I started hoarding data about 13 years ago when I bought my first 1TB HDD. Since then, I’d built up my HDD collection to the point where I had 4X4 8TB HDD Enclosures (MediaSonic ProBox) plugged in to my desktop at home, running Plex.
I started poking around for a more future-proof solution to my storage needs, and came across the NAS Killer with DAS-attached storage, and from there it spun out of control to the NSFW 2011 Anniversary Build with DAS-attached storage.
What I ended up with is a dual-core, 64GB RAM server with the ability to simply add storage as I go using Unraid OS. As of now I have dual parity and 18X8TB array, but the beauty of the build is how easy it will be to continue to upgrade. I don’t think I’m done when it comes to my processing power, and I will definitely max out the RAM, because why not.
Specs below. I estimated on storage costs as most of the HDDs were collected over time as my need for more space grew. I figure it probably averaged out to about $170 per drive, so that’s what I went with.
NAS
| Category | Component | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-7PESH2 dual socket LGA2011 mainboard | $175.00 |
| PSU | EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G1+ 80 PLUS Gold 750W Fully Modular Power Supply | $63.99 |
| CPU1 | Intel SR0H0 E5-2650L Xeon 8C 8 Core 1.80GHz CPU Socket LGA2011 Processor | $38.24 |
| CPU2 | Intel SR0H0 E5-2650L Xeon 8C 8 Core 1.80GHz CPU Socket LGA2011 Processor | $38.24 |
| Heatsink1 | ARCTIC Freezer 12 | $24.99 |
| Heatsink2 | ARCTIC Freezer 12 | $24.99 |
| Storage Expansion | 487738-001 HP 24 Port PCI-E 3Gb SAS Standard Profile Expander Raid Card | $10.00 |
| Storage Expansion | SAS9201-16e LSI 16-Port, 6Gb/s SAS+SATA to PCI Express Host Bus Adapter | $30.00 |
| RAM | 4X 16GB DDR3 1600MHz ECC REG MEMORY FOR ASRock EP2C602-4L/D16 SSI EEB Server | $180.00 |
| Chassis | Rosewill 4U Server Chassis/Server Case/Rackmount Case, Metal Rack Mount Computer Case support with 15 bays & 7 Fans Pre-Installed (RSV-L4500) | $143.98 |
| Inner Chassis | SSD Mounting Bracket for PCI, 2 x 2.5 Inch SSD to PCI Internal Hard Drive Mounting Kit. Convert Any 2 x 2.5” SSD Into One PCI Slot,Quick & Easy Installation | $20.00 |
| Parity Disk1 | 10TB HDD | $170.00 |
| Parity Disk2 | 10TB HDD | $170.00 |
| Appdata Disk (Unassigned) | Silicon Power 256GB SSD 3D NAND A55 SLC Cache Performance Boost SATA III 2.5" 7mm (0.28") Internal Solid State Drive (SP256GBSS3A55S25) | $34.99 |
| Cache Disk | Silicon Power 512GB SSD 3D NAND A55 SLC Cache Performance Boost SATA III 2.5" 7mm (0.28") Internal Solid State Drive (SP512GBSS3A55S25) | $54.99 |
| Array Disks | 15X8TB HDD | ~$2,550 |
| Fans | 3X ARCTIC F12 | $25.99 |
| Fans | 2X ARCTIC F8 | $20.97 |
| Flash Drive | SanDisk Cruzer Fit CZ33 16GB USB 2.0 Low-Profile Flash Drive- SDCZ33-016G-B35 | $6.49 |
| Cabling | 2X CABLEDECONN 0.7M Internal Mini SAS 36-Pin to SFF-8087 Cable - Black | $17.98 |
| Cabling | 6X Cable Matters Internal Mini SAS to SATA Cable (SFF-8087 to SATA Forward Breakout) 3.3 Feet | $71.94 |
| Cabling | 2X CableCreation SATA III Cable, 8-inch SATA III 6.0 Gbps 7pin Female Straight to Straight Angle Female Data Cable with Locking Latch, 0.6 FT Blue | $4.00 |
| Cabling | 3X Custom Cable Matters 15 Pin SATA to 5 SATA Power Splitter Cable - 18 Inches | $35.97 |
| Cabling | 4X CableCreation Mini SAS 36Pin (SFF-8088) Male to 4 SATA 7Pin Female Cable, Mini SAS Host/Controller to 4 SATA Target/Backplane, 2M | $63.96 |
| Cabling | 2X Cable Matters PWM 3-Fan Splitter Cable with Molex Power - 1 Foot | $7.00 |
DAS
| Category | Component | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| PSU | EVGA 100-N1-0750-L1 750 N1 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply | $64.99 |
| Array Disks | 5X 8TB HDD | ~$850.00 |
| Cabling | 3X Custom Cable Matters 15 Pin SATA to 5 SATA Power Splitter Cable - 18 Inches | $35.97 |
| Chassis | Rosewill 4U Server Chassis/Server Case/Rackmount Case, Metal Rack Mount Computer Case support with 15 bays & 7 Fans Pre-Installed (RSV-L4500) | $143.98 |
| Fans | 3X ARCTIC F12 | $25.99 |
| Fans | 2X ARCTIC F8 | $20.97 |
Totals
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| NAS Hardware | $893.73 |
| DAS Hardware | $251.93 |
| Total Hardware | $1,145.66 |
| Storage | ~$3,489.98 |
| Total Cost | $4,635.64 |
