First Build

[MrDravenX]

I want to build a file server so I can have most of the files that take up too much space like music videos in a central location. This is what I have so far.

Case: Apevia X-Pider Aluminum Case/ATXA2XPW-BK/420
PSU: 420W Dual fan PSU
Motherboard: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2
HDD: 6X WD 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Pri Optical: ASUS Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe
Video Card: ASUS EN8400GS/HTP/256M GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Speakers: ALTEC LANSING BX1020 6 Watts 2.0 Speaker
Mouse: Microsoft N71-00007S Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Wheel Mouse
OS: Windows XP Professional with SP2

For the keyboard I was just planning on going to Wal-Mart or somewhere and picking up a standard keyboard. This machine will be for files. That is the sole purpose of this machine.

I was told that a 420W PSU wouldn't be able to withstand this setup. I would need at least 550W. The case is very similiar to this one: APEVIA X-Pider ATXA2XPW-AL/500

Any suggestions so I can get everything on order ASAP?

[blue60007]

Avoid Apevia power supplies at all costs. Get a good brand such as this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...orsair%2b520hx

You definitely don't want a cheapie power supply running your server with all your data on it. 6 hard drives will need a lot of power - especially on boot up when they are all switching on.

Also, I'm looking at this second case you posted - did you realize it only has 4 internal 3.5" hard drive bays? I couldn't find the first one so maybe it's different. Also the second one says it has 80mm fans - which is going to be noisy. I'd consider switching to a more solid brand, if you can one with larger fans. But more importantly you'll need one with enough bays for the hard drives.

[MrDravenX]

I wasn't too sure about using the case in the first place. Any suggestions for a case for it with a great PSU?

What is the difference between external bays and internal bays?

[blue60007]

Well, you aren't going to find a case with a decent brand power supply. You can look at Antec cases as they are bundled with Antec power supplies (good brand) but I have a feeling they will be at the lower end of the wattage spectrum. If you go onto Newegg's case section you can filter down by options like the number of drive bays.

Internal 3.5" bays are for hard drives, External 3.5" drives are for floppy drives and External 5.25" is for the optical drives.

[MrDravenX]

Would these cases be alright?
SILVERSTONE TJ07-S Silver 2.0mm Aluminum body ATX Full Tower Computer Case
COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

[MrDravenX]

Maybe I could use the case I have, upgrade the PSU and get 4 750GB HDD instead?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by DravenX Maybe I could use the case I have, upgrade the PSU and get 4 750GB HDD instead?

Yes, that's a possibility.

Cricket

[MrDravenX]

Originally Posted by blue60007 Also, I'm looking at this second case you posted - did you realize it only has 4 internal 3.5" hard drive bays? I couldn't find the first one so maybe it's different. Also the second one says it has 80mm fans - which is going to be noisy. I'd consider switching to a more solid brand, if you can one with larger fans. But more importantly you'll need one with enough bays for the hard drives.

Okay I just got home for my lunch break and took a look at the case. It is 4 internal bays but the other 2 is for a floppy drive or something. My co-worker said that I could use those 2 slots for the HDD.

[flanzig1]

For a file server, you probably could down grade the CPU/motherboard and video card. A server won't need all of the CPU and video horsepower. Could go with a mobo with on-board video and less powerfull CPU.

[MrDravenX]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 For a file server, you probably could down grade the CPU/motherboard and video card. A server won't need all of the CPU and video horsepower. Could go with a mobo with on-board video and less powerfull CPU.

Thought about doing that. I chose this of the possibility of me using it for more later on.

[blue60007]

I'm not sure about using the external bays for an internal drive...I would think it would leave the drive exposed. I suppose if you have a free hard drive floating around you could try putting it in and see how it looks.

[MrDravenX]

There are HDD modules in the case. They both look the same as the other. Here is what it looks like.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...X/100_0027.jpg

[MrDravenX]

Will this PSU be good enough?
COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RP-650-PCAR ATX from factor 12V V2.01 650W Power Supply 115/230 V Safety Nemko, TUV, cUL, CE, BSMI, FCC, CCC

[Alaron]

Cooler Master units are ok, but take a look at this unit instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010 An extra 12V rail and a bit cheaper to boot.

You can put hard drives in any of those 3.5" bays. Just leave the plastic covers on the front of the case so they aren't just hanging out.

[RazR]

thought that i'd share this little egg...
if you need any kind of review on power supplies or cases
3dgameman has some good video reviews on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/user/3DGAMEMAN

[MrDravenX]

Originally Posted by Alaron An extra 12V rail and a bit cheaper to boot.

What is a rail?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by DravenX What is a rail?

Power supply rail

Cricket

[RazR]

make sure that you MOTHERBOARD has enought SATA ports to support ALL OF YOUR HARDWARE
HDD and optical drives
i would look for a power supply around 900W to power all your hardware
look for Enermax, Silverstone, or OCZ power supplies

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by RazR i would look for a power supply around 900W to power all your hardware look for Enermax, Silverstone, or OCZ power supplies

Wow, 900 w seems like a lot of head room for a system with a low power vid card. I would think 500 w woould be plenty, as somone else said your primary draw would be at startup, once running it would be a very low power system just accessing the HDs. My old system ran 3 HD on 400 w and never missed a beat and I was using it for gaming.

Kat

[jer888]

Yeah 900 is overkill. You'd be fine with a QUALITY 450-550 watt. Watts aren't everything anyways.

Thing is, with the higher density hard drive you buy the more expensive it is. So 3TB of 500GB drives are going to cost less then 3TB of 750GB drives. I would get a server case with lots of room and go with the 500GB's.

[RazR]

ahha whoops..
i guess i accidentally press '9' intead of '6'
my bad