Heres my deal, I do a lot of photoshop/catalogue/website work that needs some data security that wont slow me down. The files I have are generally too big to pursue online backups. Currently filling about 500gb's, can easily see hitting 1tb by 2009.
 
I'm on a budget of about 500~600. So my thinking is to build a cheap scalable NAS with Raid 5~6 using 3~4 SATA drives, with 1~2 teamed gigabit ethernet ports.
 
I currently have some hardware available that can be incorporated into the build if need be:
#p4 chip (2.6ghz) socket 478
#var. computer cases
#amd 1.4ghz athlong (complete system, only has PCI slots & 1 AGP)
#Antec 480 watt PSU
#500gb WD SATA HDD with my current files on it. 5yr warranty
 
These are the parts i would need:
#MOBO (with space for Gigabit ethernet cards & Raid card)
#RAM
#Possibly CPU
#Raid Card (LSI 150-4?)  
#3x SATA HDD's >250GB , or 2x 500's if I can utilize my current 500 in the setup
 
I would probably load the box with server 2003. & load logmein on it for remote access.
 
So there are a couple of options I have come up with:
 
1. Find a mobo with Raid 5, pci-express 4x or better for a future Raid card upgrade), & dual gigabit or atleast room for a second gigabit card. (Dont like this idea, mobo raid's dont like to get transferred)
 
2. find a budget mobo with pci/pci-x to support a low end raid card, with a pci-express slot for improved raid card.
 
3. get a budget raid card and put it in my current system, would require raid card to perform XOR operations to not bog my system down. Only have PCI slots available. which is shared with a sound card.
 
4. your input?
 
Any suggestions for hardware is greatly appreciated. Having a hard time finding a mobo & raid card that would work in these configuarations

I dont know why you want teaming on the NIC a single gigabit ethernet should be fine.
 
Id suggest something like this
 
GIGABYTE GA-73PVM-S2 LGA 775 $69
Supports RAID 0/1and 5 if needed onboard, has onboard video
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128088
 
e1200 $49
You dont need anything big CPU wise and you can upgrade later if need be
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=e1200
 
Adaptec 3405 Retail $340
Awesome 4 channel raid card XOR and 128mb RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6816103085
 
Western Digital 500AAKS $89 x2
Ive used these alot and should match with the one you have for RAID 5 goodies
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136073
 
Total $640 hmmm bit over budget, but you are getting an awesome raid card that has plenty of expanability, and you maybe able to dump the 500gbs for something smaller for now and upgrade later. You also have the use of onboard raid. I assume you have some DDR2 ram you can use with this too

Thank you for your input!
 
I like the raid card you picked. The scalability is a big plus. The cards i looked at so far lacked this price point with scalability. I wouldn't have thought about this card just by glancing at the newegg reviews, but upon further inspection the bad reviews were complaining about more complex issues i will never deal with.
 
You are probably correct about the teamed gigabit ports. I'm hoping those fast SSD HDD's will be dropping in price soon so the gigabit lines will actually get some use.
 
Thanks again for the help!