A number of you have been requesting an update on this little system - here is a "text + image" combo for now.
Refresher - I gave the Lenovo M920Q a 10GbE upgrade thanks to it's internal PCIe slot (I still can't believe this Mini PC packs a PCIe slot): https://youtu.be/wPsVzlJSTjg
In my recent video I unleashed what I call a "Frankenstein Mini Server" or FMS for short - which was paired with a HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini PC: https://youtu.be/JtlAZmOH-iw
The next goal for the Lenovo M920Q system was a storage upgrade - particularly a RAID 5 SSD pool managed with Proxmox and TrueNAS Core.
To retain 10GbE - I will aim to find a method to create more USB ports so that I can connect my "gutted NAS" / FMS to the Lenovo M920Q Tiny with 6x 1TB SSDs (Goldenfir 1TB SSDs - we will test their reliability lol) to allow creation of a RAID 5 storage pool.
I have had some Noctua slim fans (2x Noctua NF-A4x20 PWM) on order for 2 months (there are none locally for me!), which I plan to use to cool down the Intel X540-AT2 10GbE NIC. So far they remain the last item I need to get the next video rounded off.
I'll retain the on-board M.2 NVMe slot for an OS to run Proxmox, and then I can install a bunch of virtual machines (VMs) - like Ubunto Server, Linux OS, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, TrueNAS Core, Windows Server etc.
I have a 6C / 6T CPU - thanks to the Intel 8500T CPU - but that will not allow for much more than a 4C / 4T VM to be operating at a time (something I am fine with for this application).
My idea is to have a small portable system that I can lug around anywhere - boot it up - with display and keyboard - to gain access to any OS - while moonlighting as a low power drawing TrueNAS file server when not in need.
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Status Update - and a request for your opinions:
I am on a quest to connect 6x 1TB SSDs via USB 3.0 cables to my Lenovo M920Q to create a RAID 5 storage pool (future video).
I have tried several methods to gain the extra USB connectivity (creativity hat on):
USB C to M.2 M Key to USB 3.0 and USB C internal headers (failed) USB 3.0 to Mini PCIe to USB 3.0 Internal header (failed) PCIe riser to M.2 M Key to USB 3.0 and USB C internal headers (failed) PCIe riser to Mini PCIe to USB 3.0 internal header (failed) PCIe to M.2 M key riser to Mini PCIe to USB 3.0 internal header (failed) M.2 A&E Key to SFF8087 (worked) M.2 A&E key to PCIe riser to M.2 M Key to USB 3.0 internal header (failed) Dell USB 3.0 dock – 30MB/s for 4x drives (worked) HP USB 3.0 dock – worked ~450MB/s for 4x drives (worked) HP USB C G3 dock – worked (not enough USB 3.0 ports – some connected to the system ports) but ~450MB/s for 4x drives. (worked)
I have ended up somewhat defeated because most of the methods failed to work – with the most ideal solution being an HP USB 3.0 dock.
I still need to measure power draw but I suspect the dock will place me higher than my goal of < 25W idle power for the whole system.
Do you have experience with any of these adapters? Any thoughts on how to get more USB 3.0 slots without sacrificing drive speed?
Why is the motherboard out of its case? You'll have to wait for the video for that to make sense!
This system (and the next video for the system) will live up to the "Frankenstein" label - but I'll try to tame it down once I get all the initial testing out of the way.
----------
Looking for build inspiration?
Links to all items linked to my Lenovo M920Q build can be found below:
🛠 Amazon / Ebay / AliExpress Affiliate Links (Please note- links will direct you to Amazon.com or Ebay.com or AliExpress.com. I will receive a commission if a purchase is made through these links. Thank you.)
RACERRRZ
Lenovo M920Q Tiny Update Time!
A number of you have been requesting an update on this little system - here is a "text + image" combo for now.
Refresher - I gave the Lenovo M920Q a 10GbE upgrade thanks to it's internal PCIe slot (I still can't believe this Mini PC packs a PCIe slot): https://youtu.be/wPsVzlJSTjg
In my recent video I unleashed what I call a "Frankenstein Mini Server" or FMS for short - which was paired with a HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini PC: https://youtu.be/JtlAZmOH-iw
The next goal for the Lenovo M920Q system was a storage upgrade - particularly a RAID 5 SSD pool managed with Proxmox and TrueNAS Core.
To retain 10GbE - I will aim to find a method to create more USB ports so that I can connect my "gutted NAS" / FMS to the Lenovo M920Q Tiny with 6x 1TB SSDs (Goldenfir 1TB SSDs - we will test their reliability lol) to allow creation of a RAID 5 storage pool.
I have had some Noctua slim fans (2x Noctua NF-A4x20 PWM) on order for 2 months (there are none locally for me!), which I plan to use to cool down the Intel X540-AT2 10GbE NIC. So far they remain the last item I need to get the next video rounded off.
I'll retain the on-board M.2 NVMe slot for an OS to run Proxmox, and then I can install a bunch of virtual machines (VMs) - like Ubunto Server, Linux OS, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Pro, TrueNAS Core, Windows Server etc.
I have a 6C / 6T CPU - thanks to the Intel 8500T CPU - but that will not allow for much more than a 4C / 4T VM to be operating at a time (something I am fine with for this application).
My idea is to have a small portable system that I can lug around anywhere - boot it up - with display and keyboard - to gain access to any OS - while moonlighting as a low power drawing TrueNAS file server when not in need.
----------
Status Update - and a request for your opinions:
I am on a quest to connect 6x 1TB SSDs via USB 3.0 cables to my Lenovo M920Q to create a RAID 5 storage pool (future video).
I have tried several methods to gain the extra USB connectivity (creativity hat on):
USB C to M.2 M Key to USB 3.0 and USB C internal headers (failed)
USB 3.0 to Mini PCIe to USB 3.0 Internal header (failed)
PCIe riser to M.2 M Key to USB 3.0 and USB C internal headers (failed)
PCIe riser to Mini PCIe to USB 3.0 internal header (failed)
PCIe to M.2 M key riser to Mini PCIe to USB 3.0 internal header (failed)
M.2 A&E Key to SFF8087 (worked)
M.2 A&E key to PCIe riser to M.2 M Key to USB 3.0 internal header (failed)
Dell USB 3.0 dock – 30MB/s for 4x drives (worked)
HP USB 3.0 dock – worked ~450MB/s for 4x drives (worked)
HP USB C G3 dock – worked (not enough USB 3.0 ports – some connected to the system ports) but ~450MB/s for 4x drives. (worked)
I have ended up somewhat defeated because most of the methods failed to work – with the most ideal solution being an HP USB 3.0 dock.
I still need to measure power draw but I suspect the dock will place me higher than my goal of < 25W idle power for the whole system.
Do you have experience with any of these adapters?
Any thoughts on how to get more USB 3.0 slots without sacrificing drive speed?
Why is the motherboard out of its case?
You'll have to wait for the video for that to make sense!
This system (and the next video for the system) will live up to the "Frankenstein" label - but I'll try to tame it down once I get all the initial testing out of the way.
----------
Looking for build inspiration?
Links to all items linked to my Lenovo M920Q build can be found below:
🛠 Amazon / Ebay / AliExpress Affiliate Links (Please note- links will direct you to Amazon.com or Ebay.com or AliExpress.com. I will receive a commission if a purchase is made through these links. Thank you.)
63 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Set (featured in the videos): amzn.to/4e4TB0e s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDdrC3p
Professional Screwdriver Kit (similar not identical to the one in the videos): ebay.us/GHPxFA
M920Q Tiny: amzn.to/3JpwqjE
PCIe 3.0 x8 Riser converter (exact item I bought): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DErvePN
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut: ebay.us/NflpNO
RZX Fatality DDR4 2666MHz SODIMM: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEbW4hh
HyperX DDR4 2666MHz SODIMM (exact item I bought): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEMvVpH
16GB DDR4 2400MHZ Unbuffered SODIMM RAM: amzn.to/4aZvor3 ebay.us/zuNQh4 s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBWs0Ev s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DnoBhw9
M.2 M Key to GPU X16 Riser (Take Care - "M.2 NGFF" adapters do not support M.2 NVMe drives - they only support M.2 SATA NVMe SSDs): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DexYUNP
M.2 M Key to Internal USB 3.1 20 Pin Slot: amzn.to/3tYOVrc s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDEXP57
M.2 M Key to 2x Sata Data Headers: amzn.to/4bdT5fB s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDp1Okz
M.2 NVMe SSD Adapter (M Key; without enclosure) to USB3.1: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omF0T9t
JEYI M.2 NVME SSD to PCIE X4 Adapter: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_op9TchV
M.2 M Key to Mini SAS SFF-8087 Adapter: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oFbzePZ
M.2 A&E Key to 2.5GbE: amzn.to/47TDvCO s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDQ15c1
M.2 A&E Key to M.2 NVMe: amzn.to/4bbm0AL s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDOo3Vb
M.2 A&E Key to PCIe X4 Slot (note - X1 lane connectivity limited on A and E Slot): amzn.to/4b7ONX0 s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkRU81B
M.2 A&E Key 2230 to PCIe X1 Adapter: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCEBn39
X540-T2 10GbE NIC: amzn.to/3vYrcaU s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCs0lff
Mini SFF 8087 SAS to 4x SATA splitter cable: amzn.to/3vMZQEX s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCO5c21
INSPUR 9211-8i6Gbps HBA LSI IT Mode: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdtyKP7
Mini PCIe to dual USB 3.0 Internal Header Adapter: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okoSTa3
Mini PCIe to single USB 3.0 Internal Header Adapter: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oD2xPi7
PCIe to Mini PCIe Adapter: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_opXkZeT
HGFRTEE 16inch (1920x1200P) Touch Portable HDMI/USB C Monitor: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omuZYuj
USB to MINI PCIe WWAN ADAPTER (with SIM Slot): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oFoeQWn
USB 3.0 19-Pin Female Header to Dual USB 3.0 Port: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oEzLR5h
USB 3.0 Internal Header Expansion to Dual Type-C USB Ports: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okCmd79
USB 3.0 Internal Header to Dual USB 3.0 Port: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olQhjex
USB 3.1 Type-C to 20-Pin Header adapter cable: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCydcIn
Lenovo Daughter board 01AJ937 - 1x DP: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_onzffiT
Black Sleeved 27cm SATA Power to Fan Splitter Cable: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okJ0bx9
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💻 HSPEC DataBase (for parts, upgrades, video summaries and more):
www.reddit.com/r/HSpecWorkstations/
🔧 NEW: Our Community Discord Server!
discord.gg/QmpMeE7Xfb
🛠 Related: FMS - Frankenstein Mini Server Build: https://youtu.be/4j_N3GqGpa4
🎯 Support: buymeacoffee.com/RACERRRZ
#Lenovo #MiniPC #10GbE, #NAS #NVMeStorage #TechGuide #Server, #RACERRRZ, #Workstation, #HPWorkstation, #Gaming, #Gamingcomputer
9 months ago | [YT] | 8