How is this setup for a MCE 2005 Media Server?

[Blu Skye]

Hey,

Here's the system I am currently thinking of putting together for a Windows MCE 2005 Media Server. Please note that it's going to house PVR files, Ripped DVDs from my store bought collection, MP3's and anything else that's a file. I need something stable! I'll run my SATA drives in Raid-5 (FYI).

There will be an HTPC in the theater room which will be a beast because I want to game with it as well.

Something to keep in mind...I will be adding 2 media extenders for TV's in other parts of the house, and will be serving this computer as well. Not sure how that affects server processor power, so I thought I'd mention it.

Here's the specs...

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor
Motherboard: MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX
Memory: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400
Video Card: MSI Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16
PSU: OCZ Modstream
Hard Drive: (4) Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB 7200 RPM 16M Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drives (RAID-5)
PVR Card (SD): Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500MCE with A/V Cable set for S-Video x 2
PVR Card (HD): Two FusionHDTV3 Cards
DVD Drive: NEC ND-3520A Black IDE DVD Burner
OS: Windows MCE 2005
Case: COOLER MASTER CM Stacker - Silver/Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower
Keyboard: Microsoft Keyboard (currently own)
Mouse: Logitech MX-750 (currently own)

I chose the MSI board due to it's ability to have 8 SATA Drives going on it right out of the box. In addition, it has 4 PCI slots to house the PVR cards with room for an optional SATA card to add more drives to it. I'll be adding more drives as cost come down, or as I need it. I also have the ability to upgrade the processor if needed.

What do you think? Will the PSU work with the Cooler Master Stacker? Anything you would change or that doesn't seem right? Everything in the list should be MCE "approved".

 

[Blu Skye]

Anyone?

 

[ND40oz]

I'm wondering, what is a MCE 2005 Media Server? Is it a box that runs MCE 2005 or is it some sort of server operating system that allows you to connect MCE 2005 boxes to it?

It looks like that is a good board for you, since it has onboard raid 5 and dual gig nics. Are you running a gig switch for the network? You may need to if you plan on streaming HD.

 

[Blu Skye]

Maybe I was using the wrong terminology here, but basically I am building a file server to supply PVR programs, DVDs, MP3s, etc. to several televisions in the house.

Apparantly, I will need MCE 2005 on here as well as my HTPC in my media room. The server will have 2 extenders (1 Xbox and 1 MCE Extender) in 2 other rooms in the house.

All this rig will do is supply files throughout the house.

I will have a gig switch for the network as well. I just realized there are dual gig nics, thanks to you pointing that out!

I'll probably drop the video card to something cheaper because it will not be displaying video, only sending through the network.

 

[CrispyFried]

Why the MSI Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 if its only going to be a file server? A $20 pci vid card would suffice.

 

[CrispyFried]

I'll probably drop the video card to something cheaper because it will not be displaying video, only sending through the network.

Ah just missed this.

 

[Blu Skye]

Well, I would go that cheap, but I want to make sure that I get something that's "MCE 2005 Compatible" since I am running MCE 2005 on it to void any issues.

I think ATI has a cheap $50 PCI-E version that is approved. I'll have to look over the list.