Network Storage

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Network Storage

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Basically, I want to buy a some pieces to build myself a network storage computer in the near future. I'll follow the "How to ask for advice" guide to make everything more easy to read :)

 

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:
In the near future.

 

BUDGET RANGE:
Around €400, but I don't mind spending a bit more if there is a good reason for it.

 

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
File sharing. Obviously, this system would sit around doing nothing most of the time. Perhaps I might make it run Folding@Home.

 

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:

  • 550W Power supply -- it might be a bit overkill, but it's the only one I've got lying around.
  • 3 x 1TB Samsung hard drives (HD103UJ)
  • a case
  • A screen, keyboard and mouse


PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:
Unless there's a site with cheaper prices, I'd be buying my stuff from www.alternate.be. As this shop is reasonably close to my home, I could pick up the parts myself.

 

PARTS PREFERENCES:
Motherboard:

  • RAID 5
  • onboard graphics.
  • Preferably socket 775, but AM2+/AM3 is fine as well.
  • Alternate.be only has these brands available: ASRock, Asus, EVGA, Foxconn, GigaByte, MSI, XFX


Processor:

  • Whatever fits the motherboard and does the job.


Memory:

  • 2GB of whatever fits the motherboard and does the job.


Harddrives:

  • 3 x 1TB Samsung hard drives (HD103UJ)


OVERCLOCKING:
No.

 

SLI OR CROSSFIRE:
No.

 

MONITOR RESOLUTION:
Irrelevant.

 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

  • Quiet. This PC might end up in my bedroom. This might involve buying a new PSU after all.
  • Low power.
  • 6 x 1TB hard drives in RAID 5: Is this a good idea?
  • It would be nice if the motherboard is a socket 775, but I've noticed it's hard to find a socket 775 motherboard with RAID 5 and onboard graphics.


Message edited by middeneast on 08-08-2009 at 12:06:48 PM
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I forgot to mention, this is what I currently had in mind:

  • ASRock A790GMH/128M AM2+
  • AM3 Athlon II X2 245
  • 2 x 1GB DDR2-800 5-5-5-15
  • 3 x 1 TB Samsung HD (HD103UJ)


Total: €394


Message edited by middeneast on 08-08-2009 at 11:26:12 AM
Reply to middeneast

for the 6x1TB i would recommend spending money and getting an 8 port RAID card (something decent aka adaptec would be great but very expensive)

i used:
Asus M4A785TD-M EVO
AMD Athlon II X2 245
Geheugen 2x1GB DDR3-1333 Kit
3x1TB Samsung HD
came to €402

High Point Rocket RAID 2320
http://translate.google.com/transl [...] ry_state0=
though this part is €299

Reply to mindless728

Thanks for the reply :)

 

Buying this €300 part would mean going a bit above budget, though. Do you reckon there will be a large difference in performance using the raid card. I guess it would mean that there would be many more possibilities in terms of choosing a motherboard.

 

I know your personal quote says you're done helping people with AGP and P4's, but as I would not need a motherboard with a raid controller, could I not use my old P4 pc with a 3.0Ghz processor and plop in the raid controller + 6 hd's?

 

Cheers,
Saew


Message edited by middeneast on 08-08-2009 at 10:23:52 PM
Reply to middeneast

Hmm... Ofcourse it wont fit on my old P4, it doesn't have a PCIe slot.
My 939 computer has several PCIe slots, but power efficiency is not one of its best areas :/ I guess it could do though.

Reply to middeneast

You should first determine what OS you plan on using as the OS is what will really determine your hardware requirements. There are a few choices like; FreeNAS, Openfiler, Ubuntu, or Windows Home Server.

FreeNAS is a great NAS OS with minimal hardware requirements whereas Windoze Home Server has the hardware requirements of a regular pc.

Also, a hardware RAID card is the better option over mobo RAID especially if you plan on using RAID5. ANd yes, there is a noticiable performance difference between the two. If mobo RAID5 then you require a more powerful cpu as opposed to a cheaper/less powerful cpu with a hardware RAID ontroller due to offloading the parity calculations to the controller card.

Reply to chunkymonster
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