Hey all!  I only just learned about NAS and unRAID and the like recently.  I just ordered myself parts to build an HTPC after recently also getting into that scene.

 

So then I decided I need a NAS instead of running the files off my main HDD in my main PC.

 

After tons of research tonight on NAS (Like Synology) or prebuilt servers or DIY...most people have said I should build my own and go unRaid.  It seems daunting for me because I want to run Sick Beard, SABZNB on it...but hopefully I can handle it.

 

Anyways..I have built a list of parts I think might work for the server but thought I could run in by some experts and get thoughts?

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QOqv

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QOqv/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QOqv/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3-M Micro ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($77.55 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($35.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($122.98 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($44.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $611.48

 

I am unsure on the WD drives and also have been told by people I should not buy multiple drives from the same vendor at once..  also don't know which drives are best ..I have heard red, then green, then black so really I have no clue

 

The unit is going to be used just for playing media on our main house TV..and only at night on some nights..

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

Well I broke down and bought the parts, similar to listed above..I will repost them shortly what I ended up with.

 

I have a question though..do I need 1 drive for Parity and another for cache?  I am completely new to this but recall that one drive is parity for repairing..and a cache drive for caching and like installing SAB+SB etc..

 

Would a small 250 or so regular drive work for cache drive?

 

I purchased 2x3tb WD red's for the main drives (I assume 1 for storage and 1 for parity for now)

 

If I understand correctly I would want to buy the plus liscence, then get another smaller drive like 128 or 250 or something to use a cache, and this is where my apps and downloads will go before being process and moved to the array?

 

I apologize for my lack of knowledge I have never used anything besides Windows and Dos (ages ago of course) so Linux or anything server related is new to me..having to read a lot and learn as I go.    Just bought the parts but wasn't aware of the cache part so now I am going to have to go out and get another drive.

 

Also, will I be able to move my existing media from my main PC drive to the new cache drive or array?

 

Will purchase a license immediately once I can make sure I am doing everything correctly and can find proper steps to install....Ive seen the guides on this website and others and most are similar but I don't recall any mentioning setting up the cache.  Can I set my machine up without the cache drive and then add the cache drive in after? (If so I can build my machine tonight before buying a drive tomorrow)

You don't need a cache drive to start with. A cache drive will help negate unraid a slow write speed but it isn't necessary. If you run apps like SAB and Sickbeard then you probably should run them from a cache drive. You can add the cache drive at any time. If you have the correct license that supports the cache use then you can assign any drive to the cache drive under the normal drive assignments page. IE when the array is stopped and you are choosing your drives, you will see a slot for the cache drive. A smaller faster drive works very well. The best choice is chose a drive that is slightly larger then the usual size of files you transfer to your server. I commonly send several hundred gigs to my server each night. So my cache is a 1TB drive. If you only send 100GB then you could get by with a 250GB cache drive.

 

 

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info!  I have decided to build the unit and add a cache drive after and get a license.

 

I have run into a hiccup..when I get to the step to verify drives are seen by unraid (dmesg|grep SATA|grep link)...nothing happens when I type it. 

 

In bios the drives are seen..I assume I need to change some bios settings but the guide doesnt say what to do if they are not listed.  My SATA controllers are set to IDE if that matters.

 

 

Here is my hardware:

 

Motherboard: Gigabyte B75MHD3

CPU: Intel Celeron G1610

Ram: 2x2Gb Corsair Vengeance 1600

Drives: 2x3Tb WD Red

 

Just as a test I did go on my main PC to //tower and when I go to the main tab under the dropdowns here the drives do show.  So why not showing with the dmesg command..and is it safe to continue with the guide?

 

Okay, changing to AHCI solved that problem.

 

Switch your drives to AHCI mode.