Codename "Keywork" is my first foray into unRAID server building and I'd like to make it last and serve me well. Because I'd like to have fun with this more than I want to worry too much about budget, I've tried to combine some over-the-top specs with a modest entry into storage space and fancy mods. Please help me check over my specs and break a few ties I have with myself. I will be forever grateful for your advice and hope to provide back to this community in the future. Thank you to everyone who came before me and posted their builds. It's been truly inspiring and exciting.
Goals:
Media manager, streaming, transcoding when necessary
Download manager
AFP and/or SMB Shares
Time Machine Backups
iTunes Server
Ability to play with and run add-ons/plugins
Build a strong machine now that will last while allowing for modest storage growth
Try to minimize power usage where possible
Noise isn't an issue unless it's obnoxiously loud through the walls
Keywork Proposed Build - Newegg prices included. Some components cheaper through Amazon.
unRAID: Free to start then Plus registration for sure ($69)
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz ($389.98 w/ motherboard combo)
CPU Fan: Stock fan - Possible future upgrade: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 or COOLER MASTER GeminII S524
Motherboard: SUPERMICRO MBD-X9SCM-F-O (see CPU for combo price)
RAM: Kingston 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered ($74.99) | 4GB: 2 x Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered 1600 ($25.99 x 2 = $51.98) | Update: I went with 8GB: 2 x Kingston 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered 1600 ($43.99 x 2 = $87.98). In December 2013, I added 16GB more: 2 x Kingston 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered 1600 ($69 x 2 = $138 @ eBay).
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 ($122.98 after shipping) LIAN LI PC-A04B ($79.99) - May add an 80mm case fan to the back.
Drive Cage(s): None
Power Supply: PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk III Series 400W 80 Plus Bronze ($63.98) or CORSAIR CX500M 500W ($69.99) or SILVERSTONE ST45SF-G 450W 80 Plus Gold ($107.56) or SeaSonic Platinum Series SS-400FL2 Active PFC F3 400W 80 Plus Platinum ($120) or SeaSonic SS-520FL 520W Fanless 80 Plus Platinum ($158.18) or KINGWIN STR-500 500W Fanless 80 Plus Platinum ($159.99) / Rosewill SilentNight Series SilentNight-500 500W ($159.99) - The list is whittled down thanks to Ford Prefect for pointing out this motherboard's need for an EPS12V SSI compliant connector, which I confirmed in the motherboard manual in one of their warnings. Update: I ended up getting the SeaSonic SSR-450RM 450W ($87.04)
SATA Expansion Card(s): VGA and dual NIC integrated. In December 2013, I added an LSI SAS 9211-8i 6Gb/s SAS/SATA Host Bus Adapter ($109.99 @ eBay)
Cables: The usual plus 2 x 3ware CBL-SFF8087OCF-06M Multi-lane Internal (SFF-8087) Serial ATA Breakout Cables
Fans: Stock fans - Possible future upgrades/additional fans from Noctua or comparable
UPS: CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series CP600LCD 600VA 340W ($64.99)
Boot Drive: SanDisk Cruzer Fit 16GB USB
Parity Drive: Western Digital Red WD30EFRX 3TB ($159.99)
Data Drives: Start with 3 x Western Digital Red WD30EFRX 3TB (319.98) - I added a repurposed WD Black 1TB HDD. Also, in December 2013, I added another 3TB Red for only $68.39.
Cache Drive: No cache drive to start. Considering SSD since it can be mounted behind the Fractal Define R4 motherboard plate, leaving a hard drive bay free. Maybe SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD120KW Western Digital Black WD5003AZEX 500GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s ($64.99)
Total Drive Capacity: 6TB to start, now 9TB
Update #1: Added Silverstone PSU and SeaSonic Fanless PSU.
Update #2: Struck my original single 8GB RAM and added 2x4GB RAM for dual channeling.
Update #3: Updated PSU list with new knowledge of EPS12V SSI motherboard requirement.
Update #4: Updated my list with everything I ended up purchasing. Purchase amounts are close but not accurate.
Update #5: Added another WD Red 3TB HDD after hitting on a Tigerdirect deal for $68.39 final price.
Update #6: Added LSI SATA HBA and more RAM, as I plan on running unRAID and others VMs on ESXi now.