HTPC/Home Server Build

[Sequences]

1. The host will be used for work and play. Work would include hosting various web applications. It will probably have Apache Tomcat, MySQL/MSSQL/databases, and other services running. Probably no VMs (viewed as extra credit for now as I don't have any plans for it, and unlikely to change). Will run various IDE's for C#/JAVA/etc. For play, viewing 1080p video (locally), Netflix, Amazon, youtube, etc etc.

2. Would like to keep it under $500, can stretch to $600.

3. US build, buying from newegg/amazon/microcenter (30 minute drive, with tolls )

5. I will be developing software. I don't think this is a requirement here, yet. CUDA capability is extra credit (as is HSA).

6. No Spare parts, everything new.

7. No overclocking and not interested in it for this build. Stability is the goal here.

8. will be using this at 1080p.

9. No set date yet, trying to get a feel for new hardware features I could play with. Would like to pull the trigger in H1 (unless H2 has something worth waiting for).

Other requirements:
1. Under 150W under load at the wall, lower idle consumption is good as I don't think I can max it out quickly.
2. ECC memory is extra credit
3. already has OS/software. The $500 budget is box and hardware contents only. Monitor already purchased.
4. small form factor please, itx/matx only.
5. will need at least 3TB of storage (willing to take suggestions), so will need a few 3.5" drive spaces
6. I have a netbook and the CPU is dreadfully slow. No dinky little cores please.

What i have in mind so far:
extra: ~$120 for storage (3TB), that's the price now, right?

<$60 for OS drive, maybe I will pick up a 1TB/500GB OS drive
~$50 for case
~$130 for 2x 8GB DIMMS

For CPU, I am undecided on what to get.

 

[Cerb]

With no video card, and after finding slim pickings at the outlets, for prebuilts:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($63.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Nanoxia NXDS4W MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($88.59 @ Newegg) <- plenty of drive bays, on rails.
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $490.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-16 23:00 EST-0500)

-$35 for the CPU/mobo combo makes it a pretty strong option. If you want to push towards your $600 limit, swap one of the 8GB sticks with a 240GB M500 for an OS drive.

 

[Sequences]

That case is brilliant and I'm surprised you manage to fit all of that under the target budget. Just 1 question though:

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)

Is HD4400 enough to play 1080p movies? Reviews online give me a few benchmark scores but I have no point of reference.

 

[Cerb]

That case is brilliant and I'm surprised you manage to fit all of that under the target budget.

Me too, TBH. I figured I wouldn't make it under $550 for sure, at first.

Is HD4400 enough to play 1080p movies? Reviews online give me a few benchmark scores but I have no point of reference.

Yes. All the new GPUs have DSPs that are just for that purpose, including HW deinterlacing. A freaking Raspberry Pi's graphics can do smooth 1080P playback .

 

[Sequences]

Yes. All the new GPUs have DSPs that are just for that purpose, including HW deinterlacing. A freaking Raspberry Pi's graphics can do smooth 1080P playback .

My experience with the RPi is hit and miss. Some video formats (in 1080/720p) play well on the RPi while others are completely unwatchable. The same goes for my netbook with a E450 CPU. I want to definitely be able to watch any reasonable HD video and not have to rely on digging to find the right codec. I'm not a media affectionado, so I'm not interested in spending too much time on this aspect.

New questions:
1. Given your recommendations, the max draw of that build would probably not break 150W, right? Theoretically, assuming no new upgrades and budget aside, would a 300W range PSU would be better?

2. I think I might want a mobo with 4 memory slots instead of 2, in case 16GB is not enough. Since I'm not looking for too many features, I figured any decently priced board would do since I don't plan on OC-ing. Is there anything (brands/chipsets/etc) I should stay away from?

Thanks.

 

[Cerb]

My experience with the RPi is hit and miss. Some video formats (in 1080/720p) play well on the RPi while others are completely unwatchable. The same goes for my netbook with a E450 CPU. I want to definitely be able to watch any reasonable HD video and not have to rely on digging to find the right codec. I'm not a media affectionado, so I'm not interested in spending too much time on this aspect.

Well, anything from a >2GHz Core 2 Duo or better can do it in pure software, too, if the hardware codecs aren't there. No Core in branded CPU, as of yet, is too weak to handle pure software decoding and deinterlacing. But, for MPEG2, H.264, and several other popular formats, the CPU will sit there at like 5% while playing video.

1. Given your recommendations, the max draw of that build would probably not break 150W, right? Theoretically, assuming no new upgrades and budget aside, would a 300W range PSU would be better?

Not even 100W. It's less wattage than reaching some minimal quality, and the off and on rebates on the lower-end of Corsair's line-up make them good deals.

2. I think I might want a mobo with 4 memory slots instead of 2, in case 16GB is not enough. Since I'm not looking for too many features, I figured any decently priced board would do since I don't plan on OC-ing. Is there anything (brands/chipsets/etc) I should stay away from?

No, it just increases costs. I don't like 2-slot boards, either, but went with it here to see if I could pull off an in-budget parts list that didn't have to go down to Pentiums or A6s. I'm personally rather fond of the ASRock B85M Pro4 (what I have in my PC), ASRock H87M Pro4 (basically the same thing, but with Intel RAID), Asus B85M-G, and Asus H87M-E (though I think it's a bit pricey for what it is, now that Gigabyte has some similar models out there...but I haven't used any of them, yet).

 

[Charlie98]

Not even 100W. It's less wattage than reaching some minimal quality, and the off and on rebates on the lower-end of Corsair's line-up make them good deals.

No, it just increases costs. I don't like 2-slot boards, either, but went with it here to see if I could pull off an in-budget parts list that didn't have to go down to Pentiums or A6s. I'm personally rather fond of the ASRock B85M Pro4 (what I have in my PC), ASRock H87M Pro4 (basically the same thing, but with Intel RAID), Asus B85M-G, and Asus H87M-E (though I think it's a bit pricey for what it is, now that Gigabyte has some similar models out there...but I haven't used any of them, yet).

The ubiquitous Corsair CX430 PSU can very often be found on sale for less than $20 (After Rebate; ) I've bought 2 of them that way.

I've got a Gigabyte B75 board in my HTPC, I'm very fond of it; I would look at a B85 board unless there is something on the H87 board you just need.

 

[Torn Mind]

Not being able to play HD video on an E-450 is likely due to not having GPU acceleration for whatever file is playing. With that said, an Intel i5 has more than enough power to do software decoding.

 

[Sequences]

We are still on the first iteration of LGA1150, right? At some point down the line, I should be able to upgrade to next generation i-series or compatible Xeon if I out-grow the Haswell i3.

I've got a Gigabyte B75 board in my HTPC, I'm very fond of it; I would look at a B85 board unless there is something on the H87 board you just need.

I will be taking a look at those chipsets, thanks.

Not being able to play HD video on an E-450 is likely due to not having GPU acceleration for whatever file is playing. With that said, an Intel i5 has more than enough power to do software decoding.

I agree. My point is I don't want to chase down some codec.

 

[Cerb]

I agree. My point is I don't want to chase down some codec.

If you need a codec and don't have it, you'll have to get it to play something that uses it. That, however, is not related to the CPU or GPU choice, but OS and playback software.

 

[mfenn]

We are still on the first iteration of LGA1150, right? At some point down the line, I should be able to upgrade to next generation i-series or compatible Xeon if I out-grow the Haswell i3.

Yes, but don't expect Broadwell to be any sort of massive performance boost over Haswell.

 

[Torn Mind]

If you need a codec and don't have it, you'll have to get it to play something that uses it. That, however, is not related to the CPU or GPU choice, but OS and playback software.

Hardware acceleration is still hit or miss since not every file format supports it, I think?

 

[mfenn]

Hardware acceleration is still hit or miss since not every file format supports it, I think?

Yes, but the Core i3 can decode everything in software if it needs to. The codec is that software.

 

[Sequences]

Yes, but don't expect Broadwell to be any sort of massive performance boost over Haswell.

I don't expect it in single thread performance. I was thinking more along the lines of the upgrade to more cores, like an i7 or equivalent Xeon from the i3.

 

[mfenn]

I don't expect it in single thread performance. I was thinking more along the lines of the upgrade to more cores, like an i7 or equivalent Xeon from the i3.

But if that's your goal, you would be just as well served by upgrading to a Haswell i7. The Broadwell wouldn't be significantly better.