How to set up my array better?

[BlackIceFire]

Hi guys,

 

I'm very new to unraid and just been using it for a week. I got my hands on an sorted out workstation from work and figured its the perfect timing for getting into home server stuff since I have been planning on getting into it for a while already.

 

I have a 256GB nvme drive that is on the mainboard, an old 250GB 850 Samsung EVO connected via USB and also an external docking station with 2 4TB HDDs connected via USB. All at least USB 3.0. Sadly the mainboard of this small workstation is very limited and I dont have a lot option connecting anything on the board directly via sata.

I'm trying to figure out if my config is alright and if I need a cache drive for it and if yes which of my drives I should use for that. Heres my current config. MY appdata is currently on the nvme

 

I would appreciate some advice! Thanks

 

[trurl]

USB not recommended for assigned disks for many reasons. 

 

Do you have a slot you can use for a disk controller? 

[BlackIceFire]

9 minutes ago, trurl said:

USB not recommended for assigned disks for many reasons. 

 

Do you have a slot you can use for a disk controller? 

What slot would I need and why exactly? Sorry im quite new to all of this. Im running unraid of an fujitsu esprimo q958. It does have 2 sata ports on the mainboard but no way I can run power to the drives to power them so I decided an external docking station might be easier. 

[trurl]

8 hours ago, BlackIceFire said:

It does have 2 sata ports on the mainboard but no way I can run power to the drives

Normally you would install the drives inside the case and power them from a cable on the same power supply the motherboard is using.