Need some insights / comments on my build (Motherboard + Case)

[Gill89]

Hello guys,

 

Decided to upgrade my basic configuration (AMD E350 mobo) into a budget storage server.

 

I do have an Intel G2010 processor, therefore I would be going with a 1155 motherboard.

 

Below is my build:

 

Processor: Intel G2010 (Owned)

Motherboard: Asus P8Z77V DELUXE ($82 USD)

RAM: Kingston DDR3 RAM (4GB x2) (Owned)

Hard Disk: 4 x 3TB Western Digital (Green) (Owned)

Server Case: 4U OEM Server Chassis (24-bay Hot Swap) ($209 USD)

PSU: Undecided

 

I am living within Asia therefore brands like Norco, Rosewill are not available including many other casing from popular vendors. I would have to import the case and the mobo from China as well since it is not available locally, Malaysia.

 

The server would serve as a file storage server that would serve about 2 - 3 people within the network.

 

The reason I decided to get the P8Z77-V DELUXE motherboard:

- 8 Sata ports

- 7 PCIE slots

 

These alone would ensure that the motherboard would still be relevant once I add more hard disks into the server. The PCIE would allow for me to add SAS cards once the Sata ports are occupied.

 

This would be the server chassis:

 

 

I believe that the server would use a 4 pin molex connector to power the bays. In total, there should be 12 x 4 pin molex connector to power all 24 hard disks. I plan to use about 8 of those bays initially, adding more hard disks to the chassis as time goes by. 6 pieces of 8cm server fans would be provided with the chassis as well.

 

My budget is around $400 - $500.

 

I plan to add more hard disks on a monthly basis(2 - 3 months once). I am going for Green, Low-Powered Hard Disks.

 

Do you think this is a viable build? Is the case appropriate enough? Is there anything that I should expect / check with the casing before purchasing it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chugiak]

The nice thing about unRAID is that any computer that can boot up SATA drives and USB is a viable server.  Maybe not optimal, but certainly viable. 

 

I appreciate the difficulties you have in trying to source a case that meets your needs.  Do you have a link for that case?  I tried googling what looks to be a model number 490664800 and didn't see anything useful.  I ask because it would be nice to know what's under the gray cover.  A pic of the backplane connectors wouold be ideal, without the three fans obscuring it.

 

Is that ASUS motherboard the only Z77 that meets your specs?  It has some bells and whistles that you don't need (WiFi for example) and you may be able to find something less expensive but equally functional.  But if that's the best of your options it certainly ought to work just fine.  Although I do notice a significant number of poor reviews on the Newegg.com web site:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131818

 

The motherboard only has DisplayPort video out.  Do you have a monitor with DisplayPort?

 

 

 

[Gill89]

Hello Chugiak,

 

Thank you very much for your reply.

 

The link to the case is: 4U Server Chassis

 

Do note that it is in a Chinese site, therefore you would have to use Google Chrome to translate it to English just like I did. I have spoken to the seller and he claims that I would require the use of SATA cables to link the backplate to the motherboard. I looked around and found another 16-bay chassis being sold by the seller and it has pictures of the backplate. I assume they're the same since the colors match.

 

 

I went through the specification of Asus P8Z77V DELUXE and it contain a HDMI display out. Perhaps you are right, that this motherboard does contain some bells and whistles  that I don't need. I shall keep looking for a motherboard that is less expensive but equally functional. Thank you again, Chugiak.

[Chugiak]

Yes indeed, there's an HDMI port right above the DisplayPort.  My apologies, I overlooked that.