Set Me UP!!!

why not raid 1 for OS then raid 5 for data

It's your wallet...but IMO going crazy on RAID with a "home" server running a "desktop OS"....that's not a "Server" in my opinion. It's a fancy desktop. What RAID controller will you be using? Is RAID 5 even an option?

RAID 5 is good for read speed, slower for write speed. If your wallet is bottomless...go for RAID 10....great performance in both read and write.
 
What up guys,

I know what I want now. I will be running an Adaptec 6805 raid card running raid 1 with 2 ssd's for OS partition and then 3+ hdd's in raid 5 for my storage partition.

My question to you guys is:

Can you guys tell me what hardware would go good with my adaptec raid card?

I need a Motherboard that will most likely NEVER die that supports PCIe 8x for the card. Also a CPU to match up.

I will also need suggestions on HDD's and SSD's.

I will be running windows 7 Prof. x64.

I am not looking to get too crazy.

Thanks lots.
 
What up guys,

I know what I want now. I will be running an Adaptec 6805 raid card running raid 1 with 2 ssd's for OS partition and then 3+ hdd's in raid 5 for my storage partition.

My question to you guys is:

Can you guys tell me what hardware would go good with my adaptec raid card?

I need a Motherboard that will most likely NEVER die that supports PCIe 8x for the card. Also a CPU to match up.

I will also need suggestions on HDD's and SSD's.

I will be running windows 7 Prof. x64.

I am not looking to get too crazy.

Thanks lots.

Wait, what? Not looking to get too crazy yet you want two SSD's and a RAID 5 setup for a desktop machine? This doesn't add up. What will this machine be used for?
 
What is the "goal" for this computer?
Gaming?
Storage?
Being used as a local workstation...video editing, whatever.

I ask...because, video card options, sound card, onboard peripheral ports and storage interfaces.

Personally, assuming it's more of a "server" unit...I'd look at Asus Workstation Series motherboards, some Supermicro boards, and Intel workstation boards.

Combine with a high quality power supply like a Seasonic, some Crucial RAM selected specifically for that motherboard.

Use some Intel SSD units and get some WD RE4 drives or Seagate ES Constellation series drives, plug it all into an APC SU750 or SU1000 battery UPS...and you'll have a good long lasting stable unit.
 
This is still for your Home file server?
Are their any business applications for this build, or is it strictly for home use?

As stated above, the intended use will make it easier to decide the best hardware.
 
I'm counting $600 at least just in hdd. For the rest of the machine, $1,000.

Why?

Even if you're needing a server for practice or in-house production, I don't see this being feasible. Especially with the OS you've chosen. If I may ask, do you just have a bunch of cash to burn? If not, why not get yourself an Optiplex from the Dell outlet and put some money toward advertising or real-world business needs? We all salivate at the thought of crazy hardware, just as we do when we get passed on the highway by a Maserati. However, we just keep on going after the thought passes.
 
I'm counting $600 at least just in hdd. For the rest of the machine, $1,000.

Why?

Even if you're needing a server for practice or in-house production, I don't see this being feasible. Especially with the OS you've chosen. If I may ask, do you just have a bunch of cash to burn? If not, why not get yourself an Optiplex from the Dell outlet and put some money toward advertising or real-world business needs? We all salivate at the thought of crazy hardware, just as we do when we get passed on the highway by a Maserati. However, we just keep on going after the thought passes.

Good advice, justify your needs. There is always something that needs money just work out what it is. My two workshop workstations do what I want and cost £200 each.
 
I will be using this computer/server for mainly storage/backups

I will be streaming to the TV my video's and my music/movies to other computers.

It will basically be a media computer.


I need something that will be reliable and will last a very long time.

Well what do you guys have for RAID setups? Am I going at this in the wrong direction?
 
I will be using this computer/server for mainly storage/backups

I will be streaming to the TV my video's and my music/movies to other computers.

It will basically be a media computer.


I need something that will be reliable and will last a very long time.

Well what do you guys have for RAID setups? Am I going at this in the wrong direction?

Ah we're businessmen and have our business hats on not our end user hat. :D
 
For reliability I would definitely suggest a workstation board and CPU. Go with ASUS or Intel boards and an Intel CPU. For RAM I would suggest a brand like Kingston which seems to be on everyone's compatibility list. Don't go with some crazy clocked RAM because you will have to dial it in. For HDDs I would go with Western Digital. I haven't utilized SSDs yet, but I believe the two big names are Intel and OCZ (Used to sell memory until they sold the division and focused on SSDs).

You are probably looking at anywhere from $1000 - $2000+ depending on processor model and amount of storage capacity. Amount of RAM will factor in to the price, but not as significantly unless you choose ECC or server grade RAM.
 
I will be using this computer/server for mainly storage/backups

I will be streaming to the TV my video's and my music/movies to other computers.

It will basically be a media computer.


I need something that will be reliable and will last a very long time.

Well what do you guys have for RAID setups? Am I going at this in the wrong direction?

IMO...SSD is overkill since you'll be doing network transfers. It's a "server" (granted a desktop OS..but being used as a server).....who cares how fast it boots up, servers usually sit quietly in the corner running 24x7x365.

Sounds like you want a media server. I'd consider something other than Windows 7. Perhaps FreeNAS (upcoming version has media plugins).

I'd shoot for enterprise grade drives (5 year warranty)...and models meant to run in appliances 24x7 (quieter, cooler)
 
IMO...SSD is overkill since you'll be doing network transfers. It's a "server" (granted a desktop OS..but being used as a server).....who cares how fast it boots up, servers usually sit quietly in the corner running 24x7x365.

Sounds like you want a media server. I'd consider something other than Windows 7. Perhaps FreeNAS (upcoming version has media plugins).

I'd shoot for enterprise grade drives (5 year warranty)...and models meant to run in appliances 24x7 (quieter, cooler)

If it's strictly a file server, I second using FreeNAS. However, if you use FreeNAS, you can set it up with ZFS and eliminate the need for pricier enterprise drives. ZFS is a modern file system with end to end support for data redundancy and protection against corruption.

You can have it setup with Raid-Z (similar to RAID 5), assign hot spares, specify certain directories to be duplicated more than once, and other cool features. I don't know for sure if FreeNAS supports it, but ZFS can also have SSDs setup to cache the whole array.

ZFS was originally developed by Sun and now that Oracle bought them I don't feel completely confident in its future. FreeNAS is also built on FreeBSD and is pretty user-friendly but it's not Windows.

FreeNAS may not be what you're looking for but I would definitely consider it. I was going to build myself a 12TB server with FreeNAS or Nexenta but I don't really need and when HDD prices went through the roof I put that project on hold.

EDIT: Another option if you can wait is the storage spaces feature coming in Windows 8.
 
You have built 3 separate threads concerning the same issue. You should take a refresher on the forum rules before continuing. Can we get a mod or admin to consolidate these threads before any more posts please?
 
Back
Top