Build Help - Spec Please

[CottonEye]

Hi

I've not put together my own rig for what seems an eternity, the last I remember is back when the first ever Athlon was released I'm not very familiar with what's available today and what works well together.

What better place to get some expert advise too!

I've moved to Mac's for many reasons however I would like build a NAS/Stream/Download machine. I was looking at buying a QNAP/Synology and running SABNZBD but user reviews were not very positive with the unpacking, streaming of files etc

So it needs to...

- Run Windows WHS probably,
- Handle downloads, unrar, par2 from Usenet on my Virgin 50MB
- Stream (transcode) to my iPad, iPhone using AirVideo or something similar
- Stream (transcode) to the PS3 too

I will house the server in the cellar so it doesn't matter what it looks like but I need it to be fairly quiet as we use the basement for storage and the wife is always popping down there!

Don't need an optical drive, won't be connecting a display just use remote desktop.

I think 1TB to start with will be enough and I can add more later, RAID is not a requirement.

I was looking at using the Intel Atom (D525) as it consumes a great deal less power, but I don't know if it's up to the job?

I'm at work during the day the only time it will be on is in the evening's and weekends probably use wake-on-lan maybe?

Won't be gaming at all, so something basic would be great.

I currently use a MacBook 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo etc

Thanks very much for taking the help out I appreciate it

 

[mfenn]

First rule of Usenet...

Anyway, there is no way that an Atom is going to be up to the task of trancoding video, so you're going to need something a bit more powerful than that. I'm thinking an Athlon II X4.

Judging by your post, you seem to be in the UK, can you confirm? Also, budget?

 

[CottonEye]

hehe - It's a great combo, Usenet and Virgin, get around 5.9mb/sec

I had my doubts about the Atom but wasn't sure. I've just tried to stream / transcode on a Celery 2.53GHz (very old machine) and it took 3 min to start playing, was a bit jerky but managed a 600MB file to my iPhone 4 using AirVideo - I'm going to retest it as I was installing Windows updates at the time.

Yep, Manchester UK - I wasn't sure how much to spend?

Thanks for taking time to help out.

 

[mfenn]

OK, here's what I'm thinking:
Athlon II X3 450 59
ASUS M4A88T-M 62
Corsair DDR3 1333 2GB 27
Samsung F2 1TB 40
Antec Earthwatts 380W 36
Antec Two Hundred 42
Total: 266 pounds, add OS to taste.

The X3 should do a pretty good job of transcoding. The case and mobo also have plenty of room to add more HDDs in the future.

 

[CottonEye]

Many thanks for your help mfenn,

What if I changed the CPU to the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition CPU at £65.27 - would that be an improvement?

What's the risk of going for a cheaper PSU, such as the EZCool PS-10 Silent 500W at £10.99!

I greatly appreciate your help.

 

[fffblackmage]

What if I changed the CPU to the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition CPU at £65.27 - would that be an improvement?

No, for video transcoding, you typically want more cores than fewer fast cores.

What's the risk of going for a cheaper PSU, such as the EZCool PS-10 Silent 500W at £10.99!

Since this rig will use little power, I wouldn't expect the cheap PSU to explode or anything, but I'd rather spend a bit more for something that has a good reputation for long-term reliability.

 

[mfenn]

No, for video transcoding, you typically want more cores than fewer fast cores.


Since this rig will use little power, I wouldn't expect the cheap PSU to explode or anything, but I'd rather spend a bit more for something that has a good reputation for long-term reliability.

I agree on both counts. A $15 POS isn't worth the reliability headache.

 

[CottonEye]

Thanks for your help guys, in your opinion would an Intel system perform better overall?

Thanks for all your help so far I really appreciate you guys going to the trouble.

I want to change the case to something along the lines of the Xigmatek Utgard with the IcyBox Backplane - Could someone recommend a cheaper hot swappable bay type setup? What do you think of the case?

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for your help guys, in your opinion would an Intel system perform better overall?

Thanks for all your help so far I really appreciate you guys going to the trouble.

I want to change the case to something along the lines of the Xigmatek Utgard with the IcyBox Backplane - Could someone recommend a cheaper hot swappable bay type setup? What do you think of the case?

Yes, an Intel system (i5 7xx and up) would perform better. However, it is probably out of your price range.

That case seems fine.