First Time Build - Spec Check

[Juvey67]

Hello,

 

After doing some research.  I believe UnRaid is the most cost effective / low maintenance server for my needs.  Which are basically just being a storage center to feed my HTPC.  I have been slowly purchasing products here and there while on sale to build the server.  I am going to start out with the basic 3 disk, and then expand up to 11.

 

Case : Antec 300 Illusion : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

(Will disable LEDS in fans)

 

PSU : Antec 620 ECO : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031

 

MB : MSI 880G-E45 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130563

 

CPU : AMD Phenom II X4 840: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103921

 

(Got the MB & CPU combo at Microcenter a month back or so for $60 together, too good to pass up, but I think the CPU is overkill for this)

 

Ram : Kingston Value Ram DDR3 1333 2x2GB

 

HDD   3X  2TB Seagate LP 5900 RPM : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148413

 

5x3 : Norco 55-500 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816133030&Tpk=ss-500

 

I eventually will have to get a controller card & cables to go with the card for additional drives.  But for now I should be ok.  I plan on using the stock cooling in the case.  

 

I guess I am just looking for feedback on the MB and CPU as I haven't seen these used in any of the specs I have looked through.

 

Thank you very much! And I look forward to any feedback!

[Juvey67]

Any feedback at all about any of these components?

 

Thanks!

[Rajahal]

You are correct that the CPU is overkill, but it will still work.  You could try disabling some of the cores and undervolting it if you want to save some power.  The PSU is also overkill for just 11 drives.  Take a look at the Power Supply Thread for a better match, such as the Corsair CX430.

 

I personally don't like the Seagate LP drives.  They run hotter and use more power but give you only marginally faster speeds.  Their reliability track record isn't great either.  I suggest using Hitachi CoolSpins instead.  Chances are you'll save a bit of money as well.

 

Also, there's no real reason to buy the 5-in-3 cage right away if you don't need it.  Up to you.

[Compass]

And I would stay away from the Antec 300 solely because of the lack of cable management, check mine with only 5 drives, sure I didn't put much time in with cable management but with 11 drives!

 

I just 'upgraded' to an R3, but I'm still not totally satisfied, http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=2031.540

 

I should have gone with this, http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_238&products_id=17988 , and I think I still will eventually and the R3 will become the HTPC I've been planning.

 

However I would mod/cutout the front( under the front cover) to accept 2x140mm fans, this would also allow access to hdd's(after removing fans of course)

also add,

 

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_104&products_id=13462

 

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_104&products_id=18428 , maybe not totally necessary, however the power supply you picked only has 6 sata power connectors, so you will need something eventually,

 

I like this one, more expensive upfront, cheaper long term, and has 8 sata power, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151098&Tpk=Seasonic%20X-560%2080Plus, if I do change cases again I'll go this.

 

see here, scroll down a bit, http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1393939&page=68

 

good luck, it's hard choosing the right gear eh!

[Juvey67]

You are correct that the CPU is overkill, but it will still work.  You could try disabling some of the cores and undervolting it if you want to save some power.  The PSU is also overkill for just 11 drives.  Take a look at the Power Supply Thread for a better match, such as the Corsair CX430.

 

I personally don't like the Seagate LP drives.  They run hotter and use more power but give you only marginally faster speeds.  Their reliability track record isn't great either.  I suggest using Hitachi CoolSpins instead.  Chances are you'll save a bit of money as well.

 

Also, there's no real reason to buy the 5-in-3 cage right away if you don't need it.  Up to you.

 

Ya I figured it was overkil, but just couldn't pass it up for the price.  Basically the same with the PSU, comes out to like $23 after rebate.  But I could probably just hold onto it and get the corsiar if it is going to be that much of a waste on the power bill.  It is going to take me a while to get to 11 HD's.  I have the Segates in my HTPC right now, I actually linked the wrong one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681  ,  but can go another route if those aren't very reliable.  they've worked great for me so far.

 

I ended up picking up the 5x3 right off the bat, just becuase I like the look of it haha.  Will probabl fill that u first and then go for the internal cages.

 

Thank you very much for the help!

[Juvey67]

And I would stay away from the Antec 300 solely because of the lack of cable management, check mine with only 5 drives, sure I didn't put much time in with cable management but with 11 drives!

 

I just 'upgraded' to an R3, but I'm still not totally satisfied, http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=2031.540

 

I should have gone with this, http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_238&products_id=17988 , and I think I still will eventually and the R3 will become the HTPC I've been planning.

 

However I would mod/cutout the front( under the front cover) to accept 2x140mm fans, this would also allow access to hdd's(after removing fans of course)

also add,

 

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_104&products_id=13462

 

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_104&products_id=18428 , maybe not totally necessary, however the power supply you picked only has 6 sata power connectors, so you will need something eventually,

 

I like this one, more expensive upfront, cheaper long term, and has 8 sata power, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151098&Tpk=Seasonic%20X-560%2080Plus, if I do change cases again I'll go this.

 

see here, scroll down a bit, http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1393939&page=68

 

good luck, it's hard choosing the right gear eh!

 

It is really hard to pick the correct gear!  I'm sure it is going to tough to get some decent cable management going in the 300.  I didn't think about the sata power connectors on the PSU, but i could grab a couple of the adapters and be alright.

 

The other pics do look much much cleaner.  Your making it a tough choice for me!

 

As soon as I get some time and pick up an SSD to throw into the htpc I will get this project underway haha. 

[Rajahal]

You are correct that the CPU is overkill, but it will still work.  You could try disabling some of the cores and undervolting it if you want to save some power.  The PSU is also overkill for just 11 drives.  Take a look at the Power Supply Thread for a better match, such as the Corsair CX430.

 

I personally don't like the Seagate LP drives.  They run hotter and use more power but give you only marginally faster speeds.  Their reliability track record isn't great either.  I suggest using Hitachi CoolSpins instead.  Chances are you'll save a bit of money as well.

 

Also, there's no real reason to buy the 5-in-3 cage right away if you don't need it.  Up to you.

 

Ya I figured it was overkil, but just couldn't pass it up for the price.  Basically the same with the PSU, comes out to like $23 after rebate.  But I could probably just hold onto it and get the corsiar if it is going to be that much of a waste on the power bill.  It is going to take me a while to get to 11 HD's.  I have the Segates in my HTPC right now, I actually linked the wrong one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681  ,  but can go another route if those aren't very reliable.  they've worked great for me so far.

 

I ended up picking up the 5x3 right off the bat, just becuase I like the look of it haha.  Will probabl fill that u first and then go for the internal cages.

 

Thank you very much for the help!

 

If you already have the PSU then don't worry about it.  I thought you hadn't ordered it yet.  You got a great price on it.  The power inefficiency will amount to mere dollars per year, not a big deal.

 

I don't like the Seagate LP drives.  I'm not sure if the Seagate Greens are the same or not.  You'll probably be fine, but I would still recommend Hitachi CoolSpin drives if they are an option for you.

[chickensoup]

 

I don't like the Seagate LP drives.  I'm not sure if the Seagate Greens are the same or not.  You'll probably be fine, but I would still recommend Hitachi CoolSpin drives if they are an option for you.

 

 

I'd have to disagree with this, I've got 5x of these in my unRAID box and they run great. Temps ~29 on idle and ~38 full load but this will obviously vary depending on your case setup.

 

I've been selling these drives at work for months now and haven't seen a single return. There were some firmware issues with the earlier drives but this can be fixed with an update.

Seagate drives are easy to flash (most drives are these days) if you were to end up with an older one.

 

Everyone has their preferences though, I tend to lean more towards Seagate/WD than Hitachi/Samsung based on my own experiences but every new model changes the game!

 

Edit: Also AFAIK the Seagate LP's and Seagate Green's are the same drives, the model# has been the same on our drives the only noticable change was the word "green."

[Johnm]

the actual drive housing on the seagate LP/Green drives has changed recently.

 

it now has a lot less metal/mass on the black base. it has diagonal edges and chamfers to reduce actual mass.

 

I have had very bad experience with these drives in the past, especially DOA's, early deaths and running hotter then other greens. I recently have picked up several due to massive sales. i have been using them in WHS2011 boxes and a few in unRAID. while they are NOT my first choice in drives, they seem to do the job. also the 5900RPM does seem to give them a slight edge on transfer speed in the 2TB green drive market.

[chickensoup]

 

also the 5900RPM does seem to give them a slight edge on transfer speed in the 2TB green drive market.

 

 

Yeah, from what I was reading before I purchased these, the increased density of the platters from the 1TB drives (422Gb/in2 vs 329Gb/in2) outweighs the reduction in RPM (over a 7200rpm drive). Most benchmarks put them almost completely on-par with their 1TB 7200rpm drives and in my experience this feels about right. I guess that's why SG opted for the extra 500rpm