Project Log : PERK 5/i - VRForums - SITEX 2009

p|sangp|sang · Mar 14th, 09, 10:20 PM

Project overview:
This will be an all-in-one server. Will be running as a file server, torrent box n media server. On top of that will be running VMware server with trixbox and windows 2003 of webserver and game hosting. and subsequently pfSense on it.

Parts List :
Motherboard :Biostar 6100 (AM2)
CPU: AMD X2 4850e
Memory: 2x 2gig DDR2 KVR
Controller: Dell Perc 5/i
Storage: 4x Samsung F1 Spinpoint 1TB
PSU: Corsair HX520
NIC: Intel Pro/1000 PT
MISC: Scythe Slip Stream 120mm fan
ICY DOCK MB454SPF-B Internal 4-Bay Drive Rack

The Gooods

The controller is a Dell 5/i. Which i got it for 180bux for a new piece.
A real steal for a raid 5 sas card. Downside is that it requires active cooling even though the IOP is rated at 11w TDP, 110Tj(max)

Tried to test my card but system could not POST. This card is knows to have SMbus issues with certain chipset. So did a little mod to cover pin 5 and 6 should do the trick.

The card is actually an OEM of LSI's MegaRAID SAS 8480E. Flashed to the latest firmware for stability.

HDDs ready to load up.

Did a little mod onto the NIC. The wire header will patch to an LED on the front panel indicating ACT.

Time to fire em up!

For some benchies. Setup is a 4 x 1TB F1 32mb Spinpoint. Raid 5, 64kb stripe size, Write-back and adaptive-read-ahead.
Write to disk a 2.6gig iso in just under 45seconds

p|sangp|sang · 08:56 PM

little update:
done with the cable management. neat n tidy

The black acrylic piece is to support onto the raid card and also prevent the case from warping.

powered it up n smell something burning. (The 'Oh fuk! i screwed something up' moment here). Bios didnt detect my os drive.
A little investigation. I plug the ide adaptor 2 pins short. Somehow lucky or what only the adaptor got fried the disk is still safe and sound. Phew~ almost had a heart attack there

gotten a new adapter. and everything is as good as it gets.

All done