Lots of parts on hand, what to use for unraid server?

[bender1]

Hi all,

 

Just found unraid, and have been reading for hours and now I can't wait to get my own server going.  I currently have an ubuntu laptop running plex, sab, sickbeard and couchpotato.  I'd like to build an unraid server to handle all of this.  My streaming is done via wdtv live.  I've had a few different gaming rigs, and have spare parts.  I'd like to use what I have where appropriate, but I don't mind spending the money if it makes sense.

 

I'd like to be able to stream to multiple wdtv live boxes at the same time which usually won't require transcoding, but also to tablets and or phones which will.  Mostly streaming .mkv's but occasionally blu-ray rips.  I'd like to error on the side of having too much computing power, but want to consume the least amount of juice from the power company as possible.

 

Here are the parts I have on hand:

system #1

(plan on using this case) Corsair Obsidian 650D

Intel core i7-2600k LGA1155 3.4ghz, 8mb cache, 95w

Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD4-B3 Motherboard, LGA1155

Corsair professional series gold 850w ATX power supply

2x mushkin redline pc3-12800 7-9-8-24 1.65v http://www.mushkin.com/Memory/Redline/996982.aspx

 

system#2

gigabyte ga-ep35-ds3r motherboard

antec truepower trio 650w power supply

intel core2quad q9450 2.66ghz 12mb cache

4x patroit ddr2 pc5300 cas 5-5-5-15 667 mhz

antec 300 case

 

These were both used for gaming rigs at one time, and I only have stupid big video cards, but it doesn't sound like I'll need one as this will be headless.

 

now the question is, should I use what I have, or sell it and get more appropriate hardware for the task.  As I said, I want performance, but don't want to suck unneeded power.  What do you recommend?

 

I'll be purchasing some new 2tb hdds, and have a 1tb wd black and a 160gb SSD.

 

Thanks!

[Ford Prefect]

Hi

and welcome!

 

...I don't have knowledge on any of your spare parts, but here are some basic checks you could perform yourself:

 

- is the PSU a model with a single +12V rail?

- is the NIC on that mobo working with unRAID (preferred intel based); go for adding a PCI/PCIe card if you want to keep the mobo.

- for gigabyte boards, check on how to use it without the HPA "bug".

- check if your intel CPUs will support EIST (extended idle states)...this will give you best idle power consumption

  I'd gather all your CPUs are beefy enough for what you've been giving away about your plans so far.

- case & disks...it's up to you...maybe start with 2+1 disks and avoid buying a license until you have grown your needs

  If you buy disks and start with 2TB for data..maybe go for a 3TB for parity, allowing you to extend/exchange the data disks with future 3TB disks

[Blofeld]

a Core i7 2600K is overkill many times over, you're fine using just a low-power, low-cost CPU, like an AMD Sempron for $30 or so. unRAID doesn't require fancy hardware. Check Rajahal's prototype builds for ideas, or working builds here in the forum. Have fun building!

[Ford Prefect]

a Core i7 2600K is overkill many times over, you're fine using just a low-power, low-cost CPU, like an AMD Sempron for $30 or so. unRAID doesn't require fancy hardware. Check Rajahal's prototype builds for ideas, or working builds here in the forum. Have fun building!

 

for just plain unRAID, I agree...but the OP mentioned the need for transcoding.

Assuming this will happen in realtime, the i7 should be able to handle a transcode from Bluray to iphone-4 just fine.

See some interesting benchmarks here: http://www.servethehome.com/intel-xeon-e5-1620-sandy-bridge-ep-xeon-review-4c8t-36ghz/ , where

the i7-2600 is listed in the comparison-table as well.