Asus P5N-D


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Hey everyone!

I'm new to unraid and I have been doing a ton of reading. I think I have a really good idea how to get everything set up but before I buy a power supply and a Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8, I want to make sure my spare PC will run everything.

 

The system is a ASUS P5N-D running a Intel Core Duo 2.2Ghz(I believe) with 4 gigs of RAM.

 

Here's a link for the motherboard info: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5ND/

 

Will this system work?

 

Thanks for the help!

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...the on-board ethernet is an nvidia...I don't know if the driver is shipped with unRAID 4.7 or 5RC at all.

AFAIR linux kernels relied on the forcedeth module, which was based on a hacked driver...this did not have a good reputation for reliability.

 

I'd be prepared to put in another, best Intel-based, Ethernet card (PCIe x1 or PCI)

Edit: You can, of course, always try to boot the free version of unRAID and do some tests...the USB-Stick, which unRAID boots from is/can be shared as well...so no disks are needed to test to copy a small amount, like a DVD.iso

 

For the MV8, you will be required to use the x16 slot of your mobo, since a x4 or greater is required.

Is that slot used already, maybe with a GPU card?

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Hey everyone!

I'm new to unraid and I have been doing a ton of reading. I think I have a really good idea how to get everything set up but before I buy a power supply and a Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8, I want to make sure my spare PC will run everything.

 

The system is a ASUS P5N-D running a Intel Core Duo 2.2Ghz(I believe) with 4 gigs of RAM.

 

Here's a link for the motherboard info: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5ND/

 

Will this system work?

 

Thanks for the help!

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

I will do the test and see if I get any issues. If I had to put a PCI ethernet card in that wouldn't be too big of a problem(and a cheap way to go).

 

I was planning on getting a cheap PCI video card so I could use the x16 slot for the MV8.

 

I plan on starting with 2 3TB's and a 2tb drive for the initial setup. Do I even need to get the MV8 right away? I guess I was thinking I would just get the MV8 so the system was ready to go for when I get more hard drives and I would just have to add them.

 

What do you think?

 

Thanks again!

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The board has 4 S-ATA ports...good to go with the free version....no need to rush with the MV8.

With plans for 2x 3TB and 1x 2TB disks...remember that your parity disk needs to be equal or larger than the largest of your data disks.

 

When going for a NIC, do go for an Intel based one....this is important  ;)

Your board also offers one PCIe x1.

So you have two options, where both actually come at the same price as it looks, see

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106122

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106033

 

...I'd go for the second, PCIe x1 based variant...it is based on a newer chipset, also used in server-boards.

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...Houston, we have a problem.

 

As it looks, no AHCI Support for on-board SATA ports, see: http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20100131011440562&board_id=1&model=P5N-D&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

 

Double check inside your BIOS.

If this holds true, you'll be needing an additional controller, like the MV8 or M1015.

 

As it looks, your mobo comes with 2 slots in  x16, which is good...you might as well try and kepp your GPU card.

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Thanks for all the info!

 

I was planning on getting the MV8 so it is in my budget. I found it for about $120 on newegg. Does that sound about right?

 

Would you recommend me staying with my GPU card? It is a 9800gtx. Would that not draw a lot of unnecessary power?(That was my logic behind going with a cheap PCI video card)

 

So is ACHC only necessary for hot swapping or do I need to have ACHC no matter what?

 

Also, do you recommend a power supply? I know I need a single rail psu but was just going to try to find one thats a decent price.

What cables do I need? SAS-Sata right?  http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10254&cs_id=1025406&p_id=8186&seq=1&format=2

 

Thanks again! I'm really excited to get this system up and running.

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The board has 4 S-ATA ports...good to go with the free version....no need to rush with the MV8.

With plans for 2x 3TB and 1x 2TB disks...remember that your parity disk needs to be equal or larger than the largest of your data disks.

 

Yes I was going to use one of the 3TB has the parity. Is that correct?

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...3TB for Parity is correct

 

...don't know about your GPU...will the MV8 still fit in? I would not worry about the power draw ATM...only until you're settled and convinced that unRAID is for you.

 

...yes, that cable is correct.

 

...don't know about ACHC but AHCI is the interface to set-up in BIOS for using the disks in raw-performance mode...older BIOS will only support IDE emulation, which will slow things down a great deal.

 

If you can close a good deal on a M1015, I'd rather get that card than a MV8...or you could go for a SAS2LP-MV8.

Both will offer higher performance over the simple SASLP-MV8...the M1015 needs a cross flash of its firmware, so there is a risk if you cannot get it pre-flashed (with IT-Firmware).

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Giving the fact that you are prepared to spend money on a MV8 and cables, an optional NIC and GPU card and a PSU...for a starter-set of 3 disks...I wonder if you could get away with a all-new small build and make your old box a nice HTPC  ;)

 

Edit:

 

This combo will support up to 8 disks and will work out-of-the-box with latest unRAID RC5 (which you will need to use for 3TB disks)

 

mobo (70 USD) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157329

CPU (50 USD): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116889

RAM (33 USD): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146746

Edit: new RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148517 (DDR3-1600, over CPU specs) or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396 (within CPU specs)

 

total: 153 USD

 

...deduct 125 for MV8 plus cables and another 15 for a cheap GPU and you are 13 bucks over budget.

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I wonder if you could get away with a all-new small build ...

 

I was thinking along similar lines - I know that unRAID is often promoted as 'being able to run on old hardware' but, in this case, the network interface is no go, the disk controller is no go, there's not even built in video ... what are you gaining from your old mobo - a socket for the cpu?

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...Oh. may bad...it was late at night and no glasses on  ??? ...I am balding too fast.

The RAM model will work, but is not the fastest supported by that CPU.

This looks better (even an "overkill" with being DDR3-1600 but technically it will work and is good for a CPU upgrade later): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148517

I you want to play safe within the CPU specs, choose this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

 

...I changed it in the thread above...sorry for that.

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I'm using an Asus P5Q for my build; I know there's differences in their lineage. After I upgraded to a MV8, I didn't notice that much of a difference between it and the on-board SATA performance...even during parity checks.

I first tried using the MV8 in one of the PCIe-16 slots that would normally be occupied by a video card and system wouldn't boot. I think it was because the BIOS was set to look for PCIe graphics card there. So moving the MV8 to the third PCIe slot worked.

 

I think that ASUS board can get you started using unRAID, but there's lots of others. You could look for an older Supermicro that can handle the processor and memory you have. You can always use what you have for your backup unRAID system. Save your money for a controller that can handle SATA3 like a good used IBM 1015.

 

All the best!

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Giving the fact that you are prepared to spend money on a MV8 and cables, an optional NIC and GPU card and a PSU...for a starter-set of 3 disks...I wonder if you could get away with a all-new small build and make your old box a nice HTPC  ;)

 

Edit:

 

This combo will support up to 8 disks and will work out-of-the-box with latest unRAID RC5 (which you will need to use for 3TB disks)

 

mobo (70 USD) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157329

CPU (50 USD): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116889

RAM (33 USD): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146746

Edit: new RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148517 (DDR3-1600, over CPU specs) or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396 (within CPU specs)

 

total: 153 USD

 

...deduct 125 for MV8 plus cables and another 15 for a cheap GPU and you are 13 bucks over budget.

 

Wow! Thanks for this great info.

 

This is definitely something to look into now. So if I went this way and built a new computer, I wouldn't need the MV8 right away, right? I'm assuming I could get away with using the onboard sata ports until my hard drive collection grows. Add a power supply and I'm all set. Is there any psu that I should be looking at compared to others?

 

Thanks again for all of the help!

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I'm using an Asus P5Q for my build; I know there's differences in their lineage. After I upgraded to a MV8, I didn't notice that much of a difference between it and the on-board SATA performance...even during parity checks.

I first tried using the MV8 in one of the PCIe-16 slots that would normally be occupied by a video card and system wouldn't boot. I think it was because the BIOS was set to look for PCIe graphics card there. So moving the MV8 to the third PCIe slot worked.

 

I think that ASUS board can get you started using unRAID, but there's lots of others. You could look for an older Supermicro that can handle the processor and memory you have. You can always use what you have for your backup unRAID system. Save your money for a controller that can handle SATA3 like a good used IBM 1015.

 

All the best!

 

Apparently the P5N-D doesn't support ACHC(I've done more digging into it and it for sure doesn't) so I know I would need a controller to get me started. I'm thinking the new build option might be the way to go to get me started(maybe I could even sell the parts I have).

 

Thanks for the help!

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Apparently the P5N-D doesn't support ACHC(I've done more digging into it and it for sure doesn't) so I know I would need a controller to get me started. I'm thinking the new build option might be the way to go to get me started(maybe I could even sell the parts I have).

 

I don't know much about ACHC, so I'll do some digging as well. There are other less expensive controllers to use with unRAID. But there's too many strikes against the P5N. :-[

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I'm assuming I could get away with using the onboard sata ports until my hard drive collection grows.

 

Indeed, yes.  In fact, rather than 'get away with' treat the onboard ports as your best interface.  Even if it's 'only' SATA2, the on-board ports are probably the best-performing ports in real life, with lowest system overheads.

 

Add a power supply and I'm all set. Is there any psu that I should be looking at compared to others?

 

I will always recommend a Seasonic unit but any 'good' psu will do fine, as long as it has only a single +12V rail.  Seasonic tends to be expensive - the Corsair range are usually more affordable, and widely used in unRAID builds, particularly the CX430 for 'smaller' systems.

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I don't know much about ACHC, so I'll do some digging as well. There are other less expensive controllers to use with unRAID. But there's too many strikes against the P5N. :-[

 

Yeah I'm kinda thinking the same thing. I did find a IBM M1015(used) that is flashed to the P15 IT firmware for $120. I may pick that up just because of the price(I can't seem to find it anyway for a price even compared to that) and still go with the new build option.

 

The board that Ford Prefect suggested is great. I live in Canada so the price is a bit more for me(not by too much though). I'll have to go with a different cpu though because newegg.ca doesn't have the cpu that he suggested. Maybe I can pick a cpu up and a computer store near me or if anyone can maybe suggest one at newegg that will do the job for me.

 

Thanks again for all the help. This forum has some really helpful people!

 

 

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I will always recommend a Seasonic unit but any 'good' psu will do fine, as long as it has only a single +12V rail.  Seasonic tends to be expensive - the Corsair range are usually more affordable, and widely used in unRAID builds, particularly the CX430 for 'smaller' systems.

 

Awesome. I like that price and they have that local to me for $50. Originally I was tolded to get the Seasonic 560W for unraid. I plan on putting 3 or 4 hard drives in to start my build and just keep on adding as I find sales. How long would this C430 be good if I keep adding drives(sorry, probably a stupid question! lol)

 

Thanks again!

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I suggested the cheapest Ivy-Bridge available, as this will already be more powerfull than your existing CPU.

But you can go with any 1155 Desktop CPU that has an IGP...Ivy-Brige is preferred over SandyBridge - lower power draw when idle and lower TDP for the same Bang(Mhz) -.a Pentium G or I3 would be also very nice.

If you can afford it, a G-6120 with the DDR3-1600 RAM will offer enough headroom for running a fine assertion of plugins.;-)

 

The mobo I suggested comes with 8 SATA ports already...in order to power that number of drives, you will need a PSU with >18A on 12V (8x2A for disks + 2.5A for mobo,CPU,RAM and unRAID Stick).

I'd go with any single rail, rated 80Plus (80Plus-Gold if possible) around 300W...the Sea Sonic G-Series G-360 360W sounds like a good candidate.

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While we're on the subject, keep your eye out for a UPS. APC Smart UPS' with dead batteries show up at yard sales and community recycling centers. But sometimes just the cost of replacement batteries makes you think twice about going with NIB. Anyway, it's foolish to not have one attached to your system. A spare drive, precleared, is a good idea, too....good peace of mind.

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While we're on the subject, keep your eye out for a UPS. APC Smart UPS' with dead batteries show up at yard sales and community recycling centers. But sometimes just the cost of replacement batteries makes you think twice about going with NIB. Anyway, it's foolish to not have one attached to your system. A spare drive, precleared, is a good idea, too....good peace of mind.

 

Yes that is a great idea! I plan on putting this on a UPS because I don't want any sudden power outages to ruin any of the drives! I also plan on having a spare drive(or even two) ready to go at all times.

 

Thanks everyone for the awesome help!

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I suggested the cheapest Ivy-Bridge available, as this will already be more powerfull than your existing CPU.

But you can go with any 1155 Desktop CPU that has an IGP...Ivy-Brige is preferred over SandyBridge - lower power draw when idle and lower TDP for the same Bang(Mhz) -.a Pentium G or I3 would be also very nice.

If you can afford it, a G-6120 with the DDR3-1600 RAM will offer enough headroom for running a fine assertion of plugins.;-)

 

The mobo I suggested comes with 8 SATA ports already...in order to power that number of drives, you will need a PSU with >18A on 12V (8x2A for disks + 2.5A for mobo,CPU,RAM and unRAID Stick).

I'd go with any single rail, rated 80Plus (80Plus-Gold if possible) around 300W...the Sea Sonic G-Series G-360 360W sounds like a good candidate.

 

Would this processor be enough for running a unraid server. I will also be using the server for streaming hi def mkv files to different devices in the house.

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116886

 

Thanks!

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The G6020 has 200MHz lower clockspeed than the G6120 and the DDR3-1600 modules will only run as DDR3-1333.

In order to stream FullHD content without transcoding even an Atom is enough.

Based on that, the G6020 will not even get warm  :D

 

See also here: http://www.servethehome.com/Server-detail/intel-xeon-e5-2430l-review-benchmarks-dual-processors/

The G6020 performance will be right in between a G630 and  the G6120....power consuption will be the same as G6120

 

...of couse you can go for more...always...for a first build, I suggest to stay within your planed budget...the next build and next generation of technology will follow anyway.  ;D

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