CDLehner

OK...so while I decide whether to keep the SASLP or lose the 15% re-stocking to NewEgg and get a SAS2LP instead (http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=21468.0) ...I'm trying to move forward with my build a bit. Got the power, reset, and power LEDs set-up on the F_Panel; I'm trying to figure out HDD activity on this case. I have NIC1 and NIC2 LED leads (can't imagine I use these), and then these 2 sets of "Data" leads. This seems like the culprit, as the case has 2 HDD activity lights on the front (although 3 back-planes worth of drives?); I just can't figure where these go off my board? Thanks, CD

Yes; please John, do your best to talk me out of it...lol. I hate the idea of losing $20, for just having opened a package yesterday...rather than come to this conclusion today. CD

Thanks guys. The SASLP would probably suit my needs just fine for now; x4 speed, 2T support (well, I guess 3T with updated driver), and ability to run on 4.7. OTOH, all things being equal...who wouldn't want newer and "better". I was going to ask about going to 5.0 anyway. If it's at the point where there's relatively low instability, I'd love to bump. Now I guess it's just a matter of taking my medicine, and losing 15% to NewEgg on the RMA. CD

No. The SASLP handles 8 drives. And also, it does handle 3TB and bigger drives, with the firmware 3.0.21. So, it is 4 drives per connector. The only difference is that the SASLP has less bandwith (because it is 4x PCI-E instead of 8x), and that the SASLP only goes to sata-300 instead of sata-600, which doesn't matter for mechanical drives. Another difference that may or may not matter to you , is that the SAS2LP is not supported by unraid 4.7, while the SASLP is supported. So, if you had the SAS2LP, you'd need to use the 5.0 versions. Since 5.0 has been working great for a long time already and it is just some external driver-issues that keep complicating things, there's no real reason not to use 5.0 anyway, I think. That's great help Wody, thanks. I'm kinda torn; just yesterday, I cracked the seal on my SASLP...even though I haven't installed it yet. So, unfortunately...that's gonna cost me 15% with NewEgg. I'm trying to decide if I just bite the bullet, and RMA the SASLP and get a SAS2LP. OTOH...the SASLP would likely suit my needs for now. CD

OK...so it will support 8 drives; it's just speed and size where they differ? Not to answer my own question: but if the SAS2 is faster, and supports bigger drives; and right now...best I can tell, the SAS2 isn't any more...but in fact a few bucks cheaper than the SAS(1). Is there any reason, ANYONE should buy an SAS(1) as opposed to an SAS2?? Thanks, CD

OMG; I'm just about to put together my new build (porting to an RPC-2212 case http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=21463.0), and I think I have the wrong Controller card? I had read some comments about the AOC-SASLP-MV8 (which I got) vs. AOC-SAS2LP-MV2...and how the SAS2 handled larger drives, etc. I wasn't so concerned about drives above 2T (at least for now...although it would be nice to "future-proof")...but now am I reading correctly; the SASLP only handles 4 drives...as opposed to the SAS2 handles 8?? I just assumed, because it had (2) SFF-8087s, that each handled 4 drives...for a total of 8 (also, specs say "external connectors...8 x SAS"; obviously, I don't know my way around these cards very well). So let me get this straight: if it's true, the SAS2 handles more and bigger drives, and it turns out it's slightly cheaper!? Did I make a HUGE mistake with my choice?? I haven't installed it yet (although I cracked the package open last night); should I be looking to return the SAS for the SAS2? Thanks, CD

Influencer, thanks for the help so far. I have some follow-up questions (natch)...but I think I have a bigger fish to fry right now. I had read some comments about the AOC-SASLP-MV8 (which I got) vs. AOC-SAS2LP-MV2...and how the SAS2 handled larger drives, etc. I wasn't so concerned about drives above 2T (at least for now...although it would be nice to "future-proof")...but now am I reading correctly; the SASLP only handles 4 drives...as opposed to the SAS2 handles 8?? I just assumed, because it had (2) SFF-8087s, that each handled 4 drives...for a total of 8 (also, specs say "external connectors...8 x SAS"; obviously, I don't know my way around these cards very well). So let me get this straight: if it's true, the SAS2 handles more and bigger drives, and it turns out it's slightly cheaper!? Did I make a HUGE mistake with my choice?? I haven't installed it yet (although I cracked the package open last night); should I be looking to return the SAS for the SAS2? Thanks, CD

OMG; I'm just about to put together my new build (porting to an RPC-2212 case http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=21463.0), and I think I have the wrong Controller card? I had read some comments about the AOC-SASLP-MV8 (which I got) vs. AOC-SAS2LP-MV2...and how the SAS2 handled larger drives, etc. I wasn't so concerned about drives above 2T (at least for now...although it would be nice to "future-proof")...but now am I reading correctly; the SASLP only handles 4 drives...as opposed to the SAS2 handles 8?? I just assumed, because it had (2) SFF-8087s, that each handled 4 drives...for a total of 8 (also, specs say "external connectors...8 x SAS"; obviously, I don't know my way around these cards very well). So let me get this straight: if it's true, the SAS2 handles more and bigger drives, and it turns out it's slightly cheaper!? Did I make a HUGE mistake with my choice?? I haven't installed it yet (although I cracked the package open last night); should I be looking to return the SAS for the SAS2? Thanks, CD

Guys, I'm sorry; I need some basic help, and I think my first thread...in the Compulsive Build area (http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=20885.0)...is largely getting ignored, because it's probably in the wrong place. The questions I need answered, are probably far below the level that should be covered there. I guess to build my own server at all, I know more than the average Joe; but every time I go through a major change (for the record, I started off with this ARK 4U-500 case...successfully ported to a Norco 4020 for a brief spell, and then went running back...lol), I need a few points in the right direction from the group. I'm now trying to move my build to the 2U Norco RPC-2212 (duh). Here are some things I'm curious about: 1) First time dealing with a new, 2U PSU. Other than screwing it into place, is there anything else I should/could look to do, to "secure" it better? These came with the PSU; and of course, there were various brackets that came with the case. 2) Which CPU connector should I be looking to use? This Red one doesn't seem to fit...but these other two do. As you might be able to see...one of the connectors says EPS on it? 3) Is this PSU going to be able to power my build? I got this guy http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338093, and I thought with 40 amps off the single 12v rail, I was sitting pretty. However...there are 2 leads with IDE supplies; one with (2)...which I will need to run the fan board, and one with (3). Can I use the (3) single IDEs to power the drive back-planes here? 4) Lastly (for now)...this is my new SuperMicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101358). I know it goes on the PCI Express slot, and those are my Blue slots here, right? Any reason to choose one over the other, on my board (Gigabyte MA790GPT-UD3H)? Like one is faster than the other, or something like that? Guys, thanks in advance for any and all help. I know by some standards, these are very simple questions...and it can be a chore for the guys who know their stuff, to entertain such fodder...lol. It is appreciated! CD

Here's kind of a silly one: should I be looking to shore-up the PSU, any more than just these 3 screws from outside the case? Thanks, CD EDIT- Just found this bundled up with the PSU leads

Looking good, got any more photos? How's the new PSU look? You can tell decent quality PSUs as soon as you pick them up as they should be quite "weighty." Yup; that's exactly what it is. I was quite surprised, when I picked up the box; shipping weight was 6 lbs, with just the PSU inside. I feel like it'll be fine. Not much to shoot to this point. Moved the MoBo, and set the PSU inside. Waiting on the reverse-breakout to start hooking things up. I'll take more pics then. CD

That looks like it should do the job quite nicely Be sure to include a link in this thread to your case swap, if you make one. http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=20885.0

The move so far. Nothing exciting; just the board and new PSU. Waiting on a reverse-breakout; then I need to decide on a RAID card.

D'oh; right you are! At first I was bummed; thinking pci-x was "superior" to pci-express...but it's not, right? Pci-express is actually newer and "better"? So, obviously...I don't have a whole lot of experience with this kind of expansion, and SAS cards, etc. I did take a run at porting to a 4020 once...but never got past 2 sets of reverse break-outs http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816133033&Tpk=norco%20reverse, and the 6 drives I could run off my board (before I went back to my current build). So...with the card above; I get 2 mini-SAS...which will run 2 of the 3 rpc-2212 backplanes (or a total of 8 drives)? And then I need what...a cable like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812228055 to connect? Thanks, CD

I've got 6 SATA ports off my board. So I don't need it just yet, but is this SuperMicro card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815121009 still the shizz for expansion? I only need 6 additional ports, but I don't see a 6-port card...so this appears to be the cheapest way to go. Thanks, CD

FWIW...I did just order this PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338093. Once it arrives, I can post the details of my move. CD

FWIW...I did just order this PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338093. Once it arrives, I can post the details of my move. CD

FWIW...I did just order this PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338093. Once it arrives, I can post the details of my move. CD

Easier? To be sure; but I already have a 4u case, and the grass is always greener I wasn't thinking of the cost of a new PSU. But I'm stuck now, so...I don't know anything about voltage measurements? According to the unRAID PSU thread, you should shoot for 2 amps pre green drive, 3 otherwise...and 5 for the motherboard. So...12 drives; presumably, most of them green...that puts me somewhere in the 30-35 range. I'd rather be safe than sorry...but I'd also prefer to spend as little as possible. So what's something like this mean +5V@25A, +12V@40A, [email protected], +3.3V@25A, [email protected] on this Athena number http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338093 ? Athena or iStar? Thanks, CD

I posted this in its own topic, but it was suggested I look here. I have just pulled the trigger on an RPC-2212. Most of my parts will port from my current 4u build (ARK 4u-500 case, Corsair TX-650, and iStar BPU-350 5-in-3 hot-swap cage...which I will have to let go of)...but of course the PSU will not. So I need some advice on that. I'm looking at this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338060 ; any thoughts? Should 400w do me, for 12 drives? Then it was suggested that this cheap-ish PSU will likely not offer enough amperage for 12-drives and associated parts. I clearly don't know that much about what's suitable for a build of this size. This was offered as an alternative http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338074. The port to this RPC-2212 is totally "unnecessary"; I just wanted to do it...lol. So the $250 for the case was one thing; another $150 for a PSU...when I have a perfectly good Corsair TX-650, is another. Any suggestions on a cheaper, suitable PSU...or am I going to have to bite the bullet on this one? Thanks, CD

Yikes; yes, that's 3 times the price...but I guess you do get what you pay for. I don't know much about amperage...hence my post for advice. Thanks Soup; guess I have some reading to do. This port to an RPC-2212 is totally "unnecessary"; I just want to do it...lol. So the $250 for the case was one thing; another $150 for a PSU...when I have a perfectly good Corsair TX-650, is another. CD

I have just pulled the trigger on an RPC-2212. Most of my parts will port from my current 4u build (ARK 4u-500 case, Corsair TX-650, and iStar BPU-350 5-in-3 hot-swap cage...which I will have to let go of)...but of course the PSU will not. So I need some advice on that. I'm looking at this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338060 ; any thoughts? Should 400w do me, for 12 drives? Thanks, CD

Admittedly, I think I'm in the wrong area; I am not nearly as hardcore as most appear to be in the compulsive build forum (and fwiw, I've asked the mods to move me to a more appropriate place). But I have just pulled the trigger on an RPC-2212. As I said in my OP, most of my parts will port from my current 4u build...but of course the PSU will not. So I need some advice on that. I'm looking at this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338060 ; any thoughts? Should 400w do me, for 12 drives? Thanks, CD

I'm going to put this in the compulsive design area...because I have no good reason for thinking about porting my 6-drive, ARK 4U-500 case (http://www.arktechinc.net/server-case/4u-rackmount/4u-ipc-4u500.html) to a Norco RPC-2212, except that I want to (well, and I do double my hot-swap capacity, and I like the idea of the slim-line 2U case). However, I have some questions: I'll be able to keep most of my parts: Gigabyte MA790GPT-UD3H board, chip, RAM (natch); but my Corsair TX-650 won't fit in a 2U case, and there will be no need for my iStar BPU-350SATA 5-in-3 hot-swap cage (http://istarusa.com/istarusa/products.php?model=BPU-350SATA). What's the market going to be like for this really good, starter set-up: ~$300 in parts, that anyone getting into the unRAID game for the first time could use. Can I expect to recoup even say $100? (this is not an ad...just trying to gauge if moving to the RPC-2212...again, for no good reason...is going to mean throwing my previous...perfectly good case, psu, and 5-in-3 cage into the garbage.) What about a good 2U PSU for the RPC-2212; any suggestions, so I can gauge the cost there on the one new part I'll need? I'll probably keep this thread alive, for some build questions too. I went from the ARK, to a Norco 4020 at one point...and back to the ARK; so I'm not a novice, but hardly an expert either. So I always have questions when I hunker down for a new build or port. Thanks! CD

OK...now I went back to my old PSU, and all appears to be well again. I'm going to leave the thread open, in case anyone has anything to add; like stuff I should be checking for now that I have access again. Or can venture a guess as to what in the hell happened...lol. Then I'll close the thread as solved. CD