Trying to build Powerful Plex unRaid Server. Need advice

[b4ckd00r5p1d3r]

Alright so I have a rough guess of what I want in a server.

 

Here are my needs:

 

I will be running Plex Server with a rough guess of about a max of 3 HD 720p transcoding streams at once.

I will also be using newsgroups with sick beard and couch potato.

Want to run a torrent program with webui

I want to be running with gigabit ethernet

 

I don't know much about the hardware of computers and I have never built before, so I will probably look for help when I decide to order. I am posting this now to get a rough idea of moneys needed, but I won't be building until after my dental admissions test which is June 4th. This will be a celebration for after that damn test.

 

My initial build I'm thinking is this http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=20116266 it ends up around $800.

 

The processor is very fast, but it will be my brothers since he wants ivy bridge when it comes out. He got his discounted, and he will probably lower the price for me as well. When ivy comes out it may drop in price, so I'm expecting to pay around $170 for it.

 

I currently have 7 random hard drives that are in external enclosures. I am planning on thanking them out and placing them in the case. For now that will be how I am holding the drives, since my case says up to nine 3.5 hard drives. In the future I would like to place drive trays http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121405 four of them, but thats in the future as I need. I'm trying to model this setup http://www.greenleaf-technology.com/products/20drivetower/index.html

 

So what do you guys think of the hardware. I know I am missing cable and probably other stuff, so if you could give me a rough estimate on what those would cost that would be great!

 

So far with my current setup http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=20116266 its ($800) + ($120 for unRaid Pro) + (whatever cables cost) = (Im guessing around $1000)

 

In the future I want (current $1000) + (4 x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121405 being $400) + (another sata card $100) = $1500

 

Again thanks unRaid community for the great reads so far. I'm eagerly awaiting this summer to get onto building!

 

*Pic of what I eventually want

 

 

Edit1: How about these now.

 

Budget for me: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16787531

 

Power for me: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16787551

[Johnm]

The board and CPU are better suited for a high end gaming computer.

They is not really suited for a server.

 

would they work? probably. but it would b a waste of money.

Much of the hardware/features will not be seen by or usable in unRAId. In fact, they could cause hardware conflicts. Also, I would not overclock a server, the key is stability.

 

If you really want to shell out that much money, look at a Supermicro X8SIL, X9SCM or X9SCL+ and then get an I3 or Xeon to match. those would be rock solid for a similar price range.

 

I would think that an I3 should be enough CPU.

You should get a second option that an I3 is all you need since I dont run Plex, SB or CP. they may eat up more resources then I am aware of.

The E3-1230 should be on par or outperform the I5-2500k in a server environment.

[b4ckd00r5p1d3r]

What should I be looking for in a board? Are there any specific features besides sata slots? I know there are recommended builds, but a lot of the mobs are being sold anymore

[ohlwiler]

What Johnm said, plus the TX650 is sufficient for a 20 disk Unraid build. The TX650 is available for $60 or less if you are patient.

[ohlwiler]

What should I be looking for in a board? Are there any specific features besides sata slots? I know there are recommended builds, but a lot of the mobs are being sold anymore

 

Look for the word "Supermicro". I am biased, but it really is that simple. Check Newegg regularly for open box deals on the three boards that Johnm mentioned.

 

A motherboard should have Gigabit Ethernet, on-board video, two x4 or better PCIe slots, 6+ SATA connectors and use DDR3 memory.

[b4ckd00r5p1d3r]

How about these now.

 

Budget for me: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16787531

 

Power for me: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16787551

 

I took most of this stuff from Raj's recommendations. Why does the power server have a more expensive motherboard? What will that do?

[Johnm]

Both of those setups have incompatible CPU/motherboard combos.

I didnt look at the ram..

 

I took most of this stuff from Raj's recommendations. Why does the power server have a more expensive motherboard? What will that do?

 

Because the power boards are true server boards . Enterprise quality.

they will outlive the server itself in most cases.

have lots of ports and features..

no extra crap you dont need..

they will be very stable.

they feature remote management (IPMI) KVM over IP. you can remote control it from anywhere, you do not need a mouse/keyboard or monitor for it.

plus you can put much beefier CPU's on it allowing things like ESXi if you ever go that route.

 

like ohlwiler, I am a bit biased when it comes to supermicro boards for servers. they just work... we have hundreds of them at work and they almost never fail without some sort of human error.

Plus i dont have time to guess if this desktop board will do the task or not... id rather pay the few extra bucks to just work..

[b4ckd00r5p1d3r]

Both of those setups have incompatible CPU/motherboard combos.

I didnt look at the ram..

 

I'm sorry for asking but since I don't know much about hardware, how do I know whats compatible and incompatible? Also if you have a good idea of what I'm going for cold you recommend some stuff to me?

 

I know I want a quad-core processor, and I was told that intel chips can out perform the cheaper AMD chips (so for instance I was told that an intel quad-core chip could beat an AMD 8-core chip, not sure if this is true or not).

 

 

[BetaQuasi]

Most manufacturers will tell you exactly what is and isn't compatible with a particular motherboard - just find their spec sheet at their website.  Take this board for example:

 

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/xeon/c202_c204/x9scm-f.cfm

 

The spec list there tells you exactly what CPU's it supports and what RAM it requires (ECC UDIMM's.)