NAS4Free Build - Drive Recommendations

[k3vb0t]

I'm building a home NAS to serve up media w/Plex and provide redundant backup.

Here's what I've got thus far.

Lina-Li PC-TU200A ITX Chassis
Asrock B75 ITX Motherboard
Intel Pentium G630 2.7Ghz SB core
HighPoint 2640x1 SAS/SATA2 RAID Controller
Patriot Sector 7 DDR3, 2x 4GB, 9-9-9-24
WD 320GB Scorpio Blue 2.5" HDD
SeaSonic 500w 80+ PSU

I bought this off a seller at Ars. I plan to use the 320GB elsewhere and/or sell it, replace with 500GB drives.

Was looking at Western Digital Cavier Blue. I can get 500GB drives for $70 a pop at Amazon. I know I can get a longer warranty and bigger cache for $25 more going to Cavier Black, but for my home NAS purposes is that really valuable?

 

[imagoon]

Do you value your data? The cache part would be minimal but being able to replace the drive when your array failed may be valuable to you. Only you can make this decision really.

 

[beginner99]

I assume home use for media files?

Just get some green drives and do proper backup. First check if compatible with RAID controller. Personally I doubt hardware raid is worth the trouble (and cost) for a home NAS.

 

[k3vb0t]

Do you value your data? The cache part would be minimal but being able to replace the drive when your array failed may be valuable to you. Only you can make this decision really.

Can you elaborate? Do you mean I wouldn't be able to get similar drives in the future or...?

I assume home use for media files?

Just get some green drives and do proper backup. First check if compatible with RAID controller. Personally I doubt hardware raid is worth the trouble (and cost) for a home NAS.

Correct. Photos, videos, ripped DVDs/BluRays, etc.

Also plan to have an external drive stored off-site for additional insurance.

 

[imagoon]

Can you elaborate? Do you mean I wouldn't be able to get similar drives in the future or...?

Longer warranties can infer longer lasting drives. The black drives are considered Enterprise drives for example.