New build - first time user. Is this build OK?

[tocheeba]

I'm wanting to build a somewhat of a budget 1st time unRAID server.

 

My current parts that I own:

4x3TB "green" drives

Core i3 2120 from an older Dell machine. I'm assuming I can rip this out and use it in the new build.

8GB RAM from the old dell machine.

1TB drive for random storage

500GB drive for cache drive

 

What I want to buy - not sure if these are good parts (or can I go cheaper on some to save money?)

 

Case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219021

 

CPU heatsink:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200063

 

Power Supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048

(or this one)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

 

Motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157329

(this should allow me to hook up 8 drives before I need to purchase SATA controllers, right?)

 

 

is there anything else I would need? Is this a good build?

 

I would mainly be streaming 1080p high bitrate files over my network to XBMC boxes (up to a couple machines at once). I would like to add sabnzb/sickbard plugins, since I have a windows server that does it now, and I would just want one server.

[theone]

Why not use the old dell machine to start of with?

 

[tocheeba]

It's just a mini tower, and no room for expansion. I have an external 4 bay USB enclosure that has all 4 drives in it right now (which from what I've read, unRAID can't do USB drives). I use FlexRAID currently, but I'm under the impression that unRAID is better?

[tocheeba]

I know this is an UNRAID forum, but given the costs associated with it, is there really any advantage of unraid over flexraid?

[Ford Prefect]

...my 2 cents:

 

- the board you've chosen is very nice indeed...good for 8 drives OOTB.

- the OCZ PSU is not a single Rail model...the 600W Corsair with 46A on 12V is a litlle bit "tight".

  consider 2A for each drive during spinup, there is no headroom left if you don't use staggered spin-up with the future Controller-Cards.

  Also take into account that PSUs will loose some "power" over age.

  What are your current plans...how long will your existing disks last?...you could start with a smaller, cheaper PSU if this will last for two years or so.

  remember to go for a single Rail (dual Rails show specs per Rail, like "20A-12V1, 18A-12V2" by which you could recognize these if not stated in the specs directly)

For up to 10 drives, a 430W model should do, like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

 

If you want to start cheap, why not re-purpose the complete Dell mobo and not the CPU+RAM only?

 

- as to the costing factor...flexraid is not for free also and it is not an "OS", just a "driver/Application"..You'll be on your own to build the base system with OS and make it "compatble" with flexraid.

  In case of a problem that is not clearly identified with the product, you're on your own.

  Being on your own, if I were in your shoes, I'd rather rely on this community here than anywhere else 

[chopeta]

- the OCZ PSU is not a single Rail model...the 600W Corsair with 46A on 12V is a litlle bit "tight".

  consider 2A for each drive during spinup, there is no headroom left if you don't use staggered spin-up with the future ...

For up to 10 drives, a 430W model should do, like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

 

Sorry for jumping in here, but I am considering upgrading my PSU and your post got me very confused

 

You mention his Corsair option with 46A is a little bit "tight" and them you recommend him a 430W model for up to 10 drives

 

I kind of didn't understood.

 

In my case, I want to have 12 2TB non-green drives and I am considering getting a Corsair CX600 ($57 on Amazon) that has 46A. My server also have 2 controller cards, an i3 CPU and operates 24/7. Would that CX600 be enought for me or should I got with the next option (CX750)?

 

p.d.: I have no idea how my server is still working with 8 2TB drives in my 5-years old Thermaltake 500W PSU (2 rails)

 

Thanks for your help!

[Ford Prefect]

Sorry for jumping in here, but I am considering upgrading my PSU and your post got me very confused

 

You mention his Corsair option with 46A is a little bit "tight" and them you recommend him a 430W model for up to 10 drives

 

I kind of didn't understood.

 

Hmm...I can see that.

The OP posted a case for 24 drives....here the Corsair 600W is "tight"  (24x2A max is 48A on 12V).

 

However, the OP only got a much lesser number of drives to start with and stated to be on a tight budget...hence I recommended a smaller, cheaper single rail.

 

In my case, I want to have 12 2TB non-green drives and I am considering getting a Corsair CX600 ($57 on Amazon) that has 46A. My server also have 2 controller cards, an i3 CPU and operates 24/7. Would that CX600 be enought for me or should I got with the next option (CX750)?

 

..for 12 "real" non-green drives, I'd calculate 3A per drive -> 36A for the drives...the 600W/46A should be OK...10A left is quite some headroom with an i3.

But the seagate 7.2k draw 2A only, based on specs....I'd check the drives specs and do math over.

 

p.d.: I have no idea how my server is still working with 8 2TB drives in my 5-years old Thermaltake 500W PSU (2 rails)

 

I'd gather that 500W PSU is rated at 19A on each rail...8 drives with less than 2.5A each should be OK then.

 

..but doing a test of course is the only way of knowing.

So what are the specs of that PSU...and did you measure your exact power draw, like with a kill-a-watt ?

 

I recently tested my setup with 7x2TB green + 13x3TB-7.2k seagate drives, 1xM1015 + 24-port intel expander, XEON L3426, 32GB and a Norco-like  24-bay case with 6x fans, I am using a 600W gold-platinum PSU with that.

...and got 430W max reading on start-up...245W on high load afterwards (all drives writing/reading - using a ZFS array)

That 430W (35A) is way below what I expected...maybe my M1015 or the expander uses staggered spinup or the drives perform much better than their rating.

 

[chopeta]

Thanks Ford Prefect for the clarifications.

 

OP is def. getting a huge (and expensive) case, I would go with the NZXT Source 210 ELITE Midtower Case (a lot of space and pretty good price) - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005869IUY

 

I will go with the CX600 PSU (all my disks are Seagate) and actually would recommend that one to the OP as well - and since you mentioned I will also get a Kill A Watt so I can measure everything properly

 

Thanks once again! This is such a great community! Go UnRAID!!!