Hello all,

 

I am seeking some advice on my proposed build for home use. I have been reading your site for just over two weeks now, and I hope I have come up with a reasonable system that will suit my current requirements with the ability for future expansion. I am only just now learning about VM (still not clear on what this is) and Dockers so there may be some use of them in the future. Although I have built PC's before (a few years ago), Server requirements are all new to me, and there was a significant amount of info to sift through.

 

I use KODI and I currently have 14TB of storage on my HTPC with less than 1TB remaining unused. There is no backup or redundancy in this setup. This is the reason that I have now turned to unRAID. In the last 3 years, this system has slowly grown from 4TB to the monster I have now. Rather than just drop another HDD in, I thought it prudent to set up a proper system with some level of redundancy. My home is wired CAT6 throughout. Although I say there is no backup, I do have all the original disks, but it sure would be a pain to reinstate.

 

It will primarily be used to serve the media files to 2xHTPC's (Win10) as well as iPads (no transcoding required). So after the initial loading of the data, there will be very little HDD writing (just the occasional new release blu-ray purchase), so my understanding is that I won't need the Cache Drive. I intend to purchase 2x8TB hard drives - one for Parity, the other for additional storage. I would like to reuse my existing 2x3TB and 1x4TB internal drives, but I have 1x4TB external powered WD Hard Drive. Can this be utilised in the array?

 

This is what I have come up with...

 

Case:                    Antec 1900    ( http://www.antec.com/product.php?id=706725&fid=4&lan=us )

CPU:                    Intel Core i5 7400    ( http://ark.intel.com/products/97147/Intel-Core-i5-7400-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_50-GHz )

Motherboard:        Gigabyte H270-HD3    ( http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=6105#kf )

Memory:              Kingston ValueRAM 8GB KVR21N15D8/8    ( http://www.msy.com.au/vic/mitcham/pc-components/15914-kingston-valueram-kvr21n15d8-8-8g-single-ddr4-2133-desktop-ram.html )

Power:                  Coolermaster Vanguard (CM-PS-RS650-AFBAG1-AU) 650Watt80Gold    ( http://www.coolermaster.com/powersupply/enthusiast-v-series/v650/ )

USB Flash:            Lexar Jump Drive 16GB

HDD:                    WD 3.5" Red NAS 8TB WD80EFZX    ( https://www.wdc.com/content/dam/wdc/website/downloadable_assets/eng/spec_data_sheet/2879-800002.pdf )

This adds up to AU$755 without the HDD.

 

My questions:

1. Are the above components suitable/acceptable? Is it over and above what is required? I am planning for a 10 year life for this setup.

2. The spec sheet for the Motherboard states it supports Windows, but Linux users require other drivers. Is this correct? Seems to be the case for all the Motherboards I viewed.

3. A little confused with SATAe. I read somewhere that you can split SATAe into 2 SATA plugs via an adaptor. Is this correct? What is the name of the cable/adaptor required for this?

4. I have not been able to find in the specs which motherboards have internal USB ports for the Boot Drive. I assume I can just plug the Boot Drive into one of the rear panel USB sockets?

5. I expect that I'll be moving onto 4kUHD files some time in the future... is this system powerful enough to serve up the data (no transcoding)?

6. Any other advice/info you feel is pertinent.

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

I believe you can use regular SATA cables on the SATA Express plug to get 2 regular ports:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQEvOr55Pf8

Oh how disappointing. I was obviously wrong in thinking this was a welcoming and helpful community.

 

6. Any other advice/info you feel is pertinent.

 

 

Look at the other posts in this sub forum and compare the views:responses ratio. You're about even on the mark.

 

unRaid is great software, and this is a great community.

 

But with that stick up your butt, you're not improving your chances at getting a better response from it.

 

I have looked at the other posts, and yes there are some newbies that have had one response like me, and others that have become "hot" threads. But you post that fact as if you are proud of it, and that it is the norm. If that is the case... what is the point of this forum?

 

Not only have I read those posts, to glean information for my own build, but I have tracked back links to other posts and wiki pages looking for help and information on my own build, but every single link to "new build help threads" link to threads written circa 2009-2011- pretty much the 19th Century in computer terms.

 

I certainly don't have a stick up my butt. On the contrary, it might be you... you had enough time to write a response that you seemingly took exception to, but not enough time to provide some help or expertise to a newbie. - Proves my point. Not a really welcoming or helpful community.

 

Could a helpful member please provide me with some guidance to my first post. It would be very much welcome and appreciated.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Oh how disappointing. I was obviously wrong in thinking this was a welcoming and helpful community.

 

6. Any other advice/info you feel is pertinent.

 

Here's some - spend less time on the internet and more time dealing with people face to face. You may be surprised to learn that the same manners are expected in both cases.

 

I have looked at the other posts, and yes there are some newbies that have had one response like me, and others that have become "hot" threads. But you post that fact as if you are proud of it, and that it is the norm. If that is the case... what is the point of this forum?

 

Not only have I read those posts, to glean information for my own build, but I have tracked back links to other posts and wiki pages looking for help and information on my own build, but every single link to "new build help threads" link to threads written circa 2009-2011- pretty much the 19th Century in computer terms.

 

I certainly don't have a stick up my butt. On the contrary, it might be you... you had enough time to write a response that you seemingly took exception to, but not enough time to provide some help or expertise to a newbie. - Proves my point. Not a really welcoming or helpful community.

 

Could a helpful member please provide me with some guidance to my first post. It would be very much welcome and appreciated.

 

Thank you.

 

so, you post and inquiry, then a few days go by and only 1 of your questions is answered, you get pissy, get corrected about having an attitude, then get pissy again, and then plead again for help in spite of calling this place an unwelcoming and un-helping community. Maybe someone will take pity on you!

 

You assumption that I posted my comment about response ratios as a proud fact is misguided and unfounded,  based on your self-centric decision to read into what few responses you have gathered (and have not) as some greater conspiracy against you.

 

I've only been around here for about 8 months. I've had posts of mine go unanswered. I didn't piss and moan about it and tell everyone off, alienating an online population. I asked again, and used occasionally used the magic word: please. 

 

You'll catch more bees with honey... and flies with... well.... your second post. I was originally going to respond to the parts of your questions I could address, but you instead decided to act like you did and I've now spent that time addressing issues other than your questions. But again, perhaps in this unwelcoming, un-helpful community maybe someone will take pity on you.

 

Thanks for your edit mr-hexen. Very informative and helpful