Windows Home Server 2011 Build

[AndrewReaganM]

I've been looking at doing a server build for awhile now, and I would like some input.  I know that I want to use the Fractal Design Define R4, and WD Red drives. I am considering Haswell. (for low power consumption) This will be used mostly for PC backups and media. (Movies, TV shows, etc.) I am planning to run RAID 5/6. I have an older Dell PowerEdge that has an 8 port RAID card that runs off of PCI-X that could save me ~$500 if I could find a modern motherboard that supports PCI-X. (Which is doubtful) If I can't find a PCI-X motherboard I will just use on-board SATA for awhile, then get a RAID card down the road. This server needs to be basically completely silent, the only exception for noise a low drone. I already have a SanDisk 120GB SSD in my current server, so I'll re-use that. I did manage to find a 1366 Motherboard that supports PCI-X.

My Parts Lists:

 

With PCI-X:

Motherboard: SuperMicro X8SAX

CPU: Core i7 970 (Probably used)

RAID Card: Recycled from PowerEdge

SSD: SanDisk Extreme 120GB

Hard Drives: Western Digital Red 2 or 3 TB

PSU: (Something quiet)

 

Without PCI-X:

Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro4

CPU: Intel Core i5 4570S (Quad Core)

RAID Card: LSI MegaRaid SATA/SAS 9260-8i

SSD: SanDisk Extreme 120GB

Hard Drives: Western Digital Red 2 or 3 TB

PSU: Something Quiet

 

As far as budget goes, I really don't know yet. 

 

Thanks for any input!

-Andrew

[L.E.D]

Ignore this. 

 

[MrSuperb]

I wouldn't invest in a RAID system where i coulnd't easly find spare parts. If the PCI-X Raid Controller dies, your raid array is probalby worthless.

Will ther server be running 24/7? Power consumption than can be a bigger matter.

[WoodenMarker]

How much initial and max storage do you plan to shoot for?

[AndrewReaganM]

I wouldn't invest in a RAID system where i coulnd't easly find spare parts. If the PCI-X Raid Controller dies, your raid array is probalby worthless.

Will ther server be running 24/7? Power consumption than can be a bigger matter.

It will be running 24/7 in my room, and good point about the RAID controller dying.

 

How much initial and max storage do you plan to shoot for?

Well, I'm thinking about starting out with a 3x2TB RAID 5 array, then adding drives as needed. I just filled up 1TB (I have ~30GB left), so I don't need a ton to start out with. I know I wont go over 6TB more than likely, but who knows what's going to happen in the future.  :p

[WoodenMarker]

Well, I'm thinking about starting out with a 3x2TB RAID 5 array, then adding drives as needed. I just filled up 1TB (I have ~30GB left), so I don't need a ton to start out with. I know I wont go over 6TB more than likely, but who knows what's going to happen in the future.   :P

Here you go: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1lkKs

 

8 native sata 6gb/s ports. Onboard raid 0, 1, 5, and 10. 8 internal 3.5" bays.

You might want to look into FreeNAS.

[MrSuperb]

How many clients will connect simultaneously?

Only backups and storage? A Quadcore might be a "little" overpowered for that tasks.

[AndrewReaganM]

I probably should have mentioned that I am using AirVideo to stream 1080p movies to 4 iPads in the house... (Maybe not all at one time, but I like to be prepared for things like this. :p )

Here you go: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1lkKs

 

8 native sata 6gb/s ports. Onboard raid 0, 1, 5, and 10. 8 internal 3.5" bays.

You might want to look into FreeNAS.

The only thing I don't like about that setup is that the parity calculations are being done on my CPU (a low end one at that), and that if my motherboard fails 3 years out, I've more than likely lost the entire array.

 

How many clients will connect simultaneously?

Only backups and storage? A Quadcore might be a "little" overpowered for that tasks.

6 Clients backing up, and 4 tablets in the house that will more than likely be streaming HD video. (The iPads through AirVideo, the Kindle Fire through some android streaming app.)