I'm a long-time unRAID user, but am now actively spec'ing out a new server.  Why?  Well....one part of me wants to say "why not"?  ;-)  But the real reason is that my current unit has not been as stable as I'd like.  Too many funny glitches (see my postings under unRAID Server 4.3 and before), parity taking too long to build, and slooooow file transfers (from my PC to my unRAID server, not when streaming video which seems to work fine).  So my primary goals are stability & speed.

 

Here's my existing setup:

 

MB:  Asus P5PE-VM

CPU:  Intel Celeron D 2.53Ghz LGA 775

RAM:  1GB of Corsair ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR 400 (i.e., two sticks)

Controllers:  Two Promise SATA300 TX4 PCI SATA Controller Card - OEM

HDD Enclosures:  Two no-name 4-in-3 units

PS:  Enermax NoiseTaker II 600W (recently upgraded to a Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W unit)

HD:  8 SATA drives (mix of WD 1TB green drives to Seagate 500MB drives)

 

And here's my proposed replacement:

 

MB:  Supermicro C2SEA, $124.99

CPU: Intel Celeron E1500 2.2 Ghz, $53.99

RAM:  4GB 1333 DDR3 (Two 2GB sticks), $87.98

Controllers:  Two Adaptec 1430SA PCI-E cards, $209.98

HDD Enclosures:  Two Supermicro CSE-M35T-1B, $199.98

PS:  Reuse my Corsair 650W unit (single 12V rail)

HD:  Reuse my existing WD & Seagate drives

Total cost (minus shipping & handling):  $676.92

 

Most of the parts come from Tom's MD-1510 server specs.  I initially found it odd he used two Adaptec 4-lane controller cards and one no-name single lane controller card, until I looked at the MB specs and realized there wasn't enough PCI-E slots to feed all 15 drives (I assume Tom's connecting quite a few directly to the MB).  But that shouldn't be a problem in my case, as I can't see going above 8 drives (at least not yet).

 

So...any recommendations or concerns?  I noticed Intel Celeron E1500s are starting to get a little hard to find (newegg doesn't have any in stock), so I'm willing to migrate to a newer MB/CPU combination, particularly if there's more PCI-E slots.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

BillK

Controllers:  Two Adaptec 1430SA PCI-E cards, $209.98

 

I'd use one Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8. http://www.supermicro.com/products/accessories/addon/AOC-SASLP-MV8.cfm

Use 1 $100-$110 Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8 controller.

 

They are widely used and well supported.

 

Do not use the PCI BUS for expansion. You will be very bandwidth limited if you do.

I would recommend a Celeron E3200, or E3300. It is cheaper, more energy efficient and works in the C2SEA (I have a C2SEA with a E3200).

 

If you are only going to use 8 drives I would use a $15 Monoprice 2 port SATA adapter:

 

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10407&cs_id=1040702&p_id=2530&seq=1&format=2

 

Again, works fine in the C2SEA (will support 3 cards).

 

 

I'd use one Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8. http://www.supermicro.com/products/accessories/addon/AOC-SASLP-MV8.cfm

 

Interesting....it certainly would cut cost.  I wonder why Tom doesn't use them?  Is it possible that 8 drives on one card, even if it is on a PCI-E bus, could become overwhelmed?

I would recommend a Celeron E3200, or E3300. It is cheaper, more energy efficient and works in the C2SEA (I have a C2SEA with a E3200).

 

Hmmm...I agree a Celeron E3200 would be slightly cheaper, and I know you say you're running one, but how can you tell from the MB's specifications?  According to both Supermicro and Newegg, the C2SEA only supports:

 

- Intel Core2 Extreme QX9000/QX6000 series

- Intel Core2 Quad Q9000/Q8000/Q6000 series

- Intel Core2 Duo E8000/E7000/E6000/E4000 series

- Intel Pentium E5000/E2000 series

- Intel Celeron E1000 and 400 series

 

That would seem to leave out the Celeron E3200/3500.

I had a E3200 sitting around so I decided to give it a try when I bought the motherboard. It worked fine, the website is wrong. I confirmed it via email with Supermicro, but they never changed their website.

Interesting....it certainly would cut cost.  I wonder why Tom doesn't use them?  Is it possible that 8 drives on one card, even if it is on a PCI-E bus, could become overwhelmed?

 

Drivers for the SASLP were not mature enough to use for a long time. Many people were anxiously waiting for support for this card. At one point, Tom had trouble sourcing the 1430SA so he made an emergency build (4.5.3?) that included the drivers for the SASLP and switched to the SASLP on his new builds. Many people are using this card without issues.

Interesting....it certainly would cut cost.  I wonder why Tom doesn't use them?  Is it possible that 8 drives on one card, even if it is on a PCI-E bus, could become overwhelmed?

 

Lime-Tech does use this card and has shipped out systems using it. Support was specifically added around the 4.5.3 release. The card can handle 8 drives perfectly fine for an unRAID system. The card when maxed out still delivers around 80 MB/sec for each drive when simultaneous access occurs.

 

4.5.3 Release notes

A few weeks ago, and without warning, we could no longer obtain Adaptec 1430SA controller cards, and my supplier said, "Sorry, no ETA on when more will be available".  This is a key component of the MD-1510, so I had to find a substitute, and that substitute is the Supermicro AOC-SASLP-MV8.

I had a E3200 sitting around so I decided to give it a try when I bought the motherboard. It worked fine, the website is wrong. I confirmed it via email with Supermicro, but they never changed their website.

 

Thanks ohlwiler.  Does this apply to all E3000 series Celerons?  I saw a E3300 at my local Microcenter for only $39 today, but wanted to wait until I could ask.

Lime-Tech does use this card and has shipped out systems using it. Support was specifically added around the 4.5.3 release. The card can handle 8 drives perfectly fine for an unRAID system. The card when maxed out still delivers around 80 MB/sec for each drive when simultaneous access occurs.

 

Thanks BRiT.  Looks like I'll be purchasing the Supermicro SATA controller card after all...as well as upgrading to 4.5.6.

All E3X00 series processors will work fine.