Drive recommendations for a file server or nas

[erehwon6811]

I have an older Intel Core i7-920 cpu and motherboard that I'm looking at making into a file/Plex server. What would be a good, modestly priced drive? I was looking at a shucking couple WD - Easystore 10TB External USB 3.0 Hard Drives at BB for $179. I already have Seagate Backup Plus 5 TB external drive and WD MyBook 4 TB external drive I could use as well. Both of those are brand new units I picked up on clearance

Also, would you recommend doing a raid for a personal server? I'm trying to decide if it is worth the cost.

 

[Spartacus09]

Shucking is usually the most cost effective, the 8TB are the most price efficient when at $140 (17.5$/TB), the 10TB are king at $180(18$/TB) though this black friday season.

Just note that you may have to deal with the 3.3v pin issue, but there are many ways around it.

 

[erehwon6811]

Shucking is usually the most cost effective, the 8TB are the most price efficient when at $140 (17.5$/TB), the 10TB are king at $180(18$/TB) though this black friday season.

Just note that you may have to deal with the 3.3v pin issue, but there are many ways around it.

I had watched a few videos on youtube about this and they mentioned using sata to molex power adapter as a work around.

 

[drescherjm]

The negative with that is you likely have no warranty when you do this. I now buy these externals and leave them as externals until the warranty expires.

 

[Spartacus09]

I had watched a few videos on youtube about this and they mentioned using sata to molex power adapter as a work around.

Thats the least intrusive way, I have a backplane that doesn't cause issues with the drives so I didn't need it, this seemed like the cleanest solution to me and what I had planned on doing.
You don't need extra cables/adapters and only takes a 5$ roll of kaphlon tape:

The negative with that is you likely have no warranty when you do this. I now buy these externals and leave them as externals until the warranty expires.

You only have a 2 year coverage on them compared to 3, but WD will generally warranty replace it if its back in the enclosure.
I've gotten good at shucking with no damage from opening using this video I'm holding onto the shells until the warranty runs out, I could easily put them back in for warranty coverage:

 

[erehwon6811]

I ended up ordering one of those 10 TB drives. I would have like to get more, but I'm not sure I can really spend the money do do a raid at the moment. I can always add more later. Now to see if I can find a cheap copy of server.

 

[Luke M]

I ended up ordering one of those 10 TB drives. I would have like to get more, but I'm not sure I can really spend the money do do a raid at the moment. I can always add more later. Now to see if I can find a cheap copy of server.

I would get two, the price might not be as low for another year. With two you can use one as a backup (keep in USB case) or RAID mirror.