Hello,

This is what I have so far:

 

$110 - SuperMicro AOC-SASLP-MV8

http://www.serversdirect.com/product.asp?pf_id=DC5026

 

$13 - Koutech USB 2.0 Header-Pin to Dual Type-A adapter

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815201028

 

$15x2 - 3Ware CBL-SFF8087OCF-05M SFF-8087 to Discrete Forward Breakout Cable

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?p=CBLSFFCF05&c=pw&hash=c36cEIyu1Gj5lasp4AM1%2B2L7bS3VWJuFm8FYSarv19bjmDanpFpOnKKEyy/mA/8b%2B4ySZxo5AVmmmMJPeNbpTD0uaZ2X%2B4%2BuBYd31XOArkVB4pv62tES3n4

 

$171 - Lian Li ARMORSUIT (PC-P50-B, PC-P50B) {one worry I have about this case is if it will allow the ICY Multi bay for all 9 slots allowing for 12-15 drives, anybody know?}

http://www.sundialmicro.com/lianli_mid-tower-pc-case-pcp50b_1927_1616.html

 

$82 - Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1333 Server Memory Model

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139040

 

$89 - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

 

$114x3 - ICY DOCK MB454SPF-B Mulit-Bay Backplane Module

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994027

 

$33 - AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Processor SDX140HBGQBOX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103698

 

$79 - ASUS M4A785T-M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (Corporate Stable Model, GPU NOS, HDMI Support)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131609

 

Please suggest other parts that might be cheeper or more expensive if the one i chose is too cheep (quality wise)

 

I plan to use it mostly for media and some storage, no editing.

 

Is ECC RAM a good or bad idea?

will I need more than 2.7GHz for this?

how much Wattage does 12 drives consume, should I maybe use a smaller wattage PSU?

Is there a better/cheeper mid tower case that can hold 12 or more HDD's going no larger than 4 in 3 bay fillers (5 in 3 seems too close, but please tell me if i am incorrect about this assumption)?

if 5 in 3 is OK i think i will go with

$116x3 - http://www.amazon.com/Icy-Dock-MB455SPF-B-Hot-Swap-Backplane/dp/B000KMAWHO/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

http://www.amazon.com/Icy-Dock-MB455SPF-B-Hot-Swap-Backplane/dp/B000KMAWHO/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

 

 

 

I have been told that 4GB is more than I need but I can't find 2GB dual 1GB ECC for a decent price, so any help bringing that price down would be good.

Hello,

This is what I have so far:

 

$110 - SuperMicro AOC-SASLP-MV8

http://www.serversdirect.com/product.asp?pf_id=DC5026

 

$13 - Koutech USB 2.0 Header-Pin to Dual Type-A adapter

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815201028

 

$15x2 - 3Ware CBL-SFF8087OCF-05M SFF-8087 to Discrete Forward Breakout Cable

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?p=CBLSFFCF05&c=pw&hash=c36cEIyu1Gj5lasp4AM1%2B2L7bS3VWJuFm8FYSarv19bjmDanpFpOnKKEyy/mA/8b%2B4ySZxo5AVmmmMJPeNbpTD0uaZ2X%2B4%2BuBYd31XOArkVB4pv62tES3n4

 

$171 - Lian Li ARMORSUIT (PC-P50-B, PC-P50B) {one worry I have about this case is if it will allow the ICY Multi bay for all 9 slots allowing for 12-15 drives, anybody know?}

http://www.sundialmicro.com/lianli_mid-tower-pc-case-pcp50b_1927_1616.html

 

$82 - Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1333 Server Memory Model

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139040

 

$89 - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

 

$114x3 - ICY DOCK MB454SPF-B Mulit-Bay Backplane Module

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994027

 

$33 - AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Processor SDX140HBGQBOX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103698

 

$79 - ASUS M4A785T-M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (Corporate Stable Model, GPU NOS, HDMI Support)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131609

 

Please suggest other parts that might be cheeper or more expensive if the one i chose is too cheep (quality wise)

 

I plan to use it mostly for media and some storage, no editing.

 

Is ECC RAM a good or bad idea?

will I need more than 2.7GHz for this?

how much Wattage does 12 drives consume, should I maybe use a smaller wattage PSU?

Is there a better/cheeper mid tower case that can hold 12 or more HDD's going no larger than 4 in 3 bay fillers (5 in 3 seems too close, but please tell me if i am incorrect about this assumption)?

if 5 in 3 is OK i think i will go with

$116x3 - http://www.amazon.com/Icy-Dock-MB455SPF-B-Hot-Swap-Backplane/dp/B000KMAWHO/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

http://www.amazon.com/Icy-Dock-MB455SPF-B-Hot-Swap-Backplane/dp/B000KMAWHO/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

 

 

 

I have been told that 4GB is more than I need but I can't find 2GB dual 1GB ECC for a decent price, so any help bringing that price down would be good.

 

A few comments:

 

1. Have you considered the Norco 4224 instead of the case and 3 hot swap bays? It would be cheaper, ready-to-go, and give you the ability to max out the Pro license

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219038&cm_re=4224-_-11-219-038-_-Product

 

2. Though I'm no expert, I haven't read anything that recommends ECC over standard ram in UnRaid. You may save a few $ if you go with regular ram. Also, 2GB should be more then enough. You may have an easier time finding non-ecc @ 2GB...

 

3. I'm not a huge fan of the mobo. Only one PCI-e 16x slot and 1 1x slot. You might want to consider finding a board that supports more (for sata controller cards). I am using the Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-UD4H for my Sempron 140. It can no longer be purchased, but I'm sure there are replacement boards that fit the bill. It has a total of 5 PCI-e slots (16x, 8x, 3 1x). The other concern I would have is whether or not the 16x slot on your board can even support non-video PCI-e cards. I know that a number of manufacturers will limit their 16x slot to video only...

 

4. Stick with the 650w PS. Just because it can output that much doesn't mean it will use it (it may use a bit more then a smaller ps, but minimal), and it gives you the headroom later on for more drives (especially for the initial spinup)

 

5. You may want to look into some extra fans as well (how many and what size depends on the case. Generally, bigger is better because they will push the same air, but spin slower - and therefore quieter). Noctua and Nexus are good names for quiet and good performance/longevity. If noise is not a problem, you may want to look at fans that push more air (Deltas etc)

 

Other then that, I think your parts are good. I have the same chip, and it rocks. Low power usage and cheap!

 

Good Luck!

Hello DoeBoye,

 

i like the NORCO RPC-4220 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219033&Tpk=norco%204220) better and i don't think I will go over 20 drives, and its cheaper and better reviews, Now i just need to see if this would fit in my closet, (speaking of closets will this put out too much heat to keep in a closed closet?) Can this system be stored sideways or is the casing only made for horizontal storage?

as for the mother board what do you think of this one

$100 - ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX Motherboards - AMD - Retail

http://www.chiefvalue.com/product/productdetails.aspx?submit=&item=CE00156319010060&ATTMotherboards%20AMD

 

or this one

 

$95 - GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443

 

as for the ram the name ValueRAM worries me a little but it got great reviews, what do you think of this

$37 - Kingston ValueRAM 2GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module - KVR1333D3N9K2/2G

http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-valueram-2gb-ddr3-sdram-memory-module-2gb-2-x-1gb-1333mhz/q/loc/101/206929474.html

as for the mother board what do you think of this one

$100 - ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX Motherboards - AMD - Retail

http://www.chiefvalue.com/product/productdetails.aspx?submit=&item=CE00156319010060&ATTMotherboards%20AMD

 

or this one

 

$95 - GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443

 

as for the ram the name ValueRAM worries me a little but it got great reviews, what do you think of this

$37 - Kingston ValueRAM 2GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module - KVR1333D3N9K2/2G

http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-valueram-2gb-ddr3-sdram-memory-module-2gb-2-x-1gb-1333mhz/q/loc/101/206929474.html

 

I can't really comment on the mobos as I haven't used them or come across them in my research. I *would* recommend you try and find one that others members have successfully used with UnRaid (Hardware Compatability List in the wiki, or scour forum), or if that doesn't pan out, at least a board with the same chipset...

 

I've used Kingston ValueRam in a number of non-Unraid builds, and have never had a problem. Solid performer, reliable. Certainly not the fastest ram in the world, but for UnRaid especially, I don't think that is really a concern...

 

As far as the 4220 vs the 4224, my understanding is the 24 is just a refresh of the 20... I don't own either, so can't comment from personal experience... Perhaps someone with experience with them could chime in?

I'm pretty sure I've seen pics of Raj's Norco on its side.  Seems like the only problem with doing that is the tab that is normally used to mount it to the rack.  The tab sticks out a bit so you'll need something to prop it up, a couple of pieces of 2x4 should do the trick.  If memory serves he had it in an old TV console hanging off the front a bit so the tab wasn't resting on anything.

As for the MoBo question

the Asus has been tested and used with unRAID

 

sadly the GIGABYTE has not but it has awesome ratings with users of it just not for unRAID

 

has anybody used the GA-870A-UD3 MoBo before?  (yes I also asked in the MoBo section of the Forums)

Any AMD based motherboard that has "7" in the middle of the chipset number (as in your case 870) does not have integrated video - so you will have to use additional PCIe or PCI video card for the initial setup)

Any AMD based motherboard that has "7" in the middle of the chipset number (as in your case 870) does not have integrated video - so you will have to use additional PCIe or PCI video card for the initial setup)

 

If that's the case, I would avoid it. Just taking up a slot, adding to cost, and increasing heat output...

If you're not dead set on using AMD you could go with the Supermicro C2SEE motherboard and either a Celeron 430 or E3300 if you want some more oomph.  That is the official Lime Technology board and is Level 3 tested, so it'll work all the way up to the maximum number of drives unRAID can support.  It also has an on-board USB port so you can skip that overpriced header adapter.  This board was recently on sale for $20, so if you're not in a hurry, there's a good chance you can find a deal on it again sometime in the near future.  Don't wait too long though, I believe this board is EOL so supplies will start dwindling.

I really kind of like the idea of a 45W CPU, is there any reason to have more power than the 45W AMD Chip I listed, if i am not planing on using many of the addons?

 

are there any AMD Mobo's that are tested to Level 3?

 

Ohhh, or wait, how is the functionality of a system running:

Intel Celeron 430 Conroe-L 1.8GHz 512KB L2 Cache LGA 775 35W Single-Core Processor BX80557430

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116039

 

This is even less power, will it's lack of processing power slow down transfer rates?

You won't notice any performance differences between the 35w and 45w cpus. As far as I know, there are no level 3 tested AMD boards.

Have you seen this:

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=7998.0

Have you seen this:

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=7998.0

 

Great list here thank you.  I guess my question on his budget 20 list is

"NORCO C-SFF8087-4S Discrete to SFF-8087 (Reverse breakout) Cable x 1"

don't you need 4 of these?  Or does the NORCO 4220 have some of these built in?

just read this in the Norco 4220 details

"Five internal SFF-8087 Mini SAS connectors support up to twenty 3.5" SATA (I or II) or SAS hard drives"

but if this is true then why do you need any

"NORCO C-SFF8087-4S Discrete to SFF-8087 (Reverse breakout) Cable"?

 

*Update

this goes the other direction dosent it, it is to allow you to plug the sata cables from the mobo into the case.

Exactly.  Reverse cables run separate SATA cables to the motherboard connectors, and one SAS connector to the backplane.