Having run unRaid for a few years off an old computer I was just going to throw away, it was time to update.  I like the Lian Li case because the cooling is via front and top.  It also looks like you could put 2 side-by-side on a rack shelf.

 

Pricing wasn't too bad as I got most of the stuff on sale or managed to pair it with a rebate.  The exception was the memory because I wanted memory off the mobo's approved list;  I didn't want to mess around with memory that may cause issues.

 

Case:  Lian Li PC-Q25B -  $80

Mobo: Asus H87I-PLUS - $117

CPU: G3220 - $65

AMEX Statement credit on mobo+cpu - ($30)

HDD: 2x WD Red 3TB - $280

Rebate on 2x 3TB [Nov] ($60)

HDD: 2x WD Red 3TB - $280

Rebate on 2x 3TB Red [Dec] ($60)

Addl rebate for buying .99 bandages with HDDs - ($25)

BOA Statement credit on above ($42)

Cable: Startech USB header adapter - $4

Cable: Startech SATA power x4 - $7

Cable: SATA right angle x5 - $3

Card: Syba SATA 2-port - $20

PSU: ST45SF - $70

Memory: GSKILL 4Gx2 - $85

HHDs: 3x WDEARS 1TB recycled from last server - $0

 

Total:  $764

I'd also like to add that I initially had trouble booting from USB using a genuine LimeTech USB stick with unRaid on it.  It would just continually reboot and syslinux would give a machine error.

 

I reformatted it and updated the BIOS on the motherboard and the problem was resolved.

 

I'm not sure which one was the issue, but the BIOS is my guess.

 

Tim