Hi guys, I have my unraid setup for about a year now and a a I need an upgrade. Currently I have 6 x 2TB drives.

5 x 2 WD green and 1 x Seagate green in:

 

[CASE] Fractal Design Core 3000

[MOBO+iGPU] ASUS M4A88T-M - micro ATX - Socket AM3 - AMD 880G

[CPU] AMD Athlon II X2 260 / 3.2 GHz

[PSU] Corsair Builder Series CX500 V2  - 500 Watt

[RAM] G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (I have another stick to install if required)

 

I use my server for a home media storage but I want to start installing some plugins that I currently have on another computer (SABnzb, Sickbeard, CouchPotato,Plex) My 6 sata ports are used up and I'm considering what route to go down as I now want a cache drive and I only have room for one more drive. I'm  going to put in a small SSD that I have spare for cache but I'll need another drive soon.

 

The build I have did its jobs well, I had no hardware or software issues at all, no problems. Its been rock solid. (that’s big to someone as inexperienced like me )

 

What would be best to do:

1) Start upgrading to 3tb drives as everything else can stay the same?

2)  New case?. Currently I can hold 7 drives. Ideally I would like to put 3 X-Case 5 in 3 Caddy V2's in but my case only has 2 x 5.25" bays. A new case will

cost 40-50 euro for something along the lines of AeroCool PGS Value Series Vx-9, Sharkoon Rebel 9 - Economy Edition, Sharkoon T9 Economy, XIGMATEK Asgard PRO. Each caddy will cost 65-70 euro. But I will be able to get alot of smaller drives for very cheap.

 

I'm unsure what way to go on it. Either way, I want to re-use as many components from my current build as possible. I’ve read on this forum that the Corsair CX500 isn’t recommended and I'm willing to get a modular, single rail psu if needs be.

 

I'm just wondering what other people would recommend as I want to keep costs minimal .

I'll be ordering from scan.co.uk or http://www.hardwareversand.de (good prices for europe) if anyone has any suggestions

 

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for what kind of PCI SATA controller I'll need.  I'm lost when it comes to compatibility

 

Thanks

Don't upgrade to 3TB, go straight to 4TB. Or at the least, get a 4Tb for parity, and then save a little with 3GB replacements if you really want.

 

You can get a pci-e 1x sata card that will support 2 hdds, that might suffice for you at the moment. I didn't look at your MB layout or anything, just shooting from the hip on this one. There is a standard goto monoprice card that is suggested in the FAQs.

The ability to mix drives avoiding the need to replace drives before they need to be is a strong point of unraid.

 

I see several options:

 

quick and easy:

Get two 4tb drives, change your parity to 4tb and swap one of your other drives to 4tb, that will give you 2tb more. Every time after that you need more room you could change a 2tb for a 4tb getting 4tb every time. Easy, simple, no hassle, but you will end up with a stack of 2 tb's that could give you room (and 2 of those give you the same room as one new 4tb, so costs rise quickly.

 

future proof:

Invest in a new case, new power supply (optional but advised) and an 8 port sata card. That way you can change parity to 4tb and reuse the 2tb you had for parity for data. That will save you the costs of 1 4tb drive and that will pay for the new case. With 2 or 3 drives swapped in the quick and easy scenario you have spent the same amount of extra money as you do in the future proof scenario.

 

In the future proof scenario however you will need to rebuild your system, depending on how comfortable you are with that, that could be something to consider.

I would recommend you build a new box that will allow easy drive removal / replacement without opening the case (5 in 3s or Norco/similar case). It sounds like your array is working well but I can't tell you the frustration of having a drive fail, opening the box to swap it out, rebooting, and then finding other drives missing or seeing hard resetting links in the syslog because your extraction knocked something loose. Being able to pop out a drive and pop in a new one painlessly is very important as your drive count increases.

 

I have the Sharkoon Rebel with 4 5in3s installed = 20 drive capacity. There are a few slots inside I don't use. The computer has't been opened in a couple of years but I have added and exchanged disks with no issues. My old box had a bunch of internal disks and it lead me to this solution. 

 

If you go this route I'd suggest getting a 4T parity and 4T data disk. Get the new server set up and burned in with those, and then move your existing drives over. If you want to gut your old rig and use its motherboard and PSU just run a parity check to make sure all is well, record the serial number of your parity disk, and then shut it down. Take what you need out but leave the disks alone until the new box checks out and only then move the data disks over. Leave the parity out until all of the disks are protected in the new array. Then preclear the old parity and add it.

 

Me? I kept my old array for backup and testing. It was full of mostly 1T drives I didn't want to use in the new server.

Each caddy will cost 65-70 euro. But I will be able to get alot of smaller drives for very cheap.

 

"... a lot of smaller drives ..." is likely not as economical as you're thinking.  Consider the total cost/TB of storage, and the TB/port on your SATA ports -- and you'll likely find it's better to just start buying 4TB drives as you need more space.    Clearly you've got to buy 2 4TB drives to start, so you can upgrade both parity and one of your data drives;  but then you can replace your other drives with 4TB drives as the budget allows.    This approach will allow you to double your current storage capacity with no other hardware changes, although you may want to add an inexpensive add-on SATA controller to give you another 2-4 ports.  A 4-port card, plus a 3-in-2 adapter for your 2 5.25" bays, would let you install a total of 10 drives => even if you use one port for a cache, that would still let you grow to a 32TB system.

 

 

Some very useful replies there. Thanks a lot.

It seems everyone agrees on updating drives. I'm going to get myself 2 x 4tb drives to get the ball rolling 

 

I was talking about unraid today with a friend of mine and he is going to buy my current setup within the next month (minus the RAM) so its all hands on deck while I try to get my new  build.

 

I want it to be XEN compatible and have pci pass through so I can add a video card, as I will want to run an XBMC VM at some stage, or a Windows VM. If that goes well it will replace my current HTPC

 

This is what I am considering:

Intel Xeon E3-1240v3

ASRock Z87 Extreme6, Sockel 1150,

G SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (already have these)

Seasonic G-550, 550 Watt, 80PLUS Gold

Coolermaster Centurion 6 case

 

I’m going with the ASRock as it should be ok with my RAM. Is that a good option?

Does anyone have any experience with the Centurion 6 case. Its not too expensive and I should be able to get  3 3x5 cages in it. Looks wise, its nice and plain how I like it

 

As far as a graphics card goes, I don’t have any plans to game on my setup so what be a good card for when I want playback for XBMC in a VM?. I don’t imagine it will  be used for much more else.

 

Any and all suggestions welcomed.

Maybe I am looking at it wrong, but the Centurion 6 looks like it would accept only a single 5x3.

 

This one will get you 3 5x3s and a 4th with a little effort. This is the case I have and it works quite well for unRAID. (See my picture below)

 

I'm sure there are other similar ones.

 

Thanks for that. I read wrong.

 

I was looking for the Rebel12 Economy but it seem very difficult to get my hands on. Its a very nice looking case though.

 

I might get the Zalman ms800 as there seems to be good feedback for it.

You mention you want hardware passthrough. Do you know that the motherboard you chose supports it? It'll cost you a little more but I think you're better off going for a real server motherboard from Supermicro and some ECC RAM. If your friend is going to buy your whole current setup, just sell him the RAM too so the new RAM isn't completely out of pocket and the Supermicro boards are around the same price or cheaper. This board is actually $20 cheaper and adds support for IPMI.

 

Thanks for that. I read wrong.

 

I was looking for the Rebel12 Economy but it seem very difficult to get my hands on. Its a very nice looking case though.

 

I might get the Zalman ms800 as there seems to be good feedback for it.

 

Zalman looks good, room for 3 5-in-3s = 15 drives. Leaving one for parity, one for cache, and I like to leave one open for preclears or other emergency mounts, means 12 for data. 24-48T using 2T to 4T drives. Not too shabby!

You mention you want hardware passthrough. Do you know that the motherboard you chose supports it? It'll cost you a little more but I think you're better off going for a real server motherboard from http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asrock-z87-extreme6-intel-z87-s-1150-ddr3-sata-iii-6gb-s-sata-raid-pcie-30-%28x16%29-dport-dvi-i-hdmi-at and some ECC RAM. If your friend is going to buy your whole current setup, just sell him the RAM too so the new RAM isn't completely out of pocket and the Supermicro boards are around the same price or cheaper. This board is actually $20 cheaper and adds support for IPMI.

 

Yes, it supports pass through. I hope it does anyway. Can someone do a sanity check and have a look for me please? Link.

 

I would like to go down the Supermicro route but the delivery to Ireland is hard to find and when I can its way too expensive. I checked on getting it delivered

via Shipito but its still too much. ECC memory looks kinds of expensive too.

 

If I can find the products for the right price in Europe I'll go for it but for now I haven’t found them.

 

Zalman looks good, room for 3 5-in-3s = 15 drives. Leaving one for parity, one for cache, and I like to leave one open for preclears or other emergency mounts, means 12 for data. 24-48T using 2T to 4T drives. Not too shabby!

 

Thanks. Sounds like enough for me. I didnt even think about leaving a drive for preclears. Good idea.

I'm looking forward to getting it all now. I just have to get a graphics card I think and that should be it. I hope Im not forgetting anything.

 

Either way I'm sure Ill spend another week questioning every part ive listed 

 

 

 

 

 

You mention you want hardware passthrough. Do you know that the motherboard you chose supports it? It'll cost you a little more but I think you're better off going for a real server motherboard from http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asrock-z87-extreme6-intel-z87-s-1150-ddr3-sata-iii-6gb-s-sata-raid-pcie-30-%28x16%29-dport-dvi-i-hdmi-at and some ECC RAM. If your friend is going to buy your whole current setup, just sell him the RAM too so the new RAM isn't completely out of pocket and the Supermicro boards are around the same price or cheaper. This board is actually $20 cheaper and adds support for IPMI.

 

Yes, it supports pass through. I hope it does anyway. Can someone do a sanity check and have a look for me please? Link.

 

I would like to go down the Supermicro route but the delivery to Ireland is hard to find and when I can its way too expensive. I checked on getting it delivered

via Shipito but its still too much. ECC memory looks kinds of expensive too.

 

If I can find the products for the right price in Europe I'll go for it but for now I haven’t found them.

 

Zalman looks good, room for 3 5-in-3s = 15 drives. Leaving one for parity, one for cache, and I like to leave one open for preclears or other emergency mounts, means 12 for data. 24-48T using 2T to 4T drives. Not too shabby!

 

Thanks. Sounds like enough for me. I didnt even think about leaving a drive for preclears. Good idea.

I'm looking forward to getting it all now. I just have to get a graphics card I think and that should be it. I hope Im not forgetting anything.

 

Either way I'm sure Ill spend another week questioning every part ive listed 

According to page 90 of the user manual it does support VT-d, which is what you need for the hardware passthrough. It looks like you'll have to go in to the UEFI settings and enable the feature.

... I like to leave one open for preclears or other emergency mounts

 

That's the beauty of the eSATA port which is standard in my Thermaltake case - just plug in the SATA docking cradle and away you go.

... I like to leave one open for preclears or other emergency mounts

 

That's the beauty of the eSATA port which is standard in my Thermaltake case - just plug in the SATA docking cradle and away you go.

 

That is a very nice case aswell. Oh decisions decisions

 

I am after being gifted an i7-3930K Processor (SROKY). Lucky or what!!!.

 

Will this be ok to use instead of an Intel Xeon E3-1240v3 for my proposed build?

 

I'm sure it is probably overkill but its free and seems like a nice piece of kit.

... I like to leave one open for preclears or other emergency mounts

 

That's the beauty of the eSATA port which is standard in my Thermaltake case - just plug in the SATA docking cradle and away you go.

 

That is a very nice case aswell. Oh decisions decisions

 

I am after being gifted an i7-3930K Processor (SROKY). Lucky or what!!!.

 

Will this be ok to use instead of an Intel Xeon E3-1240v3 for my proposed build?

 

I'm sure it is probably overkill but its free and seems like a nice piece of kit.

 

Grats on the free swag. Just verify that the cpu will work with vt-d for you (some K series don't support it, or they do, but most mbs won't let K series do it). Also that i7 doesn't support ecc memory, so if that was swaying you one way or the other in regards to a server MB and ecc memory, you'll have to switch that up.

 

Not sure where you left that, but do some looking into full support of that CPU for virtualiztion before commiting to buying parts for it.

Grats on the free swag. Just verify that the cpu will work with vt-d for you (some K series don't support it, or they do, but most mbs won't let K series do it). Also that i7 doesn't support ecc memory, so if that was swaying you one way or the other in regards to a server MB and ecc memory, you'll have to switch that up.

 

Not sure where you left that, but do some looking into full support of that CPU for virtualiztion before commiting to buying parts for it.

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

The processor does support  VT-d. "This product includes VT-d support only on the C2 stepping" . Hopefully that will do the business.

 

I have changed my motherboard choice to ASRock X79 Extreme4 Intel X79 (Socket 2011) as it it compatible with the CPU and Intel® VT-d.

 

The only thing about the i7 is there is no cooler with it so I will have to get my own. I am considering going for Corsair Hydro H80i CPU Water Cooler.

The main reason I am considering  this is because I will be able to keep the cooler out of the way (attached to the back or top of my case) instead of having to install a big lump of a heat sink that could make it difficult to get at/replace parts. I know its pricey but when this build is complete I don’t want to have to upgrade it for a few years. So I would prefer to spend my money on a premium product now instead of something that is "ok" and will have to be replaced in a year or 2

 

Is this a god idea or is there better alternatives?.

 

I am also going to throw a graphics card in as I think it would be a waste of an i7 if I didn’t use if for some gaming  . I think a GTX 750Ti would be ok for me as I will be mainly playing games on my PS4 but its nice to have the option to get something cheap on steam. Anyone use this card?

 

As far as RAM goes, I have G.Skill 8GBXL Main Memory DDR3 8 GB PC1600. So I have 8 GB of RAM now, but I want 16 GB. Should I go for the EXACT same model that I currently have or is it ok to mix it with a different brand with the same specifications?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wouldn't do water / liquid in a server. You are dependent in a pump and risk having fluid released inside the server. The server is on 24x7 adding to the wear and tear and risks. Repairs are difficult. Stick with a Zalman (forget the model but looks kind of like a flower with fan spinning in a recessed cutout in the blades. Very reliable and cool well. Or other moderate cooler, or go for a Noctua if you want something bigger and better cooling. No leaks. Fans much more reliable than pumps. IMO it's the way to go.

I wouldn't do water / liquid in a server. You are dependent in a pump and risk having fluid released inside the server. The server is on 24x7 adding to the wear and tear and risks. Repairs are difficult. Stick with a Zalman (forget the model but looks kind of like a flower with fan spinning in a recessed cutout in the blades. Very reliable and cool well. Or other moderate cooler, or go for a Noctua if you want something bigger and better cooling. No leaks. Fans much more reliable than pumps. IMO it's the way to go.

 

I guess your right. No point playing with fire.....or water in this case (sorry, I like bad puns).

These are the two coolers I am looking at.

 

The Noctua NH-D14-2011 is HUGE but reviews on it are very good. £64

 

The other alternative is  Arctic Cooling Freezer i30 CPU £29

 

As I will be ordering from Scan.co.uk these seem the best they have for an i7. Would I be ok with the Arctic Cooling or should I just get the Noctua monster?

Its the size of the Noctua is a bit off putting as there dosent look to be a lot of room left behind the top drives when it is installed.

 

I think ill go with a bigger case anyway- Fractal Design Define XL R2 Black  seems to be a popular choice around these parts.

 

As for Ram. Should I get the exact same RAM I have now or would I be ok to get something different once it has the same specifications?

 

 

The Artic Cooling unit is fine.    And for your RAM, you simply need to match the specs and you'll be okay -- it doesn't have to be the same make/model module.

 

Any will work. I have the Noctua in my desktop for an over locked 4770K. Awesome cooler but overkill for a server which I would not overclock much if at all.

 

Here is a link to a Zalman cooler. They sell several with this general look. I recommend one with high copper content. I like these for the reason you mention - that it is pretty small and stays out of the way.

 

http://www.zalman.com/eng/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=785