Hello and thanks for looking to help with my first unRaid server. I will be taking a few parts from from another system to save on cost. Here are the parts I plan on salvaging.

 

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz 4M L2 Cache 1333MHz LGA775 Desktop Processor

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-2-33GHz-1333MHz-Desktop-Processor/dp/B001DCLRYM

 

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231179

 

NORCO RPC-470 Black 4U Rackmount Server Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219020

 

1 x Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB

3 x Western Digital Caviar Black 1.5TB

3 x Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB

 

 

Now I need some input on Motherboard and Power Supply. Here is what I have been considering. Let me know if there is a better option or something more suitable.

 

Change of plans:

New option is

Processor -  Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221

 

Motherboard -  BIOSTAR H55A+ LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI ATX Intel

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138281

 

Motherboard -   ASUS P5G41T-M/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131616]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131616[/s]

 

PSU -   XFX Core Edition PRO650W (P1-650S-NLB9) 650W ATX12V

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014

 

The case is set up to house 10 HDD and can add 5 more through the 5.25" drive slots + I can rig up 5 more inside the case. So I want 20 total HDD. What else other than HDD's will I need to fill this case up? Thanks for helping and let me know on the mothreboard and PSU.

 

Now I need some input on Motherboard and Power Supply. Here is what I have been considering. Let me know if there is a better option or something more suitable.

 

Motherboard -   ASUS P5G41T-M/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131616

 

 

...make sure it has a compatible NIC!

You can not go wrong with an intel based NIC.

I cannot find a hint as of now, but I am under the suspicion, that this mobo

has an Atheros NIC...avoid them like the plaque!..they'll cause hair loss  

 

Edit: here's proof...Do NOT buy this mobo for use with unRAID !

...for running seven drives, you want an additional PCIe SATA card, too

To fill your case with up to 14 drives (8+6), a mobo with 6xSATA and 1xPCIe x8 should be OK.

If you need more, you'll need 2xPCIe slots.

 

...a mobo with 775 socket and 2xPCIe will be more expensive (approx 2x) than what you are currently looking into.

Check the recommended builds section in the wiki

You might want to consider selling that quad core and buying a single core CPU like the Celeron 420.  It'll give you some money to put towards the rest of your build and save you money on your power bill.

You might want to consider selling that quad core and buying a single core CPU like the Celeron 420.  It'll give you some money to put towards the rest of your build and save you money on your power bill.

 

I would have a hard time recommending a single core 1.6GHz Celeron for today's unRaid.  Current addons benefit from some CPU punch.  Although I would not recommend buying a quad-core for unRAID, if he already has one, I'd say use it.  If goal is basic file server only, and saving on electricity a primary concern, then consider something low power.

 

My bigger concern would be finding a good unRAID motherboard for the socket 775 processor.  Last I looked, they were hard to find.

 

"Good motherboard for unRAID" = supported NIC, 6 on-board SATA, 2 PCIe slots that are x4 or better, 1 PCIe slot x1, on-board video, level 1 tested by an unRAID user

Thanks for the help and info. It is becoming challenging for me to find a MB with more than 4 SATA and 2 or more PCIe x4 or better is almost non existent... Well I will check around alittle more but I guess it looks as if I will have fit a new CPU and MB in the budget.

Google for C2SEE.  Very good Supermicro motherboard.  Available for ~$120.  Maybe you can find cheaper.  Will allow you to use your existing CPU and allow max unRAID expansion.

 

Note this is a full size ATX MB, and requires a case that can handle it.

Will the above changes be suitable for a media sever with 20 x 2TB drives? Thanks for all the help guys. 

That i3 is fine for unRAID...will run on very low power if idle but gives some headroom if need be.

 

...don't know about the Biostar mobo.

It looks like it runs a RealTek based NIC...most models are OK, but some are not as far as I recall.

I cannot say for sure...find out the exact model and check the forums.

 

This is a real deal, currently (open box): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182211R&cm_re=1156_motherboard-_-13-182-211R-_-Product

The SM X8SIl-F is a real xeon server board...it will accept your i3 (Attention: needs ECC RAM) and will allow you to upgrade to a "real" CPU if need be.

Expansion Slots are OK and it comes with IPMI....it is level 1 tested.

 

...you striked out your RAM selection, so you'll be needing that.

Remember, if going for a server board, the i3 will need unbuffered-ECC RAM.

Check pricing for deals...I bought mine cheaper than non-ECC back then.

 

Always check for RAM compatibility (make and model) with the mobo.

Some boards can be picky...especially Supermico have a reputation for it.

 

...you still do list a number of 7 drives.

The mobo alone will not take you there.

You'll be needing a PCIe controller card for that.

Check the forums. The latest unRAID betas have more options (LSI SAS2008) but are beta still.

 

...with the case you'll need cables.

The Norco has a backplane...You'll be needing matching cables to go with that

As well for an optional PCIe controller.

Again, check the forum or the wiki.

 

...don't know about the Biostar mobo.

It looks like it runs a RealTek based NIC...most models are OK, but some are not as far as I recall.

I cannot say for sure...find out the exact model and check the forums.

 

Why is NIC important and if I buy a MB that the NIC is not supported is there any way around that? with a NIC card or something? Thanks for the reply.

Why is NIC important and if I buy a MB that the NIC is not supported is there any way around that? with a NIC card or something? Thanks for the reply.

 

You want a reliable network connection.

The NIC models need corresponding drivers in the Linux Distribution.

The quality of this is not in the hands of unRAID/Limetech.

 

A driver normally supports a whole family of NICs, like RealTek RTL8111-xx (xx being DL, _L, _E, ...).

Some models are not covered (yet), some have problems, some work fine, some get broken again with an update or an update can fix things.

See this discussion here: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=13720.msg129945#msg129945

 

With the RTL8111 i.e. the RTL8111E has reported some problems.

The Atheros NICS are a real PITA...avoid them!

If you want to play it safe, go for an intel based NIC.

 

You can always fit an extra NIC onto your mobo, with an PCIe card...but you'll be needing/spending a slot for it.

Which in turn, you will loose for other purposes, like fitting a SATA controller.