http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.344672

 

So I think I decide to just start small, get my feet wet and build a 2-3 drive unRaid just for my Mac Mini PVR to record 1080p from HD TV and Playback with EyeTV. Later I will build an other for general use. It seems like a waste to run 6 drives all the time when not used frequently.

 

I'd like to be as energy friendly as possible but don't want to spend an extra $150 on a MB & CPU to do it.

I stumbled across the above linked combo that looks reasonable and the Sempron 140 seems to be a fav around here. I'm not sure about the Biostar MB since I'm a Mac guy and new to PC hardware.

 

I'm also still a bit unsure about the need for IPMI. Would I just need that for system maint. I hate. to have to have to use a monitor just to do routine stuff. Can the system be started and shut down from the Mini with a browser without a lot of hassle?

 

Almost forgot, the specs say it has a USB header, does that mean I need an adapter to plug in the flash drive on the MB?

 

Also can someone recommend  a small case and power supply. Most of the recommended supplies seem to be > 450 w. which seems a bit on the big side for 2 or 3 drives.

I'm using this biostar board with a Sempron and so far working well with 5 drives:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138138

I'm using this biostar board with a Sempron and so far working well with 5 drives:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138138

 

Yes I looked at that one but thought for $11 more I could get the "better" board. Or is it not better for some reason?

I'm using this biostar board with a Sempron and so far working well with 5 drives:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138138

 

Yes I looked at that one but thought for $11 more I could get the "better" board. Or is it not better for some reason?

 

For the purposes of Unraid I don't see anything you'd gain with the board you are looking at but there is only an $11 difference and if you decide to re-purpose the board it has some better specs.

 

Though one thing I notice with the one you are looking at, the PCI Express x1 slot doesn't have a heatsink right behind it like the board I have has. Whether that could be a problem, idk.

You don't need IPMI or a monitor. You can run headless and do maint via telnet/ssh sessions from your other Mini. The only time a monitor is needed is if you're unable to connect to the system remotely or having to change bios options (usually only done once when first setting it up).

 

As for being power efficient, are you aware that unRAID can spin down disks when not in use.

For the purposes of Unraid I don't see anything you'd gain with the board you are looking at but there is only an $11 difference and if you decide to re-purpose the board it has some better specs.

 

Though one thing I notice with the one you are looking at, the PCI Express x1 slot doesn't have a heatsink right behind it like the board I have has. Whether that could be a problem, idk.

 

So the 785 doesn't have a heat sink but your 760 does.

What is that heat sink for?

 

Sorry but for some reason the larger images are not loading in Fire Fox on my Mac.

The BIOSTAR A760G has an excellent power-usage profile... it uses about a little power as you can get in a conventional mobo.  I'm using the predecessor, the TA690G, as my main unRAID mobo, and it has been rock solid, and very low power.

I'm also using a Biostar 760G mobo (the same one that is linked above) and the Sempron 140.  Both of them are great matches for unRAID.

 

If you can find a 760G mobo in stock, go for it.  If you can't, however, I don't see anything wrong with the board you originally chose, and that's a great combo price.

I'm also using a Biostar 760G mobo (the same one that is linked above) and the Sempron 140.  Both of them are great matches for unRAID.

 

If you can find a 760G mobo in stock, go for it.  If you can't, however, I don't see anything wrong with the board you originally chose, and that's a great combo price.

 

Good to know. Last time I looked the 760 was out of stock..

I just ordered the Corsair 400 PSU from newegg (last day for the promo code) since I couldn't find anything worthwhile in the 200 to 300 watt range and if i do in the future i could use it in a larger unRaid.

 

Now I need to find a smaller, inexpensive case for 3 or 4 drives to put this stuff in.

If you are thinking you may go bigger in the future, the Cooler Master CM-590 is a great case.  It comes with a 4-in-3 internal drive bay (so you would be set for the short term), and it is very compatible with various types of internal and external drive bays for further expansion.  Look to LimeTech's own RB-1200 for inspiration (it uses that same case plus some Icy Dock 4-in-3 external drive cages).

 

Or if you prefer a simple case and don't care about having external drives now or at any point in the future, I would recommend something like the Antec 300 or Antec mini-p180.  In my opinion, Antec is the perfect balance between quality and price.

Or you could go for cheap.  

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147116

 

I'm a dyed in the wool bargain hunter.  I can't help it.  But this case has lots of drive slots and easy to create a fan box around the bottom section with a front fan.  Not too bad for $25.  And it's a small case so it's easier to hide away.  

That is definitely cheaper, but the included fan looks like crap.  You would probably want to buy a couple 120 mm fans (one for the case, one for the HDDs) to with it.  Still, I'm sure you could keep it under $40.

Yeah, cut out the crappy fan grill areas and either use 2 80mm in the front or 1 120mm if it will fit.  It's a rare thing when all HD's are active at the same time so it's not too tough to keep them cool.

Or you could go for cheap. 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147116

 

I'm a dyed in the wool bargain hunter.  I can't help it.  But this case has lots of drive slots and easy to create a fan box around the bottom section with a front fan.  Not too bad for $25.  And it's a small case so it's easier to hide away. 

 

That's just what I was looking at today. It's about the right size.

Or how about this, it's just a bit smaller..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

 

These are so cheap I could always buy a bigger one later if I need it but I can't see going past 6 drives and that Cooler Master just seems too big.

 

I'm still learning about PC hardware so please bare with me here.

Is their anything else, I need to add drives, MB and PSU to one of these cases?

Or how about this, it's just a bit smaller..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

 

That's the case I'm using right now.  I have 4 drives currently no problem.  I cut out the stamped grill both front and back.  It comes with the rear 120mm fan which is a nice quiet fan so I left it in.  I added a 120mm in front of the drives and used cardboard and tape to box in the lower section nothing fancy.  Good air flow.  I got it for $19.99 + free shipping in Dec.

Nice queeg, is that thing hooked up to your clothes dryer line?  

 

 

It's in a cabinet with a couple other small servers.  I vent the hot air out the back. 

@queeg:  Those air ducts are killing me!    Looks out of this world.

 

Gives a kind of SciFi look I guess.    Works really well at keeping the heat out of the cabinet.  Works nicely in a closet as well.

Or how about this, it's just a bit smaller..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

 

These are so cheap I could always buy a bigger one later if I need it but I can't see going past 6 drives and that Cooler Master just seems too big.

 

GaryMaster bought that case and ended up not liking it: Gary's post and review.

 

It will still most likely work, just as long as you don't mind mounting all your drives internally.

 

Also, I also started out thinking 'I'll never go past 6 drives'.  I now have 8, and I'm contemplating 10.  I also thought 'I'll never care about hot swap bays' - now I do. 

 

The other primary consideration in choosing a case is airflow and temperature regulation, which is why I recommend Antec and don't recommend Rosewill.

 

My advice is to get the case now that will last you at least a year or more.  Buying a cheap case now then replacing it in a year will be more expensive in the long run.

Ahh, you are right Rajahal about that case.  I thought it was the same as mine.  It's exactly the same inside and that was what made me think it was the same except for the fan intake. 

 

Here is a link to the one I'm using.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147112  The 5.25 slots on mine pop right off just like normal, no stealth thing.  And the included rear fan on mine is quiet but I have all my fans on temp control so they are slowed down a bit making them silent.

I think I can get 6 or 7 drives in mine without having to get too cranky putting them in.  And yes, you have to mount the drives internally.  But how hard is that?  Not everyone wants a full size case skulking in the corner of the room.    The drives in mine top out at 31c during a parity check.  Air flow in this case is pretty good.

Good news!  The Biostar 760G board a few of us mentioned is back in stock!

Ahh, you are right Rajahal about that case.  I thought it was the same as mine.  It's exactly the same inside and that was what made me think it was the same except for the fan intake.   

 

Here is a link to the one I'm using.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147112  The 5.25 slots on mine pop right off just like normal, no stealth thing.  And the included rear fan on mine is quiet but I have all my fans on temp control so they are slowed down a bit making them silent.

I think I can get 6 or 7 drives in mine without having to get too cranky putting them in.  And yes, you have to mount the drives internally.  But how hard is that?  Not everyone wants a full size case skulking in the corner of the room.    The drives in mine top out at 31c during a parity check.  Air flow in this case is pretty good.

 

I really don't want another full size case I already have 2 Mac G4s and a G5 as well as 2 cd/dvd duplicators in full size cases.. Space is getting tight... even vertically. I need to put this in my office, if you saw it you would understand. I have about 14 hard drives now. some in my Macs and some is FW housings. This is just for backup (3 drives 1.75 TB total) and my HTPC/PVR (1 drive now -maybe 1 more). So small is what I need (13 - 15 inches high) would be nice.

While most of them aren't cheap, this thread is full of ideas for small cases.

Good news!  The Biostar 760G board a few of us mentioned is back in stock!

 

Yes I noticed. I may just go with that because it seems to work...  

Just one question. I did some googling for the Sempron 140 and it uses a AM3 socket but looks like it is backward compatible to the AM2+ in the 760 board so I assume it is ok. And it looks like I have to go with DDR2 800 ram.

 

A lot to learn about PC Hardware. With Macs you just buy one and never have to think about stuff like: sockets, power supplies, cases.. Not that I haven't done my share of building things. I actually made the first printed circuit boards, 1400 holes thru plated, for the first table top computer, but that was the 70's.  Anyone here old enough to remember Wang Computers?