[xecutionx]

I really want to build a cheap unraid server. After viewing the other topic which explains how it works, I must say I'm impressed. And this seems much safer and cheaper than a RAID setup in many regards.

I'd like to have a very minimalistic look (the case). It must be low cost. And it should have at least 8 sata ports (more = merrier).

Would an atom build suffice? I won't need any high end graphics, just enough power to run unraid and a few addons (like torrents and automation).

So far, I'm liking the following:

case ideas:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811129042
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811133180

psu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817139004 (I like this PSU because I already have a build with a cosair psu and couldn't be happier, plus the reviews are high)

hdd: I currently have 3x 1.5tb samsung and 2x 2tb samsung hdds. I'll be purchasing 2x 2tb samsung hdds (one for parity).

[leigh_munro]

550w is probably too big if your only looking at an atom motherboard and 8 HDD's. I've got the smaller cw430 in my 10 disk unraid server and its more than enough.

While not the cheapest option check out Supermicro for the best Atom based boards for unRaid. X7SPA-HF and the newer X7SPA-HF-D525.

• Atom CPU
  
• 6 SATA Ports (add one of these for another 8 sata ports)
  
• IPMI (this is awesome with unraid)
  

Also not the cheapest option but i love the layout of the Fractal Designs cases. The R3 is perfect for unRaid.

[jmarshall]

Last time I checked (admittedly, 12 months ago) the biggest failing with the Atom boards was:

1. The motherboards used way more power than the CPU.
2. Lack of SATA ports by default.

That's why I went for a low power Athlon - the motherboard came with 6 SATA, 1Gig ethernet and onboard video. My server uses 50-55W idle. No attempt to underclock or anything.

So basically any low power CPU will likely give you similar results at this point, so look for a motherboard/CPU combo that gives you as many SATA ports as you need at a suitable price-point.

Literally ANY CPU you can buy will be fine, so go for the cheapest/lowest power for your motherboard of choice.

Cheers,
Jonathan

[xecutionx]

That case is exactly what I was looking for. Very minimalistic. I just need to find a distributor and find the price + shipping to the US to see if it's worth it.

EDIT2- It comes up to 165$ from ncixus.com

EDIT- thanks jmarshall, that's why I made this topic. I don't necessarily need an atom system, just something power conservative.

[eskro]

Here's my NAS.... Canadian Prices ... (Extends up to 10 Hard Disk Drives)
[CPU] AMD Sempron 2.7GHz AM3 45W Single-Core ($37 + $0)
[RAM] Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR3 1066Mhz ($13 + $10)
[MOBO] Foxconn M61PMP-K AM3 MicroATX ($47 + $0)
[PSU] CORSAIR CX430 430W ATX12V ($45 + $4 - $20 MIR)
[CASE] Antec VSK-2000 ($44 + $0)

Here's yours ..... USA Prices ... (Extends up to 14 Hard Disk Drives)
[CPU] AMD Sempron 2.7GHz AM3 45W Single-Core ($37 + $0)
[RAM] Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR3 1066Mhz ($13 + $10)
[MOBO] MSI 760GM-P33 AM3 MicroATX ($60 + $8)
[PSU] CORSAIR 500W ATX12V ($60 + $6 - $20 MIR)
[CASE] Antec VSK-2000 ($45 + $0)

[jdwoods]

Here's my NAS.... Canadian Prices ... (Extends up to 10 Hard Disk Drives)
[CPU] AMD Sempron 2.7GHz AM3 45W Single-Core ($37 + $0)
[RAM] Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR3 1066Mhz ($13 + $10)
[MOBO] Foxconn M61PMP-K AM3 MicroATX ($47 + $0)
[PSU] CORSAIR CX430 430W ATX12V ($45 + $4 - $20 MIR)
[CASE] Antec VSK-2000 ($44 + $0)

Here's yours ..... USA Prices ... (Extends up to 14 Hard Disk Drives)
[CPU] AMD Sempron 2.7GHz AM3 45W Single-Core ($37 + $0)
[RAM] Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR3 1066Mhz ($13 + $10)
[MOBO] MSI 760GM-P33 AM3 MicroATX ($60 + $8)
[PSU] CORSAIR 500W ATX12V ($60 + $6 - $20 MIR)
[CASE] Antec VSK-2000 ($45 + $0)

I like the case.
How many drives do you have? Do you run Sab, Couchpotato, SickBeard, etc?

[eskro]

no i dont run Sab, Couchpotato, SickBeard ....

unRAID Basic supports only 3 HardDrives

[Rodimus]

I've found several threads like this invaluable recently, I was going to drop c.£15 GBP extra on a PSU as I liked the brand and it was so quiet only to have it pointed out it was dual rail and not the best thing for a UNRAID NAS!

I love this place, I've got a few more ideas from thios thread too. Shame I kepe leaning towards the r3 fractal designs case. it's so minimalistic.

[xecutionx]

I've found several threads like this invaluable recently, I was going to drop c.£15 GBP extra on a PSU as I liked the brand and it was so quiet only to have it pointed out it was dual rail and not the best thing for a UNRAID NAS!

I love this place, I've got a few more ideas from thios thread too. Shame I kepe leaning towards the r3 fractal designs case. it's so minimalistic.

I really like that case. But the shipping alone is 55$ to New York

Right now, I'm very interested in this atom mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

EDIT: If I add the following card, I can get up to 14 drives from this build: pci card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6816101358
And the ram- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231147

[xecutionx]

So my build is nearly complete. All that it needs is a case. I'm looking for something minimalistic that can hold many HDDs.

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817371035
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...813182237R
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231147

In the future I can purchase this for expansion
SATA: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6816101358

If all else fails, I'll go with the Antec...
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811129042

[maxinc]

That's is a brilliant board. I wish I could get one of those in the UK for such a price. Everything else looks fine. Make sure you post pictures once you have it assembled

[jvdb]

I really like that case. But the shipping alone is 55$ to New York

Right now, I'm very interested in this atom mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Is there a reason you want the older D510 board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813182242

This newer D525 version is not only faster, but has a DDR3 controller. DDR3 memory is a lot cheaper than DDR2 right now.

Edit: those boards take an odd speed DDR3 (800). I don't know if a faster speed will work properly. It's still slightly cheaper than DDR2 memory, but it looks like you have less choices.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820139220

[xecutionx]

Is there a reason you want the older D510 board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813182242

This newer D525 version is not only faster, but has a DDR3 controller. DDR3 memory is a lot cheaper than DDR2 right now.

Edit: those boards take an odd speed DDR3 (800). I don't know if a faster speed will work properly. It's still slightly cheaper than DDR2 memory, but it looks like you have less choices.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820139220

I only wanted the older board because they have an open box deal for nearly half off the price

[eskro]

why not this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...20VSK-2000

[xecutionx]

why not this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...20VSK-2000

Just because I want to see what else I can find first. I'd love a simple case like the Fractal Designs R3. Comparable Lian Li cases are just as expensive.