Need help with picking a PSU and case

[nombrecinq]

I'm turning my old P3 1GHz into a media server, and I'm hoping I could get some help deciding exactly what I need. Right now the system is in an Antec SX1030 case, ASUS CUSL2-C mobo, 512 PC133 RAM, 2 optical drives, couple old hard drives, ELSA Gladiac GeForce2 Ultra 64MB, etc.

I bought a bunch of 200GB WD ATA drives and I want to have them in RAID 1 so just in case a drive fails I'm okay. Right now if I keep this case I could only fit about 5 hard drives in there max, so maybe I should get a new case? The power supply is currently 300 watts so I probably need something like a 480-550 watt PSU. I am kinda partial to Antec with that stuff but I'll consider everything. Another thing is a RAID card, should I do Windows XP RAID for mirroring or should I use a card?

This has been a good reliable computer which is why it's getting to stick around. I am building a new machine specifically for HDTV vid capture and gaming. Waiting on that damn Antec P180 case and I already have an ATI x800xl! I'll probably do RAID 1 in the new box too for the hell of it. Most mobos seem to be shipping with RAID onboard so it's become easy. Alright if there's anything I forgot please feel free to just share your thoughts! Thx.

 

[dandragonrage]

Fortron 530W is one of the best values for 5V hungry boxes. You can find a bunch of them for sale in the FS/FT forum. I am selling one here too, http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1591781&enterthread=y

I was running an OCed Athlon XP 2600+, 2 SCSI 15K, 1 SCSI 10K, 2 SATA 7200, 3 optical drives, Radeon 9500 pro, and about 10 fans on it. I'm selling it so I can upgrade to a 24-pin supply for an A64.

 

[Zepper]

The Silverstone Berserker (see my review here: http://www.techimo.com/reviews/ ) will hold a minimum of 8 HDs using a CoolerMaster 4x3 box along with the standard mounts, 9 if you wanted to use the floppy bay too. That's without using the top optical bays. And that case has other nooks and crannies that could hold more with clever modding.
. If you could rig a way to stagger start some of the HDs you could probably get away with the XClio 450, else the Sparkle FSP550-60PGL (or close to that model no. - going from memory). All available at newegg except for the CM 4x3 drive box - get that at jab-tech.com et al.

.bh.

 

[nombrecinq]

Can somebody recommend what I should do for a RAID 1 solution? I think I'll use 4 drives in that configuration and a seperate drive for the OS.

 

[nombrecinq]

bump

 

[Zepper]

I'm not a drive fanatic. Use whatever of the latest generation of drives that meet your storage needs. Having a separate unit to boot from and for storing programs is a smart move. The brands I like are Hitachi, Seagate and Maxtor.
. Just remember that RAID 1 is NOT a backup plan - it is for limiting downtime. The same glitch could theoretically take all four drives on the controller at once... :shocked:

.bh.

 

[Zepper]

I'm not a drive fanatic. Use whatever of the latest generation of drives that meet your storage needs. Having a separate unit to boot from and for storing programs is a smart move with the raid 1 array for data storage. The brands I like are Hitachi, Seagate and Maxtor.
. Just remember that RAID 1 is NOT a backup plan - it is for limiting downtime. The same glitch could theoretically take all four drives on the same controller at once... :shocked:

.bh.

 

[Battlewaffle]

OCZ Powerstream PSU , choose your wattage

 

[nombrecinq]

If I get a 550 watt PSU and the computer doesn't use the full 550 watts, is the PSU drawing all of that power all the time, or is it smart? Should I use Windows XP RAID 1 or should I get a card? Also what would you recommend for backup if RAID isn't the answer?