$300 media server?

[udubber83]

So I have a coolermaster HAF 932 case, and an optical drive. Where would I start in regards to what other parts I need. Don't want to go overboard. Just need a solid mobo that supports SATA and USB 3.0, good ram and PSU and a 2TB HDD. Media server will be used for streaming music and lots of HD video.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Too much to choose from!

 

[lsv]

Follow this thread to give us a better picture of what you're looking for and we can help from there

 

[udubber83]

Follow this thread to give us a better picture of what you're looking for and we can help from there

Sorry I was a little vague. Here is what I'm looking for.

1. This will strictly be a media server playing over a wired and wireless connection (wired connection for HD videos). 90% of time will be streaming of my HD 720P movies to my TV. Music and photos will be used sparingly for now.
2. My budget is $350-400. I already have an optical drive, and will looks for a HDD deal around the holidays, so will use old ones right now (unless there is a good deal out there).
3. From the U.S. and will be buying from the U.S.
4. I prefer intel. Am considering the Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32105.
but is that overkill?
5. Will be using my used HDD's and an optical drive
7. system will be run at default speeds. Do I really need to overclock a media server?
8. Plan to build it in the next couple of weeks.

Here is what I have come up with on newegg:

Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32105

ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
any similar boards with built in video?

ADATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...

That comes out to $331 which I believe for WA residents includes tax.

Opinions on this build? Want to make sure it is strong enought to also handle 1080P for the future.

As a side note I'm trying to sell my coolermaster HAF 932 case, because have decided not to build a desktop. What would be a good replacement that has USB 3.0 capability and at least 4 bays for HDD's?

Thanks guys!

 

[lsv]

Sorry I was a little vague. Here is what I'm looking for.

1. This will strictly be a media server playing over a wired and wireless connection (wired connection for HD videos). 90% of time will be streaming of my HD 720P movies to my TV. Music and photos will be used sparingly for now.
2. My budget is $350-400. I already have an optical drive, and will looks for a HDD deal around the holidays, so will use old ones right now (unless there is a good deal out there).
3. From the U.S. and will be buying from the U.S.
4. I prefer intel. Am considering the Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32105.
but is that overkill?
5. Will be using my used HDD's and an optical drive
7. system will be run at default speeds. Do I really need to overclock a media server?
8. Plan to build it in the next couple of weeks.

Here is what I have come up with on newegg:

Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32105

ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
any similar boards with built in video?

ADATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...

That comes out to $331 which I believe for WA residents includes tax.

Opinions on this build? Want to make sure it is strong enought to also handle 1080P for the future.

As a side note I'm trying to sell my coolermaster HAF 932 case, because have decided not to build a desktop. What would be a good replacement that has USB 3.0 capability and at least 4 bays for HDD's?

Thanks guys!

That's more than enough to play 1080p video, the i3 with Intel HD Graphics 3000 will eat 1080p no problem.

If you're ONLY concerned about 720p/1080p playback (plus of course web browsing/light use) you could get something like an AMD E-350 or Atom on a smaller board, it'll save you money and power over time.

Here's a review of the Brazos 1080p playback capability.

I have an older Zotac MAG in the living room that has no problems playing 1080p over the network. It was something like $250 and I bought a faster wifi adapter for it, total is around $350 with taxes. Uses way less power over time and is essentially silent.

Are you intent on the i3 build or would you consider an Atom/E-350 build?

 

[udubber83]

That's more than enough to play 1080p video, the i3 with Intel HD Graphics 3000 will eat 1080p no problem.

If you're ONLY concerned about 720p/1080p playback (plus of course web browsing/light use) you could get something like an AMD E-350 or Atom on a smaller board, it'll save you money and power over time.

Here's a review of the Brazos 1080p playback capability.

I have an older Zotac MAG in the living room that has no problems playing 1080p over the network. It was something like $250 and I bought a faster wifi adapter for it, total is around $350 with taxes. Uses way less power over time and is essentially silent.

Are you intent on the i3 build or would you consider an Atom/E-350 build?

Yeah, I'll consider anything to lower the price, just don't want it to become obsolete. Would like to use the server as a backup if I don't have my laptop (very sparingly probably).

What case would you suggest that has usb 3.0 capability and at least 4 HDD bays? thanks!

 

[somethingsketchy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121098

I personally use this case for my HTPC/"media server" and it's fairly solid. While it's no HTPC case (like a SilverStone) but it will work. As for USB 3.0, I have a PCI adapter for USB 3.0 functionality. Currently the case has three hard drives, but there is room for another hard drive.

Best part is the price - $39 currently.

 

[Ken g6]

Here is what I have come up with on newegg:

Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32105

ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
any similar boards with built in video?

If not overclocking, you can get this board:
$63: ASRock H61M-GE LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Even the lowest-end dual-core Sandy Bridge processor ($57) can probably play NetFlix if you're interested in that, though technically it's 100MHz less than was officially required a year ago.

Here's a fairly nice bundle, with case, PSU, motherboard, faster CPU, and RAM, for <$200. Its worst problem is the single stick of RAM.

 

[lsv]

If not overclocking, you can get this board:
$63: ASRock H61M-GE LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Even the lowest-end dual-core Sandy Bridge processor ($57) can probably play NetFlix if you're interested in that, though technically it's 100MHz less than was officially required a year ago.

Here's a fairly nice bundle, with case, PSU, motherboard, faster CPU, and RAM, for <$200. Its worst problem is the single stick of RAM.

If you're going to get what's practically a Celeron you may as well save the power use and get an Atom :E

 

[Ken g6]

If you're going to get what's practically a Celeron and you're not watching NetFlix HD you may as well save the power use and get an Atom :E

FTFY. NetFlix HD isn't GPU accelerated, so it takes more than an Atom.

 

[Davidh373]

I'd get Zacate if I were you. You can get a CPU/Mobo/GPU combo for $120 and put it in a TINY case like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811108196

It's also been reviewed to handle HD playback well, if you were to ever re-purpose it as an HTPC.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Zacate can't handle Netflix HD either.

 

[mfenn]

I'm confused. Is this a media server or an HTPC? If it's a media server, there is no reason to get anything more than an Atom or Brazos. If it's an HTPC, you will want a Sandy.

 

[Davidh373]

I'm confused. Is this a media server or an HTPC? If it's a media server, there is no reason to get anything more than an Atom or Brazos. If it's an HTPC, you will want a Sandy.

This is what I'm also confused about.

EDIT: If he wants an HTPC, he should probably get Llano or a low end sandy bridge (as per his budget), if it's a media server, he should be considering Llano or Atom, just to pretty much echo Mfenn.