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Extreme Budget Setup 2 -- Advice Requested

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A while after getting my own setup up and running (I'm loving it), a friend wants me to build him one. I'm basing this setup on mine, but I had to change some components as the ones I used are no longer available. But, as I'm still pretty new at this hardware thing, I'm not confident enough to purchase the hardware yet. I've checked all the specifications I can, and see no problem, but was wondering if you guys could take a look, as well. Thanks in advance!

 

-- Narthur

 

Basic Parts:

 

Case: Linkworld 313-06-C2228 Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $19.99

Motherboard: ECS A780GM-M3 AM2+/AM3 AMD 780G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - $54.99 ($39.99 with mail-in rebate)

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail - $49.99 ($29.99 with mail-in rebate)

CPU: AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Processor - $32.99

RAM: Kingston HyperX 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model KHX8500D2/1G - $27.99

Flash drive (for OS): CORSAIR Flash Voyager Mini 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Model CMFUSBMINI-4GB - $14.99

 

Total: ~$201 (~$167 with mail-in rebate)

 

Hard Drives:

 

Drives: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $69.99 x 3 = $209.97

 

1.5tb parity drive + 3tb usable storage + 2 extra slots for later expansion.

 

Network Hardware:

 

Router / Switch: TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND IEEE 802.11b/g/n Ultimate Wireless Gigabit Router - $69.99

Cables: TRIPP LITE N201-007-GY 7 ft. Cat 6 Gray Cat6 Gigabit Snagless Patch Cable - $6.99 x 2 = $13.98

 

This router / switch has good ratings and is capable of gigabit speeds when using the gigabit cables to connect directly (not wireless-ly).

 

Total: ~$84

 

Optional Items:

(Not included in grand total)

 

unRaid Software - $69

Needed to expand setup to more than three drives, and to have multiple users with access restrictions.

 

GoodSync for Mac - $29.95 (without CD)

Best data syncing software I've been able to find.

 

Grand Total:

~$495 (~$461 with mail-in rebates)

The basic build looks good, nothing stands out to me as blatantly wrong.  Interesting choice of motherboard - I haven't seen that one before, but it seems to have all the components of a good budget board.  If you want a more tried and true board, I would recommend the Biostar A760G M2+ (currently out of stock, but there's a screamin' good deal on an open box model).

 

I would also recommend using 5400 RPM drives instead of 7200 RPM drives to save heat and energy.  You most likely won't notice the speed difference.  WD Greens are good (but require a jumper), and Samsung EcoGreens are also good.  Seagate LPs have been getting low reviews.

 

Buy your cables from monoprice.com, they are much cheaper.  Stick with Cat6 though.

 

I don't know much about Mac syncing software, but I do know that TimeMachine is free....I'm guessing you are using this other software with good reason, though.

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