Danny Sauer wrote:
So, first, figure out a budget. Next, figure out how much space you'll need. If you can fit everything you need on a single ATA disk (about 200GB), run a RAID-1 with at least 2 disks. If you need more than one disk, figure on RAID-5. Then use a 3Ware controller (yeah, software RAID is good, but just spend the extra hundred bucks - for the ease of connectivity if for no other reason).
All you get in hardware RAID over software RAID is performance. If you need performance, definitely go for a hardware RAID controller.
And get memory that supports ECC. It's slightly slower, but you won't notice, and it's nice to have that extra assurance against errors at high clock speeds, IMHO.
Unless you're buying the same assurance for the rest of the system, it's not worth it. So unless you're also getting dual fans and dual power-supplies, well, don't IMHO. As for ECC guarding you "against errors at high clock speeds" - if your components aren't stable to run at their respective clockspeeds, ECC won't save you.
some hot-swap enclosures for those hard drives you picked out. The enclosures are cheap, and since a drive's the most likely thing to die on your box, it'll save you a pain later.
Note that Linux isn't very good with hot-swapping IDE-drives. Also, if you're not overly worried about downtime, hotswap is hardly your priority. /Per Jessen, Zürich -- http://www.spamchek.com/freetrial - sign up for your free 30-day trial now!