I've been running unRAID for about a year, and my old hardware is at the max.

 

I've just updated to 5.0.4, and my primary usage is storage of TV, movie & photos, but I'll be running SAB, Sick & CP. I don't think I have any need for transcoding, as the XBMCs in the house can all stream whatever I've thrown at them from whatever source they've come from. I'll likely be adding some other plug ins as hardware improvements allow, but don't have anything in particular in mind. I might possibly add in a Raspberry Pi running XBMC - does anybody know if that would need any sort of transcoding? Virtualization sounds like a fun thing to tinker with, but I'm mostly in the 'get it running & leave it alone' mode right now.

 

Here's what I'm looking at right now:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2vuNx

 

MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-F2A88X-D3H for the 8 on board SATA3 ports, and healthy expansion options  ($88)

      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128656&clickid=zWtTbNQV-WGB2OF2PeWxdSKcUkTw51x0eWn4XY0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

 

CPU: AMD A4-4000 3.0GHz Dual-Core  - I would think this should be enough horsepower for what I need, and is definitely an upgrade from what I've got (~$45)

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113343&clickid=zWtTbNQV-WGB2OF2PeWxdSKcUkTw51XweWn4XY0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

 

Memory: Not sure which would be a better option. 4GB is cheaper, but 8GB will give more headroom for growth (64-bit unRAID!)

  G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($44)

      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231439&clickid=zWtTbNQV-WGB2OF2PeWxdSKcUkTw53wAeWn4XY0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

  G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($80 - $12 MIR)

      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455&clickid=zWtTbNQV-WGB2OF2PeWxdSKcUkTw53RoeWn4XY0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

  Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($80 - $15 MIR)

      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148719&clickid=zWtTbNQV-WGB2OF2PeWxdSKcUkTw53QIeWn4XY0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

 

For a total upgrade price of $178 - $213 (before MIR)

 

I've already got a small tower case that manages to keep drives under 40c, except for 1 or 2 that hit about 42c during a parity check, and just upgraded to a nice new PSU, so those aren't going anywhere. I've got a small fan to place right in front of those two hot drives, I just haven't gotten to putting it in place yet.

 

I've got a hodge-podge of drives from Samsung, Hitachi, WD & Seagate:

  1 x 3TB parity

  4 x 2TB data

  3 x 1TB data

  1 x 250GB 2.5" cache

  1 x 320GB PATA (mount via SNAP for plugins)

  1 x 1TB data precleared & waiting for a SATA port

  1 x 2TB was parity, now preclearing and will be used for data.

I've got room enough for 1 more drive in the case, so that will probably be the next upgrade.

 

I know the CPU will be enough for my needs, as I'm running a single core Athlon  2700+ right now, but will it give enough head room for growth? Are there better options at a similar price point?

I've seen the MoBo discussed elsewhere here, and it seems to be a good option.

Any tips on the memory? I picked mostly on price, and a recommendation (Joe L or garycase, maybe?) to stick with a pair of sticks if not using buffered or ECC.

r.e. memory => The board you're buying doesn't support ECC modules, so you just need a pair of unbuffered modules.  With unbuffered RAM, I never install more than 2 modules ... that keeps the bus loading much lower and results in a more reliable memory subsystem. [That's probably what you saw me say in another post]

 

So decide NOW how much memory you want, and buy your modules accordingly.  I'd suggest either a pair of 8GB modules (16GB total) or a pair of 4GB modules (8GB total).  Either is more than you need, but provides some headroom for future growth when the 64-bit version of UnRAID is available.  You don't need anything faster than DDR3-1600 (DDR3-1333 would be fine) ... but whatever you buy be sure they're standard 1.5v modules.

 

 

Thanks for your input, Gary!

 

I think it's time to pull the trigger, as Newegg has generously put my MoBo on sale, and combined it with the A6-5400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113282 for the same price as I was looking at for the A4-4000.

 

The memory they currently have on sale (always a great reason to buy!) is:

Corsair Vengance 2x4GB DDR3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20233186-L09A

 

G.Skill Ares 2x4GB DDR3 1866

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231550&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231550-L09C

 

GeIL EVO Veloce 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144614&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20144614-L09D

 

Team Zeus Yellow 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313436&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20313436-L010A

 

Any recommendations on these? They're all 1.5v, look like unbuffered, non-ECC. The CAS latency is 9 on all of them, but the timings are a bit different. I really don't know squat about all these parameters - do they matter much for unRAID? I'm sure most of the memory is produced in the same few factories around the world, then different labels put on them to make them different 'brands'. They all carry lifetime warranties. If there's no real difference, I'll buy on price, if there's a recommendation, there's only about $15 from the bottom to the top of the price range, so it's not huge.

 

Thank again!

The memory they currently have on sale (always a great reason to buy!) is:

Corsair Vengance 2x4GB DDR3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20233186-L09A

 

G.Skill Ares 2x4GB DDR3 1866

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231550&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231550-L09C

 

GeIL EVO Veloce 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144614&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20144614-L09D

 

Team Zeus Yellow 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313436&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20313436-L010A

 

Any recommendations on these? They're all 1.5v, look like unbuffered, non-ECC. The CAS latency is 9 on all of them, but the timings are a bit different. I really don't know squat about all these parameters - do they matter much for unRAID? I'm sure most of the memory is produced in the same few factories around the world, then different labels put on them to make them different 'brands'. They all carry lifetime warranties. If there's no real difference, I'll buy on price, if there's a recommendation, there's only about $15 from the bottom to the top of the price range, so it's not huge.

 

Thank again!

 

I would check out the memory support list for the mobo. I believe this is it: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4714#memory%20support%20list

 

Personally, I always try to get ram that has already been tested with the mobo I'm buying, in an effort to reduce the potential irritations with the build

I would check out the memory support list for the mobo. I believe this is it: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4714#memory%20support%20list

 

Personally, I always try to get ram that has already been tested with the mobo I'm buying, in an effort to reduce the potential irritations with the build

 

Thanks, DoeBoye.

 

Of course, none of these four are on the tested list.  However this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233283

is. Looking at the specs, I don't see any difference between it and the other Corsair that I listed

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20233186-L09A

other than 2x the price (including today's sale) and an "End user swappable light bar", whatever that is. If what I choose matches specs on something tested, is that close enough?

 

I've never had any memory compatibility issues just mixing and matching what's on sale. Except for the  machine I just put together for my wife...

I would check out the memory support list for the mobo. I believe this is it: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4714#memory%20support%20list

 

Personally, I always try to get ram that has already been tested with the mobo I'm buying, in an effort to reduce the potential irritations with the build

 

Thanks, DoeBoye.

 

Of course, none of these four are on the tested list.  However this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233283

is. Looking at the specs, I don't see any difference between it and the other Corsair that I listed

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011614&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011614-_-EMC-011614-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20233186-L09A

other than 2x the price (including today's sale) and an "End user swappable light bar", whatever that is. If what I choose matches specs on something tested, is that close enough?

 

I've never had any memory compatibility issues just mixing and matching what's on sale. Except for the  machine I just put together for my wife...

 

Honestly, nowadays it's not as important, as ram has become pretty stable across the board. That said, if you can buy off the tested list, you may as well. And on that note, it looks like the Corsair you listed is on there (CML8GX3M2A1600C9)...

Here's one for 10$ less. Also on the list

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460

EDIT:

 

This one also runs a bit faster (1866), if ever you decide to play around with overclocking (Not really recommended in a server). I like to see this, though, because it tells me that if this ram is spec'd to run at 1866, 1600 should be a piece of cake

And on that note, it looks like the Corsair you listed is on there (CML8GX3M2A1600C9)...

 

Color me foolish... I copied the model number from the Newegg site and searched the PDF - didn't find it. I copied the second Corsair model number, pasted it into Newegg's search bar - it was filled with spaces between every character. Never occurred to me that was why the number wasn't found in the PDF... 

 

Going to go with the 1st Corsair option - Newegg's promo code brings the $93 list down to $77.

 

 

Now, to shift topics a bit, you got me reading the Gigabyte website in more detail.  For the expansion slots, it says:

1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
(The PCIEX16 slot conforms to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
* To support PCI Express 3.0, you must install an FM2+ APU.

Is there going to be any appreciable difference in performance if the PCIEx16 slot is running at 2.0 vs 3.0 standard, since I'm looking at an FM2 CPU instead of FM2+? Since the on-board graphics will be more than enough to drive the Linux boot screen when I start up unRAID, I'd be using this slot for some sort of SATA host on down the line. (At the moment, I think all I've got is x1 cards, anyway, so not a big deal right now.)

Going to go with the 1st Corsair option - Newegg's promo code brings the $93 list down to $77.

 

That price is hard to beat. A good call .

 

 

Now, to shift topics a bit, you got me reading the Gigabyte website in more detail.  For the expansion slots, it says:

1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
(The PCIEX16 slot conforms to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
* To support PCI Express 3.0, you must install an FM2+ APU.

Is there going to be any appreciable difference in performance if the PCIEx16 slot is running at 2.0 vs 3.0 standard, since I'm looking at an FM2 CPU instead of FM2+? Since the on-board graphics will be more than enough to drive the Linux boot screen when I start up unRAID, I'd be using this slot for some sort of SATA host on down the line. (At the moment, I think all I've got is x1 cards, anyway, so not a big deal right now.)

 

PCIE 2.0 is 500MB/s per lane, so this is a non-issue for almost any SATA card you would ever put in there. I believe most reasonably priced 8 port cards are 4x or 8x anyways, and even @ 4x, that 2GB/s of bandwidth split between 8 drives. Absolute worst case scenario is 250MB/s allotted per drive, which is well above any real-life transfer speeds.

 

Of course, by extension, an 8x card (Such as the IBM m1015 which is quite popular), that number increases to 500MB/s per drive...

 

All told, definitely a non issue .

 

[EDIT] Fixed math error in transfer speed for 8x

Thanks for the help, guys. Order placed, new toys on the way!