Arguably the most important decision a user makes in setting up an unRAID server is what motherboard to use. A user trying to make that decision has no good sources.  The hardware wiki is woefully incomplete and not maticulously updated as would be needed.

 

I would like to suggest that users consider using the "Personal Text" field in the unRAID profile to name and rate theiir motherboard.  If you look on the far left of this post you will see mine.  The sig field is another option, but many users already have useful links there that fill up the 300 characters availble.

 

The rating would be based on your experience with the motherboard, as described below:

A - Fully compatible, highly recommended

B - Compatible, recommended - may be better choices however.  For example a compatible MB with only 4 SATA ports might be rated a B.

C - Compatible with some effort

D - Compatible with major effort, not recommended

F - Not compatible, or compatibility requires extraordinary effort (e.g., can't boot off of USB stick)

 

A user can also append a "+" or a "-"

+ - Contains some special advantage (e.g., onboard video)

- - Currently experiencing a compatibility issue or contains some special disadvantage (e.g., unssupport LAN chip so requires PCI-E Gb addon card)

 

So, for example ...

A- - Great compatible motherboard but having a problem with the most recent build

C+ - Compatible motherboard, likely has some special features that would appeal to certain users

D - Look elsewhere, but if you must, you can get this MB to work

 

The good thing about personal text (and the sig) is that it changes for all your posts when you update it.  So if you are using a motherboard and it is working great, and then you have a major problem with a new release and want to downgrade your rating, you can and it will be reflected in your old posts.

 

I think this would be useful for new users making purchasing decisions, helpful to Tom to see what motherboards people are having problems with, and helpful to the community so that we have a better idea of what people are using and how they like it.  By sticking with a very simple A-F rating scale that people will generally understand even without reading this post, will keep this from getting too technical.  "My rig" links in the sig can be used to provide more detailed rig info.

 

Thoughts?

Part of me thinks this is a good idea, part of me thinks this should just be updated in the Wiki and in a my rig link.

 

I suppose if the forum had a few basic links at the top of the page for  Wiki, Troubleshooting, Best of the Forums

Then we would not need these in our SIG's/Personal Text.

 

Still, I think the Wiki is the place to put the compatible hardware information.

 

I have 3 rigs.. Therefore I have to try and I fit all that in my personal text.. LOL.

I wish it were longer also, but I was able to get 2 MBs in there. (Is there a way to embed a cr/lf in there?)

 

But there is beauty in simplicity, and the "Personal Text" field is big enough for listing one Motherboard in a very readable way.  (WeeboTech, if you'd just step up to a man size case maybe you wouldn't need three rigs!   )

 

The wiki is a lot of work to keep current - and requires lots of participation.  I don't find it particularly useful in its current form.  I'd more likely search the forum for that MB model number to get info, or search for the specs at egghead and read opinions there.

 

The advantage of doing this in the sig/personal text is that it is easy to do and shares the responsibility.  If the leaders start doing it others will likely follow suit.  Users see the information rather than following links, which they are much less likely to do.  The subjectivity of the ratings (based on individual user experience and not summarized in the wiki) humanizes the experiences and gives users specific people to turn to if they are having problems with the same MB.  Users that see lots of "A's" for the same MB will have confidence in buying that MB, because of 6 specific users all say it works great for them, not because the wiki says it has 8 SATA ports and a Gb LAN chip.

 

Just my $0.02.

What do you think of a series of posts to the "Hardware" forum, one per motherboard, perhaps with a title similar to

Compatible Motherboard: Intel ZYZZY

The content of the post can list the specifics and any quirks.  We can invite users of that motherboard to add to the thread to list their affiliated hardware.

 

I look at it this way, any older unavailable motherboard would eventually sort lower on the page.  Newer ones would show at the top.  Those with lots of activity (good and/or bad) would be most visible.

 

Perhaps a new forum section might be warranted.  Compatible Hardware:

 

In the same section, users could list any other affiliated hardware... (LAN cards, etc.) with appropriate titles.

 

If an initial template is put into place, then it will not be too hard for casual users of the forum to add their own entries as they build their servers.  It distributes the editing work, and it puts the information where it can be found easily.

 

I just like the idea of current hardware naturally ending up at the  top of the listing, and older, less available hardware towards the end of the listing (subsequent pages)

 

Joe L.

How about we start a new forum section called "Motherboards"?

 

;-)

 

 

Bill

(WeeboTech, if you'd just step up to a man size case maybe you wouldn't need three rigs!  )

- I have 3 machines for different usages.

I do have a "regular" sized server with an ABIT AB9 PRO, the mini-itx's are for drives that I rsync when I have to take down Atlas for one reason or another.

I.E. I use Atlas as a main server for files, applications, images, Music and videos, but rsync the files/applications/music to other servers in case I need to work on Atlas.

 

In any case, I think the idea itself has merit, but still think links to "my rig" and perhaps links to another forum post specific to the motherboard would be helpful too.

 

I still feel, some basic links to wiki pages should be on the forum screen at the top. If this were the case, I would move forward with this suggestion with much less resistance.

 

How about we start a new forum section called "Motherboards"?

 

;-)

 

 

Bill

Good idea...   

I think we've talked outselves into the status quo.

 

Even if each of us started a thread on the MB that we use, the info can quickly become dated.  When the next release of unRAID comes out (4.3.4, 4.4, 5.0, ?), some or all of what is written may no longer be valid.  My sense is that only the usual suspects will be replying, so the forums will give us no sense of what people are actually using.

 

Having each user list their current rating of their MB in sig or personal text would be useful.  Even looking at historical posts, others will see their current opinion / rating.  If someone is singing the praises of a MB but the sig says C-, you know something changed.  Similarly, if a user is complaining about a problem yet the rating is now showing B+, you know they resolved it.

 

I think both are valuable perspectives.  I'd hate the sig to become a technical dissertation, but a quick ID and MB rating would be easy to create and maintain and very useful personal info to know about a person!

 

Am I beating a dead horse?

 

How about a differernt tak.

 

Use the wiki but... ask users to fill out the table for themselves when they ask for support. This gives us the list we want and also helps alot with support since we will know right away what kit they are using. Also since a user needs support they will want to do as requsted. Its not alot to ask for free support

I prefer this one.

I guess it just depends on what information you're looking for.  I would likely not base a purchasing decision on what a newbie that is having problems bought.

 

I was really looking for a resource that would give a more-or-less current picture of the motherboards that the most active (as welll as newer) forum participants are using, and their own ratings of those MBs.

 

But based on lukewarm (make that ice cold) reception, I am going to stop advocating for it. 

 

You can lead a horse to water ... 

I think "My Rig and Pimp Yours" Plus the wiki provides a good amount of information.

in Pimp Yours, if a person makes the whole config available, then people will also see what parts work with what motherboard.

 

hhe, you can still put your own motherboard and rating in your sig. Perhaps some will follow.

I've begun upgrading the Hardware Compatibility page, and using some of your ideas above.  More comments here...

We are getting excellent participation in this simple motherboard rating system!  I have a much better understanding of the motherboards that are in use.

 

If you haven't already, please consider adding yours.

 

BTW, anyone know how to embed a newline in the personal text?

 

 

I'm in.  The problem I see is that it is not necessarily obvious what our typing is intended for.  Look at what I prefaced mine with.

 

 

Bill

I think this is a good idea, and I've added mine.  However, I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread otherwise I wouldn't have known that there's a rubric - I though everyone was just making up their own 'grades' based on their personal experiences with the motherboard.

I think this is a good idea, and I've added mine.  However, I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread otherwise I wouldn't have known that there's a rubric - I though everyone was just making up their own 'grades' based on their personal experiences with the motherboard.

 

When I had more time I was trying to stay on top of this and bugging new users a little more to test there new boards.  With taking classes and the like I have kinda forgotten about it.  Hopefully I can pick back up with this and start to "bug" bug more people to get there board rated.

 

Take a look at the boards that have been reviewed and when you get a chance feel free to add yours in here.

 

Also take a look at the Motherboard Rating System which describes the checkmarks on the Hardware Compatibility Page .