Good evening everyone,

 

As a long term user of unRAID, it is finally time to upgrade my system from the Celeron based one I have been using.

 

I have been looking into the systems listed here - http://greenleaf-technology.com/blogs/prototypes/index.php which has been really helpful but they seem to be a little bit older configurations, so I thought I'd check with the forum to see if anyone had any suggestions.

 

I already have a CoolerMaster Stacker CM810 case (that I am quite fond of), a SuperMicro AOC-SAT2-MV8 card and 15 SATA drive that I intend to continue to use. Most of my current drives are Green drives and I am hoping to begin using some 3 Gb Green drives.

 

What I am looking for is a new motherboard and processor combo, along with another sata expansion card that will allow me to get to 20-22 drives. Should I get another SuperMicro AOC-SAT2-MV8 - http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30937

 

As for horsepower, I have only been using the server as an unRAID file server, but would like to be able to run a Plex server and potentially a Torrent server on the box to simplify my server situation (should I run a virtual machine or simply add-ons to unRAID?).

 

Another need is driven by the fact that I don't have a single "old school" monitor in the house anymore, everything either being an iMac or an HDMI TV connected to a Mac mini. This wouldn't be a problem BUT when the system is not working as intended and I need to see what's happening, it's a pain.

 

I would either need a motherboard with remote management built in (that I can access from OS X - IPMI?) like this board, a Supermicro X9SCM-F Xeon LGA1155 - http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=69849 , or a board that has an HDMI video out.

 

Maybe I can use a Dual Core G620 processor like this one - http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=61144&promoid=1207

 

I intend to replace my current 4-in-3 drive cages to new 5-in-3 hotswap backplane "cages" to allow me an easier way to upgrade my drive to a larger size or add a drive. This should also allow me to have 20 drives mounted in the case. I have been considering the IcyDock ones - http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=222247105

 

I would also love to have your thoughts on a power supply. I currently have a Corsair 650W. Should I upgrade that as well?

 

As for budget, I would like to make it as affordable as possible but I don't mind spending some money to have a system I can rely on.

 

Lastly, I am in Canada so I would prefer to source my components in Canada if possible.

 

I look forward to your suggestions and thoughts!

 

Thank you.

I would avoid buying another SuperMicro AOC-SAT2-MV8 unless you have a serverboard with PCI-X. I would go with a PCIe based card.

 

You should be able to use the ipmi to remote KVM the X9SCM-F with a web browser and java. no need to install a dedicated client.

Keep in mind the the the X9SCM has no PCI-x slots.

 

 

 

I would avoid buying another SuperMicro AOC-SAT2-MV8 unless you have a serverboard with PCI-X. I would go with a PCIe based card.

 

You should be able to use the ipmi to remote KVM the X9SCM-F with a web browser and java. no need to install a dedicated client.

Keep in mind the the the X9SCM has no PCI-x slots.

 

Thanks. I had forgotten that it was PCI-X. If I'm not mistaken, it's not using PCI-X ... I thought you could use it in a regular PCI slot. The motherboard I'm using was a recommended board, but also a budget board. Something to look into.

 

Thanks again!

 

 

 

I would avoid buying another SuperMicro AOC-SAT2-MV8 unless you have a serverboard with PCI-X. I would go with a PCIe based card.

 

You should be able to use the ipmi to remote KVM the X9SCM-F with a web browser and java. no need to install a dedicated client.

Keep in mind the the the X9SCM has no PCI-x slots.

 

Thanks. I had forgotten that it was PCI-X. If I'm not mistaken, it's not using PCI-X ... I thought you could use it in a regular PCI slot. The motherboard I'm using was a recommended board, but also a budget board. Something to look into.

 

Thanks again!

 

No you can't use PCI–X in a regular PCI slot because PCI is 32-bit but PCI–X is 64-bit. Not to mention that a normal PCI slot wouldn't even be fast enough for two drives. You really ought to ditch that PCI–X card and go for a PCIe cards. Sell the old card on eBay to make up some of the money. Replace them with m1015 cards that you can get for pretty cheap on eBay or on the buy sell trade forums here.

 

Thanks. I had forgotten that it was PCI-X. If I'm not mistaken, it's not using PCI-X ... I thought you could use it in a regular PCI slot. The motherboard I'm using was a recommended board, but also a budget board. Something to look into.

 

Thanks again!

 

No you can't use PCI–X in a regular PCI slot because PCI is 32-bit but PCI–X is 64-bit. Not to mention that a normal PCI slot wouldn't even be fast enough for two drives. You really ought to ditch that PCI–X card and go for a PCIe cards. Sell the old card on eBay to make up some of the money. Replace them with m1015 cards that you can get for pretty cheap on eBay or on the buy sell trade forums here.

 

 

Thanks!

You can run that PCI-x card in a PCI slot. It will be slow as all heck... but It will work.

 

parity checks and rebuilds will be very slow.. everyday use and data transfer "should" be fine unless you access 3 or 4 drives or more at a time on the PCI bus..

 

As stated, I would not buy a new one at this time. but if you had one, you can use it until you upgrade (if you have a pci or pci-x slot).

You can run that PCI-x card in a PCI slot. It will be slow as all heck... but It will work.

 

parity checks and rebuilds will be very slow.. everyday use and data transfer "should" be fine unless you access 3 or 4 drives or more at a time on the PCI bus..

 

As stated, I would not buy a new one at this time. but if you had one, you can use it until you upgrade (if you have a pci or pci-x slot).

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Interesting. I would've thought because it's 64-bit versus 32-bit that they wouldn't work.

You can run that PCI-x card in a PCI slot. It will be slow as all heck... but It will work.

 

parity checks and rebuilds will be very slow.. everyday use and data transfer "should" be fine unless you access 3 or 4 drives or more at a time on the PCI bus..

 

As stated, I would not buy a new one at this time. but if you had one, you can use it until you upgrade (if you have a pci or pci-x slot).

 

Interesting. I would've thought because it's 64-bit versus 32-bit that they wouldn't work.

Nope.  I have an AOC-SAT2-MV8 PCI-x in my regular PCI slot in my P5Q-EM providing an additional 8 ports for my Win7 SageTV Server.  It just runs slower than it does on my X7SBE Win7 SageTV server.  Since they are separate drives for recording from tuners and don't need to stream greater than real time HD I have no problems.  I would NOT be using it if my P5Q-EM was setup for unRAID.  Parity checks would be WAAAY to slow.

Ignorance is bliss ... I've only ever run it that way, so the new system should be a treat <grin>.

 

Thanks guys!