Hello again (after a very long hiatus)

[loomdog32]

Well, after using not UnRAID for several years (tried to combine Media Server (Sage) and File Server using FlexRAID on single box), I am back!!

 

So, I used my old Sage Server as a base. The mobo/cpu/ram had been thrown into a cheapy case. First note, need better PSU.  I slapped in my 2 2x3 backplanes. Second Note, backplane does not fit (IDE port on mobo is in the way)..  Now to purchase some replacement Hardware..

 

Existing:

 

Mobo - ASUS P5L-VM 1394 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131046

CPU - Intel Core2Duo E6600

Ram - 3GB DDR2 (2x1GB and 2x 512MB)

Case - LOGISYS Computer CS206BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer SOHO Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148044

PSU - Logisys 480Watt (came with Case, Computer would not boot) Replaced temporally with Cooler Master 400 Watt PSU

2x3 Backplane - 2x iStarUSA BPU-230SATA-BPL 2x5.25" to 3x3.5" SAS/SATA http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121912

HDD - 9x Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 2TB 5900 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148681

Also Have 4x Seagate 1TB 7200 RPM and 4x Seagate 750GB 7200RPM Drives that are no longer used.

USB - UnRAID Pro License on Cruzer 2GB

 

 

Replacing:

Case - Antec Nine Hundred http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

PSU - Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

 

Adding:

3x5 Backplane - iStarUSA BPU-350SATA 3x5.25" to 5x3.5" SAS/SATA http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215001

HBA - SUPERMICRO AOC-SASLP-MV8 PCI Express x4 Low Profile SAS RAID Controller http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101358

Breakout Cable - 2x 3ware CBL-SFF8087OCF-06M 1 Unit of 0.6M Multi-lane Internal (SFF-8087) Serial ATA Breakout Cable http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816116098

 

 

This will house 11 total drives - expansion possible to 14. 9 2TB and 2 1TB. 18TB total Storage. No cache drive - is this really important?

 

Thoughts?? Ideas??

 

I should have the parts here Thursday to "rebuild" the server...  Build Pics to come (probably Friday)

[Traxxus]

Re: Cache drive, good thread here breaking it all down.

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=5754.0

 

[loomdog32]

Re: Cache drive, good thread here breaking it all down.

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=5754.0

 

Thanx for that link! It was an interesting read, since last I used UnRAID there was no cache drive option. This has been almost like learning to play with a old/new toy all over again.

[Rajahal]

Welcome back!  Your motherboard isn't ideal, but it should work.  The Antec EarthWatts PSU has a split +12V rail, which is a bad thing.  I recommend the Corsair 500W if you plan to use only green drives, or the Corsair 650W if you plan to use 7200 RPM drives.  I also recommend the Norco SS-500 as a 5-in-3 cage (you can read my recent review here), although I understand that you are probably going with the iStarUSA so that your drive cages match your current 3-in-2 cages.  If you care to save a few dollars, you should buy the SASLP card at Superbiiz and the forward breakout cables at Monoprice.  Check out my Prototype Builds blog for other vendor recommendations.  Good luck and have fun!

[loomdog32]

Welcome back!  Your motherboard isn't ideal, but it should work.

 

I also have:

Mobo - DFI LANParty UT P45-T2RS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136059

CPU - Intel Core2Extreme X6800

 

I can use this, if it would be better suited for UnRAID. I would perfer not to change CPUs / remove the heatsinks.

 

The Antec EarthWatts PSU has a split +12V rail, which is a bad thing.  I recommend the Corsair 500W if you plan to use only green drives, or the Corsair 650W if you plan to use 7200 RPM drives.

 

There is a Corsair 650 or 750watt PSU in my WHS2011/Sage box that I can use. Then replace it with the new PSU. The bulk of my drives will be Seagate 2TB 5900RPM.

 

I also recommend the Norco SS-500 as a 5-in-3 cage (you can read my recent review here), although I understand that you are probably going with the iStarUSA so that your drive cages match your current 3-in-2 cages.

 

Yes, I did get the iStarUSA to match my existing. I've had the 2x3 for almost 5 years now, so I feel very comfortable with them (Tho, they were purchased because of price origionally). That is a really nice writeup on the Norco. If I were to replace existing and go all new, I would heavily consider them.

 

If you care to save a few dollars, you should buy the SASLP card at Superbiiz and the forward breakout cables at Monoprice.  Check out my Prototype Builds blog for other vendor recommendations.  Good luck and have fun!

 

Thanx for the links. Good Deals are always welcome!!! I am looking forward to playing with UnRAID again!!!

[Rajahal]

I also have:

Mobo - DFI LANParty UT P45-T2RS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136059

CPU - Intel Core2Extreme X6800

That motherboard would be a great base for a server! Tons of expansion ports, you won't run out of SATA ports or the ability to add SATA controller cards any time soon.  The only downside is the lack of onboard video, so you will need to use a PCI or cheap PCIe video card.  You may be able to remove the video card once you have everything set up to save power - the ability to boot without a video card varies from motherboard to motherboard.

 

The CPU is overkill for unRAID and will waste a bit of power, but it isn't the end of the world.  An Intel Celeron 430 would be leaner.

 

The Corsair PSU would be a much better fit.  Go with that.

[loomdog32]

I also have:

Mobo - DFI LANParty UT P45-T2RS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136059

CPU - Intel Core2Extreme X6800

 

That motherboard would be a great base for a server! Tons of expansion ports, you won't run out of SATA ports or the ability to add SATA controller cards any time soon.  The only downside is the lack of onboard video, so you will need to use a PCI or cheap PCIe video card.  You may be able to remove the video card once you have everything set up to save power - the ability to boot without a video card varies from motherboard to motherboard.

 

The CPU is overkill for unRAID and will waste a bit of power, but it isn't the end of the world.  An Intel Celeron 430 would be leaner.

 

The Corsair PSU would be a much better fit.  Go with that.

 

I will look to use the DFI mobo instead then. I found some old CPUs. Would Core2Duo E4300 would better than the X6800? I will need to find a video card...

[Rajahal]

Yes, the E4300 will be slightly lower-power than the X6800.  The difference will amount to dollars per year, so I wouldn't go out of my way to swap them if it is a big hassle.

[loomdog32]

I got the case a day earlier then expected from "The Egg". Here is a pic with the DFI mobo installed. I did replace the X6800 with the E4300.

 

 

 

Looks like the rest of the order may be delayed, due to the tornadoes in DFW yesturday...