Hi,

 

My current H340 server is failing, probably the motherboard is failing. I need to get a new server setup asap. Can you please comment on the following build, and also recommend a sata pcie card?

 

CPU: Core™ i3-2120 Processor, 3.30GHz w/ 3MB Cache

 

Motherboard: P8H61-M LX PLUS R2.0 w/ Dual DDR3 2200, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, PCI-E 3.0.

On board vga display is good enough, so save a few bucks on another graphic card.

 

PSU: ZS Series 550W Performance Power Supply

It looks like a single rail output (from spec) any comments? I currently have 3 green drives + 1 7200rpm, planning on expanding.

 

Case: Three Hundred Versatile Mid Tower Gamer Case

6 x 3.5, i'll probably get a 4in3 case to get up to total 10 drives.

 

Memory: HyperX blu 8GB DDR3-1600MHz CL9 Dual Channel Kit (2 x 4GB)

memorys are so cheap nowadays.

 

PCIe SATA card, any suggestion please? is it worth getting x16 or x8 is good enough?

 

Thanks!!

 

Jason

Is this the power supply you are talking about?

 

OCZ ZS Series 550W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply

 

If so, then it will be fine for a 10 drive build.

 

Your motherboard uses a Realtek NIC, but Asus doesn't specify which one. This means that you may need to use a beta or RC version of unRAID in order to get the NIC to work, which isn't the end of the world. If you have trouble with your NIC and want to use unRAID 4.7, then I suggest a PCI Intel NIC as a replacement ($25 - $30).

 

I'm not a big fan of builds with internally mounted drives, but that's your call if you want to save money.

 

My go-to SATA card is still the Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8, which is an x4 card for about $100 (check superbiiz.com for the best pricing). You won't see a significant performance increase by using an x8 or x16 card, x4 is fast enough for today's hard drives. You might also be able to save some money by using one of the M1015 cards that seanant sells in the good deals forum. I haven't used one, so I can't personally vouch for it.

 

Another option to save money: look for a motherboard with 6 onboard SATA ports and at least two PCIe x1 or faster slots (x16 will also work), and pick up two of these PCIe x1 SIL3132 cards from monoprice, which cost about $20 each after shipping. You'll save quite a bit over your current build.

Thanks for your reply Rajahal!

 

The PSU was sold out, so I picked a different one:

Silencer MK III 500W

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-Silencer-compatible/dp/B0064XAJ30

 

Thanks for the heads up with the NIC. I was using unraid 5 RC5.

 

Me neither not a big fan of internally mounted drives - but I need to read more of how to build one. For example, which case, m-to-n case to buy, etc. The case I was looking at also was sold out.. So i need to look for another one anyways. Maybe you can recommend one for me?

 

 

Thanks,

 

Jason

I think the Antec Nine Hundred is worth the extra $50 bucks for the ability to add two additional drive cages to give you plenty of expansion room in the future, plus that silent, monster 200mm fan on the top moves tons of air for cooling. It's got a $20 rebate and a $10 dollar promo code on Newegg right now bringing it down to only $20 more or $69.99 and free shipping. Promos end on the 19th so don't sit on it.

I think the Antec Nine Hundred is worth the extra $50 bucks for the ability to add two additional drive cages to give you plenty of expansion room in the future, plus that silent, monster 200mm fan on the top moves tons of air for cooling. It's got a $20 rebate and a $10 dollar promo code on Newegg right now bringing it down to only $20 more or $69.99 and free shipping. Promos end on the 19th so don't sit on it.

 

I'm in Canada, it comes up $100, no rebate, no free shipping. 

 

But thanks for pointing at the case! Really appreciate it.