Cheapest 20 HDD's Capable unRAID Server Build Money can buy!!

Quote:Cheapest 20 HDD's Capable unRAID Server Build Money can buy!!

If you feel like thanking me for my work, you can do so Here



(USA Pricing)

*** Max Expansion: 20 HDD's (38TB Storage + 2TB Parity) ***


[CASE] NORCO RPC-4020 ($265 + $30)
[MOBO+iGPU] ASUS M4A88T-M LE AM3 HD4250 Micro-ATX ($82 + $0)
[CPU] SEMPRON 145 SDX145HBGMBOX 2.8GHz Single-Core AM3 45W ($43 + $0)
[PSU] Antec NEO ECO 620W 80Plus certified ATX12V ($70 + $3)
[RAM] Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (1x1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1066Mhz CL7 ($9 + $0)
TOTAL: $502


Motherboard Slots & Ports:
----------------------------
PCI Express 2.0 x16: 1
PCI Express x1: 2
PCI: 1
SATA-II Ports: 6 (note that 1 SATA-II Cable is included in the box)


Case Expansion Bays:
----------------------
Internal 3.5" Drive Bays: 20 (to power them all, 5 Molex Power Connectors are needed)


Case Fans:
-----------
Middle: 4 x 80mm (to power them all, only 1 Molex Power Connector is needed)
Rear: 2 x 80mm


Power Supply Connectors:
----------------------------
SATA: 6 (none needed for this build)
MOLEX: 6


Note:
To connect the hard drives with "ease"
you have to remove the middle fan wall completely...
So to me, this is a design flaw due to the fact that
you have to wire the case for everything right from the start
because later on, you'll be sorry if you didn't...
Doesn't matter if you bought all 20 hard drives or just 1,
I strongly suggest again, wiring the case for everything
or you'll have mad times down the road...
Same if you plan on acquiring quieter 80mm fans
or a completely new 120mm middle fan wall,
just do it now!
However, for this build here,
were keeping everything stock...


Ok, were ready!! let's roll!!


As explained 2 seconds ago,
from the start, I suggest you wire everything in the case using these cables:

11 x SATA-II cables ($2,75) Volume Discounts
2 x Internal Mini SAS 4 Plugs Forward Breakout Cables ($11,25)
1 x Molex To 3-Molex Power Connector Cables ($3,25


Once done, the NORCO RCP-4020 will be 6 HDD's ready!

so the next 2 HDD's will only require a 2 Port PCI-Express x1 Sata-II Card ($15)

then, the next 2 HDD's will also require a 2 Port PCI-Express x1 Sata-II Card ($15)

this time, the next 2 HDD's will require a 2 Port PCI Sata Card ($15)

finally, the last 8 HDD's will require a 8 Port PCI-Express x4 Sata Card ($100)


So, to sum it up, the different levels look like this:

06 HDD's = ($502) + ($2,75 x 11) + ($11,25 x 2) + ($3,25 x 1) = $558
08 HDD's = ($502) + ($2,75 x 11) + ($11,25 x 2) + ($3,25 x 1) + ($15 x 1) = $573
10 HDD's = ($502) + ($2,75 x 11) + ($11,25 x 2) + ($3,25 x 1) + ($15 x 2) = $588
12 HDD's = ($502) + ($2,75 x 11) + ($11,25 x 2) + ($3,25 x 1) + ($15 x 2) + ($15 x 1) = $603
20 HDD's = ($502) + ($2,75 x 11) + ($11,25 x 2) + ($3,25 x 1) + ($15 x 2) + ($15 x 1) + ($100 x 1) = $703

(So going from the 6 HDD's Level to the 20 HDD's Level requires an extra $145, HDD's not included)


Now, what's left to know?
----------------------------
* USB Fash Drive ($9) to run the unRAID software is not included
* unRAID Registration Keys aren't included (Basic: Free) (Plus: $69) (Pro: $119)
* Hard Disk Drives ($80) aren't included
* MySQL Database/SABnzbd/CouchPotato/Sick Beard users, Upgrade CPU & RAM accordingly
* PoofyHairGuy approved!!


thanks

Nice work eSKRo for your effort on all of this info. Thanx

no problem Beer40oz

i think the unRAID guide is now complete!

plenty of builds to choose from,

and overall, i really think that they are among the cheapest available on the market!

Have a gander at this mobo perhaps:

http://www.servethehome.com/supermicro-x...ontroller/

It wouldn't fit the initial 'budget' category, but it does come with a lot of expansion leg room. Using the compatible HP SAS Expander(s) can be scaled to 70 drives - not that you'd want to push it that far in most cases mind you...

Could the BIOSTAR A770E3 ($50 free shipping) be used to make this build cheaper?

Onboard Video Chipset:
None

eskro Wrote:Onboard Video Chipset:
None

But if you don't care about onboard video for a server or have an old video card would the Biostar be a good cheap board to use for all the builds?

no, its never recommanded to loose a slot to a gpu card

I guess what I'm asking is... if I don't care about having a GPU card in a server... would there be any other reason to not buy the biostar board? thanks.

I haven't hooked a monitor up to my unRaid in the last year or so... Just use a GPU card while you set it up, then take it out to run headless...

Anyways, nice build, it looks a lot like mine.... I would recommend more RAM though, at least 2...