First Time unRAID build Plus License

[jmcskis]

I'm looking to build by first unRAID server.  As my storage requirements aren't too extensive, I'm looking to build a small, quiet, budget machine that at max drive capacity would only max out a Plus license.  I would like to run VMs (and use as my HTPC if possible)

 

Budget: Sub $800 w/drives ± $100

Drive Capacity: Initially 4 drives (1 parity, 3 storage), up to 7 drives (max of Plus license)

?Storage Capacity:? Initial: 3 x 3TB = 9 TB, 4TB parity, cache

                              Future: 5 x 4TB = 20 TB, 4TB parity, cache

                              storage requirements increase approx. 100 GB / month

Expandibility: I don't expect to exceed the 7 drives allowed by a Plus license for the next several years (figure I can get about 20Tb of storage with 4Tb drives), however, if/when I do find myself ready to expand I will upgrade case, psu, parts  as needed.

Addons: VM's, Plex, XBMC, unMENU, SNAP, eventually setup for vpn (too much of noob to tackle this yet)

Spare Parts: Ancient Dell laptop that I could scrounge the 250GB HDD from to use initially as my cache drive

                      2TB WD Black (likely would use initially in array)

 

Here are the parts I currently have picked out:

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157329

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116773

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119

HDDs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136874 as storage drives (would start with 2 or 3)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822178393 as parity drive

Cases: I don't yet have one narrowed down, but I'm looking for a stylish looking case that's very small and preferably something I could put a 5in3 drive cage or at the very least a 3in2 cage.  The cases I'm looking at right now are:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352011

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811281005

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133257

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144162 (I'm wondering if I could rip out the external 3.5" bay and LCD panel and drop a 5in3 cage in)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352034

Hot Swap / Drive Cages: I don't have a cage picked out yet, as getting a 5in3, 4in3, or 3in2 cage will be dictated by the case I get.

 

This is what I've got so far, I'm sure I'm missing something or picked out something that will be incompatible.  At the very least I will likely be purchasing the HDD's this weekend as they're on a good sale at Newegg ($160 for 4TB Seagate NAS, $100 for 3TB WD Green).

 

Questions:

As you can see, my current part list is based entirely on desktop components, however are there any additional benefits I would gain from using server specific hardware (specifically Mobo, CPU, and PSU)?  What disadvantages might I encounter using desktop components?

 

Do I gain any advantages by using NAS specific drives over cheap green drives? (besides the warranty difference)

 

This is only my second ever comp build so any comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.  Thanks

 

Edit: Per suggestions I've updated my build list with following:

CPU: i3-4130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116946

Mobo: ASRock H97M-ITX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157526

I'm also going to start with 3 x 4Tb Seagate NAS drives.

After doing some more research I think I've settled on the Silverstone ds380B http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163255 with the Silverstone st45sf http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256084 PSU

[Frank1940]

My suggestion is to start with the 4TB drives.  Last time, I checked the cost per TB was about the same for 3TB and 4TB drives.  While the initial price of the 4TB is higher, the incremental cost of that extra TB for each replaced drive is the price of a 4TB drive.  The only reason to choose the 3TB would be if the future 4TB (or larger) drives would actually be used to increase the number of drives. 

 

In your case, two 4TB data drives) (in place of the three 3TB) would give you 8TB of storage and the cost would be a few dollars cheaper.  Then you could add the third 4TB data drive in the future.

 

Be care and look at problem of cooling of 5x3 cages if you are going to use the HTPC in your viewing area.  In my reading, I notice that a lot of people complaining about fan noise...

[switchman]

If you only want 7 drives, I would go with the iStarUSA 4in3.  Possibly better airflow than the 5in3. 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215244&cm_re=drive_cage-_-16-215-244-_-Product

[garycase]

Two suggestions:

 

(1)  As already noted, go with 4TB drives.  Buying anything smaller is a false economy -- you're "wasting" 1TB/SATA slot that you put 3TB drives in; and you already know you'll be moving to at least 4TB drives for future expansion.  I'd also spend a bit more for NAS-quality drives (either WD Reds or Seagate NAS)

 

(2)  The motherboard/CPU combo is fine;  but there's a very small cost difference to use Haswell components ... I'd go with a Haswell based system => the only things you need to change are the CPU and motherboard.  A small performance difference, but much better power management.

 

[jmcskis]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've updated my build list accordingly. I've also pretty much settled on the Silverstone ds380 case for my build.

[SSD]

We are in.a transition in drive sizes. 4T are giving way to 5T which are about the same cost per T. But you have to purchase externals and extract the drives. Although I'd prefer not to have to do this, at the price point and given I can preclear before the extraction, I.think it is a reasonable choice. 6T are also available, but you do pay a somewhat heftier premium at the moment. But with a smallish case you should at least consider them. Even at the premium it sure beats having to swap out a relatively large drive for a larger one a couple years from now because you need the space but don't have other options.