Media Storage Server

Ramshackles · 8 Jan 2008 at 08:43

Morning,

I've been looking into expanding my digital media (backing up everything literally) , now my main pc is in my bedroom so can't just have that running 24/7 would drive me crazy.

So I thought about buying a motherboard, cpu, ram and a case to use as a file server (maybe even use windows home server) for software raid since I don't know s*** about backing up etc.

I kinda like the Lian Li PC-A16A:
http://www.lian-li.com/product/product06.php?pr_index=22&cl_index=1&sc_index=1&ss_index=4&type=a

I was then going to fill the expansion slots with drive cages (backbones) like this:

Would this be overkill? I'm on a budget aswell so can't get too expensive, but I'm kinda wishing it would be a quiet rig

Ramshackles · 8 Jan 2008 at 13:08

I wasn't going to fill it up with harddrives from day one, was more thinking about being able to expand really. I'd have 5 drives in it from the get-go

Any recommendations on your other idea though? Haven't seen any cheap NAS devices around, I can't really go below the 5 initial drives. I suppose I could get a miniITX system to act as a server.

Ramshackles · 9 Jan 2008 at 12:26

I absolutely love that Lian-Li case and it has so much room for drives, even internally that it would probably last me a few years, the case would probably be the most expensive part of the system.

Then I'd need a cpu, motherboard, ram and psu. Doesn't even have to be that powerfull, well won't go cheap on the psu, never do that

In the beginning I could probably get by with software raid, like unRaid if you guys know it.

Any idea if the case will take a mATX motherboard? Only says ATX on the website.

Ramshackles · 9 Jan 2008 at 13:15

I meant the Lian Li PC-A16A, not sure where I would put the PC343B in my flat

Definately doesn't fit into my closet hehe.

So I was thinking going with the A16A, a mATX motherboard with onboard video, stick of ram and a little cpu.

I already have one of those backbones from icydock which I'll put in the case and a few harddrives lying around, that oughta be it.

Would want a motherboard with as many internal sata connectors as possible, they have some with 6 here at ocuk i see.

Ofcourse a corsair psu or similar

Ramshackles · 9 Jan 2008 at 14:19

That's actually pretty incredible, you could probably even whack 2 entire systems in there aswell. Motherboards and all.

It's double the cost aswell though

Any idea if a mid-level system (passive cooled cpu) with only the psu (120mm fan) and some fans at the hdd's would be relatively quiet? Atleast for now with only a few disks in it I'm trying to keep it quiet.

The case fans are 120mm aswell, and if not quiet by default could probably switch them out fairly easy.

Ramshackles · 9 Jan 2008 at 14:26

Do you have any links or tutorials on that? I've always noticed how people say they've 5/7v modded them, never knew what it requires though.

Yeah I suppose I'll find some quier 500gb drives to start with, seagate most likely I reckon?

Ramshackles · 9 Jan 2008 at 14:37

chronicbint said:
How much space do you need?

I have 4 full 750gb HDD's in my main pc which I can't have always on, so looking to move that data to another location. Also trying to be aware of the future, not doing HD backups now just can't bother with all that data, but plan to backup dvd's and cd's which will take a large chunk of space.

I've looked at NAS and I could build a complete system (case,mobo,ram,cpu,psu) for the same and atleast the lian-li a16a can hold atleast 15 disks without problems hotswappable even.

This built system has another major plus, ability to add sata cards, raid cards, use software raid, i.e. user control over what features I'd want.

Out of the box I could use onboard ICH9 raid (6 disks) or software raid (unraid etc), and down the line I could add more HDD's and raid controllers, it's flexible atleast.

A NAS is just so final and I'm worried about filling it up too fast, having to buy another and that would be money out the window in my mind