first time build nas/possible htpc

parisv

parisv

parisv

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Hello everyone this is my first post after it took me about 10 times to sign up with the image verification thing!! :confused:

This is the first time I've looked into building my own nas. In fact it will be the first time I've custom built a pc. I'm planning for it to be a NAS but could one day replace my mac mini as a HTPC.

I'm planning to use unraid

I'd like it to run plex media server also now that there is a linux install for it.

So far here is my kit list:

case: http://www.chenbro.eu/corporatesite/products_detail.php?sku=159

motherboard, cpu, gpu: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-442-AS

ram: http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX1333C7D3K2_4GX.pdf

hdd's probably start with a 2tb wd cavier green with unraid it allows you to add more on the fly.

Do those specs look compatible/ok?

I will be wanting to access files from osx and windows.

This motherboard combo uses 18w of power so it's quite low.

What would be a intel atom alternative for this?

I've been trying to look but struggling to find out power consumption details. It would need to have 4 sata ports or a pci e express slot to put a controller i guess?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
parisv said:
Hello everyone this is my first post after it took me about 10 times to sign up with the image verification thing!! :confused:

This is the first time I've looked into building my own nas. In fact it will be the first time I've custom built a pc. I'm planning for it to be a NAS but could one day replace my mac mini as a HTPC.

I'm planning to use unraid

I'd like it to run plex media server also now that there is a linux install for it.

So far here is my kit list:

case: http://www.chenbro.eu/corporatesite/products_detail.php?sku=159

motherboard, cpu, gpu: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-442-AS

ram: http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX1333C7D3K2_4GX.pdf

hdd's probably start with a 2tb wd cavier green with unraid it allows you to add more on the fly.

Do those specs look compatible/ok?

I will be wanting to access files from osx and windows.

This motherboard combo uses 18w of power so it's quite low.

What would be a intel atom alternative for this?

I've been trying to look but struggling to find out power consumption details. It would need to have 4 sata ports or a pci e express slot to put a controller i guess?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


My advice would be as follows:

- Don't try to mix unraid storage duties AND HTPC duties on the same box. It's far beter to have a dedicated unraid/storage/streaming source server, and then a separate HTPC player. There are many reasons why but I won't go in to detail on it. I looked at it too then decided it was the wrong idea.

- Sign up to unraid forums and start reading...and reading. There is a lot of info on there and the wiki links.

- unraid requires atleast 3 drives to run properly with a parity drive. The parity drive must be equal to or larger than your largest disk in the array

- An unraid server can generally be built from older hardware and even an atom system should be fine, depending on what other packages and duties you want it to perform. Some people get away with an ancient system with only 256mb ram for example, where as others will require 4gb of ram and a modern dual core cpu minimum in order to run the packages and extra duties they demand, such as torrent software, streaming duties, etc.

- Selecting hardware for unraid. Best bet is to go for low power items as you suggest. The unraid forums/wiki link to compatible and tested hardware that they know work, but generally you should have no problems. Gigabyte motherboards are best avoided as some people have issues with HPA. If you can get a motherboard with as many PCI-e slots as possible, this will come in handy. The best combination would be 2 8x capable PCI-e slots, and maybe a couple of 1x or 4x slots. This will aid future expansion possibilites by having the ability to run sata expansion cards which require the fast PCI-e bus to accomodate several disks.
It goes without saying that selecting a motherboard that natively has as many sata ports as possible is also a wise idea. The PSU must be able to support as many hard disks as you want to run that will simultaneously be spun up in one go by the PSU. So if you ever thought the system might grow to say 20 HDDs, then the PSU will need to be up to that. Most unraid suggestions seem to point to using a PSU with a single rail with good power rating.


The hardware you selected is fine if you never plan to go big and build a complete beast with say 20 drives in the future. If you do intend to, I'd look at a motherboard and case that could take you there in case you do decide to.
 
thanks. Yeah it was always going to be a nas but thought whilst i'm there....

I'm happy for it to be a nas but i really want plex server on it. Then I can use other things to connect to it instead of an htpc.

I joined the unraid forums yesterday I will look into it further I didn't know you needed 3 drives straight away for optimal use, so thanks for the heads up!

I like the size of the chenbro case thats the sort of thing i had in mind to fit in my cupboard under the stairs i don't want a big 20 disk server. maybe in years to come after this build i might change my mind and do a new build but I'm very happy with something that can fit in the chenbro or similar sized case
 
Fair enough. I'm also in the process of gathering parts/knowledge in order to do an unraid build. I figured that since it will live under the stairs also, then there isn't much point in doing things twice/three times in the future so I may as well plan from the off that it will eventually become a vast storage server. I therefore made sure I went with a case that could support the maximum amount of drives whilst still not being an OTT loud and massive rack mountable type enclosure.
All I'm saying is, you might find your storage requirments soon grow quickly and since it's going under the stairs anyway and can't be seen, it may as well be a big, old, ugly case that future proofs you.
 
ok. i tried to pm you but there was no option! Yeah done google can only see a couple just thought there might be one google had missed.

what case did you buy for yours?
 
I got it from an auction site was in the US but came swiftly and had no problems (cant say anymore than that due to forum rules) . I wouldn't recommend it for a HTPC board as you really would need an ION chipset for that

using Lian Li V354b case. Allows for a lot of hard disks but is very small
 
Bry said:
I got it from an auction site was in the US but came swiftly and had no problems (cant say anymore than that due to forum rules) . I wouldn't recommend it for a HTPC board as you really would need an ION chipset for that

using Lian Li V354b case. Allows for a lot of hard disks but is very small
Click to expand...

yeah I've decided to concentrate on the nas instead of it doing both. I have a mac mini that can play the video stored on the nas anyway.
 
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