pcbuilding

content/posts/2025-01-11-pcbuilding.md

@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+---
+title: "PC Building Notes"
+date: 2025-01-11T15:09:42-08:00
+tags:
+- nas
+- dev
+- pc
+categories: 
+- Personal
+---
+
+So I'm building a NAS with [these parts](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/LBM74p)
+While I'm still missing the motherboard and the hard drives, I am able to start
+building the NAS without them.
+
+As it turns out, there were a few more bits of due diligence I 
+probably should have done before making my order. Oh well.
+I'm writing them down to help someone in the future (me).
+
+<!--more-->
+
+Mostly I'm able to install the PSU and start planning the cable routing for power
+and other features. I've never built in an ITX case before, so everything is
+quite compact. Things like how the PSU is positioned and installed were
+unfamiliar to me.
+
+As I was doing that, I became concerned about three things.
+
+### Can it boot?
+
+First was whether or not I'd be able to boot the computer and have any
+display output without a GPU of any kind. My chosen CPU, the Ryzen 7 3700X doesn't
+have any integrated graphics, and I personally don't have a GPU to spare. 
+Apparently that means it's very unlikely I'll be able to boot to BIOS at all,
+let alone to any other interface.
+
+My options are either, find a different CPU with integrated graphics, and fits
+into the slot, or find a GPU to use instead, that would fit into the case.
+
+Getting a different CPU would sort of defeat the point of building this to try
+and get some more use out of the CPU, since it was the only part I had originally.
+But the NAS was never really intended for having a GPU, so it's very up in the
+air which path I go down. 
+
+Some friends have offered some of their old GPUs, but none make the 250mm 2 slot
+length requirement that the case has. Though one has offered an old office grade
+Quadro card... that might be exactly what this build needs for now, until I need
+a "real" GPU in there. Assuming they're willing to part with it of course.
+
+I'm not currently in a rush to get a new GPU for a box that I'm not gaming on.
+
+At the very least, the PSU has plenty of power for one, when it gets there.
+
+### Do the drives work with the NAS' backplane?
+
+The JONSBO N3 case has space for 8 hot swappable drives. When I was routing power
+for that, I noticed that the connectors for the drives were unfamiliar to me.
+
+So I started looking it up.
+
+I learned that SATA drives are built to connect to SAS connections, but not the
+reverse. So, it seems that I'm good there.
+
+### SATA Cable routing
+
+I forgot entirely that I might need to get cables to safely route them for this
+build. The motherboard has the SATA ports coming off the "front" of the board,
+but at a 90 degree angle. I think that might be a bit crowded to start, even
+with some 90 degree connectors. The power cables are also coming into that space
+too.
+
+These can wait until I have the motherboard at least. Then I can see what I need
+and get the shortest cables that comfortably fit for routing the SATA cables.
+I'm expecting to at least need 4 "right" angle cables, and two "left" angle
+cables, in order to make use of the ports, for the drives I'm getting.
+
+### How I'm feeling about it
+
+I'm still feeling pretty good about the build. The "early" GPU was unexpected
+though, I certainly don't need anything fancy in there.
+
+Like, ideally, I'd be able to salvage most of these parts from my current build
+as they're being replaced, and build a new computer with them. They're still
+good parts. My current 2070 Super GPU not fitting certainly puts a damper on that
+plan a little. In hindsight, I should have made sure whatever NAS case I was getting
+would fit the thing. As it stands, it's 7mm too long, so unless I'm willing
+to do some case surgery, it won't fit. 
+
+I'll need to find something else to do with if I succeed at getting a 5080 FE
+when they launch at the end of the month.