Help apprec. on an (near) future upgrade

I

i_robot73

n00b
Joined
Feb 23, 2007
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With the prices dropping and, from what I'm reading over the net re: the 1TB drives coming out soon, I'm finally looking to upgrade the house storage capacity....

Currently:
Win2k3
3Ware 6xxx series 8-port (1st model to do RAID5, ATA100, 250GB max.) :rolleyes:
1TB in RAID5 (5x250GB Maxtor) :D [Don't laugh :p it was $$ when I started!]
Strictly, so far as a repository (alot of reading - FTP hosting, not much writing)
​


Now, here's the thoughts (and where I need some suggestions):
New MB (go for the on-board video, giga-bit ethernet & PCI-Express...low end CPU)
PCI-e RAID 5/6 card (use the 16x if that's the only one avail????)
....HOPE the card firmware update will allow the 1TB drives
........and NOT break the bank - $300 range , 8-port SATA unless the drive $$ plummets!! :eek:
.....So far, the Highpoint LOOKED like a decent card ...2340 :confused:
Going up to+ 2TB (copy all over, give a month to make sure I got it all)
​

I'm looking to rackmount the 2 cased 'servers' I currently have (allowing me time to migrate into the 3-to-5drive cages....but NOT necessary) so space/heat shouldn't be an issue.
[Anyone know a CHEAP RM case place online or in Fl. :rolleyes: ]



Suggestions, questions, curses?....
Will want to keep it Windoz, only to help update the certifications; but not against building up Linux.
From what I can these days, not many; if @ all, are NOT hardware based....or am I wrong again?? ;)
 
The 2340 looks like an excellent card, but from all I know it costs more than USD300. Since you are not going to build this until May (1TB drives), you could probably get a cheap e4300 or e6320 as the CPU and whatever chipset is available at that point.

There are hardware and software RAID cards. The Areca line is all hardware. Highpoint has a single hardware controller in its lineup now.
 
Was thinkin' of picking up the card 1st - give me enough time to 2x-check/learn it while waiting for the drop in $$ for the drives to kick in.
....While HOPING the TB will be valid on said card; though knowing MY luck....:rolleyes:

I don't mind plunking down the cash for a better card.
...But as a 'strict' file repository; would I NEED the hardware (and just how much more in CPU usage will the 'rest' take) :confused:
 
w/ using the 'extra' PCI-e slot in an SLI board for the HighPoint?

EG: anyone running as such, see any issues, errors, hiccups....etc.:confused:
 
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