This is my first attempt at an unraid server. I put together a parts list and I just wanted some feedback, or tell me I messed up if that's the case.

 

 

COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

SUPERMICRO MBD-X7SPA-L-O Mini ITX Intel Atom D410 processor Server Motherboard

SUPERMICRO AOC-SASLP-MV8 PCI Express x4 Low Profile SAS SAS RAID Controller

2 x 3ware CBL-SFF8087OCF-06M 1 unit of 0.6m Multi-lane Internal (SFF-8087) Serial ATA breakout cable, forward

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply

3 x COOLER MASTER STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hardisk Cage

 

I already have RAM to put in there, and I would be starting with 3 x 2TB WD20EARS (2TB WD Caviar Green), then adding 4 x 1TB Caviar Green drives (wd10eads and I think one wd10eacs) I am using for a raid5 array now. I know the green drives will need a jumper put in at the 7-8 spot before putting them into this machine.

 

What do you think?

Your power supply probably isn't beefy enough to handle 15 drives. I'd opt for the 650TX.

You have an SAS-SAS cable. You need the forward breakout SAS-SATA cable instead.

 

If you're going to buy three 5 in 3 cages, you might as well spring for the Norco 4220. You may not ever decide to fill all the bays, but the cost is about the same.

 

Only the EARS will need the jumper, unless your EADS drives mention something about "advanced format".

 

Edit: Just checked the specs on the 430CX, and it's only 28A on the 12V rail. Most drives take no more than 2A to spin up, some less, but I'd call this inadequate for a 15 drive build, given that some power has to go to the motherboard and any other peripherals on the 12V rail. I probably wouldn't trust this PSU with any more than 8-10 drives. The 650TX, on the other hand, is 52A on the 12V rail, which should be plenty for anything you want to throw at it.

Updated my list so I've got the right cables now. Thanks. The cages are 4 in 3, so would be 12 max. I am thinking of just getting the non hot-swap Cooler Master 4 in 3 cages, this would drop over $200 on the cost of the machine.

 

EDIT: Will change the PSU to the one you recommended. Stupid question though, the 650TX has 8 SATA power connectors and the other I think even fewer. Would I need to get some Molex to SATA adapters to get enough power connectors for all 12 drives?

Yes, molex to SATA cables would be fine. There are varieties with a single SATA connector, and there are ones with two SATA connectors. Get the ones with two connectors. You should only need a couple of them.

 

I have the CoolerMaster 4 in 3 cages. They're fine. The convenience of hot swappability is nice, but the price of entry is pretty brutal if you're on a budget. I would actually suggest you go ahead and get 3 cages. The cage that comes with the CM590 case just isn't as good as the aftermarket one. When I was initially setting up the server, I was in and out of the case quite a bit, especially because I had issues getting my Supermicro card to work. Now that I have everything more or less set, I'm not so fussed about hot swap capability, because I'm not working on it nearly as much. Besides, unRAID doesn't allow for true hot swapping anyway. You still have to shut the server down to remove or add a disk, so it's not that much more trouble to pull the whole cage out. The biggest difference was when I took the trouble to do proper cable management. I added fan to molex connectors, and put them in convenient reach of the cages. Now I just pop that loose, along with the SATA power and data connectors, and I'm out in about 15-20 seconds.

 

 

For the cables, I would recommend the 0.5m versions.  The extra 0.1m of length isn't needed in most cases (definitely not in the CM 590), and it will just make your cable management a bit harder.

 

The Corsair 430w is adequate for 12 green drives.  If you plan on using a large number of 7200rpm drives then you would need a beefier PSU.  The Corsair 650w is recommended for 20 drive builds, but I would consider it to be overkill for anything smaller.

 

The rest of what you've listed will definitely work, and it will give you exactly 12 drive support.  However, since you are on a tight budget, I would recommend this mobo and CPU instead:

 

SUPERMICRO MBD-C2SEE-O

+

Intel Celeron 430

Total: $122 (instead of $150 for your board)

 

It won't be quite as low power as the atom board you chose, but it is cheaper and offers greater expandability options in the future (it can take a second SuperMicro card for up to 22 drive support).  If you do still prefer the atom board, there's currently an open box deal that you may wish to take advantage of.  Open box deals are always a gamble, since they sometimes come without the IO panel, which can be difficult to obtain otherwise.

 

Also, only your WD EARS drives need jumpers, not the rest.  Maybe you already knew this, but it is a bit ambiguous in your post.

I would also recommend an UPS.  Just one power failure made me purchase an APC Backup ES550 (verify your wattage requirements). While I didn't lose any data, the area I live in has relatively frequent power outages....no sense leaving that much storage to chance.

 

Installing apcupsd and associated packages

How big?

Thanks for the tips everyone. I wasn't sure if the jumpers were just for WD EARS, but now I know. A UPS is definitely something I'm going to look into. Power outages aren't frequent here, but come winter we'll have a few from storms (snow on the ground as I write this). About the PSU, I definitely plan to use only green drives, so I'll stick with the original PSU I posted. As for the other cpu+mobo suggestion, I think I'll stick with the atom board for the lower power, and because I have a spare 2G RAM module I can use in it, while with the other I'd have to buy one which pretty much kills the savings. Think I'm almost ready to put in my order, just going to do some more reading.

If you're going to stick with the lower end PSU, make sure you don't plan to go with the fifteen drive build.

3 x COOLER MASTER STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hardisk Cage

 

He never suggested that he was doing a 15 drive build, but instead a 12 drive build.  Look at his parts list.

Sorry, I must have had him confused with someone else.