File Server Build

[je55e]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Storing my ripped isos, dvd collection, OS back up images, and important documents

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Less than $1000 before adding in the HDDs

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
Not really

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
The power supply, ram and 1 hdd listed below

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
At default speeds or maybe underclocking

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

9. What resolution do you use?
It will likely be headless




Case: Fractal Design Define XL

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 250 Dual Core Processor Socket AM3 3.0GHZ 2MB L2 Cache 65W

MOBO: MSI 890GXM-G65 mATX AM3 890GX+SB850 DDR3 2PCI-E16 1PCI-E 1PCI SATA Audio Video GBLAN

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL

Raid Controller Card: Dell Perc 6i w/256mb +BBU (as I type this post the person I was going to buy from has cancelled on me... anyone have one they want to sell?)

Power Supply: COUGAR SX850 COUGAR-SX850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply (had one lying around)

HDDS for Storage: Not sure yet. Leaning towards the 8 x 2 TB Hitachi 5k3000 in Raid-6

HDDS for OS: 2 x Western Digital Scorpio Black WD1600BEKT 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive

OS: Likely WHS 2011 - Edit: I also have a copy Windows Server 2003 somewhere that I may use.

The reason I picked WHS is because it's familiar being windows and all, but I'm not opposed to trying something different.

The reason I picked Raid-6 is because I'm anal about losing files :D

Thoughts/opinions/suggestions more than welcomed/needed :P

[martin_metal_88]

seems nice to me, look at the WD or samsung 2TB. Those hitachi are not killer and GL if one die.

[je55e]

I was actually just looking at the Sammys as well. Not sure about the WDs though - Can't they cause issues with all their head parking or something like that?

[3.0charlie]

Stick to Sammys. That's what I have in my file server in Raid-6, with a LSI 9650LE card. Make sure you configure the Raid with 7 drives, and keep one as a Hot Spare. Also, if you want a smaller case, the R3 is great for 8 drives - that's what I have.

[je55e]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

Stick to Sammys. That's what I have in my file server in Raid-6, with a LSI 9650LE card. Make sure you configure the Raid with 7 drives, and keep one as a Hot Spare. Also, if you want a smaller case, the R3 is great for 8 drives - that's what I have.

Would there be any issues with 8 drives?

I'm eyeing up the R3 as well, figure I can just tape the OS hdd to the back of the mobo tray or something... I'll have to see how the funds are :P

[3.0charlie]

No issues at all, but having a hot spare is a nice precaution. If a drive ever fails, the hot spare kicks in automatically, and since your array is unaffected you have time to order a replacement drive.

My OS drive (32Gb SSD) lies on the case bottom... =)

[je55e]

So set my Raid 6 up like this
2 Drives for "parity" (the essence of raid-6)
1 Drive for hot spare
5 Drives for "storage"

?

[3.0charlie]

No. 7 drives as Raid-6, and 1 drive as Spare.

[je55e]

I think we mean the same thing ;)

My "Example" was by no mean technically accurate

So I'd have 10 GB of storage correct? (Assuming 8x2GB HDDs)

[3.0charlie]

Yes, 10Gb for 7+1 drives.