Looking to put together a new build so I am trying to fact find on all the hardware.

I like gigabyte boards but open to any ideas ie mb (gigabyte)  power supply, mem, processor etc. Not sure to go with more sata ports or do the expansion cards.

I would like it to be a budget build but want  to make sure I can fully use the 20 bays so

I want to be forward thinking for the expansion. Also I am running a server currently with 11 drives and the

question is will i need to buy another key????Or is there a way to roll both servers on one key??? As i don't want to kill the old server.

thanks for any ideas

Yes. You need a new key too. Each server needs it's own Key if you want to run more than 3 drives.

 

As for CPU/MB/Ram, there's plenty outlined in the Wiki under builds.

 

I'm partial to the Intel i3 530 CPU and an H55-based motherboard. With that combo you do not need to worry about video graphics cards as it's integrated. The motherboards typically have at least 6 onboard SATA and 1 PCI-Express expansion slot suitable for the SuperMicro 8-port SATA expansion card. That will get you up to 14 drives. Some boards even provide for 2 or 3 PCI-Express expansion slots which will take you up to 22 or 30 drives.

 

For PSU, you want one with a Single-Rail. They're capable of powering more drives. The ones with split-rails typically have the other rails only capable of powering power hungry gaming enthusiast video cards, which are not needed for unRAID.

The easiest from what I read if you want to get to 22 drives is have a look at the recommended board here the supermicro C2SEE.

If you can find another board that has 6 onboard SATA and 2 PCIe x4 ports (or above) you can run with 2 of the supermicro AOC SASLP MV8. They are also SAS connectors so wiring in for you 4220 would be easier.

Here's a budget priced ASrock board with 6 sata  and 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (green @ x16 mode, orange @ x4 mode).

AMD Sargas 140 is the current sweet spot cpu.  Add 2GB of value ram, any speed, a single stick or two (it won't matter) will do.

thanks guys keep the info coming.

Another tip, keep your fingers away from the fan plate fans.  My perception skewed by dealing with low rpm 120mm fans along with being tired, I wasn't being careful last night when I reached between the drives and the fan plate to move a wire.  The stock fans will not hit your finger and stop.  In my case bruised the finger tip, folded the finger nail over about a third of the way back and put a nasty gash under the finger nail.