Any advice on my potential server build would be appreciated. I promise to post pictures when finished! I tried following Raj's Prototype Builds but the motherboard is near impossible to find. I will be using the unRaid server to store pictures, movies for streaming, and document backups. I only have about 2TB of data right now but have yet to rip my DVD collection (200+ movies) and just bought a blu-ray drive. I really like the idea of expanding in the future - maxing at 15 drives when following Raj's upgrade path. I'm not trying to pinch pennies but I am hoping to keeping the initial build under $1K. As far as components here's what I have picked out:

 

Mobo: JetWay JMA3-880GTV2-LF purchased

ASUS M4A78LT-M

ASUS M4A88T-M LE

 

CPU: AMD Sempron 140 purchased

 

RAM: G.SKILL NS 2GB purchased

Kingston ValueRAM 2GB

 

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-500CX purchased

 

Case: Lian Li Lancool PC-K12B purchased

AZZA Helios 910

 

Hot Swap Drive Bays: Norco SS-500 purchased

 

Hard Drives: Hitachi Deskstar 3.5 Inch 3TB x5 purchased

Western Digital 2TB x5

 

USB Flash Drive: Lexar JumpDrive FireFly 2GB purchased

 

USB Motherboard Adapter: StarTech purchased

 

=======================================================================================

+Misc cables from Monoprice.

 

Thank you,

LateNight

 

I'd recommend this Antec 520W PSU over that Corsair unit.

 

The Antec is based on a very solid Seasonic platform, will be roughly as efficient as the Corsair, and has 6A more on the 12V rail than the Corsair CX500.  Plus, it's cheaper before rebate (I almost never actually count on receiving the rebate when I budget, but your mileage may vary).

Either of those PSUs will work fine.  I like the Corsair because it comes with a power cable, whereas the Antec doesn't.  If you have a power cable already, then the Antec is a fine choice.

 

You've linked to the new version of the Norco SS-500.  I haven't used that version yet, but it looks like it might be even better quality.  The rear fan looks easily replaceable, so that's a huge plus.

 

While both of those motherboards may work fine, they haven't been tested by the community yet.  Personally I avoid Asus boards as I've had quite a bit of trouble with them.  I just finished testing the JetWay JMA3-880GTV2-LF for unRAID compatibility, it will be my new recommended 15 drive budget board.  Look for updates in my Prototype Builds thread later today.

Updated the list. It also appears I can buy a used Lian Li Lancool PC-K12B for about the same price as the AZZA. I purchased the Corsair PSU yesterday as it was the last day of the rebate and I've never had problems using them in my builds. I picked the RAM before Rajahal updated his guide but it should work. I see the JetWay now has free shipping.

Yep, your RAM should work fine.  I also just learned from gfjardim that the version of the Norco SS-500 that you linked is actually the old version, and should be avoided.  He lamented the build quality and suggested avoiding these models in favor of the new ones (available at Newegg and other places).  Primary source.

 

I also just got word from vexhold that the Jetway board will very soon be discontinued!  And I just finished testing it too!  C'est la vie.  Anyway, you might want to buy it sooner than later.

Thanks again for the help. How can you differentiate between the old and new model of the Norco SS-500?

Just by sight, unfortunately, since the model number didn't change.

 

New Style

 

Old Style

 

The new style will still orient the drives vertically, the Newegg picture I used is just sideways.  The biggest differences between the two are the external fan on the old style and the internal fan on the new style, as well as the added vents on the front of the drive trays on the new style.  I haven't used the old style personally, but I've used the new ones extensively and they are great.  The only gotcha is that you have to use somewhat short screws to secure them to the case, otherwise the screws can penetrate into the drive bays and prevent the drive from being inserted.  The screws that ship with the drive cage are the perfect length, but they only give you enough to secure the hard drives, and not enough to secure the cage to the case as well.  If you want to be sure to get the right screws and not mess about, then they are available here.  I recommend purchasing the drive cage itself from Newegg as they are consistently the cheapest source.

 

The new style uses an internal 80mm fan.  I personally find the fan to be about average in terms of noise - not silent, but not too loud either.  If you want a very quiet build, then you might want to replace this fan with a better model.

I may just use Newegg since many companies just use a stock photo. Do you know if these will fit the Lian Li Lancool PC-K12B? The motherboard is now $10 off and free shipping.

I may just use Newegg since many companies just use a stock photo. Do you know if these will fit the Lian Li Lancool PC-K12B? The motherboard is now $10 off and free shipping.

 

That case has 9 front 5.25 bays , so 3 of them will fit

 

The Lancool is in the gallery on the frontpage of lime-tech with 3 Supermicro 5 in 3's

 

http://www.lime-technology.com/products/md-1510-server/56 or the newegg's product photo's of the Lancool

 

when you look at the photo of the inside :  i don't see those metal tabs between the slots you have to usually grind away to make a 5 in 3 slide-in : making it really easy without modification.

 

 

Thanks Rembro. I've updated my original post again. Pulled the trigger on the motherboard and the usb adapter.

Re: 2TB Hard Drives.

 

Reading the FAQ there doesn't appear to be any "bad" hard drives. Is it still advisable to use different brands when buying at the same time or to space out buying the same model to get a different batch? Any opinions on the following would be helpful (more reliable, faster, better parity drive, lower power, etc):

 

• HITACHI Deskstar 5K3000 currently $69.99 with MIR
  
• Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS currently $79.99
  

 

Thank again!

Re: 2TB Hard Drives.

 

Only you know your intended usage, but  if I were starting a new build right now I would be looking at 3T. drives. The Hitachi can be had for $120.

 

Regarding 2T. drives, I wouldn't pay over $70 for a 2T. drive (Free shipping and no rebate). The Hitachi in the past has been $60 after rebate.

 

Good luck with your build, it sounds very nice!

Re: 2TB Hard Drives.

 

Only you know your intended usage, but  if I were starting a new build right now I would be looking at 3T. drives. The Hitachi can be had for $120.

 

 

Finding it at the egg for $139, where are you finding it for $120?

It looks like the last newegg deal ended 7/6 the one before ended mid june:

 

http://www.techbargains.com/product/3tb

 

I suspect a new deal is just around the corner.

 

Thanks I will keep an eye out

The 3TB drives look to be be falling in Price.

 

I picked up 5 in the last 2 weeks.

 

1x $109 w/ free ship

and

4x $119 w/ free ship

 

Now I am seeing the limits on my hardware I already have.

I'm trying to build an unRAID test box with all 3TB drives and failing... UGH.

on the bright side, My windoze boxes see them fine after driver updates.

Updated. The Lian Li case was purchased and arrived today. I also purchased 3 Hitachi 3TB drives from Amazon for $106.92/each. The final decision are the hot swap drive bays. Using 3TB drives I could go with three 4x3 or even nine single bays but would I regret it later...the joys of trying to predict the future. Any non cost reasons to go with smaller hot swap bays?

Any non cost reasons to go with smaller hot swap bays?

 

They will have slightly better cooling, but as long as you stick with green drives it won't matter either way.

Thanks Rajahal; The Norco SS-500 it is.

I sent 3BTech an email last night about the Norco SS-500 and received the following reply: "We ship direct from Norco, so their page info will be correct." I'm taking the gamble since it's $87.99 each for three and free shipping.

I guess it makes sense that 3BTech just didn't update their page.  Hope you get the right ones...

I just received an email stating that I would not get a tracking number since the units ship directly from the supplier. I'll update as soon as they arrive. I also ordered three Coolink SWiF2-801 fans since ProfQ is having good results using them.

Any problem with putting this together without the Norco's and running a preclear?

Nope, just make sure the HDDs have ample cooling.

Good looking build!

 

LateNight, after seeing the photos you've put up of the Norco SS-500 (old vs New), I can confirm that I have the new version installed. Thus, I tested the Coolink fan in the new version of the SS-500.

 

I hope they work well for you.