Proposed WHS Build-Comments?

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Ghent915

Gawd
Joined
Apr 14, 2005
Messages
974
Hi Guys:
I'm in the final stages of plotting/planning my own WHS build, so I thought I'd bounce what I had so far off of y'all to see if I'm being unreasonable with anything, or that WHS would barf with it.
Notes:
-I'm hoping to use this as backup, media server (stream to my Apple TV) and torrent box with utorrent.
-I'm trying to avoid nVidia chipsets/gfx on the mobo, as I've read recently WHS has been having...issues with these.
-I know there are some ram deals to be found. As such, consider the ram just a placeholder really, as I'll buy whatever is best for the bang/$$$ when I do the ordering then.
-The PSU is most certainly overkill. However, for something for a backup rig, I'd rather spend a bit more to get quality.
-The case I chose as it will let me expand to more Hot Swap Bays in the future, but not break the bank, or consume my room (I'm looking at you, CM Stacker, and new Lian-Li server cases!)

Core Components:
Mobo: Foxconn A7GM-S -$66.99
Proc: AMD Athlon X2 4850e -$57.00
Memory: Crucial 2gb (2x1GB) Kit -$27
PSU: PCP&C Silencer 500w -$69.99 ($20 MIR taking it to $49.99)
Case: CoolerMaster Centurion 590 -$49.99
HD: Seagate 7200.11 1tb HD -$109.99
Windows Home Server Install -$99
Total before shipping/rebates: $481.94

Optional/Really Spiffy Stuff:
More HD's: More space is ALWAYS better. I have a 640gb HD from my main system I'll toss at this once I get it up/running.
SATA Hotswap Carrier: Supermicro 5 in 3 SATA Mobile Rack -$109.99
OR
One of the new Lian-Li server towers with SATA Hotswaps:
The PC-A7010 -$299.99 (!!!!)

So, am I missing anything, or would I be good to go with this?
 
Your core components look just fine to me.

AS for your optional components, take look at the Norco case everybody loves:
NORCO RPC-4020 4U Rackmount Server Case - $290

20 hotswap bays off the bat and 1 HDD bay for the OS drive. Yes the case costs more upfront but it's cheaper in the long run since a single 5in3 hot swap bays costa around $100. So for the price of 3 x 5in3 hotswap bays and 15 hard drives, you can get a case with 20 hotswap bays
 
Danny Bui said:
Your core components look just fine to me.

AS for your optional components, take look at the Norco case everybody loves:
NORCO RPC-4020 4U Rackmount Server Case - $290

20 hotswap bays off the bat and 1 HDD bay for the OS drive. Yes the case costs more upfront but it's cheaper in the long run since a single 5in3 hot swap bays costa around $100. So for the price of 3 x 5in3 hotswap bays and 15 hard drives, you can get a case with 20 hotswap bays
Click to expand...

Exactly what i was going to say
 
Where did you hear about nvidia chipsets and WHS? I'm running nvidia chipsets and video on all my whs boxes....

While it may be a particular area, I'm not experiencing any issues.
 
i use that same 780g foxconn motherboard in my WHS with good success. the 6 SATA ports are nice (that is the mastx motherboard right?)

componenets looks good...... that 20x hotswap case looks really nice....
 
Ockie:
I saw it over at We Got Served while skimming through topics this morning. I'll try and dig it up again later.

As for the Norco case: While it's bloody well cool, I don't have a rack to mount it in, and putting something like that on the floor just seems...wrong. Is there a "Tower" version floating around somewhere?
 
Ghent915 said:
Ockie:
I saw it over at We Got Served while skimming through topics this morning. I'll try and dig it up again later.

As for the Norco case: While it's bloody well cool, I don't have a rack to mount it in, and putting something like that on the floor just seems...wrong. Is there a "Tower" version floating around somewhere?
Click to expand...

You could take the front mounts off it and stand it on its side :D
 
or get a rack from craigslist :)


i use an antec mini P190 which is really nice with my Foxconn Matx 780g motherboard w 6 SATA3.0 and then my highpoint 2320 8x SATA 1.5 (running in 32bit PCI slot)

can really beat 14 SATA ports on a matx motherboard :)

the case is nice and quite and looks good also. (planning on putting a 3-in-2 trayless hotswap when my 3TBs is full
 
Ockie said:
Where did you hear about nvidia chipsets and WHS? I'm running nvidia chipsets and video on all my whs boxes....

While it may be a particular area, I'm not experiencing any issues.
Click to expand...

I'm with Ockie. No trouble at all with my ancient 6150 board.
 
No trouble at all with my ancient 6150 board.
Click to expand...

You call that ancient?

I thought I read of some problems with the nForce2 and 3 chipsets but the newer stuff is just fine.

I'm using a GeForce 8200 and it's just fine.
 
huskerpat said:
I'm with Ockie. No trouble at all with my ancient 6150 board.
Click to expand...

Me too. My first WHS build used a 6150 board. The next upgrade I'm planning will use another.

It holds those SuperMicro 8-port SATA controllers in both PCI slots too.
 
I have a corporate customer at work and he too complained about NV chipsets with his home server boxes. Not sure why though.
 
If you want expansion I'd get that rack mount case and be done with it. Just turn it on its side. In my case I have an old black shelf on the floor under my desk that I sit my machines on. With handles on my rackmount cases they site fine on their sides.

Also I'd go for a full atx board. That way you have more expansion options down the road. Since the cases you are looking at all are atx you really don't have anything to loose by going this route either.
 
If you live in austin, my store has a 2 post rack with some cable management gear mounted in it and at least 1 patch panel for $75 :D
 
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