I'm gearing up to assemble a home server that will serve multiple purposes, and I'd love to get some feedback before I make any purchases. It's been a while since my last build, so I want to ensure everything I'm choosing is sensible. Here's what I plan to use the server for: running a Plex media server, performing deep chess analysis with stockfish, hosting local LLMs (ideally 30B models), and managing various self-hosted applications like immich for photos/videos and paperless ngx for documents. Additionally, it'll also function as a general data hoarder and backup system.
I'm open to spending a reasonable amount on quality parts, but I'd like to avoid overspending on components that won't significantly enhance performance. I'll be getting most parts from Newegg and will be reusing some components, such as around 12TB of storage and standard peripherals. One notable component I'm looking to add is a used Nvidia 3090 for its 24GB of VRAM.
Here's a breakdown of my current component list and their prices:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X - $523.47
- Motherboard: MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI - $299.99
- Memory: G.SKILL Flare X5 96GB - $224.99
- Case: Fractal Design Define R5 - $124.99
- Power Supply: CORSAIR RM1000x ATX - $199.99
- Storage: WD_BLACK 2TB NVMe SSD - $179.99
- Storage: 2 x WD Red Plus 10TB Drives - $399.98
- CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 - $132.19
- Monitor: MSI 32" 165 Hz OLED Monitor - $799.99
- UPS: CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD - $239.95
Total: $3,017.53
I'm also considering different GPUs, and I found a used 3090 for about $750. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for the advice!
3 Answers
Just a heads up, your motherboard should have an M.2 heatsink built-in already. You might want to look at alternatives if you're worried about heating, but many newer boards have sufficient cooling out of the box. Some cheaper models like the ASRock B850 Pro-A are worth considering too!
When it comes to your UPS, while pure sinewave is best, the CyberPower's PFC sinewave is actually quite close in quality. If you need to save money, this one should serve just fine. Avoid step sinewave UPSs as they can damage your equipment over time. As for the cooler, you might want to consider AIO water cooling options instead; they can be more efficient for your setup and budget, despite some people fearing potential leaks.
I appreciate the advice! Do you have any specific AIO models you'd recommend?
Sure! There are some great budget AIOs out there—look into Corsair's H100i models for good options.
Your build looks solid overall! The 3090 is definitely the right choice for running local LLMs, especially with the VRAM it offers. You can technically run those models on RAM, but it will be super slow compared to having a dedicated GPU. So definitely go for it!
Thanks for the feedback! I had no idea I could run models on RAM, though it sounds like it would be painfully slow.
Thanks for the tip! I would’ve missed that detail entirely.