Will this board work with unRAID?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121508

 

should, but might have to run a beta for the NIC to work

I think there are better choices.  This board has only 1 pice x16 slot; you will only be able to use one 8 SATA port card with this board.  It also has three pci slots which are effectively useless.  It has onboard video so that's good but you have a lot of wasted capability.  A mATX board without those PCI slots would be better, but really I'd suggest you get a board with two pcie x16  slots (min of x4). so that you can run two expansion sata cards and allow for your array to grow with this board.

 

I dont think the NIC is a problem if you are happy with the 5bx software.

What would be a good suggestion on a board < $100 with say 4-6 sata ports then.

What would be a good suggestion on a board < $100 with say 4-6 sata ports then.

 

There are plenty Intel based board, just search Newegg.

 

Maybe this one:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157249

 

Don't know about the LAN chip.

Sorry I just saw this reply. 

 

I agree with dikkiedirk, that intel board looks good.  If there is a microcenter near you, check what they are offering as well. 

 

All you need is an lga1155 board with two pciex4 or better slots - you just have to look at the specs.  On newegg, for example, go to motherboards, select socket 1155 boards, then you can click on more options and select the number of pcie slots.  Or you could select atx only, and less than $100.

 

At this price point there are not a lot of choices, but you only need one.  The trick is to get an expensive board on sale, like i did.  That's why I like microcenter.  if you buy one of their specials where they give you $50 off in combo with a certain processor, you can get good performance really cheap.  Again, limited choices, but so what.

 

If you find a couple of boards you think might work, post them up and send me a PM and I will offer my opinion.