Basic server + unRAID Pro ~$360 (sans HDDs)

[homejones]

Abit AB9 Pro [eBay] ($70)

OCZ 600W PSU [Newegg] ($45 AR)

Corsair 2GB RAM [Newegg]($10 AR)

1GB Flash Drive [Newegg] ($6)

Cooler Master Centurion 590 Case [Newegg] ($50)

ATI Radeon 9200 PCI Video Card [eBay] ($20)

Intel Celeron Dual Core E1400 [eBay] ($40)

unRAID Pro ($119)

 

The board has 9 SATA ports and with a PCI video card I have 1 PCI-E x16 and 2 PCI-E x1 expansion slots.  Since there are ample internal slots for HDDs, I'll purchase the backplanes later.

 

Total $361 - woohoo!

[scottw]

Good job. I have that same mobo and case and love it!!!!

[samw97]

Does the 590 have the tabs in the 5.25" bays that have to be cut/bent to install the 5in3 backplanes?

[bubbaQ]

Just remember,  Abit  is going out of business and that mobo has no serial ports (i.e. for a UPS).

 

 

[Nyago123]

Does the 590 have the tabs in the 5.25" bays that have to be cut/bent to install the 5in3 backplanes?

 

Dunno about the 590, but the 690 sure does.  I used a deep throated C-clamp to flatten them.

[WeeboTech]

Does the 590 have the tabs in the 5.25" bays that have to be cut/bent to install the 5in3 backplanes?

 

Dunno about the 590, but the 690 sure does.  I used a deep throated C-clamp to flatten them.

 

I wonder if it is better just to chop them off with a nibbler.

http://www.crazypc.com/products/9140.html

 

[Nyago123]

I wonder if it is better just to chop them off with a nibbler.

 

For me, it was a matter of finding what I already had in the toolbox, choosing between pliers, wrench, hammer, a rusty hacksaw, and the clamp.

 

I remember one time buying a cheap $20 case.  It was so bad the entire bay would bend... it was an adventure just having one CD drive in there.  (That was probably the last time I ever paid less than $60 for a case.)