June 6, 201313 yr Hi All Looking at a new build, moving from a HP Micro Server. Please note I am in Australia so some suggestions may not be feasible. Goals: Be able to run VMWare Run Plex Maintain current size Allow more drives So far I am looking at this case: http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=584&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=67&g=spec To go in this will be the current 5 (2TB) Hitachis I have which will go into the quick swap bays as I plan to upgrade these soon. Mounted on the bottom will be two new Toshiba 3TB 7200rpm drives for a new parity and a cache drive. VMWare will run off a 2.5" Hitachi 1TB 7200rpm. For hardware I am currently planning: Intel i7 4770 Asus H87I-Plus 16GB (2x8GB) Corsair Vengeance Corsair TX650M Also to make up the 8 ports neccasary: Manhattan 2 Port SATAIII PCIE Card Planning on running the following plugins: Plex Crashplan SABNZBD Sickbeard Simple Features Subsonic Deluge/Transmission etc. (haven't decided on a client yet)
June 6, 201313 yr The PC-Q25B is by far my favorite case for systems with up to 7 drives -- a GREAT choice; and it keeps the drives VERY cool. The motherboard and CPU are great choices for performance, BUT when you say you want to "run VMWARE" do you mean you want to run ESXi ?? If so, this may not be a good choice, as I am not sure if this board supports pass-through ... and even if it does, you'll need to use an add-in controller for drive pass-through, which further complicates things [although since it's an x16 slot, you can get good performance with an 8-port x8 controller card]. If you aren't going to run ESXi with virtualized UnRAID, then it's fine -- if you just want to run VirtualBox "under" UnRAID it will work fine. Finally, the power supply is too big -- in two ways: (a) I doubt it will fit in the case; and (b) 650w is too large for a low-power system like that. It would virtually always be operating well below its range of efficient operation (20% - 100%). Use a good 400w PSU ... and carefully check the exact dimensions, as only the smaller ATX supplies fit in that case. You may want to use an SFX supply, which fits much nicer in the case and allows for better airflow. There are several nice 350w - 450w SFC units available.
June 6, 201313 yr Author The PC-Q25B is by far my favorite case for systems with up to 7 drives -- a GREAT choice; and it keeps the drives VERY cool. Awesome pretty happy with it for the size and the reviews are positive. The motherboard and CPU are great choices for performance, BUT when you say you want to "run VMWARE" do you mean you want to run ESXi ?? If so, this may not be a good choice, as I am not sure if this board supports pass-through ... and even if it does, you'll need to use an add-in controller for drive pass-through, which further complicates things [although since it's an x16 slot, you can get good performance with an 8-port x8 controller card]. ESXi I believe yes, whatever is the hyper visor that you can get a free license for. An addon card for drive pass through, that sounds expensive and pretty unnecessary for me. ESXi is a nice to have for me as I would like to run a small Windows box for one or two things that UNRaid simply cannot do but I have zero problem with running UNRaid bare metal. If you aren't going to run ESXi with virtualized UnRAID, then it's fine -- if you just want to run VirtualBox "under" UnRAID it will work fine. This sounds like a worthy alternative, I have used Virtualbox before and I could just run a Windows VM with very little resource. My main goal with the CPU and MOBO in general is to have enough grunt to have Plex run. Finally, the power supply is too big -- in two ways: (a) I doubt it will fit in the case; and (b) 650w is too large for a low-power system like that. It would virtually always be operating well below its range of efficient operation (20% - 100%). Use a good 400w PSU ... and carefully check the exact dimensions, as only the smaller ATX supplies fit in that case. You may want to use an SFX supply, which fits much nicer in the case and allows for better airflow. There are several nice 350w - 450w SFC units available. I went with that PSU because I am a big fan of the Corsair range and this model has a 5 year warranty. I am open to suggestions, once of the advantages of the build is the company I am buying through will do the build so they will soon tell me if its not OK. In saying that do you have any suggestions? I am open to most things but I do want a quality PSU, power is not something I want to cheap out on and I am sure you agree. Lastly thanks heaps.
June 6, 201313 yr ESXi is a nice to have for me as I would like to run a small Windows box for one or two things that UNRaid simply cannot do but I have zero problem with running UNRaid bare metal. Personally that's what I'd do ... just run this as a bare metal UnRAID box and if you want a Windows box, do that separately (take a look at the Acer Revo if you want a tiny Windows box) ...if you just want to run VirtualBox "under" UnRAID it will work fine. This sounds like a worthy alternative, I have used Virtualbox before and I could just run a Windows VM with very little resource. Yes, that will also work nicely, and you can do it all in one box. My main goal with the CPU and MOBO in general is to have enough grunt to have Plex run. That CPU will provide PLENTY of "horsepower" (i.e. "grunt") to run anything you want ... Plex, a VirtualBox VM (or two), etc. I went with that PSU because I am a big fan of the Corsair range and this model has a 5 year warranty. I am open to suggestions, once of the advantages of the build is the company I am buying through will do the build so they will soon tell me if its not OK. In saying that do you have any suggestions? I am open to most things but I do want a quality PSU, power is not something I want to cheap out on and I am sure you agree. Absolutely agree you want to use a quality PSU ... in fact, I'd use an HX series Corsair instead of the TX you listed IF you needed that much power. But you not only don't need that high a rating; you don't WANT it ... the PSU will be too inefficient at the loads you'll be running on it. I'd use an 80+ certified, active PFC SFC supply like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256084 If you want to use a Corsair, this fits in that case BARELY (It's so close you have to remove the sticker with the name/model from the side ... the one that shows "CX430" in the picture): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
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