I need more storage

[jhh979s]

Well the 700GB of drive space in my current machine is approaching the full mark and I need some ideas for expanded storage.

I've thought about putting a Raid Controller in my current setup. I still have 4 open drive bays I could use for HDDs. But I'm not sure if I want my rig to be a /server. My roommates like the idea of having more storage and I'm going to let them store media on these new HDDs as well, but I dont know how much CPU time/resources it will use on my PC when they are streaming audio from it or writing files to it, etc.

The other option would be to just build a cheap file server with 750GB-1.5TB of storage. But I wouldnt even know where to start when it comes to building the server. I'm guessing a cheap CPU/MOBO combo with a decent Raid card would do the trick? Any suggestions on CPU/MOBO/Raid cards?

The first option would obviously be the cheaper, but I like the idea of having a separate server. I'd like to keep this at $750 or less, but I could go up to $1k if necessary.

Your ideas and suggestions are welcome.

 

[Madwand1]

If you're thinking about getting something with that much storage space, also think about how you're going to back it all up. "RAID is not a backup." You'd be better off adjusting your build / budget so that it incorporates a backup rather than winging it with something that doesn't, accumulating all that data, and risking total loss.

I'd build something with on-board video, RAID 5, and on-board non-PCI gigabit. (Or software RAID 5 if I was going with Linux.) Ideally with a free wide PCIe slot for a storage controller option. I'd add a gigabit switch to the picture. And probably an external USB/Firewire/eSATA drive or two for periodic backups. If the storage got really large, I'd consider building two servers -- one which is a full backup. The backup server could be spec'd much lower, and made with old parts, etc., but it would still need to be maintained.

A more cost-effective backup solution would be to partition the data into critical/original and reproducible, and backup up the data by priority; omit the parts of the reproducible that don't fit.

 

[jhh979s]

Bump

 

[Zolty]

Originally posted by: Madwand1
If you're thinking about getting something with that much storage space, also think about how you're going to back it all up. "RAID is not a backup." You'd be better off adjusting your build / budget so that it incorporates a backup rather than winging it with something that doesn't, accumulating all that data, and risking total loss.

I'd build something with on-board video, RAID 5, and on-board non-PCI gigabit. (Or software RAID 5 if I was going with Linux.) Ideally with a free wide PCIe slot for a storage controller option. I'd add a gigabit switch to the picture. And probably an external USB/Firewire/eSATA drive or two for periodic backups. If the storage got really large, I'd consider building two servers -- one which is a full backup. The backup server could be spec'd much lower, and made with old parts, etc., but it would still need to be maintained.

A more cost-effective backup solution would be to partition the data into critical/original and reproducible, and backup up the data by priority; omit the parts of the reproducible that don't fit.

Why bump when you have a very well thought out solution to your problem. At least post how this solution does not fit your needs.