showstopper

Firstly apologies to garycase as i must have started 2 of these threads previously!!! My goal is to create a unraid build that will mainly host plex to probably a maximum of 3 concurrent HEVC streams. It will also be used for network file storage. I may create the odd VM but probably only for testing. I may think about a gaming VM - but i have a dedicated PC for this anyway. The case has to be the Fractal Node 304 as I am space limited. This is my preferred build but i think the costs are probably a little out of reach. I will be reusing my current 4 x WD Red 3TB and 1 x 256GB Samsung Evo 840 Motherboard - ASRock E3C236D2I CPU - Xeon E3-1245v5 RAM - Total of 32GB ECC RAM PSU - SilverStone ST45SF CPU Fan - Noctua NH-L9i Node 304 Case, Cruiser Fit USB, and SATA splitters. However this is coming in at close to £750, so I am now thinking of this: CPU - Intel i5-6600 Motherboard - ASRock Z270M-ITX RAM - Crucial Ballistix 16GB DDR4 I would use the same case, USB and CPU cooler. Is anything wrong with this second build that I maybe haven't thought of?! Many thanks.

Hi, Are you willing to split? Can i have prices for CPU, RAM, SSD and CPU cooler please? I am in London fairly frequently so could collect. Cheers.

Which model of the E5 are you looking at? Ah i thought it was a v3 but it's a v2 - and (unless garycase comes up trumps again) there are no scoket 2011v2 mini-itx motherboards....

The only reason i am looking at the E5 now is that there is a chance i can get it for very cheap - like less than the i3 cheap. garycase - thank you so much - everywhere i look i could only find that 1 mini-itx socket 2011 board!! I would need an additional SATA card with it.

So as i always do, i start looking at different options! There is a small chance that I can get a Xeon processor at a 'ridiculously' good price. So now i am looking at mini-itx socket 2011v3. From what i have found there is only 1 motherboard - http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/X99E-ITXac/?cat=Specifications Seems to take ECC RAM. Any thoughts on this?

I did look at the Silverstone case, and I totally agree with you. It is an excellent case. I just can't fit it in.

Thanks for this guys. So a new unraid build will automatically be XFS, so i can just install the plugin.

So i read on another forum that unRAID has no data integrity. Is this true, or was this the case on version 5? Just seems crazy to build huge storage systems with no data integrity checks?

Just had a look at a E3-1230v3 - it doesnt have processor graphics so i would need a GPU wouldn't i? Then i would lose the single PCI slot on the mini-itx board. If i can stretch to a xeon i guess i should be looking at a 1225,1226 or 1245? EDIT - Actually only the 1245 has HT and graphics. Hmmm.

OK i think i have my kit list: Motherboard (£165) - ASRock E3C226D2I Server/Workstation Board (Socket 1150, Intel C226, DDR3, S-ATA 600, M-ITX) RAM (8GB) (£45) - Kingston KVR1333D3E9S/8G RAM 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 ECC CL9 DIMM, 240-Pin CPU (£86) - Intel Core i3 Processor (3.7 GHz, 3 MB, LGA1150 Socket) Case (£70) - Fractal Design Node 304 Case PSU (£57) - SilverStone SST-ST45SF v 2.0 Strider SFX Bronze 450 W Power Supply Unit SATA Splitter (£5) - StarTech 4x SATA Power Splitter Adapter Cable USB (£5) - Cruzer Fit 16 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive unRAID Basic $60 = £43

True - although i thought the silverstone only has 4 SATA power?

I did look at that PSU but it has terrible UK reviews - http://www.amazon.co.uk/SilverStone-SST-ST45SF-Strider-Bronze-Supply/dp/B003LU6PN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453410239&sr=8-1&keywords=SilverStone+450W+SFX So the one i found is meant to fit in the node 304 as it is 140mm deep - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fractal-Design-Integra-Power-Supply/dp/B00LW1XM06/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453410342&sr=8-1&keywords=Fractal+Design+550+W+Integra+M+Power+Supply+Unit+-+Black Although that silverstone does have great US reviews, although some of the newer ones say it is noisy. Hmm not sure what SFX to go for. I think i can get away with a 300W as well but the price difference isnt too much different.

OK so the v(lost count!) 3 kitlist is currently this. Motherboard (£165) - ASRock E3C226D2I Server/Workstation Board (Socket 1150, Intel C226, DDR3, S-ATA 600, M-ITX) RAM (16GB) (£88) - Kingston KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G RAM 16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 ECC CL9 DIMM Memory Kit (2 x 8 GB) 240-Pin RAM (8GB) (£45) - Kingston KVR1333D3E9S/8G RAM 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 ECC CL9 DIMM, 240-Pin CPU (£86) - Intel Core i3 Processor (3.7 GHz, 3 MB, LGA1150 Socket) Case (£70) - Fractal Design Node 304 Case PSU (£54) - Fractal Design 550 W Integra M Power Supply Unit - Black Either/or for the RAM - probably go with 8GB. Any thoughts on this build? Gives me the option to put a xeon in at a later date, if required.

Oh dear now you have gone and caused me more lost time in research!! Seriously though thank you all for your input. What are the advantages of the C226 class board over the H97? Is it just the virtualisation options? Also should i be looking at a hardware raid card, or is internal ok? If i wanted to change to external in the future, would i lose my data? Any suggestions on a card that can do 6 drives?

If you're planning to run an Unraid/HTPC or perform virtualisation with graphics card passthrough then you're going to need a CPU that has vt-d and a discrete gfx card.... in which case also check the motherboard has vt-d as well.. No vm's. Just NAS and plex.

OK i think i have a kit list now. Not sure i can afford the i5, and TBH im not sure i need it. Fractal Node 304 i3-4170 Fractal Design 550W Integra M PSU GA-H97N-WIFI Motherboard (amazon dont do the non-wifi version) Crucial Ballistix Sport 2 x 8GB RAM I will be adding my existing 4x3TB WD Reds Not sure about a cache drive yet - think i can get away without it? Any thoughts before i go through. I will say that i looked at a lot of different options. I initially was looking at a skylake build, but the CPU's are still pricey. Also looked at a xeon CPU but no mini-itx boards out there. Also ideally i will get the majority from amazon as i have about £350 in vouchers.

Thank you for all your help

This happened to me last time! The more i read the more i change my mind!! Now looking at a Fractal Node 304, but not sure on the CPU to use? Mainly NAS but with plex used on 2-3 devices.

The TV unit is open front and back so airflow should be OK. Noise is a big factor so i would probably look at noctua fan upgrade. Without a GPU i reckon it should be fairly quiet. If i had anywhere else to put it i would do, but my router and switch are already in the front room. Hmmm maybe i could get a cable to the loft?!

Thanks for your reply. I am essentially starting from scratch, with the exception of the initial hard drives. I have 4 x 3TB WD Reds (3.5"). I'll probably also use my existing 250GB SSD, if i can. Ideally i would like a case with room for expansion. Wasn't sure if there are any desktop style cases that i can cram some "5in1" in?

Hi all, I have been flirting with the idea of building a unraid server for a while now. I think i will actually go through with it now! However I am stuck at a case choice. The issue is that i want to put this in my TV cabinet and the height is limited - H-26.5, W-54, D-40 (cm). I was (and possibly still am!) undeciding on building an unraid server or a gaming htpc. I am leaning more towards the unraid as i want a dedicated storage server that i can easily manage and expand. I can buy a steamlink to game in the lounge! When I was looking at htpc\gaming build i was looking at http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=330&area=en or this http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=331&area=en However now i am thinking of more storage that space to fit a long GPU i guess i am looking at a desktop case (that will fit) with as many 5.25" drive bays as possible. Anyone have any ideas on cases for me?

Dont buy a corsair psu - they are not what they used to be! Go for a EVGA

Thanks all. Very helpful, and gives me more reading!!

I'll look into unRAID more. Just out of interest what CPU cooler are you using? Is your machine relatively quiet or have you switched the fans to noctura's?

Thanks for your help guys. Jake333 - looks like I have specked a similar build!! How are you running your vm's? Is there a guide that shows how to get a hyper visor running with ex or hyper-v? Have you tried playing games through a vm? Does it work?