Cheapest 20 HDD's Capable unRAID Server Build Money can buy!!
#1
Quote:Cheapest 20 HDD's Capable unRAID Server Build Money can buy!!

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

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(USA Pricing)

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

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[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 Smile
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#2
Nice work eSKRo for your effort on all of this info. Thanx
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#3
no problem Beer40oz Smile

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!
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#4
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...
If I helped out pls give me a +

A bunch of XBMC instances, big-ass screen in the basement + a 20TB FreeBSD, ZFS server.
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#5
Could the BIOSTAR A770E3 ($50 free shipping) be used to make this build cheaper?
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#6
Onboard Video Chipset:
None
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#7
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?
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#8
no, its never recommanded to loose a slot to a gpu card
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#9
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.
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#10
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...
Kodi: Kodi 17.4, with Transparency!
50 TB Unraid Server: Docker Apps: SABnzbd, Sickrage, mariaDB
HTPC: Win10 (cause Steam), i7, GTX 1080
Watching on: Panasonic TC65-PS64 with lowend Sony 5.1 HTIB
Other devices: rMBP 15", MBA 13", nvidia shield
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#11
clock2113 Wrote: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...

Yea... I'd rather have a couple extra PCI slots in a server then onboard video... could mean a couple more hdd capacity at a cheaper board cost.
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#12
you should add to thread title (in the usa)

most stuff cost a lot more here in EU and I'm pretty sure just the case is at least 2x as much (and not sold in many countries at all)
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#13
clock2113 Wrote: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...
Running headless is not the same as running without a GPU. Some MBs will not boot without a graphics device installed. The most foolproof situation is to have an onboard GPU. Otherwise you could get an old school PCI graphics card so you can use the PCI-e slots for sata expansion cards.
HTPC: Win 7 Home 64-bit | MB | CPU | GPU | RAM | Case | PSU | Tuner | HDDs: OS, Media | DVD Burner | Remote
Media server: unraid 4.7 | CPU | MB | RAM | Case | PSU | HDDs: Parity-2TB, Data-2x2TB
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#14
pike Wrote:you should add to thread title (in the usa)

most stuff cost a lot more here in EU and I'm pretty sure just the case is at least 2x as much (and not sold in many countries at all)

just like in CANADA, stuff is always pricier,,,

but i did precise/wrote USA PRICING in each Server thread

wsume99 Wrote:Running headless is not the same as running without a GPU. Some MBs will not boot without a graphics device installed. The most foolproof situation is to have an onboard GPU. Otherwise you could get an old school PCI graphics card so you can use the PCI-e slots for sata expansion cards.

well, thing is, that Biostar motherboard is $50, ok,,,

so, those who dont have a spare gpu card laying around
will have to buy one,
so even the cheapest ones will end'up costing you like ~$20 after mail in rebate...

now, $50 + $20 = $70

my suggtested ASUS motherboard costs $82 and has onboard GPU...
its only $12 more here....
so, specially for those who dont have a spare GPU at hand,
i dont think that this is worth it just to save $12...

if you look at rajahal's Prototype Designs over at official unRAID forum,
he's using strictly motherboards that have onboard GPU...
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#15
wsume99 Wrote:Running headless is not the same as running without a GPU. Some MBs will not boot without a graphics device installed. The most foolproof situation is to have an onboard GPU. Otherwise you could get an old school PCI graphics card so you can use the PCI-e slots for sata expansion cards.

Ah... My unRaid mobo does have integrated graphics, so I've never run into this... Thanks for the info!
Kodi: Kodi 17.4, with Transparency!
50 TB Unraid Server: Docker Apps: SABnzbd, Sickrage, mariaDB
HTPC: Win10 (cause Steam), i7, GTX 1080
Watching on: Panasonic TC65-PS64 with lowend Sony 5.1 HTIB
Other devices: rMBP 15", MBA 13", nvidia shield
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Cheapest 20 HDD's Capable unRAID Server Build Money can buy!!0