can always upgrade it with another 4GB ECC in future as it'd be a shame to just remove the 1GB straight away as I have no use for it at all. Plus I'd like to 'do it proper' and if it's going to be a decent server box I might as well go the whole hog.
Any opinions? I know some would say just put 8GB normal in and forget about it, but I think 5GB is enough really considering it says between 4-6GB and that's probably for more intensive use than I'll be requiring from ZFS.
A lot of the guys who bought these boxes just plonked a normal 4GB in with the 1GB and it just disabled ECC. But my OCD would get to me if I did such a thing.
What would you do?

I basically know the differences between normal ram and ECC, and maybe it is overkill for the home but at least I could sleep softly at night.


Comment