PCI SATA Raid controller suggestions

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EndersShadow

[H]ard|Gawd
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I am currently recording (and storing) a vast amount of OTA DTV I have recorded (and yes I do delete some of the shows after watching). It is to the point that I just ordered a Samsung 1TB HDD (today’s newegg 79.99 dollar special) to compliment the two 640 WD black HDD’s I have in my current system.

Here is the problem: I have run out of SATA ports on my mobo. I have 6 total with 5 currently in use, soon to be 6 with the new HDD. I have looked at building a server but it’s just a little too expensive right now (plus if I build one more computer my girlfriend may kill me), even with reusing a old Pentium D CPU. My thoughts are to use my current build + SATA raid controller to turn my current build (see sig) into both a workstation, server and HTPC all in one.

I plan on using VMS to both stream the video via a Draft N wireless card to my Xbox 360 in the other room and use the HDMI connection in the computer to watch it in the bedroom. My case has enough room for an additional 5 HDD’s (which wont all be installed at once, but rather gradually as my storage needs increase)

From my limited understanding I want to be doing a RAID 5 array. I need some suggestion on some decently cheap PCI SATA Raid controllers. I have found a couple I think might work and they are listed below. I would prefer to have it 3 GB/s and SATAII compliant (but if that’s not really needed then let me know). I can also do a PCI-E x1 card (but I don’t think they make them). I also need to know if the size of the HDD needs to be the same for each (i.e. can I mix a 1TB HDD with a 1.5 TB HDD?)

 
Don't use any of those cards for RAID-5. Use a real hardware RAID card if you want to do RAID-5. Besides, if you have different sized HDs, no RAID for you, anyway. Also, you should definitely go for a PCI-E card. Even PCI-E x1 beats the crap out of PCI, though good x1 cards are not all that common.
 
Yea you dont want to do RAID5 on those cards, you will want to cry.

Get a PCIe controller.
Do you have any x16 slots available? You could get a Dell Perc5/i for about 120 off ebay, and its a great card for the money.

Yes for R5 you must use all the same size drives.
 
The PERC5 is good for the money, but it doesn't work with all motherboards. See here if you are considering it: http://forums.2cpu.com/showthread.php?t=84882 - I had trouble with mine from Ebay, too. I just ordered an Adaptec 3085 from Ebay for ridiculously cheap - it's external, though, so the cables are $50 (!!!) per 4 drives. I am going to loop them back internally, at least for 4 drives. Just the price was so good that it comes out way cheaper that way.

(The PERC5 cables you need, on the other hand, are $10-20 per 4 drives)
 
dandragonrage said:
The PERC5 is good for the money, but it doesn't work with all motherboards. See here if you are considering it: http://forums.2cpu.com/showthread.php?t=84882 - I had trouble with mine from Ebay, too. I just ordered an Adaptec 3085 from Ebay for ridiculously cheap - it's external, though, so the cables are $50 (!!!) per 4 drives. I am going to loop them back internally, at least for 4 drives. Just the price was so good that it comes out way cheaper that way.

(The PERC5 cables you need, on the other hand, are $10-20 per 4 drives)
Click to expand...

That list is not as maintained as you might think.
And the compatibility is something to do with the way LSI implemented the design. Nothing a lil strip of electrical tape cant fix though :)
I had to do the tape trick on a LSI branded card for a friend, but they are good cards.
 
Mine still didn't work, so I assumed I got a DOA card and ordered the Adaptec, which is better anyway. Still under $200 with one cable. But unfortunately that doesn't include the battery, which one needs for good RAID-5 performance.
 
nitrobass24 said:
Yea you dont want to do RAID5 on those cards, you will want to cry.

Get a PCIe controller.
Do you have any x16 slots available? You could get a Dell Perc5/i for about 120 off ebay, and its a great card for the money.

Yes for R5 you must use all the same size drives.
Click to expand...

I have no x16 slots availible. I am using one for a 4870x2 card and another for a 4550 card. I have either a PCI or PCI-E x1 slot as my only options.

My only other option is a complete server build reusing a Pentium D CPU paired with a new mobo (my old one on that computer is junk) and my old junk case w/ built in PSU (until I can purchase a new case). Depending on the cost of a SATA RAID card it might actually be cheaper to do it this way. I thought I could spend around 100 for a decent RAID card and save myself the trouble of rebuilding another system and then having to slowly upgrade the parts.

What about reusing my Pentium D with this board?
 
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How are you doing the recording?

Personally I would get that board, and put WHS on it. because you dont have to deal with raid as its not really needed for this type application, and with this being on a budget I think if you go the R5 route you are going to end up disappointed.

You can then move your tuners to that box if wanted to and just record directly to there.

Let me know what software your using to record and I think we can come up with a good solution, that wont cost you much and will perform well.
 
nitrobass24 said:
How are you doing the recording?

Personally I would get that board, and put WHS on it. because you dont have to deal with raid as its not really needed for this type application, and with this being on a budget I think if you go the R5 route you are going to end up disappointed.

You can then move your tuners to that box if wanted to and just record directly to there.

Let me know what software your using to record and I think we can come up with a good solution, that wont cost you much and will perform well.
Click to expand...

Basically right now I am just using VMC paired with a Hauppauge 2250 to record OTA DTV at highest quality. Its working out to around 8 Gig per hour of show. I also have a ATI 650 combo tuner (which I cant use as I already have two tuners). At some point in the future I want to start ripping my DVD's (and blu-rays) to disk but that is just a passing thought right now.

I will be getting comcast shortly and plan on hooking into that possibly with the tuner to record the same shows I do now provided it works right (lots of messy details I can describe if needed). Otherwise I will just leave the tuner connected to rabbit ears like I have it connected now.

With the addition of the 1TB HD I should be able to wait a little bit on this upgrade so I want to make sure I do it right (and if possible cheap).
 
If you wanna do it cheap for now, and wait until you decide to record more shows or make a server for everything.
You could get an external enclosure for that 1 drive as that will be the cheapest option.

I built my first server a couple years ago, and I havent looked back, but I wasnt looking to find the cheapest solution either.
Honestly if your going to record TV, and store all your DVD's and Blurays. A server is inevitable.
Because of this I think getting it started is the first step, you dont have to do it all at the same time. you know?

get the board for now and use what you have.
Then later add another HDD
if down the road you need more power upgrade the proc/ram
later upgrade the PSU

you can take baby steps, you dont have to drop a grand at the egg.
 
nitrobass24 said:
If you wanna do it cheap for now, and wait until you decide to record more shows or make a server for everything.
You could get an external enclosure for that 1 drive as that will be the cheapest option.

I built my first server a couple years ago, and I havent looked back, but I wasnt looking to find the cheapest solution either.
Honestly if your going to record TV, and store all your DVD's and Blurays. A server is inevitable.
Because of this I think getting it started is the first step, you dont have to do it all at the same time. you know?

get the board for now and use what you have.
Then later add another HDD
if down the road you need more power upgrade the proc/ram
later upgrade the PSU

you can take baby steps, you dont have to drop a grand at the egg.
Click to expand...


That was my thought. I realize a server is inevitable but trying to take my time doing it. The 1TB I ordered today will fill up my current rig. I have two cases sitting around that have computers in them. 1 is the Pentium D that will be scrapped, the other is a AMD Socket A processor (my first computer). I figured to scrap the Pentium D and move it (with the new board) into the Socket A case (its setup better for HDD's).

I will prob get that new mobo in the next month followed by WHS. I have a 320gig SATA HDD sitting around I would load WHS on to start on the server. From there possibly moving into a new case (really like the Antec 182) with new PSU (BFG 400 or 500 watt).

I dont mind spending some cash on the build, but would rather do it slowly as I dont have a grand to drop at the egg (just did that on my new rebuild of the current rig :))

If I have old IDE drives could those be reused (or be worth re-using)? I think between those two computers I have at least 4 HDD's (a couple 120's a 320 I think off the top of my head). I am fine with not using them but figured I would throw the question out there.
 
Socket A, easily, over Pentium D. Uses waaaay less lower. Unfortunately you will have to use PCI though.
 
dandragonrage said:
Socket A, easily, over Pentium D. Uses waaaay less lower. Unfortunately you will have to use PCI though.
Click to expand...

Honestly not worried too much about the power draw difference. At max server will be loaded with 8 HDD's, pci video card, and a couple fans
 
nitrobass24 said:
You can then move your tuners to that box if wanted to and just record directly to there.
Click to expand...

How would I do this? I thought you had to have Vista installed on a computer to be able to use media center to record OTA TV to a HDD (but I have been wrong many, many times)
 
Well two ways

1) Media center 2005 can be ported.
2) Use sageTV
 
So as a result of my main rig breaking down and having to get it up and running again, my server build looks like it is going to be a Pentium D paired with a Asus P5E motherboard. I am RMA'ing the board from the broken rig and since the RMA process can take up to 10 buisness days I purchased a open box of the same motherboard (P5E) on newegg and it is in transit.

I purchased a 1TB HDD for my main rig and that will fill it out entirely w/ no room for a SATA card at all as I am now using the 2nd PCI-E x 16 to power a ATI 4550 so I can use HDMI out to my TV and then run both my monitors off my 4870x2.

I will be putting this in a regular old crappy case with build in PSU until I can afford to get a P182 and decent PSU hopefully later this year. I may for the time being use a 320 gig HDD I have lying around to start the server build in addition to some older IDE HDD's as otherwise they will get no use. My goal is to slowly add more SATA HDD's and phase out the IDE ones as I go.
 
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