Ready to jump into NAS project

[kevind]

I wanted some advice on my first NAS project. I will be using WHS (I have a free copy) and I recently purchased the Modtek Alien X case (http://www.xoxide.com/xoxide-alien-x-case.html and http://modtekusa.com/index.php?page=details&id=1). In addition to the standard 120MM fan, I added an additional 120MM fan for the front and 80MM for side mounting, I wanted to be sure that the box stayed cool. There is enough room for 6 3.5" internal drives.

Where my questions are:
1) I need an ATX motherboard, I figured to get one with 6 SATA connections - can anyone recommend one?
2) I know there have reports of WHS stuttering on some of the Gigabyte boards, can anyone confirm?
3) When looking at what HDD to buy (I want to start with 1 TB) I know that speed is important but what other specs should I look at when evaluating drives?
4) I will be connecting this server to a Linksys Wireless Router (but thru wired ports). Should I buy a separate Gigabit Ethernet card to improve performance?

Thanks in advance for anyone's input. I will keep this thread up to date as my project continues.

[thiggins]

3) When looking at what HDD to buy (I want to start with 1 TB) I know that speed is important but what other specs should I look at when evaluating drives?
Hard drive performance isn't critical in a NAS. Network overhead limits performance. So go with lower-power "green" drives.

4) I will be connecting this server to a Linksys Wireless Router (but thru wired ports). Should I buy a separate Gigabit Ethernet card to improve performance?You mean add-in card vs. onboard? As long as the onboard NIC uses PCIe to connect, you're fine.

[kevind]

Hard drive performance isn't critical in a NAS. Network overhead limits performance. So go with lower-power "green" drives.

4) I will be connecting this server to a Linksys Wireless Router (but thru wired ports). Should I buy a separate Gigabit Ethernet card to improve performance?You mean add-in card vs. onboard? As long as the onboard NIC uses PCIe to connect, you're fine.[/QUOTE]

I'll take a look at the green drives.

And when I am looking at MOBO, I will research the onboard NIC

Thanks again.

[kevind]

Here are the components that I have bought or have selected to buy. Let me know any thoughts that you may on my build. Thanks again for everyone's helpful posts.

Case:
Modtek Alien X case (http://modtekusa.com/index.php?page=details&id=1) including:
* 120mm front fan
* 120mm rear fan
* 80mm side case fan
* 400 W - Power Supply came with the case - Will this be enough to handle everything in build?

Motherboard:
$74.99 - ASRock G43Twins-FullHD LGA 775 Intel G43 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157137) - Picked this because it balanced features and future growth, supports DD2 and DDR3

CPU:
$82.50 - Intel Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116091 - Picked this anticipating WHS goes to 64 bit

Memory:
$72.99 - Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1067 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148150

HDD:
WHS OS:
$30 - Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB SATA Hard Disk - Just wanted a small drive for OS

Data - Still deciding on between these, leaning toward WD, any thoughts? Starting off with just 1 TB but have room for 4-5 TB more
84.99 - Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317) - check zipzoomfly

79.99 - SAMSUNG EcoGreen F2 HD103SI 1TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152173&Tpk=hd103si)

79.99 - Seagate Barracuda LP ST31000520AS 1TB 5900 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148411&Tpk=ST31000520AS)