Looking for new mobo for media server build

Kneedragger

Golden Member
Feb 18, 2013
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I'm building a new server and need to find a mini-itx motherboard for it. The case I have for this build is the Lian LI PC-Q25B. I will be running Windows 7 with either FlexRAID, Stable bit or Drive Bender for drive pooling.

What I'm not sure of is should I look for a mobo with a bunch of sata ports or get a basic mobo and buy a Sata card?

Thanks
 

snoylekim

Member
Sep 30, 2012
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The Z77 and H77 should have 6 ports from the onboard Intel controller ..haven't seen an ITX that's added the additional Marvell controller for more .. One other limitation is that for ITX, probably only one card slot for a discrete controller .. watch the sizes .. These don't always play nice with larger cards . One of the ITX boards I looked at had allowance for an mSATA boot ssd , which would free up all 6 for storage ..don't remember the model . I ended up using the asus Z77 -i I ..you can go lower
 

Kneedragger

Golden Member
Feb 18, 2013
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Thanks for the info I will look into those. For the raid card all I need is one that supports JBOD right?

A friend suggested this combo. Anything you see that can be an issue with it?
 

Insert_Nickname

Diamond Member
May 6, 2012
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Sorry I guess I forgot the link in the last post. Asus C60M1-1

http://www.asus.com/Motherboard/C60M1I/

I actually use two of those. One is a GP XP-box. The other is for a dedicated storage (and ONLY storage) NAS ZFS box. They're petty good so long as you don't do anything CPU intensive and literally sip power (XP-box pulls ~15W at the wall). But it IS still Brazos. My Celeron G465 (single core SB with HT at 1900MHz) is more then twice as fast in benchmarks.
 

MrX8503

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Oct 23, 2005
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What processor are you planning to use? I have the same case and just built my server with Asus P8H77I because it has 6 sata ports.

For a case that small, I was glad that I went with 6 sata ports instead of an add on card.

If you're not transcoding, I suggest an AMD Hudson. It'll be quieter/cooler. I fitted mine with an ivy celeron for transcoding.
 
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Kneedragger

Golden Member
Feb 18, 2013
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What processor are you planning to use? I have the same case and just built my server with Asus P8H77I because it has 6 sata ports.

For a case that small, I was glad that I went with 6 sata ports instead of an add on card.

If you're not transcoding, I suggest an AMD Hudson. It'll be quieter/cooler. I fitted mine with an ivy celeron for transcoding.

Not sure what processor I want to. Whatever I can get that uses the least amount of wattage. What is this AMD Hudson a cpu? It looks like the Asus P8H77I only supports Intel.

All I run is XBMC in my house so I don't think I will need transcoding.
 
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MrX8503

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Oct 23, 2005
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Not sure what processor I want to. Whatever I can get that uses the least amount of wattage. What is this AMD Hudson a cpu? It looks like the Asus P8H77I only supports Intel.

All I run is XBMC in my house so I don't think I will need transcoding.

Yes the Asus is Intel only. I was saying that if you needed the cpu power, go Intel.

This is the Hudson board I'm referring to. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131875&Tpk=Amd 450

Passive cooling and low wattage. Another alternative is an Intel Atom, but those chips are slow.

Don't get the asrock that was posted, its power hungry. I'm not sure how demanding xbmc is, but the e-450 would be perfect for you. Also look at other xbmc builds.
 
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Kneedragger

Golden Member
Feb 18, 2013
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Yes the Asus is Intel only. I was saying that if you needed the cpu power, go Intel.

This is the Hudson board I'm referring to. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&Tpk=Amd%20450

Passive cooling and low wattage. Another alternative is an Intel Atom, but those chips are slow.

Don't get the asrock that was posted, its power hungry. I'm not sure how demanding xbmc is, but the e-450 would be perfect for you. Also look at other xbmc builds.

I think that board you're suggesting is a micro-itx? I think either going Intel or the Asus one I suggested earlier might be my only decent options.