January 18, 201412 yr I was going to put this in the Power Supply thread since I was looking for a check on Power Supply selection but it got in to other parts of the build. Sorry if this gets long. I just figured I'l lay it out all at once. PSU: Seasonic http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151124 MB: SuperMicro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182253 CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116773 Drives: Up to 9 or 10 Seagate 7200 rpm, 1-2 TB each, Barracuda drives in the system. Case: I'll probably end up getting a Zalman MS800 case (a bit bigger than I'd like) since the Azza helios seems unavailable. It's still on Azza's website but I can't get an answer from them if it will be available again. I need all drives accessible from the front. Suggestions appreciated. Originally I was going to use the SuperMicro in the build I have listed below but I need a shoe horn to get it in that box. HOT SWAP DRIVE cages/trays: Haven't decided which yet. If I can find a smaller case and use 4 in 3 cages it would be nice but otherwise maybe use these from Monoprice http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10824&cs_id=1082402&p_id=3857&seq=1&format=2 which I've been using one for a while. 2 Port sata card: Used for pre-clearing drives. Maybe http://www.monoprice.com/Product/?c_id=104&cp_id=10407&cs_id=1040702&p_id=2530&seq=1&format=6#faq or this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124027 I know 6 sata + 2 on the card don't add up to 9. That's because 4 of the drives won't be included in the array. I'm just using the case to house them and PSU to power the drives. Those drives are formated for Mac OS for video and multi-track audio. I'd love to have them connected to a firewire bridge but I may have to settle for esata with something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812816068&ignorebbr=1 and put an esata card in my Mac Pro. The bottom line is I've got small firewire drive housings all over and want to consolidate them in one place. I've read until my eyes get blurry and it seems the more I read the more confused I am about those sata port expander cards. Just need something simple, reliable and plug and play. Low noise is important, however, the array drives will be a sleep most of the time except for backup periods which noise won't be an issue. Any suggestions about any of this is appreciated.
January 18, 201412 yr To answer your primary question, the power supply is fine for that configuration. Personally, for that drive complement, I'd use something like a Fractal Design Define ... but your need for front access means that won't work. [The Define has 8 easily accessed/removed drive trays -- but they're accessed from the side -- plus room for more in the 5.25" bays] How are you planning to connect the drives that aren't going to be using internal SATA ports?
January 18, 201412 yr Author How are you planning to connect the drives that aren't going to be using internal SATA ports? In my post, the last link is to a SATA to eSATA bracket that i would use x2 of them for 4 drives. Looks like it just mounts on the rear panel with cables going to the drives. Thanks
January 18, 201412 yr Those brackets are actually designed to plug into an internal SATA port and provide an e-SATA connection externally ... although it clearly will provide a SATA path for the drives if you plug them into the drives instead.
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