Modding a Gateway GT5056 for unRAID? Advice very welcome!

[Faloopa]

Let me start by saying this is my first real system mod on the hardware level (I'm a Mac guy normally so I don't get to mess with hardware much) so thank you in advance for being patient     While I'm not a system builder I'm very computer friendly and I learn quickly, so if there's something wrong with my plans feel free to link me to research sources when needed - I'll study up and get back to you.

 

I was given a Gateway GT5056 with a toasted GPU for free so I'm looking to use this as a base for an unRAID box. I'm looking to start small (3 drives and the free software to start with plans to expand down the road) and I've been doing some research on my own. Before I buy I'd like some advice from people who have done this before. I don't mind spending money on this project, but there's no reason to throw money away buying parts that won't work.

 

To start with, here are the specs for the Gateway: http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/1008835/1008835sp3.shtml (total RAM right now is 4x512MB)

and here are the specs for the motherboard: http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/FIC/105552/105552sp23.shtml

 

Right away I got worried because it's nForce410. I saw in the Lime Hardware List that it should work but isn't advisable, and then I saw somewhere else on here (the forum, perhaps?) that there is a high likelihood of data corruption when the nForce4 series is used. That I do not want.

 

So right now I figure I have three options:

 

1) Try to find a new mobo that will work with the processor and PSU I have now. Something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186151) would work with the CPU I have now and it's got 4 onboard SATA ports so I wouldn't have to buy a PCI SATA card right away, but I'd have to pick up a gig or two of RAM.

 

2) Get a new mobo/CPU/video combo that will fit this Gateway case. Again, I wouldn't have to get a PCI SATA card to run 3 drives, but I would have to get some RAM.

 

3) Scrap this whole Gateway and start afresh. I don't really *want* to do this as I don't really *need* to build an unRAID box at all.....but I want a new project. I'd rather keep costs low so that if I totally loose interest half way through I'm not out a bunch of cash.

 

So that's where I stand right now. I'd also love some links to good "where to get started" info. I'm going to look around myself too but I'd like to hear where you all got started or what "be sure to think about....." advice you'd give a n00b. If there's more specific information you need in order to help me out, please let me know and I'll get it up as soon as I can.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

****Update****

Based on some quick web searches, it seems that the Foxconn C51GU01 mobo is a BTX form factor - so from my limited knowledge of system building, an ATX mobo won't fit in this case. Basically it seems that this whole Gateway is a rather poor base for an unRAID.....even an amateur one!

 

Does that seem correct to you all? Am I trying to build a boat on a truck frame here?

[queeg]

Check out Foxconn A74ML-K for a couple dollars less.  I've been looking at it for a particular use.

Here's some ram that would go with it.  Use the AMD Sargas 140 with it.  When you need more sata ports there are some 2 port PCIe cards for $15 delivered.

Here's a super budget case.

Use your existing psu most likely.  The case + mobo + cpu + ram for $136 and you got a new toy.

 

I don't think a socket 939 cpu from your old mobo will fit into any AM2/AM2+ or AM3 mobo.

[BRiT]

Correct, socket 939 and socket AM2/AM2+/AM3 are not cross-compatible.

[queeg]

Check out Foxconn A74ML-K for a couple dollars less.  I've been looking at it for a particular

 

The more I look at this mobo the more I like it.  The 4 sata ports are hot pluggable and it has rev 2.0 PCIe x16 slot.  

 

 

[poofyhairguy]

 

The more I look at this mobo the more I like it.  The 4 sata ports are hot pluggable and it has rev 2.0 PCIe x16 slot.  

 

 

Heck yeah. That could easily be built into a 16 drive server.

 

 

[WeeboTech]

Check out Foxconn A74ML-K for a couple dollars less.  I've been looking at it for a particular

 

The more I look at this mobo the more I like it.  The 4 sata ports are hot pluggable and it has rev 2.0 PCIe x16 slot.  

What the LAN Chipset, That could be important otherwise the cost of the board goes up to get a supported adapter.

[queeg]

Check out Foxconn A74ML-K for a couple dollars less.  I've been looking at it for a particular

 

The more I look at this mobo the more I like it.  The 4 sata ports are hot pluggable and it has rev 2.0 PCIe x16 slot.  

What the LAN Chipset, That could be important otherwise the cost of the board goes up to get a supported adapter.

 

Good point.  The manual says it's a Realtek and indicates the driver is a Broadcom LAN driver.  I posted a question on the Foxconn forum to find out the exact chipset.  I'll post it here when I find out.

[Faloopa]

So the way I see it I have two options:

 

1) Build based on the specs listed here (about $136 all-told, using the PSU from the Gateway) or

 

2) Pick up a used Intel-based system for as little as possible. I've got a shop here in Portland that sells tested older systems with a 60 day guarantee. I can get a P4 system (with an Intel mobo) for $50 or so and may need to add a PCI SATA card. And possibly some RAM.

 

From what I read on the FAQ here, just about any Intel board works out of the box, right? I might go that way - I was thinking about using the free unRAID software and getting a trio of 2TB or 1.5TB drives new. But I just found out I have access to 5 drives totaling about 4TB including a 1TB drive I'd use for parity. That would mean I'd need the 6-drive version of unRAID, but it's $10 off right now

 

So, in the opinion of the experienced system builders, is it better to pay more up front for a new build or is it worth it to get a 2GHz+ P4 and add what I need?

[Joe L.]

Since it is fairly easy to swap out hardware incrementally, I'd use what you have to get gong and keep an eye out for bargains and cast-offs over time.

[Faloopa]

Since it is fairly easy to swap out hardware incrementally, I'd use what you have to get gong and keep an eye out for bargains and cast-offs over time.

 

Joe, that won't work. The only usable part I have now is the PSU. You might re-read my first post: the mobo in this Gateway isn't going to work, the case is a BTX form factor (not ATX) and I can't find a board that fits it, and I'm having a hard time finding a mobo with the correct southbridge *and* a AMD 939 socket (so I could use the same CPU I have now). So I've got to get a new rig (minus, perhaps, the PSU). My question now is build brand new or buy a working used Intel system with a ATX board and swappable parts for future growth?

 

I think I've just got to run some math.

 

1) New build ($136)+$69 for unRAID+hard drives/PSU I have = $205

2) New build ($136)+1.5TB drives times three ($240)+free version of unRAID = $376

3) Recycled computer ($50)+$69 for unRAID+drives I already have+PCI SATA card ($20) = $139

4) Recycled computer ($50)+1.5TB drives times three ($240)+PCI SATA card ($20)+free unRAID = $310

 

But I've also got to factor in headaches and future expansion. And the drives I have right now would total 1TB storage with a 1TB parity drive. That's pretty close to what I need for current storage without factoring in growth, but I've have 2 open slots in the $69 version of unRAID so I could expand with cheap drives later.

[queeg]

Check out Foxconn A74ML-K for a couple dollars less.  I've been looking at it for a particular

 

The more I look at this mobo the more I like it.  The 4 sata ports are hot pluggable and it has rev 2.0 PCIe x16 slot.  

 

 

 

Correction:  The PCIe x16 slot is rev 1.1 for this board.  Oddly the manual says both rev 2.0 and 1.1, so I emailed technical support about it.

 

This is a later model of the same board Foxconn A74ML-K 3.0 with the rev 2.0 PCIe x16.  It costs $4 more but still has the hot pluggable 4 sata ports. 

[queeg]

From what I read on the FAQ here, just about any Intel board works out of the box, right?

 

You're going out on a limb here.  If you stray from the recommendations then you are experimenting, which is fine as long as you're understanding the risk is your own data.

 

I was saying you could probably use your old psu when you were talking about a 3 drive system.  You start tossing in 6 older hard drives and that has to be looked at again.  An older P4 system will consume more power than a new board with a Sargas 140.  Older hard drives use more power than newer ones.  It will matter.

[Faloopa]

From what I read on the FAQ here, just about any Intel board works out of the box, right?

 

You're going out on a limb here.  If you stray from the recommendations then you are experimenting, which is fine as long as you're understanding the risk is your own data.

 

I was saying you could probably use your old psu when you were talking about a 3 drive system.  You start tossing in 6 older hard drives and that has to be looked at again.  An older P4 system will consume more power than a new board with a Sargas 140.  Older hard drives use more power than newer ones.  It will matter.

 

The Hardware Requirements here say "Motherboard IDE controllers * Intel PIIXn (essentially all Intel-based boards)" - that's why I figured I could get a P4 system and it would work; it would have an Intel mobo. The same page says "nVidia nForce4 (works, but not recommended)" and that's what the Gateway has, but when I got more into the Forum it looks like nForce4 has a high likelyhood of data corruption. And THAT's why I'm not using the Gateway in the first place. Am I reading that right? Is a nForce410 southbridge not worth using at all?

 

The drives aren't really that old - they are all SATA drives from the last year or so. I said "old" but I really should have said "un-used." Two of them were pulled from a friend's unRAID when he upgraded so I know they will work and are in good shape.

 

 

So now I'm confused. Based on this page (http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hardware_Compatibility#Motherboard) the Gateway board won't work well because it's nForce410. Also based on that page just about any Intel mobo with SATA ports and onboard gigabit ethernet will work just fine. Are either of those statements correct?

[queeg]

Is a nForce410 southbridge not worth using at all?

No.

 

 

The drives aren't really that old - they are all SATA drives from the last year or so. I said "old" but I really should have said "un-used." Two of them were pulled from a friend's unRAID when he upgraded so I know they will work and are in good shape.

6 drives use more power than 3.  

 

 

So now I'm confused. Based on this page (http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hardware_Compatibility#Motherboard) the Gateway board won't work well because it's nForce410. Also based on that page just about any Intel mobo with SATA ports and onboard gigabit ethernet will work just fine. Are either of those statements correct?

The hardware compatibility page comes from contributions from unRAID users.  Do you actually want to experiment with a chipset that has caused data loss?  This is a forum.  People will offer advice.  People will not likely grant you blanket assertions like "all intel motherboards will work."  

At this point I think it's fair to ask you how many drives you intend to have in your build and what motherboard you intend to use.  

 

I you want to try a P4 motherboard it might work.  So if  you don't mind spending the time to try then yeah give it a go.  Let us know if it works and good luck.

[Faloopa]

So now I'm confused. Based on this page (http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hardware_Compatibility#Motherboard) the Gateway board won't work well because it's nForce410. Also based on that page just about any Intel mobo with SATA ports and onboard gigabit ethernet will work just fine. Are either of those statements correct?

The hardware compatibility page comes from contributions from unRAID users.  Do you actually want to experiment with a chipset that has caused data loss?  This is a forum.  People will offer advice.  People will not likely grant you blanket assertions like "all intel motherboards will work."  

At this point I think it's fair to ask you how many drives you intend to have in your build and what motherboard you intend to use.  

 

I you want to try a P4 motherboard it might work.  So if  you don't mind spending the time to try then yeah give it a go.  Let us know if it works and good luck.

 

Thanks a lot for the info! I thought the hardware list was more proven and sanctioned 

 

I think I've decided on 4 total drives to start with. If my daughter is up for a trip to Free Geeks I may pick up a pre-built P4 system and use that for now. It looks like more Intel older Intel boards work better than older AMD boards (or at least are more restrictive as far as the southbridge). For $50 it's worth a shot. If the only way to be TOTALLY sure that a system works is to build exactly to plans someone else wrote, I think I'll risk a $50 tester. If nothing else I'll get more experience working with hardware and have more opportunity to learn about the kernel and troubleshooting!

[Faloopa]

Check out Foxconn A74ML-K for a couple dollars less.  I've been looking at it for a particular use.

Here's some ram that would go with it.  Use the AMD Sargas 140 with it.  When you need more sata ports there are some 2 port PCIe cards for $15 delivered.

Here's a super budget case.

Use your existing psu most likely.  The case + mobo + cpu + ram for $136 and you got a new toy.

 

I think that's what I'm going to do. It seems like it's going to be a hassle to Frankenstein an existing system. My time (which is not a lot) is better spent on a custom build, even though it will be a little more expensive.

 

So I'm going to use the components above to start with (but I may change the case - the shop I was at did have some excellent cases for $5: cases with a home server already in mind) and the PSU from my Gateway. My friend is actually using that same processor in his unRAID and says it's great.

 

Thank you all for your help! This experience is a lot of fun and you all have been really helpful. I love learning as I go