8 replies to this topic

[PJDev]

I decided to build a new server for WHS 2011. It has been a lot of fun and the configuration has changed multiple times over the past month, but it all came together just in time for the RTM. Thanks to PCDoc for all the info and guidance. Some of these parts could have been better but I had them laying around. I can't say enough good things about the Fractal Design case. It is very quiet and has lots of room. 10 hard drive bays and 3 open 5.25" bays for future expansion.

Case: Fractal Design Define XL Titanium Grey ATX Full Tower
http://www.newegg.co...2-006-_-Product

CPU: i3 Sandy Bridge 2100
http://www.newegg.co...5-078-_-Product

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel H67
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128475

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3

Blu-Ray Burner: LG Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136226

Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V
http://www.newegg.co...1-026-_-Product

Hardrives:
ICY DOCK MB982SPR-2S Full Metal Dual 2.5" to 3.5" SATA
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817994099

2 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint MP4 HM250HJ 250GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822152234

HighPoint RocketRAID 2680
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16816115096
2 x HighPoint Int-MS-1M4S SFF-8087 to 4 SATA Fan Out Cable
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16816115064

8 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB 5400 RPM 32MB


Hard drive configuration: Icy Dock in Raid 1 with the Sammy 2.5" drives. 2 x Sammy 2TB in Raid 1 for Data (deleted the data partition from the OS drive and replace with this array). 6 x Sammy 2TB in Raid 5 for Movies and Backups.

I have reinstalled WHS 2011 RC and RTM about 5 times with this setup. The Raid card really makes recovery easy.

[no-control]

You left a HDD bay empty!



Otherwise very nice build

[jcollison]

What was the price point when all was said and done?

[JediTim]

This is very close to the build I want to complete except I am going with WD drives. I keep going back and forth in my mind between the GA-H55-USB3 and a MB on the H67 Chipset...I would prefer the UEFI BIOS. I need to decide so I can start this build.

[jvk]

That's a sweet build! Love the case, it looks similar to the Silverstone fortress 2 case that I have had my eye on lately.

Thanks for sharing!

jvk

[jmwills]

How much does that sucker weigh? Nice job.

[Citezein]

This is very close to the build I want to complete except I am going with WD drives. I keep going back and forth in my mind between the GA-H55-USB3 and a MB on the H67 Chipset...I would prefer the UEFI BIOS. I need to decide so I can start this build.

You may want to consider the Intel DQ67SW or the new Supermicro MBD-X9SCM-F-O. Both allow you to remote into the server at the BIOS/hardware level. The Intel board even comes with USB 3.0. The Supermicro has dual NICs. I'm running the Intel board and am very happy with it and an ESXi install.

[PJDev]

I had half the parts laying around from other projects. Totaling it up from the Newegg links it is around $1400. Most of that comes from the drives. I caught a lot of sales between my local MicroCenter and Newegg.

The case alone is around 40lbs. Not sure what it is now that it is loaded. It's currently in my office and I'm not looking forward to moving it down stairs with my other servers.

"You left a HDD bay empty!" - I had a 1.5TB drive in there to test the WHS 2011 Server Backup, but removed it once the Icy Dock came in.

[pcdoc]

I decided to build a new server for WHS 2011. It has been a lot of fun and the configuration has changed multiple times over the past month, but it all came together just in time for the RTM. Thanks to PCDoc for all the info and guidance. Some of these parts could have been better but I had them laying around. I can't say enough good things about the Fractal Design case. It is very quiet and has lots of room. 10 hard drive bays and 3 open 5.25" bays for future expansion.

Case: Fractal Design Define XL Titanium Grey ATX Full Tower
http://www.newegg.co...2-006-_-Product

CPU: i3 Sandy Bridge 2100
http://www.newegg.co...5-078-_-Product

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel H67
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128475

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3

Blu-Ray Burner: LG Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136226

Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V
http://www.newegg.co...1-026-_-Product

Hardrives:
ICY DOCK MB982SPR-2S Full Metal Dual 2.5" to 3.5" SATA
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817994099

2 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint MP4 HM250HJ 250GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822152234

HighPoint RocketRAID 2680
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16816115096
2 x HighPoint Int-MS-1M4S SFF-8087 to 4 SATA Fan Out Cable
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16816115064

8 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB 5400 RPM 32MB


Hard drive configuration: Icy Dock in Raid 1 with the Sammy 2.5" drives. 2 x Sammy 2TB in Raid 1 for Data (deleted the data partition from the OS drive and replace with this array). 6 x Sammy 2TB in Raid 5 for Movies and Backups.

I have reinstalled WHS 2011 RC and RTM about 5 times with this setup. The Raid card really makes recovery easy.

Very nice build. Very close to how I set mine up. Nice looking case and great workmanship on the build. I agree with your comment on the raid card. Makes for easy recovery, motherboard replacement, and OS replacement. Thanks for sharing the build and give us an update after a week or two of use. I am loving mine.

BTW, good choice on the fan for the RAID card as it does run a bit hot. Hotter than I like. I ended up mount an 80mm fan on a standard PCI bracket and it worked great. Your is a bit more elegant as long as it is quiet.