The Mother Board

[mojo-caffeine]

I need help to build a file server for my home to backup my computers, I was thinking of a 4TB system with raid 5? But I would also like to use it as a media server for Pictures, MP3s and different types of video.
To further complicate this build I was thinking to use it also as a DVR using Sage TV or a similar program.
Is this even possible or would I need two Servers?
What Motherboard CPU HD, Memory, case would be recommended?
Would Windows Home Server work or is there other software needed?

Is this the right forum for this or should I post this on another thread?

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Thanks for your help.

[evasive]

Home Server not supported:
http://www.sage.tv/requirements.html?sageSub=tv

4TB in RAID5 means either 5x 1TB or 3x 2TB disks (you need one for parity so net is 4TB for these configs) so in first case you need a board with 5x SATA and RAID5 support on the controller.

Case: 5 disks would ask for a big case, however, if you use something like this IcyDock hotplug rack,
http://www.icydock.com/product/mb455spf.html

you may get away with using a regular case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115

Now if you are on a budget I'd suggest you'd get something AMD 4GB of memory and a simple or onboard video card.
_________________
We hate rut, but we fear change.

Just became a fan of Intwine

[mojo-caffeine]

Thanks for the info.

I shot and email to Sage TV for clarification.

I am glad I asked, because I was under the impression that RAID 5 split the Parity among the 4 drives.

I was going to use a Antec Mini P180 case and Neo Power 500W PSU. But now I am rethinking my choices.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129041&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+%28Computer+Cases+-+ATX+Form%29-_-Antec-_-11129041

For the motherboard I'm searching for one that's passively cooled, but I'm also looking for at least six native SATA 3.0Gb/s ports, integrated graphics, and a good PCI Express-based network controller.

Still searching for the right Processor memory combination maybe a low powered CPU that can be passively cooled to keep noise and power consumption down.

[evasive]

Phenom II with a slow-turning fan as to have at least some moving air in your case. Per this article:
http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/phenom-2-cnq-p2.html

Asus, Asrock or DFI board. I am still scared of Gigabyte and MSI boards after some recent mishaps with them. Have no idea about Biostar, I know Jetway,ECS/PC Chips,XFX and Foxconn are budget boards. You get what you pay for.
_________________
We hate rut, but we fear change.

Just became a fan of Intwine

[mojo-caffeine]

Thanks Again,

The AMD Phenom II X4 905e may be the right choice here since it runs at 65W that means less power consumption. Since the system will be running 24/7 thats a good thing. It's a little more then I wanted to spend but the excellent processing power is worth the extra dollars.

The Asus M4A79T Deluxe will work unless I go with a micro atx. with 4 HD WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar® Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA II 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer.

Big problem My plan was to run Microsoft home server. But I read you cannot use a RAID array with MHS.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2189705,00.asp

Any Idea how I can still have redundancy?

[evasive]

That is a good question. It says in there Home Server will notify you of a bad drive and when you put in a new one, rebuild your data.

"Windows Home Server offers the benefits of RAID, without the complexity. New hard drives of any size, either internal or external, can be added to Windows Home Server and the amount of available storage grows based on the size of the hard disk. On a system with two or more hard drives, Windows Home Server users can enable "duplication" on a shared folder basis and files are copied or "mirrored" on two separate hard drives. If a single hard drive fails, then a user will not lose any files in any folder that has "duplication" enabled. External hard drives can be added via USB, Firewire, or eSATA provided the Windows Home Server has the appropriate hardware inputs."

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/faq.mspx

I wonder though what this does for performance. I have no experience yet with WHS.
_________________
We hate rut, but we fear change.

Just became a fan of Intwine

[slingo]

If your not using DVR you might check out a good nas server, like Qnap. They'll run raid, provide a media server and you can back up all your computers to it.

[mojo-caffeine]

Thanks Slingo,

I did a lot of research on Qnap and found them to be a bit pricey about 450.00 with no HD. and most of the software is open source. so for about 200.00 I can purchase what I need, or some smart combo shopping. That's alot for hot swap option, the cpu is questionable also. I want a box for the future too!

Evasive, I like the Hot Swap Icy dock so do I mount the icy dock with fan in a cool master case? How Does that work?

Still undecided of MB and CPU. I am now considering ASUS ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+ has HDMI with AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz CPU.

Read some bad feedback on WD greenies but The WD black seem solid.

About Memory What do you look for. And what' important to avoid?

Hopfully Black Friday will have some deals on what I need.

Kind Regards,

[evasive]