WorriedAboutDataLoss

Everything booted up fine. Ran Memtest86+ and it ran 1 pass successfully without errors. So I'm thinking there shouldn't be any issues My motherboard manual said to apply thermal paste on the CPU for even heat dissipation. Is this necessary? I don't have any handy right now so will probably have to order some if needed. BIOS showed my CPU temp @ 29 C and Motherboard temp @ 31 C after running Memtest. So now just waiting for the case to arrive. I don't think I want to risk pre-clearing any drives without first mounting everything in the case. Don't want the risk of things getting bumped off the table!! Also - curious here. Memtest shows "Single-channel" under settings (see attached image). Shouldn't it be dual-channel? I have 2 sticks of 2GB each. Is this something I have to set in BIOS?

Thank you everyone for all the help so far! I went ahead and ordered all my parts for my budget build (based on suggestions and feedback received from this awesome userbase). I will start documenting my build in the UCD section once I actually am able to start building and take pictures. I've received everything except the case!! The PSU, processor, motherboard and memory are all here. Does it make sense to just setup everything on a table and run memtest or something to verify that the received parts work? Shipping wise I think it'll be atleast another 10-12 days before I receive the case! Or should I wait to properly seat everything in the case so that I minimize any issues I might face with static discharge etc?

I hope this is the right place to post this question: I have the CX430 PSU (just came in the other day). I see that it has 4 SATA connectors + 3 Molex connectors. Since I'm not planning on any drive enclosure (which would have provided me a backplane for power) I'm assuming I need these to convert those molex connectors to SATA power: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10226&cs_id=1022604&p_id=8793&seq=1&format=2 Also - that page states that " The Molex connector provides only 5 and 12 VDC power. While many SATA drives only require these power levels, some require the additional 3.3 VDC power provided for in the SATA specification. Make sure your drive does not require 3.3 VDC before purchasing this adapter cable." How do I make sure that's the drives I'm using don't need the 3.3 VDC power? The drives I'm currently planning to use are: Cache : Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm : 2 GB Parity : Seagate Go-flex 3TB drive (will take the drive out of the enclosure) DATA1 : Seagate Go-flex 3TB drive (will take the drive out of the enclosure) DATA2 : Seagate Go-flex 2TB drive (will take the drive out of the enclosure) DATA3 : Seagate Go-flex 2TB drive (will take the drive out of the enclosure) DATA4 : Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm : 2 GB

no worries! always nice to get confirmation!! Now the long wait starts to get the stuff I ordered today!! Thnx!!

OK Phew!! I think I'm all set - just went to intel's site and for that processor they specify "Intel HD Graphics" with 3 supported displays !

OK. Yes - just saw that it lists the resolution! Thx! Didn't see that before... For some reason - I went to the asrock website to lookup the board and saw this note: "*Intel® HD Graphics Built-in Visuals and the VGA outputs can be supported only with processors which are GPU integrated." So that confused me!! Now regarding the CPU - This is the one that I already ordered: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Celeron-2-60GHz-Processor-BX80637G1610/dp/B00B4BJYVU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373590771&sr=1-1&keywords=G1620 Doesn't mention graphics capabilities anywhere!! Any ideas?

This one here: http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-B75-CrossFireX-Motherboard-PRO3-M/dp/B007RQ0HSA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373574225&sr=1-3&keywords=ASRock+B75M

Aargh! I thought I was done with my questions!! I just realized that I didn't check whether this motherboard / CPU combo has on-board graphics If I want to connect to a monitor for initial setup etc. Or will I have to get a separate VGA card for that!! Thoughts appreciated!!

Last question I promise! For memory: I see this on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/PNY-MD4096KD3-1333-Channel-PC3-10666-Desktop/dp/B0026ZPTR6/ref=sr_1_2?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1373575869&sr=1-2 Compared to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178599 The only difference I see is that the one on amazon has Heat Spreaders (I'm assuming that's what the NHS on newegg's model # specifies - No Heat Spreader) Again - any issues using the memory module from amazon?

Thx Garycase! I just pulled the trigger on the CPU and Case from amazon.com - The case is a little more expensive on amazon compared to Newegg but considering the 18$ shipping cost for Newegg - amazon works out cheaper with free shipping. Concerning the motherboard - I see that amazon has the B75 PRO3-M version of the motherboard for 69.99 - Is this worth considering compared to the B75M R2.0 on Newegg - or is this an incompatible motherboard? It's based on the same LGA 1155 socket and Intel B75 chipset - so I presume it should be compatible. http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-B75-CrossFireX-Motherboard-PRO3-M/dp/B007RQ0HSA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373574225&sr=1-3&keywords=ASRock+B75M Will wait for a here reply before ordering it. Works out at the same cost from amazon as the other suggested board + shipping from Newegg!!

This setup really appeals to me especially with the mobo having 8 SATA ports and the lower price point!! I've already picked up the CX430 PSU. Other than not looking as neat as a Mini-ITX build - any issues/concerns with the mobo/CPU to keep in mind? I'll just be running PMS on this build and using it as a file server and looks like the Celeron G1620 has plenty of horsepower for that. No other plugins planned! Also amazon has the G1620 for even cheaper - 54 bucks out the door.

Thanks Ford Perfect. Right now - it's not a question of Intel vs AMD for me. I'm open to both platforms - no bias here. Just need to know if this particular combo will do the job as I can get it on the cheap (someone nearby is selling it used) or will I regret getting it a couple of months down the line I may not even be using it for transcoding. Just want to make sure I can run Plex / PMS plugins on this system Thanks again!

Thanks everyone for all your help so far!! I might / might not come into some used hardware at a very big discount and could end up going in an entirely different direction compared to this SFF build. Wanted to get an opinion here on how good the following CPU / motherboard combo will do (for the same purpose - Media server + file server + some Plex transcoding) Motherboard - ASUS F2A55-M/CSM - Has 6 Onboard SATA ports CPU - AMD A4-5300 Trinity 3.4GHz Socket FM2 65W Dual-Core Desktop APU (scores 2052 on PassMark) Memory - Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread. But my last question on this CX430 PSU : I see that it has just 4 SATA connectors - Is it correct to assume that the other two drives will need molex->SATA cables and use the peripheral connectors?

Thanks garycase! Would the CX430 be enough to support 6 7200 rpm drives? those are the only one's I have right now - 2 Seagate Barracudas (2TB each) and 4 seagate go-flex externals (2x 3TB and 2 x 2TB)- I think inside they are 7200 rpm drives as well.

Do you see any issue with going with this PSU in the same case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048&Tpk=CX600M&IsVirtualParent=1 Reason I ask is I want to get a bigger PSU for future proofing but go with the ITX case for now. It's slightly longer @ 6.3" for the 600W modular instead of 5.5" for the CX430 (The CX430M - modular is longer as well - 6.3")

Just one last question - in dirtysanchez's LandFill build the motherboard specs show 4 3Gb/s and 2 6Gb/s SATA ports. I'm assuming it doesn't really matter that 4 of those ports are at slower 3Gb/s bus speeds. The drives I'm currently planning to use Cache : Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm : 2 GB Parity : Seagate Go-flex 3TB drive (will take the drive out of the enclosure) DATA1 : Seagate Go-flex 3TB drive (will take the drive out of the enclosure) DATA2 : Seagate Go-flex 2TB drive (will take the drive out of the enclosure) DATA3 : Seagate Go-flex 2TB drive (will take the drive out of the enclosure) DATA4 : Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm : 2 GB

Thanks everyone!! I think I've got motivated enough to shell out for a new setup and not use my existing parts. I was actually looking at both dirtysanchez's Landfill (mentioned above) build and greenythebeast's 'El Ilusionista' @ http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=25982.0 Currently I only stream / direct play and do absolutely no transcoding (480p rips of my physical DVDs) and some music (my current desktop is pulling media server duties using PMS). But I think it's nice to be prepared for future requirements. Any thoughts on Core i3 (Intel architecture) for LandFill vs the AMD A6-5400K build for El Illusionista? I know it's mostly AMD / Intel preferences but any glaring differences I should keep in mind? Cheers!

Hello. My first post on this forum - have been a long time lurker and reading up a lot of stuff here and on the Wiki. I'm finally thinking of putting together my firsy unRaid server. I want to use a few of my existing components: - Intel D865GVHZ micro-ATX motherboard - Has 2 onboard SATA slots + 3 PCI slots - Celeron-D processor - 1280 MB RAM (1GB stick + 256 MB stick) - PNY 2.0 16GB DRIVE (has Unique GUID) I already tried putting unRaid on the above hardware and was able to boot properly and even run pre_clear on an old IDE hard drive I had sitting around. I will definitely need a new case + power supply (the current PSU I have is an old 200W on it's last leg) + SATA expansion card I'll be setting up with a max of 6-7 drives (1 parity, 1 cache and 4-5 data drives) and don't see it growing in the near future (atleast a couple of years) Here's what I'm thinking: PSU : CORSAIR CX500M - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-139-050&Tpk=17-139-050 Case: Antec 302 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129180 SATA Expansion card - ?? I have No idea!! Is there a smaller case which I can use - I'm very interested in the Fractal Design Node 304 but not sure it can hold my micro-ATX board. Something which can be left in the living room and still keep 'she who must be obeyed' happy. Otherwise I'll have to put it in a closet. I plan on running plex / PMS media server on this box once setup with unRaid. Is my CPU / RAM up to this OR will I be better off going with an entirely new build? Thoughts / suggestions / concerns appreciated!!