Just as the subject line says.

 

I am using an Asus motherboard that supports ECC memory and I am considering moving it over for use in an unRAID server if unRAID benefits from the use of ECC memory.  Otherwise, I'll just build from scratch.

Your data benefits from using ECC in that memory errors are reported via syslog and some memory errors are corrected on the fly, thus protecting your data.

 

a few bits flipping every now and then can wreak havoc on your data.

 

While it doesn't happen often, it does happen.

I had a server which used registered ECC FB-DIMMS. 

Those chips got pretty hot and sometimes I would get an alert that memory errors occured and were corrected.

For a server that runs 24x7x365, it's worth a few extra bucks if you can afford it.

Otherwise, you may want to employ other techniques to validate your data.

 

I use teracopy to copy data to the server, the test reading it back.

I use md5sum to store a hash key and validate it every now and then if I start to notice any form of drive issues.

 

Cool. 

 

I'm just in the process of putting together an unRAID server and I have an ASUS AM3 Motherboard in my current desktop that supports unregistered ECC memory.  Looks like I can just cannibalize that MB and pop in a dual-core, 65W CPU.  It's not a critical issue and it won't be a 24/7/365 situation; just a home media server.  However, since ECC memory is only about $10 more than regular desktop memory, it's probably worth the investment.