Hey everyone,

 

Long, long time lurker here.

 

Use:

My unraid server will be just used to store data for backup duties, and to allow an upstairs plex media server stream files from it - without transcoding.  I do not plan on running a full-time plex server from the unraid box.

 

Budget:

As close to $200 as possible.

 

Parts to hand:

None I want to reuse.  I want to buy new components to enhance system reliability.

 

Expandability/Capacity:

Maybe get to as many as 6 to 9 HDDs - I don't like throwing old drives out.  I'd like to use low power HDDs where possible.  No goal for a ginormus archive, just 4 to 5 to 6 TB or so, as disks get cheap.  I would like the motherboard to support 4+TB drives without hassle.

 

Energy Use:

Low energy use where possible

 

Parts in mind:

Asus FM2 mobo  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131937R

Seasonic 550W power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151136

2 GB ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231395

AMD A4-400 APU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113343

 

I had been planning on using an AMD Sempron but the AM3 mobo's are not readily available any more, and have few SATA ports on them.  Intel Atom was also considered but the mobo's with the Atom embedded tend not to have many SATA ports on them at my price point.

 

I'll probably use an antec case.  Not decided yet.  Maybe a refurb.

 

All comments and suggestions appreciated.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since it will be a plain-vanilla unRAID file server with no plugins, have you considered an AMD all-in-one board such as this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157228

 

It's inexpensive and also very low power.  It only has 4 SATA ports, but you could always add a SATA card to handle more than 4 drives when you get to that point.  I know there are a few builds here using that board, search the forums.

 

There are also two Intel embedded boards out there that have 6 SATA ports.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813176015

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153212

 

You could probably also save a bit on the PSU.  550W is more than you will need, even with 9 drives.  Seasonic makes GREAT PSU's, don't get me wrong, but this one is probably a bit overkill for this build. 

It might be a bit outside the budget, but Newegg has this right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1519906

 

There have been some high recommendations for the mobo around here, and it's a $12 drop on Newegg's price. The combo pricing makes the CPU the same price as what you (and I) were looking at, and puts 8 SATA ports on the Mobo, so there's no need to invest in expansion cards down the line.

 

This bugger's in my shopping cart right now, and once I decide on some RAM, it'll be on its way to my front door.