Build check (please view last post)

[KB36]

Finally got my hands on a FREE test mashine today 

 

My father in law, didn't have anything useful

The best mashine my bonus dad could find in his "collection" is the old hag i got.

 

CPU: Pentium 4 2,4GHz

Mobo: Epox EP-4DA3I Socket 478

RAM: 1x 512 MB PC3200

Flash drive: Verbatim Store'n'Go (with valid GUID number)

 

HDD's an old IDE drive 8 GB or so + WD green 2TB + Hita 400 GB

 

Gave a bump in the beginning (hadn't disabled all exept the USB drive)

But got it sorted out, did some settings on my main pc, and now i can "see" the tower on both pc's and on one of the WD TV Live boxes (haven't tested the other one)

I'm currently running preclear on the 400 GB disc.

If the rest turns out as smoothly as this has so far, it's going to be a breeze.

 

I've more or less followed this step by step guide

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=132902

 

Haven't installed UnMenu yet.

 

If any of you guys know of a better start up step by step guide please link 

 

The mashine is only on a test basis, non of the parts exept the 2 biggest HDD's is worth building on.

[doorunrun]

 

The UnOfficial unRAID Manual is located here:

http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php/Un-Official_UnRAID_Manual

 

And the Configuration Tutorial is here:

http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php/Configuration_Tutorial

 

The XBMC write up is pretty good, however, for clearing multiple drives it's probably better to add the program Screen to the unRAID server. I prefer to check the status of a PreClear from my workstation in the other side of the house, Screen allows you to check on these "virtual" sessions. But, if you're only doing one drive and have a monitor attached to the unRAID server you don't really need Screen. If you are not running Screen and you terminate the session your PreClear will stop.

 

I assume you're running the most current version of unRAID, V5.0rc16c, right?

 

[KB36]

Thanks for the info about Screen. That was one of my questions. (How do i preclear discs on my workstation, because now i'm doing it on the UNRAID device)

 

I've looked at Robbie Ferguson's youtube video's

and on that background chosen the stable

unRAID Server 4.7 AiO.zip version.

 

 

[doorunrun]

That video might be the same one that got me sold on unRAID. I'd say go with the current version; it's very close to being "final." You might have boot problems with the new version because of the version of syslinux.exe that is used. Some BIOS's have issues.

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=28547.0

and

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=28753.msg256175#msg256175

cover the way around it.

 

But to get started 4.7 should be fine.

 

[KB36]

What would the 2013 updated shopping list look like for me? If i take the UK budget build from the wiki, as the starting point.

 

UK Version budget build

All of the following components are available through online and brick and mortar retailers in the UK. All prices are in GBP.

Recommended retailers:

Scan

Dabs.com

Amazon

eBuyer

 

Components:

CPU: 2.7 GHz AMD Sempron 140

Motherboard: Biostar TA785GE

Alternatively the Asus M4A78L-M is a slightly cheaper option that uses DDR2 RAM

RAM: Kingston 2 GB DDR2 800 RAM or Kingston 1 GB DDR2 800 RAM (1 GB is sufficient for stock unRAID usage, get 2 GB or more if you plan on using add-ons)

Power Supply: Corsair CX-430 430W (will support up to 12 drives)

Personally i like the Cooler master Thunder 600W better. (i have some 7200 discs too)

If you prefer modular cables then the Corsair CMPSU-450HXUK is an option, but is a little more expensive.

Case: Coolermaster Centurion 590 - *Same hardware used by LimeTech*

The Antec Three Hundred is also an option

I think the Enermax Ostrog GT is perfect. Reason, the 8 sideways internal driveslots (drive bays are too expensive)

Hard Drive Bays:

Hot Swap - SNT-3141 SATA-II Hot-Swap 4 Drive RAID Enclosure

Optional

Buy three of these units if you want 12 hot swap bays

Non-Hot Swap - Cooler Master STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hard disk Cage

Maybe i'll get one of these for the 3 top 5,25 slots then there is room for 12 discs total

Buy two of these units if you want 12 internal hard drive bays

Expansion Card:

Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8, 8-Port SAS/SATA Card - *Same hardware used by LimeTech*

Only required if support for 7 - 12 drives is desired

Also requires two breakout cables, such as the 3ware Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) Internal Cable - CBL-SFF8087OCF-05M (not available in the UK) or 3ware Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) Internal Cable - CBL-SFF8087OCF-06M

 

£172.75 + VAT + shipping + hard drives (base system, non-hot swap bays, Biostar board, 6 non-hot swap bays, 1 GB of RAM)

£456.07 + VAT + shipping + hard drives (baller system, Biostar board, 12 hot-swap bays, 2 GB of RAM)

Always check the Good Deals Forum for current sales.

[doorunrun]

For a dedicated server I like the idea on one that can run without consuming much power. I use an Atom-based dual core board and I'm very happy with it. I don't know if Semprons come in dual core versions but they seem to be low power chips.

 

Here's a recent link to another unRAID user selling some MSI mobos with Sempron processors.

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=24338.0

 

This link discusses building up the cheapest 5 drive NAS.

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=28262.0

 

If your mobo has 6 SATA connections you don't really need to splurge on the AOC controller. There are a lot of two port controllers and I'm sure some of them are covered elsewhere on this forum. If your goal is 12 drive then I guess that's the one, but there is the AOC-SAS2LP-MV8 that supports SATA III. Is it worth the extra cost? I can't say.

 

I get the opinion that Intel is the preferred CPU around here and they have some interesting options in the Celeron category.

 

If you want to stick with AMD, Google "site:lime-technology.com AMD sempron" and go back about a year and you might find some interesting builds.

[KB36]

I've been browsing the Danish Ebay clone QXL, and found this.

 

ASUS P5B-VM (not the DO version)

Intel core 2 duo E4400 2 Ghz

2 x 2GB kingston ram

I/O shield

 

Highest bid at the moment. 65$

 

Is this package deal worth fighting for?

 

 

[doorunrun]

 

US P5B-VM (not the DO version)

Intel core 2 duo E4400 2 Ghz

 

Is this package deal worth fighting for?

 

I used the P5B-Deluxe for about a year and was happy with its performance. With that board there's the question of whether or not you can use all the PCIe x16 connectors for storage controllers and not just video. My board had three PCIe x16 slots and when I got the AOC-SASLP-MV8 card I found I had to use the one towards the bottom otherwise the system wouldn't boot. Also, I was using a Pentium D and then later a Core 2 Duo. The board you are looking at has on-board VGA and that's a plus.

 

I just didn't like the heat (power consumption) of those chips/motherboard. With the server running 24x7x365 the power bill adds up. I'm not the one to tell you, "that's the board, go for it." Hopefully you'll find other unRAID users that have been using the board and get their opinions.

 

As you can see from my sig I have one of the SuperMicro X7SPA boards. There was a pretty good thread going about them:

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=5133.0

Have a look at that and see what you think. By now there may be some of the earlier models on the "gently used" market.

 

[KB36]

 

US P5B-VM (not the DO version)

Intel core 2 duo E4400 2 Ghz

 

Is this package deal worth fighting for?

 

I used the P5B-Deluxe for about a year and was happy with its performance. With that board there's the question of whether or not you can use all the PCIe x16 connectors for storage controllers and not just video. My board had three PCIe x16 slots and when I got the AOC-SASLP-MV8 card I found I had to use the one towards the bottom otherwise the system wouldn't boot. Also, I was using a Pentium D and then later a Core 2 Duo. The board you are looking at has on-board VGA and that's a plus.

 

I just didn't like the heat (power consumption) of those chips/motherboard. With the server running 24x7x365 the power bill adds up. I'm not the one to tell you, "that's the board, go for it." Hopefully you'll find other unRAID users that have been using the board and get their opinions.

 

As you can see from my sig I have one of the SuperMicro X7SPA boards. There was a pretty good thread going about them:

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=5133.0

Have a look at that and see what you think. By now there may be some of the earlier models on the "gently used" market.

 

Reading the supermicro "theme" link now. Interesting stuff.

But wow  the prices in Denmark for these boards approx 268$

I see your point on the power consumption part. (so does my better half) Not to forget the heat (having problems with that on my test beast)

I'm totally on new ground when it comes to CPU's now a days.

My only experience with ATOM is on our Acer Aspire One Netbook, and it doesn't seem that potent. But maybe i'm wrong.

 

[Frank1940]

Almost any CPU can run the basic unRAID without any issues.  It is the plugins that people install after the fact that can require more CPU muscle than the low power processors can provide.  (Any plugin that transcodes video on-the-fly is an example.)  However, plugins for UPS's and directory caching will work without any problems with low power CPU's. 

 

 

[KB36]

I've just read all the 26 pages in the Supermicro thread.

The board sounds REALLY nice.

 

Pros.

- It's a serverboard

- Low power consumption

- IPMI

- Low heat

 

Cons.

- Price

- Picky when it comes to RAM

 

Since i've fallen for the Enermax Ostrog GT Case.

http://www.enermaxusa.com/case_eca3280.php

 

There is room for a bigger mobo, so IF it's possible to get a ATX or mATX board that have the following

 

- Low power consumption

- IPMI

- Low heat

 

For a cheaper price, then give me a shout.

 

Somewhere on this site a guy writes about a I3 sandybridge that is low power but still has some horse power if transcoding is needed.

At the moment i don't need the transcoding function, but i can't say if i'll be needing that in the future.

 

ARHHHHH !! 

 

I thought i had my "needs" figured out, but there is to many If, buts and maybe's

 

 

 

[doorunrun]

KB36 have you read the Landfill SFF thread?  http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=24786.0

 

I think this is a good design for the additional transcoding tasks. It may help you decide which direction to go with your build.

 

--Cheers!

[KB36]

If i choose the ATOM build, a total price would be approx 5000.- dkk (894$)

If i choose a modified LANDFILL build a total price would be approx 5000.- dkk (894$)

 

Prices are based on.

 

Case:              Enermax Ostrog GT

PSU:                Coolermaster Thunder 600W

KEY:                  Limetech pro

Controller:        Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8

BO cables:        SFF8087OCF-05

 

ATOM

Supermicro X7SPA-HF

CMSO4GX3M1A1333C9 x2

 

LANDFILL

ASUS P8H77-I 

BX80637i33220T

KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX

 

 

 

 

[KB36]

UNRAID wish list. (2.0 hehe)

 

I need a “Budget” NAS solution for my growing movie collection. At the moment all movie content is pre transcoded so the 2 household WDTV live boxes plays the NAS content nice and easy. (on the fly transcoding not needed) 

12 disc system (11 + parity)

The box is going to be headless, so IPMI would be nice, but not a demand.

Enough muscle to multitask (stream, transfer and parity sync at the same time if this situation occurs)

I’m looking for a system where I get the needed parts first time around, and not a system where I improve along the way (that always end up costing more than getting the “right” parts in the beginning) I know that my demands can change in time, so it is at some point Inevitably.

2 hand is ok by me, but the selection in Denmark is rather limited. 

 

Key words.

*Low power consumption (on 24/7 but idle/spun down at least 12 hours a day)

*Low noise but not super silent

*Air flow (heat)

*Muscle to multitask (see above)

*Parts available in Denmark, Germany or Europe (in that order)

 

[Case]

- Room for 12 3,5” discs

- Sideway drive bays for easier drive access, and cable handling

- Good airflow

- Roomy case (Not compact or SFF)

 

Candidates: Enermax Ostrog GT

http://www.enermaxusa.com/case_eca3280.php

 

[PSU]

- Enough juice for 12 mixed discs (5400 greens and 7200)

- Has to fit the case

 

Candidates: CoolerMaster Thunder 600W

http://www.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/powersupply/thunder/thunder-600w.html

 

[CPU]

- Muscle to multitask (see above)

 

[MOBO]

- 4-6 Sata onboard

- Onboard video (would be nice)

- Onboard USB for the USB key (would be nice, but not a must have)

- PCI-E for the Sata controller (as fast transfer rate as possible)

- Gigabit NIC

 

[sATA controller card]

- 8 Sata connectors (total)

 

Candidates: Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 (budget alternatives would be nice)

http://www.supermicro.com/products/accessories/addon/AOC-SASLP-MV8.cfm

 

[RAM]

- Muscle to multitask (see above)

[KB36]

"LAST POST"

 

Inspired by

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=28690.0

 

Case                    Enermax Ostrog GT

PSU                    Corsair CX600 V2

USB key              Verbatim Store 'n' go 4GB (or Lexar Firefly 8GB)

MOBO                  Asrock B75 Pro3-M

CPU                    Celeron G1610 2 MB

RAM                    Kingston ValueRAM 2 x 4 GB 1600mhz (KVR16N11S8K2/8)

 

Controller            Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8

Breakout            SFF8087OCF-05

Limetech            Pro key

 

Price 699$ and since the board has 8 sata slots i could start with that and buy the controller and breakout cable later. (531$)

 

What do you guys say?

 

Is the Realtek 8111E NIC still an issue? http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12559.0

 

[EDIT] Looks like the problem has been fixed, in the 5. software.

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=18064.msg162321#msg162321

 

 

[doorunrun]

It looks like you've found a sweet spot!

The passmark for the CPU looks good:

http://www.passmark.com/cpubenchmark/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Celeron+G1610+%40+2.60GHz&id=1819

The mobo has a lot of video connection options and enough PCIe slots

 

I think you'll be fine with the Realtek NIC.

 

Good Job!! Now the challenge is to come up with a good name for it. 

[KB36]

It looks like you've found a sweet spot!

The passmark for the CPU looks good:

http://www.passmark.com/cpubenchmark/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Celeron+G1610+%40+2.60GHz&id=1819

The mobo has a lot of video connection options and enough PCIe slots

 

I think you'll be fine with the Realtek NIC.

 

Good Job!! Now the challenge is to come up with a good name for it. 

 

Thanks 

And thanks for your patience.

 

I'm a bit uneasy about the PSU though.

Every where i look the CX's pop up. hmm

 

Thunder 600W (+12V 47A) 71$

CX600v2 (12V 46A) 86$

CX550M (12V 38A) 82$ 

 

[doorunrun]

KB36, I'm going to look over the CPU/Mobo specs closer over the weekend. I been thinking about rebuilding my wife's desktop computer and this is the combination I've been looking for but too timid to pose it on the unRAID forum 

 

Also, since you'll be ordering stuff, consider one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200294

It's a mobo USB header to USB A female connector. It allows you to mount the unRAID USB key internally if the mobo doesn't have an ob-board connector.

 

There have been a lot of Newegg sales specials on Corsair power supplies; that may be one reason they are so popular.

[switchman]

I'm a bit uneasy about the PSU though.

Every where i look the CX's pop up. hmm

 

I would go with a modular power supply.  Newegg has the SeaSonic M12II 750 SS-750AM 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE  on shell shocker deal right now for $69 with a $20 rebate plus free shipping.  It appears to be a single rail, but I am not 100% sure.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShocker.aspx?cm_sp=ShellShocker-_-17-151-107-_-08092013_2

 

 

Edit:

Sorry KB36, i just noticed you are in Denmark so this does not help you.

[KB36]

Used enermax psu calculator.

Based on 8 x 5400 4 x 7200 and the hardware.

493w minimum.

http://www.enermax.outervision.com/

 

[switchman]

When I calculated for my system.  I added the total number of drives I wanted to eventually reach, assumed they were all 7200RPM worst case, ie max power draw during start up.  Added all the other parts up, using max current draw and then added them together with the drive needs.  That gave me a value that I then added a 10% safety factor too which gave me my final needs of around 620 watts.  You do not want to run the supply at 100% rated load so purchase the next size up which meant ~700 watts.

 

This way any power efficient drives I purchase just increases my margin.  My system currently pulls ~160-180 watts when all drives are spun up.  It pulls ~70 watts at idle.  In reality, my power supply is not operating at its most efficient rate, but I can live with the amount of wasted power.  The next time I run a parity check I will measure the usage then.  Unfortunately, the kill-a-watt meter does not have a peak hold so I can see what the highest draw is.

[KB36]

When I calculated for my system.  I added the total number of drives I wanted to eventually reach, assumed they were all 7200RPM worst case

 

I see your point. But in my test system i saw the heat difference between a 7200 disc and a 5400 disc (7200 highest) . And i all ready have

 

5 x WD green 2TB discs. (5400)

2 x Seagate ST2000DM001 2TB discs (7200)

 

 

[KB36]

I've just ordered the following.

 

Case                                  Enermax Ostrog GT (ECA3280A-B-F)

http://www.enermax.co.uk/ostrog-gt/

PSU                                    Corsair CX600 V2

http://www.corsair.com/builder-series-cx600-v2-80plus-certified-power-supply.html

USB key                              Lexar Firefly 8GB

http://www.computersalg.dk/produkt/901850/lexar-jumpdrive-firefly-usb-flashdrive

MOBO                                Asrock B75 Pro3-M

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B75%20Pro3-M/

CPU                                  Celeron G1610 2 MB (BX80637G1610)

http://ark.intel.com/products/71072/

RAM                                  Kingston ValueRAM 2 x 4 GB 1600mhz (KVR16N11S8K2/8)

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/PartsInfo.asp?ktcpartno=KVR16N11S8K2/8

Sata power splitter          Silverstone CP06

http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=304

Sata data                          sata 600 0,5m

http://www.computersalg.dk/produkt/121435/harddisk-050m-sata-kabel-90-vinkel-sat

USB cable                          Deltaco 2-11B

http://www.computersalg.dk/produkt/545170/deltaco-usb211s-usb-forl%C3%A6ngerkabel-

 

The following discs are moving in. (are empty)

 

1 x 2TB WD20EARX Caviar green. Precleared in my test mashine, gonna be the parity drive.

2 x 2TB WD20EARS Caviar green.

 

2 x 2TB ST2000DM001 Seagate 7200 (filled with video content, at the moment)

2 x 2TB WD20xxxx Caviar green (filled with video content at the moment)

 

 

[KB36]

 

I assume you're running the most current version of unRAID, V5.0rc16c, right?

 

Tested with the 4.7 version. But the new mobo uses the realtek 8111e nic, and the bug fix for this is in one of the 5.xx rc's so i'm gonna update.

[KB36]

Continues here.

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=28934.0