Core i3 530 - $104.99

[Rajahal]

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3530

 

$104.99 after promo code EMCYXYN22 (expires 09/08/2010)

 

Pretty much the CPU of choice for unRAID right now.  Powerful, yet not power-hungry.  Idles around the same as an Atom.

 

Here's a nice motherboard to pair with it (currently 10% off):

 

ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

[JDM]

WOW

 

This is the same setup I'm using.  Works awesome.

 

Currently I have (4) WD 2TB drives so I'm not using the MB to capacity yet.  But I believe this MB only has 1 PCIe expansion slot and (2)PCI Slots.  This concerns me if I can only add 1 additional controiller card with 4 ports before using the PCI slots.  Correct me if I'm wrong but if I max out to 10 drives and need additional drives I will be forced to use the PCI slots and this can slow my transfer rate down.

 

Any Thoughts?

[Rajahal]

The motherboard has one PCIe x16, one PCIe x1, and two PCI slots.  The PCIe x16 can take an 8 port SuperMicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 (breakout cables also needed).  The PCIe x1 can take a 2 port SIL3132.  Those plus the 6 onboard SATA ports equals a total of 16 SATA ports before resorting to the PCI bus.

[tabish121]

I opted for the EVGA H55V when I built my system around the 530.

 

one PCIe x16, one PCIe x4 and one PCIe x1 plus one PCI slot, with five SATA ports onboard.

 

Been running very smoothly with two of the SuperMicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 cards.

 

[JDM]

The motherboard has one PCIe x16, one PCIe x1, and two PCI slots.  The PCIe x16 can take an 8 port SuperMicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 (breakout cables also needed).  The PCIe x1 can take a 2 port SIL3132.  Those plus the 6 onboard SATA ports equals a total of 16 SATA ports before resorting to the PCI bus.

 

Gotcha

 

Thanks for the info

[StevenD]

Thats not that great of a deal.  I bought this: Intel® Core™ i3 530 & Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H Motherboard $104 + SH or $88 AR B&M @ Frys a while back.  They also had 4GB DDR3 for $88 the same week.

 

It makes a great HTPC and it would be great for unRAID since it has one x16 and one x4 slot.

 

If they do this again, I will buy two more.

[abq-pete]

Fry's currently has them on sale for $79.99.  See here:

 

http://www.frys.com/product/6122149

 

Regards,  Peter

[neilt0]

Fry's currently has them on sale for $79.99.  See here:

 

http://www.frys.com/product/6122149

 

Regards,  Peter

 

"Out of Stock"

[BRiT]

Unfortunately most of us on the east cost or in the mid-west have no Fry's available and many of their specials are in-store only.

[queeg]

These will be selling for $59 by the holidays. 

And I read in my paper that intel isn't getting the penetration with the Atom they hoped for so it will be coming down in price as well.

[flybynight]

Microcenter has the 540 for $99.99

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0341728

 

Never mind... also out of stock for online ordering.    

In store pick-up only. At least another option for those who don't have a Fry's near them.

[BRiT]

MicroCenter's deal isn't too bad depending on location and taxes.

 

For me it would take a 1.5 hour round-trip and the tax rate in that county is 7.75%, so even without factoring in gas prices they hardly ever have a better deal than online retailers.