Building a 1.2 TB RAID5 server

[Knavish]

Now that I resolved my original quesetion about 533MHZ celerons in 800MHZ FSB sockets, I'm changing my question. What do you think about this config for a 1.2TB RAID5 server build?


Here's what I was thinking:

Motherboard:
SUPERMICRO MBD-P4SCi-O Socket 478 Intel E7210 ATX Server Motherboard - Retail
$199


Processor:
Intel Celeron D 330 Prescott 533MHz FSB 256KB L2 Cache Socket 478 Processor - Retail
$76.50

RAID:
3ware 9550SX-4LP 64-bit/133MHz PCI-X SATA II Raid Controller
$325

HD's
4x Western Digital Caviar RE2 400GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 RAID-specific Hard Drive
$800 (from what i've read on storagereview.com, these are basically 7200 RPM Raptors & are very good in RAID)

Case:
Antec PERFORMANCE TX TX1050B Black Steel Server Computer Case 500W
$125

Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145480
$81

I'm an AMD fan, but I dont think I can get an AMD system with PCI-X unless I add > $100. The board has dual gig-E network and integrated Rage XL graphics. Gotta love that high end graphics chip.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Knavish

 

[dguy6789]

The 533fsb chip will work in a board capable of going faster as long as they are of the same socket.

I recomend AMD over Intel.

CPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104220

mainboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136147

Then get a gig of pc3200 memory and use whatever else you were going to get. This will save you money, be faster at stock, and overclock like mad. Heck, with how rediculously expensive your server board is, you could likely get a socket 939 system.


Is there any reason you need pcix raid and not pci or onboard?

 

[Knavish]

Yeah those mobo prices kill me, but I can't find a board with PCI-X for less than $200

I want to use that 3ware RAID card, so I'm stuck with PCI-X 🙁

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
The 533fsb chip will work in a board capable of going faster as long as they are of the same socket.

Only if the board still supports the 533mhz FSB..if it's 800mhz FSB only..it won't work..

 

[dguy6789]

There are plenty of other good raid cards that are not pcix. Have you considered pcie cards?

 

[Knavish]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
There are plenty of other good raid cards that are not pcix. Have you considered pcie cards?

I've had good luck with 3ware, so I'm being brand loyal 🙂

I do see that Highpoint and Areca have PCIe 8x raid cards. I guess I've never heard of Areca... I should look up some reviews.

 

[Throwmeabone]

Wow, why are RAID cards so expensive?

 

[dguy6789]

I would recomend doing some research. An educated buyer is a happy buyer.

 

[Madwand1]

An interesting build, but I also vote for PCIe controller / MB here -- save yourself the trouble for limited choices and higher prices for PCI-X MB's and associated CPU's.

Consider what happens if you decide you need a faster processor or "full-speed" 133/64 PCI-X or a 64-bit processor / OS for a 2 TB volume, etc.. Now you need a new expensive MB, and that MB will probably require an EPS12V power supply, and might require a full EATX case, and might require ECC RAM. You've done well so far in avoiding those requirements, but could face fewer choices down the road. If you go with a PCIe controller, then you'll be able to find a MB that doesn't require any of that. There's also a better chance that you'll be able to re-deploy/sell the old MB usefully, instead of being stuck with a MB that has "server quality video" (an oxymoron).

 

[EatSpam]

I think this is a good system for a low-end file server. It should be very stable and reasonably fast.