Hi Guys,

 

I'm about to splash out some cash on my first UnRaid server.

 

I've just ordered the case (a Zalman MS1000 - thanks to ilovegoodnugz for the tip / case advice).

 

I'm aiming to build a relatively quiet, but fast machine that will sit behind my TV in the lounge and serve up my media centre library.

 

At this point, I would like to include the following applications on top of the standard UnRaid server;

 

* Sick Beard

* Couch Potato

* SabNZDB

* Plex Media Server

(* Please note that I plan to have a seperate drive to act as a workhorse for these apps)

 

I have another machine that I could dedicate to these tasks if necessary, but I'm really attracted to the idea of just putting it all in one case.

 

The proposed setup is as follows (it's very similar to the setup used by Lime Tech in their MD-1510);

 

OS:

Undecided - but probably the latest Beta.

 

CPU:

1x Core 2 Duo E7400

(Link : http://www.provantage.com/supermicro-p4de74002803m1066~7SUP92K7.htm)

 

Motherboard:

1x Supermicro Intel C2 G45

(Link : http://www.provantage.com/supermicro-c2sea~7SUPM206.htm)

 

RAM:

1x Corsair 4GB Kit (2X2GB) DDR3 1333MHZ DIMM Unbuffered

(Link : http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cmv4gx3m2a1333c9~7CSMC0C8.htm)

 

Case:

1x Zalman MS1000-HS2

(Link : http://www.overclockersonline.net/reviews/zalman-ms1000-hs2/)

 

Drive Cage(s):

3x Supermicro 5-in-3 Mobile Rack Black SATA Hot Swap Cage

(Link : http://www.provantage.com/supermicro-cse-m35t-1b~7SUPM0KH.htm)

 

Power Supply:

Need advice !  Apparently I need a "Single +12V Rail" PS, but I'm not really sure what that means.  Can someone please explain ?

 

SATA Expansion Card:

2x Adaptec 1430SA 4-Ch SATA RAID Kit PCIe X4

(Link : http://www.provantage.com/adaptec-2240900-r~7ADPD00P.htm)

 

Cables:

TBA

 

Fans:

TBA

 

OS Flash Drive:

TBA

 

Vibration Reduction:

TBA

 

I'm looking to install around 15-17 drives in the box (probably 3x3TB and the rest 2TB).

 

I'm not overly experienced in building my own machines.  I've did it quite a bit around 7-8 years ago and I've changed cards / drives etc, but I'll really be looking for some community support when I get to build time.

 

So the questions that I have for you kind people are;

 

1. Are there any conflicts with the above specs that I should be aware of?

2. Can anyone recommend an appropriate PS for this machine?

3. Will I have any problems running the applications listed above on the machine as well?

4. Does anyone have any suggestions for improvements?

5. Does anyone have any recommendations for the items marked TBA?

 

I'm really keen to make sure that this will all work before i go out and drop 1k on it all, so please - feel free to add your 2c !

 

Callum

Looking forward to seeing the feedback on this one... Sans "application drive," this looks to be the same sort of box I'm contemplating right now - and that supermicro mobo may be just what I'm looking for!  I'm also in the same boat build-wise (last project was in the late 90s), so I'm going to be completely reliant on the community if I hit a road bump building this sucker; glad to know I'm in good company!

I will always recommend the latest stable version of unRAID (currently version 4.7) unless you have a specific need for one of the features only available in a beta version of unRAID.  If you do choose to use a beta version, I recommend doing your own burn in testing to make sure you don't have any problems before trusting any data to it.

 

Your CPU, Mobo, and RAM look good.  There are cheaper options if you are interested in a more budget-friendly build, but the parts you've chosen are a good choice for reliability and unRAID compatibility.  I'm surprised how expensive that CPU is, you might want to shop around a bit on that one.  I'll assume that the RAM you've chosen is on Supermicro or Corsair's approved list for that motherboard.  If you haven't confirmed that, then do so, as Supermicro boards are notoriously picky about RAM.  Also, just an FYI, we usually use the motherboard's make and model name to differentiate them.  In this case, you've chosen the Supermicro C2SEA, which is a good choice.  I don't know anything about the requirements of running a Plex server, but the CPU and RAM should be plenty for the other add-ons you mentioned.  If you do want to find a cheaper CPU, any dual core should work for your add-ons.

 

I'm not quite sure I understand your choice of case and drive cage.  The Zalman MS1000-HS2 is an excellent case for a 10 drive or smaller server (like the one that ilovegoodnugz built) as it comes with 6 hot swap bays (2 x 3-in-3s) and you can obtain a third 3-in-3 easily.  However, if you plan on replacing all the stock 3-in-3s with 5-in-3s, then the Zalman is a waste of money in my opinion.  You can spend about half as much on another case, such as the Azza Helios 910, and end up with a similar result.  If you are choosing the Zalman case for aesthetic reasons and aren't worried about the extra cost, then that's fine.  But for a budget build of a larger server, I don't think it is the best choice.

 

As for 5-in-3 drive cages, my current favorites are the Norco SS-500s.  They are the cheapest model (at least in the US), and in my opinion they are the highest quality as well.  Here's my review of several 5-in-3 drive cages, and here's Whaler99's review even more 5-in-3s.

 

To recommend a power supply I'll need to know if you plan to use green drives, 7200 rpm drives, or a mix of both.  You can also just take a look at my recommendations in the Power Supply thread.  A 'Single +12V Rail' means a power supply designed around a single circuit that feeds power to the motherboard, hard drives, etc. (as opposed to a multi-rail power supply which splits up the single circuit into multiple smaller circuits, often severely limiting the amount of power available to the hard drives).  In a traditional computer, the graphics card and sometimes CPU will use more power than any other component, so power supply manufacturers release multi-rail PSUs that cater to those applications.  In the unRAID world, our hard drives when taken collectively use up the largest amount of power, so we need to be sure that the PSU is capable of providing enough power to all hard drives at once.  The general rule of thumb is to always use a single rail PSU as all of the PSU's amperage will be available to the hard drives and won't be shunted off to power graphics cards and other components.

 

SATA expansion cards: The Adaptec 1430SA are a fine choice and fully compatible with unRAID.  However, they are about twice as expensive as the Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8.  Both cards will have identical performance in unRAID.  I recommend Superbiiz as a vendor for the SASLP card.  This card also requires special forward breakout cables (two of them).  Superbiiz also carries the forward breakout cables for a good price, and Monoprice now offers them for even cheaper.  If ordering from Superbiiz, check this site for a promo code for a couple bucks off.

 

Cables: You shouldn't need any other special cables, just standard SATA cables will work.  I also recommend monoprice for these.  Note that many locking style SATA cables don't work well with the Norco 5-in-3 cages, so I recommend standard non-locking cables.  Shorter lengths are usually better, and 18" is the new standard length.

 

Fans: I recommend starting with the stock fans and then only upgrading them if you find them to be too loud or otherwise deficient.

 

Flash drive: I like the Verbatim Clip-It, but most flash drives will work.

 

Vibration Reduction: Just like the fans, I suggest starting with a stock configuration and then adjusting if you find it necessary.  I doubt you will.

 

You mention wanting to use 3 TB drives.  While they are supported in the latest unRAID beta, I don't suggest trusting your data to this beta just yet.  Give it another couple of weeks to prove itself stable, or just wait for a full stable unRAID release that supports 3 TB drives.

Hi Raj,

 

Thanks for the comprehensive reply - I took a bit of a hiatus there, I wasn't ignoring you I promise!

 

I will always recommend the latest stable version of unRAID (currently version 4.7) unless you have a specific need for one of the features only available in a beta version of unRAID. 

 

I want support for 3TB drives and apple file sharing, I'm not particularly keen on changing partition types and migrating data later on, so I'll do some extensive burn in testing before I go live on it.

 

Your CPU, Mobo, and RAM look good.  There are cheaper options if you are interested in a more budget-friendly build, but the parts you've chosen are a good choice for reliability and unRAID compatibility. 

 

I did pick them for compatibility and they are within my budget

 

I'm surprised how expensive that CPU is, you might want to shop around a bit on that one. 

 

I actually have a new unused one at home, so I'm not planning on purchasing this.

 

I'll assume that the RAM you've chosen is on Supermicro or Corsair's approved list for that motherboard.  If you haven't confirmed that, then do so, as Supermicro boards are notoriously picky about RAM. 

 

I've confirmed - it's all good.  But thank you for the heads up.

 

I'm not quite sure I understand your choice of case and drive cage.  If you are choosing the Zalman case for aesthetic reasons and aren't worried about the extra cost, then that's fine. 

 

It's all aesthetics.  The missus wouldn't allow any of the others that I showed her

 

To recommend a power supply I'll need to know if you plan to use green drives, 7200 rpm drives, or a mix of both. 

 

I'm planning on using the  : Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000 2TB 7200RPM 

 

Even though this is going to be a media centre server, I'd like the speed as there is likely to be a couple of devices reading at any given time.

 

I've also tentatively earmarked the Corsair TX-650 V2 as the power supply.  It's in the list of compatible hardware and I can get one for cheap here : http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17211.

 

Will that suffice?

 

Thanks for your feedback so far !

 

 

 

I just built a build with this case http://www.nexustek.nl/nexus_prominent9_premium_silent_pc_case.htm

Very nice. It is a good silent 15 drive server case.

 

you do have to bend the dog-ears down. once you do, you can get 3x 5in3' drive bays installed. Raj used Norco's in his. I used Supermicros in mine.