What is the cheapest socket 775 cpu that can be used in an unRAID server?  I'm more familiar with AMD.  I bought a combo cpu + mobo just for the cpu.  So now I've got a Biostar G41-M7 that I could use for an unRAID build but since I'll have to upgrade it's nic to gigabit I don't want to spend much on the cpu.

 

Would these celeron D's qualify?

http://www.geeks.com/products_sc.asp?cat=961

 

The nic's I'm looking at are:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156139

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166002

If it's a LGA775 CPU it should work with the LGA775 MB.

 

Any of those should work considering unRAID will work with an Intel ATOM. The base unRAID doesn't require much CPU at all. It's only once you get into using addons that you might need more CPU performance.

 

As for the NICS, that's a bit touchier, as the unRAID Kernel needs to have the proper drivers for it already included. You best bet is finding a card using a supported Intel or 3Com chip.

The rosewill nic card uses chipset RTL8169S-32.  The hardware list says RL8169S is supported so I guess this card should work.

What is the cheapest socket 775 cpu that can be used in an unRAID server?  I'm more familiar with AMD.  I bought a combo cpu + mobo just for the cpu.  So now I've got a Biostar G41-M7 that I could use for an unRAID build but since I'll have to upgrade it's nic to gigabit I don't want to spend much on the cpu.

 

Would these celeron D's qualify?

http://www.geeks.com/products_sc.asp?cat=961

 

From the CPU support list, it seems the answer is no. Just try looking for some used Celeron 420/430/440/450 (Conroe-L). Heck, I think you might even be able to find cheap E1x00 Allendales.

 

If it's a LGA775 CPU it should work with the LGA775 MB.

 

Not necessarily. The chipset should also be able to support it.

Just checked eBay, I think this should do the trick:

Celeron 420, $20

As for the NICS, that's a bit touchier, as the unRAID Kernel needs to have the proper drivers for it already included. You best bet is finding a card using a supported Intel or 3Com chip.

 

Thanks BRiT, I found the Intel Pro 1000 new in box on ebay for $14 free shipping.

Just checked eBay, I think this should do the trick:

Celeron 420, $20

 

Thanks ilovejedd, I just bought it. Now I need the cheapest possble cooling for it.  Is it possible to run this cpu passively?  

 

I'm going to use cache_dir so 2GB of ram (cheapest of course).

Thanks ilovejedd, I just bought it. Now I need the cheapest possble cooling for it.  Is it possible to run this cpu passively?  

 

Cheap and passive do not go hand in hand. You'll spend more for the cooler than you did the CPU if you want passive. This is likely your cheapest option if you don't have a spare cooler available. If you want something better, the Arctic Cooling Alpine 7 can be found for around $10~15. However, for an extra $5, you can get CoolerMaster HyperTX3 for $20 which should work quite a bit better.