I like others have the SERVER bug in me. My goals for this build:
As budget friendly as possible. Meaning if something costs a little more and saves upgrading sooner then it's in the discussion.
unRAID for serving media to my HTPC. This is the main purpose.
To create a super router/firewall using pFsense.
I am an IT student at the moment and will run other VM's like windows server, linux, other things for my own learning.
Of course Sickbeard, Couchpotato, etc.
Any other things that come up, like maybe setting up a NewzNab server.
Proposed Build:
CPU: Xeon E3-1230 Sandy Bridge $240 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115083
Xeon E3-1230 Ivy Bridge $230 http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=XE1230V2BX
Motherboard: Supermicro X9SCM-IIF-O $191 http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-X9SMII
RAM:Hynix DDR3-1333 8GB ECC CL9 $140 https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=D38GE1333H
Controllers: 1x IBM M1015, ebay, currently $90. Flashed to IT mode.
Cables: 2x 0.75m 30AWG Internal Mini SAS forward breakout $8.80 http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10254&cs_id=1025406&p_id=8187&seq=1&format=2
Case: Fractal Design Define XL $140 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352029
Zalman MS800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811235039
Power Supply: Seasonic SS-660XP http://www.amazon.com/Seasonic-ATX12V-EPS12V-Supply-SS-660XP/dp/B009VV56U8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363370459&sr=8-1&keywords=SeaSonic+SS-660XP
Corsair AX750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139016&Tpk=ax750&IsVirtualParent=1
Flash: Already have a 4gb for unRAID and 8gb for ESXi
Parity Drive: 3tb WD Red
Data Drives: 3tb WD Red, 2tb WD20EARX, 2x 750gb WD7500AACS,
Cache Drive: Not sure yet but will have a cache drive
I just ordered the WD red drives. The others are existing. I will add 3tb drives as I go. The reason for the Fractal Design case instead of a Norco is that I don't have nearly enough data to justify the cost right now. The fractal gives me up to ten drives out of the box. In time if I need a Norco I will address it at that point. For another ~100 I could get up to 15 drives in this case.
Going to use ESXi 5.1.
Future: More drives = More M1015's or an Intel SAS expander. Upgrade ram to 32GB.
What cables do I need for this setup and going forward?
Your likes, dislikes, opinions, comments, and questions?