#plus 10 channels that you pick and more expensive plans give you more slots

[sleeperagentclone]

I honestly think cable could make a fucking killing if they just restructured a little bit

[goarticletec-blog]

Cyber Monday 2018: 15 Best Tech Deals for Gifting

New Post has been published on https://www.articletec.com/cyber-monday-2018-15-best-tech-deals-for-gifting/

Cyber Monday 2018: 15 Best Tech Deals for Gifting

It’s Cyber Monday, but many of the deals you’re seeing today started on Black Friday. We’ve been adding and removing items from our categorized lists all weekend, and you should really check them out if you want to see all of the best tech deals today. We’ll keep updating them till the bitter end. But below we wanted to highlight a few of the deals that are really impressing us. Whether you’re treating yourself, or hunting for gifts, we think these devices will make anyone happy, and they’re all on deep discount through the end of the day.

Deals tend to flow in and out of availability and vary in price during Cyber Monday. Please bear with us. We will continue to update this list as we learn about new deals, and cross out links that no longer offer the promised discount, or sell out.

1. A Gift to Start a Smart Home

Amazon Smart Plug + Echo Dot for $29 ($46 off)

This deal is a really nice intro to smart home … stuff for you or someone else. The new Echo Dot sounds better than its predecessors and is a good way to get used to what Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant can offer, from answering questions and forecasting the weather to playing music—or controlling a device like a light with this smart plug. There is something very pleasant about asking Alexa to turn on your lights for you.

2. Headphones That Silence Noise

Bose QuietComfort 25 (Corded) for $110 ($70 off)

These are a small step down from the Bose QC35 II (also on sale for Cyber Monday), but not by much. They have a wire, but they still sound fantastic and cancel noise better than most headphones. They will work with any device that has a 3.5mm headphone jack—or an adapter like many phones now have. The Apple version will work on non-Apple devices as well. You’ll just lose the ability to control your device using the buttons on the cable.

3. The Latest Trend in Smart Speakers

Lenovo Smart Display for $99 ($100 off)

We like Lenovo’s Smart Display a lot. It’s one of the Best Google Home Speakers you can buy and a great companion for the kitchen thanks to its ability to show recipes step-by-step. Google displays can do most everything an Echo can, but they’re easier to set up than 3rd party Alexa speakers and Google tends to answer questions more reliably. The new video news report from CNN is also informative and useful. This speaker works OK for music, but if you want to up your music quality, we recommend the JBL Link View ($100 off for Cyber Monday).

4. The Gift of Coding

Anki Cozmo STEM Toy for $119 ($61 off)

There are a lot of amazing STEM toys for kids these days, and the Cozmo is one of our favorites. First off, the Cozmo is adorable to look at, a twinkling robot buddy that fits in the palm of your hand. Using an Android or iOS app, both kids and parents can teach him how to accomplish simple tasks, and learn how some programming basics without even realizing it. He’s also available at Walmart and Target ($140).

5. TV Streaming Upgrade

Hulu 1-Year Subscription for $12 Total ($84 off)

This is a no-brainer deal and a perfect gift for anyone mooching off your subscription. If you stream, you should have Hulu. It’s the service that gets a ton of first-run TV shows a day after they air on broadcast TV from Fox, ABC, NBC, and many other channels. This plan has limited commercials, but you can upgrade to the commercial-free plan later for an extra few bucks per month.

6. Home Theater in a Box

Vizio 2.1-channel Soundbar + Sub for $98 ($50 off)

If you’re buying for someone who owns a beautiful TV, but listens to it from the crappy TV speakers, get them a soundbar. This Vizio does the job well, thanks to its bundled subwoofer. And if you’re someone who doesn’t own any speakers for your TV, give it a try. You’ll realize what you’re not hearing pretty quickly.

7. The Best Tablet

Apple iPad 2018 for $249 ($80 off)

Note: This deal fluctuates in and out of sale a lot. Check alternate colors and keep trying. The price should hold if you buy it out of stock, but on sale.

There’s just no comparison between the iPad and other tablets. It’s hands down the best, with a slicker interface and far better apps and games. This model is also compatible with the Apple Pencil, which is one of the best digital drawing/writing tools you can own. The iPad does not get cheaper than this. This deal is also available at Walmart.

8. A Killer Smartphone for Hundreds Less

Samsung Galaxy S9 for $520 ($200 off)

The Galaxy S9 can stand toe-to-toe with the absolute best phones of 2018, and today it’s priced $300 to $500 less than almost all of them. This deal is also available from Samsung, Best Buy, and B&H.

9. The Gift of a Clean Floor

iRobot Roomba 690 for $249 ($126 off)

Robot vacuums are neat, and Roombas are still our favorite, but they’re often prohibitively expensive. The Roomba 690 is a good mid-range robot vac that’s Wi-Fi enabled and has many of iRobot’s best features. This deal is also available at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Best Buy.

10. A Smart FirePit for Outdoors-Loving Apartment Dwellers

BioLite FirePit for $160 ($40 off)

Fire pits make a wonderful, primal gathering place in the evening, to roast marshmallows, listen to music, and look at the stars. Unfortunately, they come with a lot of inconveniences, like … wood, ash, and sparks. The BioLite FirePit efficiently burns fuel in a mesh box lined with 51 tiny air jets, letting out warmth and light while keeping in ash, smoke, and stray embers. You can grill on the hibachi cooktop and control the intensity of the flames with the accompanying smartphone app. It’s the perfect centerpiece in a small balcony or backyard.

11. Make Streaming Netflix Easier

Roku Streaming Stick Plus for $45 ($25 off)

Every TV should have a Roku connected to it. It’s the best platform for streaming Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and every other app, and the Streaming Stick Plus is the best Roku for most people (Read our Roku Guide). It plugs right into an HDMI slot on your TV and can hold a solid dual-band Wi-Fi connection, which is especially good for homes with poor Wi-Fi. If your loved one is in the market for a TV, too, the 43-inch TCL 4K Roku TV is also a steal.

12. The Hottest Game Console

Nintendo Switch + $50 Gift Card for $300 ($50 off)

The Nintendo Switch will likely be one of the most popular gifts for the second year running. It has a ton of fun games, including a new Super Smash Bros. game hitting shelves in just about a week. This bundle gives you a normal-priced Switch, but with an extra $50 GameStop gift card. With that $50, you can pick up a game like Super Mario Odyssey.

13. A Great, Affordable Gaming Headset

HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset for $25 ($15 off)

There are a lot of wonderful wireless gaming headsets, but they don’t come cheap—and since normal headsets plug into the wireless controllers on the PS4 and Xbox, they aren’t exactly necessary. This Cloud Stinger is one of our favorite headsets. It has a comfy fit and great sound. The mic also auto mutes when you lift it up. At this price, it’s an awesome get for any online gamer.

14. A Snuggly, Sustainable Sweatshirt

Prana Cozy Up Sweatshirt for $55 ($24 off)

Giving warm, cuddly clothing as a present feels like giving your loved one a hug to take home with them. Unfortunately, the fashion industry is responsible for a wide array of negative environmental impacts, like microplastics in the water and greenhouse gas emissions. But you can gift the Prana sweatshirt guilt-free, as it’s made from a blend of recycled polyester, hemp, and Tencel. It also has a soft fleece lining that will feel luxurious, anywhere from post-yoga class to watching TV on the couch.

15. Smart and Fit

Fitbit Versa for $149 ($51 off)

The Fitbit Versa is one of our favorite fitness trackers and a step up from the old Fitbits you might remember. It monitors sleep, heart rate, and steps while showing the time. Its battery life also lasts for 3-4 days on a charge. This deal is also available at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.

More WIRED Cyber Monday 2018 Deals

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Read more about how this works.

Source link

[computingondemand]

COD Dual CPU Server Build 2017 - Part 1 - The Parts List

New Article has been published on http://computingondemand.com/cod-dual-cpu-server-build-2017-part-1-parts-list/

COD Dual CPU Server Build 2017 - Part 1 - The Parts List

It comes as no surprise to my friends and family that the time has come for me to set aside some of my storage devices and server builds of the past for something bigger and better in 2017. Over the years, we have embarked on a couple of projects related to building a NAS and piecing together a 40TB server using parts left over. This year, I have decided that I would go a few steps further…I decided that this build would last more than just a year. With that said, I started to scour the web for components and started planning the next CODServer, but why?

To be honest with you, an 8-bay QNAP TS-863+ had been doing just fine as the hub of my home network. With eight 4TB drives humming away in the background and PLEX Media Server doing its thing, there had been little need for me to stray. The QNAP platform had provided me with everything I needed. I could install apps like Sonarr, SABNZBD, Crashplan, and much more while the container station provided me with a virtualization platform to run other operating systems to perform functions I couldn’t squeeze out of the NAS itself. The only drawback was when I got the dreaded message telling me my volumes were nearly full.

I suppose I could have just spun up one of the other NAS and solved the problem using some clever iSCSI magic, but I am now looking for consolidation. Instead of running a bunch of devices, I want one device. My home office had become a whirlwind of spinning disks and fans. It was the warmest room in the house and with all the LEDs blinking, it looked like the inside of a spaceship.

With the decision made, and support from my wife secured, I started scratching down a list of components and hitting all the regular sites to plan the build. Having done my homework, I pieced together what would become the server that would last at least another year. Luckily, there was a slew of components I already had, however, for your purposes, I will list them out for a total build cost. This would be, by far, the most expensive storage build COD has had to date… so take a deep breath, get your safety goggles on, and let’s dive right in.

The Case: SilverStone RM420

The case for this build would be one of the most researched bits of hardware. I had seen plenty of folks piecing together unRAID builds with NORCO 4020 chassis and absolutely raving about them. While the NORCOs looked good, I just seem to have an affinity towards SilverStone. Their products are always high quality, and I know what to expect. First thing I did when looking for a case for this build was hit the SilverStone website, that is when I came across the SilverStone RM420.

This case really has it all. It is a 4U chassis with 20 drive bays, tons of cooling, and can home an SSI-EEB motherboard. The backplane uses SFF8087 connectors and sits right in front of four hot-swappable 80mm fans. The case can not only house twenty drives, but it can also support a 2.5″ drive as well as a slim optical drive. Stay tuned for a detailed review.

Budget Choice: Norco 4220 $329.99 – 20 Bay Hotswap Economy Choice: Rosewill RSV-L4412 $229.99 – 12 Bay Hotswap

Price: $599.99 Marketplace: Amazon.com

BUY NOW: AMAZON

A big thank you to SilverStone for sponsoring the case for this build, stay tuned for our full review.

CPU(s): Intel XEON E5-2670s

It may be one of the best-kept geek secrets out there; you can get some great processors on the cheap from dismembered servers on eBay. I am not particularly worried about “new”. You may know this by my home full of refurbished or open box media and computer equipment. I found a pair of E5-2670’s on ebay waiting to find a home in my upcoming server build. The E5-2670 is by no means today’s best processor, but with 8 cores and 2.60GHz each, they will definitely serve you well. Pairing these puppies up will give me 16 cores to play around with. Perfect for a home server build.

Price: $216.00 Marketplace: ebay

Memory: Samsung 128GB (16x8GB) DDR3-1333 ECC REGISTERED

With RAM on the move, I figured buying a stick for each available slot would be a good idea. While you will not likely need 128GB of RAM, having the room to grow means this server will last just a bit longer. Can you get away with 64GB, 32GB, even 16GB? I would say yes, depending on use. I plan on running a few applications and a virutal machine here or there… so why not.

Price: $240.00 Marketplace: ebay

Budget Choice: Anything on sale

SAS RAID Controller: HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL

No server would be complete without the ability to connect a few hard drives. Typically, NAS run variations of Linux and provide some software RAID functionality. With Software RAID, it is easy to expand arrays. For a few extra dollars, you can get a SAS card that is capable of connecting more drives than a SATA controller card and is RAID capable giving you some options. With this in mind, the HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL 8-Port PCI Express controller card is a perfect fit. There are two SFF-8087 mini-SAS connectors and the card is capable of transfer rates of up to 6Gb/s. Additionally, the card supports passthrough so you are not limited to a controller based RAID array.

If you are in the market to save some coin, you could easily save a few bucks by buying a used controller from ebay. I have no reservations about it. In fact, my original purchase for this build was an LSI MegaRAID 9261-8i that I purchased for $92.75.

Budget Choice: LSI MegaRAID 9261-8i – $92.75

Price: Free (leftover), but if you were to buy $161.99 Marketplace: Amazon

BUY NOW: AMAZON

SAS Expander:  Intel RAID Expander Card (RES2SV240)

Having a case with backplanes that support SFF8087 means that a SAS expander is in order. Incorporating an expander card helps to relieve the price burden on more robust controller cards. It doesn’t hurt that it comes with all the cables necessary either saving you some money on additional accessories. While there is no shortage of options out there, this one seemed to be the most affordable I could find.

Price: $218.03 Marketplace: Amazon

BUY NOW: AMAZON

CPU Cooling: 2 x NH-U9DXi4

You know as well as I do, Noctua has a reputation for producing high-quality CPU cooling. When it came to cooling my E5’s, the first place I turned to was Noctua. The NH-U9DXi4s sport dual 92mm SSO bearing fans, 4 heat pipes, and more than 3800cm^2 of surface area. These 4U compatible coolers are a no brainer. Although they aren’t the cheapest option I looked at, their reputation for quality and my experience with their products makes the additional money easily worthwile.

Our budget choice for CPU cooling isn’t exactly a bottom of the barrel pick. The Supermicro coolers have withstood the test of time and have the endurance and quality to be high on anyone’s list for quality components.

Budget Choice: Supermicro 4U SNK-P0050AP4 $41.99

Price: 2x $55.99 Marketplace: Amazon

BUY NOW: AMAZON

Motherboard: ASRock Rack EP2C602-4L/D16

The second most expensive component in this build is the motherboard. There was plenty of competition out there from some pretty recognizable names, but I needed some bang for my buck on this build. The EP2C602-4L/D16 supports dual LGA2011 CPUs and features the Intel C602 Chipset. Aside from that, there are four ethernet ports, 6 x SATA3, 8 x SATA2, integrated graphics, and supports up to 512GB of RAM! Form factor? SSI EEB (12.0 x13.0 inch / 30.5 x 26.7 cm).

Dual Socket R (LGA2011), supports Intel Xeon 5-1600/2600/4600 & v2 series

Supports Quad Channel DDR3 1866 memory, 16 DIMM slots, Max. 512GB

4 PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 PCIe 3.0 x4, 1 PCI

ASPEED AST2300 graphics, 1 VGA : D-Sub

SATA2 (3.0 Gb/s) by Intel C602, Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10

2 SATA3 (6.0 Gb/s) by Intel C602, Supports RAID 0, 1

7 USB 2.0 (2 from rear I/O, 4 from onboard headers, 1 Type A port)

Integrated IPMI 2.0 with KVM and Dedicated LAN (RTL8211E)

4 Intel 82574L LAN, Support PCIE Quad Gigabit LAN

If you decide that a single processor will do, you really open your doors to plenty of options. However, there are so many that I just couldn’t pin down anything that would be the best fit for a budget option. If I were going to go single CPU, it would end up being some leftover motherboard and CPU I have lying around.

Budget Choice: ASRock Rack Motherboard EP2C612D16C-4L – $319.99

Price: $425.55 Marketplace: Amazon

BUY NOW: AMAZON

OS Hard Drive: Samsung SSD 850 Pro (256GB)

I have been a longstanding fan of separating my OS from my data. Having a dedicated SSD for the operating system allows me to quickly switch things up if I need to without too much hassle. Samsung SSD’s have provided me with plenty of performance over the years and have proven to be reliable enough for me to slap this OS on it without much worry. I could have used a drive in the 128GB size range, but I just happen to have this 256GB lying around collecting dust.

With read and write speeds in the 500+ MB/s range, there is plenty of horsepower.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have two of these lying around, so I used my Crucial MX200 500GB drive as dedicated storage for HyperV.

Budget Choice: SanDisk SSD PLUS 120GB – $44.99

Price: $129.00 Marketplace: Amazon

BUY NOW: AMAZON

Power Supply: Corsair HXi Series, HX1000i

In an ideal world, I would have outfitted this server with redundant power supplies. However, living in the real world, I don’t have the budget, nor the separate poles to make it worthwhile. With that in mind, I have to ensure that my efficient PSU would power the dual Xeons and the 22 hard drives this system has running. To be honest with you, 1000 Watts may be a bit much, but with a 80+ certification, the unused power will be unused efficiently.

Budget Choice: Rosewill RBR1000-M 1000-Watt – $109.46

Price: $207.90 Marketplace: Amazon

BUY NOW: AMAZON

Storage (HDD): Anything I can get my hands on

As for filling this thing with hard drives, I can’t say that I am going to source any specific drive. There are a lot of great options out there but many of them are just not within my reach. As for me, I will be pilfering drives from various NAS I have around to fill this thing as much as I can. That means a mix of Seagate NAS drives, some Iron Wolf Drives, some Hitachi NAS Drives, some Hitachi standard drives, and whatever else may be sitting about in the basement.

With the parts ordered and delivered, piecing together this 2017 COD Server will be the next order of business. With a total cost of $2310.44 as configured, it may seem like a steep investment, but in all reality, it really isn’t. It falls right in line with many high-quality 10-bay NAS making it an easy investment if you are shopping for storage.

Device Description QTY  Unit Price  Total Price OS Drive Samsung SSD 850 Pro (256GB) 1  $          129.00  $          129.00 Motherboard ASRock Rack EP2C602-4L/D16 1  $          425.55  $          425.55 CPU Cooler Noctua NH-U9DXi4 2  $            55.99  $          111.98 Expander Intel RAID Expander Card (RES2SV240) 1  $          218.03  $          218.03 Controller HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL 1  $          161.99  $          161.99 Memory Samsung 128GB (16x8GB) DDR3-1333 ECC REGISTERED 1  $          240.00  $          240.00 CPU Intel XEON E5-2670s 2  $          108.00  $          216.00 Case SilverStone RM420 1  $          599.99  $          599.99 PSU Corsair HXi Series, HX1000i 1  $          207.90  $          207.90  Total  $      2,310.44

You can save yourself some money by switching around some of the components of this build. For instance, you can save $100 by switching out the PSU, $80 for the SSD, $70 on the controller, and more than $250 on the case bringing the total cost down to $1,563.19, cheaper than a 10-Bay QNAP NAS!

Device Description QTY  Unit Price  Total Price OS Drive SanDisk SSD PLUS 120GB 1  $            44.99  $            44.99 Motherboard ASRock Rack EP2C612D16C-4L 1  $          319.99  $          319.99 CPU Cooler Supermicro 4U SNK-P0050AP4 $41.99 2  $            41.99  $          83.98 Expander Intel RAID Expander Card (RES2SV240) 1  $          218.03  $          218.03 Controller LSI MegaRAID 9261-8i 1  $            92.75  $            92.75 Memory Samsung 128GB (8x8GB) DDR3-1333 ECC REGISTERED 1  $          120.00  $          120.00 CPU Intel XEON E5-2670s 2  $          108.00  $          216.00 Case Norco 4220 1  $          329.99  $          329.99 PSU Rosewill RBR1000-M 1000-Watt 1  $          109.46  $          109.46  Total  $     1,535.19