Hi guys,

 

This is my first unRAID build, and I've been reading the forums and various other sites, just to make sure I don't purchase the wrong hardware.  From where I live (New Zealand) I can't seem to find the parts to most of the recommended builds on here/other sites, which is why I was hoping I could get some feedback on this.  I plan to run 3hdds and maybe expand to more over the next year or so to 5-6.  The server will be for home media / data storage.

 

CPU:         2.8 GHz AMD Sempron 145

Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M LX

RAM:         4gb DDR-1066

PSU:                 CORSAIR Powersupply CX430 V2

Case: Not sure yet...

 

Thanks in advance

Looks good.  This is  a good setup for basic file serving.  It is probably marginal for real-time transcoding. 

 

You might have a look at an Antec 900 case.  It can be converted to have nine 5.25 slots available if you ever have need to increase beyond six drives.  Remember the case will never wear out, fail or break --- unless you back over it with a car. 

 

I would strongly recommend that you also get an UPS.  unRAID can be a bit unforgiving when subjected to power outages. 

Looks good.  This is  a good setup for basic file serving.  It is probably marginal for real-time transcoding. 

 

You might have a look at an Antec 900 case.  It can be converted to have nine 5.25 slots available if you ever have need to increase beyond six drives.  Remember the case will never wear out, fail or break --- unless you back over it with a car. 

 

I would strongly recommend that you also get an UPS.  unRAID can be a bit unforgiving when subjected to power outages.

 

+1 on the Antec 900 case. I have one and it's been great. Have two 5 in 3 cages in there and I'm about to get another one.

 

Also agree on the UPS. I learned the hard way when a power outage killed a drive.

If your buying the Sempron new (which run $35-$40 after a quick check), might consider grabbing today's Newegg deal on the AMD X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz for $59.  With Cool n' Quiet enabled it will idle within a watt or two as that Sempron.  I have that Rana CPU and had the Sempron 140 previously, both in the same board.

 

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Unraid 5.0-rc10 - Asus M5A78L-MLX Plus (RT8111E) - AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz - 8GB DDR3 - Antec NEO ECO 620W - Antec Three Hundred Case - 1x Rosewill RC-211 (cache) - Parity: 1T Seagate ST1000DM005/HD103SJ - DATA: 3x WD Black 750G - 1x 1T Seagate ST1000DM003 - 1x 500G Seagate ST500DM002, Cache: Intel X25-V SSD 40GB w/8GB swap partition

Nice I'll look into it thanks guys for the feedback

 

Unfortunately too much of a hassle to buy off Newegg from where I live.

I would go with an AMD Athlon II X2 260 or 270  Regor CPU and a Antec 1200 case if you have room for it.  The 1200 will give you more room to grow.  I have a 900 and wish I had purchased a 1200.  The mother board you have selected could get you to 20 drives and a 1200 could support 20 drives using 5in3 expansion cages.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103953 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103873

 

These CPU's give you the extra processing power when you need it, but do not add much to the thermal/power load and the fan is still quite. There is also not much of a price difference.  The 260 can do real time transcoding if you need it.  For a test, I tried Plex on my system and it worked fine.  I was streaming to my iPhone via a vpn connection from my phone to my router.

 

Also, you should review this page if you have not already done so.  http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hardware_Compatibility#Recommended_Builds

 

 

I would go with an AMD Athlon II X2 260 or 270  Regor CPU and a Antec 1200 case if you have room for it.  The 1200 will give you more room to grow.  I have a 900 and wish I had purchased a 1200.  The mother board you have selected could get you to 20 drives and a 1200 could support 20 drives using 5in3 expansion cages.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103953 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103873

 

These CPU's give you the extra processing power when you need it, but do not add much to the thermal/power load and the fan is still quite. There is also not much of a price difference.  The 260 can do real time transcoding if you need it.  For a test, I tried Plex on my system and it worked fine.  I was streaming to my iPhone via a vpn connection from my phone to my router.

 

Also, you should review this page if you have not already done so.  http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hardware_Compatibility#Recommended_Builds

 

 

I'd say if you really think you might go up to 20+ drives you're better off spending the money now and buying a Norco 4224. An Antec 1200 and four 5 in 3 cages is going to cost close to $600 dollars. The 4224 is $400 and you get 24 trays vs 20. I wish I had thought about this before I bought my case and cages. I have the 900 and two 5 in 3 cages and I'm about to buy my third. For what I spent on those I could have gotten the 4224 and what I have now will only give me 15 trays. What I have to decide now is whether I just bite the bullet and buy the 4224 and try to sell my old equipment.

I was just suggesting that if the OP ever did decide to expand beyond the 5-6 drives listed, he at least has a path without throwing away any hardware.  A 1200 would also give more drive mounting positions before expansion cages or a new case is required.  I feel your pain on the drive cages.  I purchased all three of mine up front and wired it all up at once.  If I were doing it now, I would go with the new iSTAR 5in3 dock.  http://www.istarusa.com/drivecages/bpndespec.php

 

My problem is that I don't have anywhere the Norco would fit.  It is to deep for my room.