Hello everybody!
Here is another video on RAID arrays.
In this video we are going to show you how to build a homemade RAID 5 system.
What important things to consider when choosing computer parts for a RAID system, how to build
a computer and configure
a RAID array.
All modern motherboards come equipped with an integrated RAID controller, and top models
may have several such controllers on board.
That’s a different question, though, if such integrated controllers in consumer-class
motherboards are ever used by an average user.
Anyway, some motherboards do give a chance to setup a RAID array right inside your home
PC.
Watch this video for brief recommendations on building a RAID array on a home computer
and a practical tutorial on assembling a PC for RAID.
First of all, you need to decide on the purposes for which you want to build a RAID system
on your computer, and the RAID type you are going to use.
You can learn more about RAID systems in our previous video - and I will give the link
in the description.
When you decide on the RAID type, choose a motherboard supporting such arrays and having
a sufficient number of SATA ports to work with the required number of disks.
For our needs, we decided to build a configuration for RAID 5.
We have chosen an ASRock B365M Pro4-F motherboard with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support and six SATA
ports for hard disks.
A spacious Cooler Master K380 case with several slots for HDDs, an i5-9400F 9th generation
Intel processor, one 16 GB (2400 MHz) system memory module by Kingston and an NVidia 1060
graphics card.
Now that we have got all the parts, let’s start building the computer.
The first step is to install the processor and the system memory onto the motherboard.
It’s not that difficult at all - just find out how to place it into the socket.
If you are trying to assemble a computer for the first time, never try to push or force
the processor into the socket if it doesn’t fit - it never helps, but you can bend the
pins or end up with a damaged processor.
If you position the processor into the socket properly, it will fit into its place easily.
On the processor, there is a triangular mark in the corner, and a similar mark on the socket
of your motherboard.
Position the processor in such a way that the marks coincide.
Also, on the edges of the processor there are small notches that are meant to fit into
the corresponding elements on the socket.
Install the processor and fix it with the latch.
All right, the CPU is now in its proper place.
The next step is applying the thermal paste and installing the processor’s cooler.
In my case, the stock cooler comes with the thermal paste on it, so I skip the paste part
and just install the cooler.
Push the locking pins through the holes in the motherboard and secure them by turning.
All coolers always come with an installation manual, so read it carefully before you start,
and there won’t be any problems with installing the cooler.
The final step is to connect the cooler to the motherboard.
The plug at the end of the cable coming from the fan should be inserted into the connector
marked as CPU_FAN.
The actual location of the connector depends on the particular motherboard model, but the
marking is always the same.
Installing system memory Now insert the system memory into the memory
slot and put the motherboard aside.
To install the RAM modules, open the retention clips and put the module into the slot.
Bear in mind, that system memory modules should be inserted only in a certain position.
If the module won’t fit into the slot, just try turning the module the other side.
Inserting the modules doesn’t need much physical pressure so don’t force the module
if it won’t fit.
The motherboard may also have special marking and numbers for slots.
If you have two RAM modules, place them into slots 1 and 2.
If you have a single module, put it into slot 1.
Put the motherboard aside and grab the case.
Now we are going to install the power supply unit and do a bit of cable management.
The case and power supply unit Install the PSU into the designated place
inside the case and secure it with the fastening screws which come supplied with the unit.
Lay the cables behind the side panel on which the motherboard will be mounted, and put them
through these openings.
The motherboard power should go into the upper hole, and all the other cables - into the
lower hole.
Look inside the motherboard box to find the I/O shield.
Insert it in the rear of your case according to the position of the motherboard.
Do it from the inside of the case and push slightly until it clicks into place.
Installing the motherboard into the case Then have a look at how your motherboard fits
into the case to find out where you should prepare additional mounting points.
Usually these elements (also called standoff screws) come with the computer case.
Screw them into the back panel according to how mounting holes are positioned on the motherboard.
Now check the motherboard again to make sure the holes coincide with the standoff screws.
Now fix it to the case with the screws that come supplied with the case.
If you are not sure, check what screws fit the standoffs, and only then screw them in.
Connecting the PSU to the motherboard At this stage, it’s time to connect the
motherboard to the power supply unit.
Connect the CPU power cable - it’s got an eight-pin connector, and this thick cable
which delivers power to the motherboard.
Connecting the motherboard to the case Now we are ready to connect the motherboard
to the front panel of the case.
At this stage you may have some difficulties if you’re building a computer for the first
time, especially when you need to connect the front panel cables.
Don’t worry - all plugs and all motherboard connectors come with the corresponding markings.
It’s very easy - put the AUDIO plug into the AUDIO connector - just pay attention to
the location of the connectors and remember that if you are trying to put something in
the wrong place, it won’t fit in.
After that, insert the USB plug into USB1 or USB2 connector, and it doesn’t matter
which one you choose.
Now it’s time to connect the Power and Reset buttons, as well as LED indicators.
Read the motherboard manual to find their exact location.
Electric polarity is usually marked on the motherboard and the plugs.
Also, don’t forget to connect the USB 3.0 cable - everything is marked accordingly,
too.
Installing the hard disk
Let’s move on to adding hard disks.
For our RAID system, we are going to use 6 Western Digital drives, 320 GB each.
Install them, fix them with special screws, plug power cables into corresponding connectors
and use SATA cables to link the disks with the motherboard.
As there are less power cables for all disks than we need, suitable power adapters are
required.
Installing the graphics card Finally, add the graphics card.
Take the card and try positioning it inside the case, to see which part of the metal backplate
/ IO shield should be removed.
Then just insert the card into the PCI Express slot and use a screw or two to secure the
graphic card's metal retention bracket to the case so that is fixed into place firmly.
As the final step, plug the additional power cable into the corresponding connector on
the graphics card.
Congratulations: the computer is now assembled.
Installing the operating system Now that the computer is in one piece, you
need to configure RAID in BIOS and install an operating system.
Open BIOS, jump to Advanced mode – Storage Configuration – Intel Rapid Storage
Technology.
Select Create RAID volume.
Specify the name, choose RAID type and select the disks you are going to use
with it.
Click Create Volume below.
Save changes and exit.
The last step is to install an operating system.
This task requires a bootable USB drive or disk.
You can learn how to create a bootable USB drive and use it to install an operating system
by visiting our channel and watching special video tutorials; check the link below.
Nothing special here: boot from the USB drive, select your language, Next, Install, enter
the license key, choose version of the operating system.
Accept the license agreement.
Choose the disk for installation.
You can see that the computer detects one disk with the capacity of over 1 TB.
This is our RAID system.
Select it and click Next.
The operating system is installed.
When you open This PC, you will see the disk of more than 1 TB.
Open its properties to find out that this is the RAID 5 array we have just created.
That is all for now!
Hopefully, this video was useful.
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Thank you for watching.
Good luck.