Media Server Build...Just need to pull the trigger...

[roguerower]

Asked for some NAS advice in the networking thread but was told that it would be best to build a media server myself to gain a little bit more flexibility. This is what I've come up with:

Case: Fractal Design Array R2 - $169
Motherboard/CPU: ASRock E350 w/ USB 3.0 - $104
Memory: Crucial 4gb RAM - $45
OS: MS Home Server 2011
HDD: 2 x WD Green 3TB - $199/ea
Wireless AP: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156232
Gigabit Switch: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156251

This machine will be setup and left on and serve as storage for all my media (movies, music, video, recorded TV, etc.), maybe even as an HTPC.

I'd like to thank Best Buy for their inability to keep up with current events. Due to that I was able to score the two hard drives for $100 less (before tax) than I would have gotten them for on Newegg.

Comments?

 

[Zap]

1) I would suggest a motherboard with more SATA ports, since your case choice supports more drives. You never know if you will end up maxing it out. Some boards have up to six native SATA 6G ports.

2) Get a single 2GB stick of RAM. Just file sharing and perhaps playing back media shouldn't eat up a lot of RAM. Also, the E-350 platform is not dual channel so no benefit from two sticks.

3) I would suggest the OS be on its own drive separate from the data. You can use some old small HDD if you happen to have one laying around, or you can score a small/cheap SSD (I see 60GB going for $70 every other week).

 

[roguerower]

1) I would suggest a motherboard with more SATA ports, since your case choice supports more drives. You never know if you will end up maxing it out. Some boards have up to six native SATA 6G ports.

2) Get a single 2GB stick of RAM. Just file sharing and perhaps playing back media shouldn't eat up a lot of RAM. Also, the E-350 platform is not dual channel so no benefit from two sticks.

3) I would suggest the OS be on its own drive separate from the data. You can use some old small HDD if you happen to have one laying around, or you can score a small/cheap SSD (I see 60GB going for $70 every other week).

Thanks for the input.

(1) I thought about this. If I get to the point where 12TB of storage won't cut it, I'll upgrade the motherboard or put a controller in the x16 slot. With those two 3TB drives I've increased by storage space by 400%

(2) Damn, should have thought about that. Would have saved $20.

(3) I had thought about that, but didn't know what SSD to go with. I'll take a look around, might have to run to BB or one of the PC shops in town.

Ordered yesterday and put next day on it. I'm leaving early next week for Thanksgiving and wanted this set up before I left.

 

[fastamdman]

Something to think about with the current hard drive prices would be to buy drives used. It will save you a bit of cash and as long as they are in proper working order why not

 

[roguerower]

Something to think about with the current hard drive prices would be to buy drives used. It will save you a bit of cash and as long as they are in proper working order why not

Picked up the 2x3TB drives from Best Buy new. Cheaper than anywhere online.

Local store is selling a OCZ Vertex Plus 60gb for $120. I've read that there were some reliability issues with the drive but that those had been patched with a recent firmware release. While the price isn't ideal, it's possibly the cheapest thing that I can find local.

 

[fastamdman]

I know of a little birdy that has the ocz vertex 3 120gb for 150
Edit: Oh and it's the max iop version =D

Great job on the 2x3TB drives from best buy btw!

 

[roguerower]

Oh really....pray tell

Thanks. I walked in praying that they'd be stupid about the whole flooding issue. When I saw the price I think it was the first time I didn't curse the BB name.

 

[fastamdman]

haha what was the actual price? I know BB was doing 55 for 1TB hdd's but they sold out fast in a lot of stores. As far as the ocz drive...here ya go...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227714
15% off all OCZ SSD's with code: BLKNOVSSD
$30 MIR.

 

[jpeyton]

I'd rather get a Foxconn H67S and a Celeron G530 (Sandy Bridge) for $117 shipped from Newegg.

Serving files alone doesn't take much horsepower, but things like on-the-fly transcoding, or multi-tasking (transcoding, streaming, torrents) are better served with Sandy Bridge.

4GB of DDR3 should not cost more than $25. Fry's had 8GB kits for $35 no rebates.

 

[mfenn]

This may be a silly question, but what do you intend to use the AP and switch for? It seems to me like you'd want one or the other, but not both (assuming you already have a wireless router).

 

[roguerower]

This may be a silly question, but what do you intend to use the AP and switch for? It seems to me like you'd want one or the other, but not both (assuming you already have a wireless router).

Looking to take the load off the router and just use it as a connection to the outside world rather than using it as a router, wireless AP, and switch.

 

[mfenn]

Looking to take the load off the router and just use it as a connection to the outside world rather than using it as a router, wireless AP, and switch.

The AP and switching parts of a router are dedicated silicon and in no way contribute to its CPU load.

 

[roguerower]

Roger that. I thought I'd read in other posts in the networking sub-forum that the opposite was true.

In other news, who would have thought that installing WHS 2011 onto a 60gb SSD would be so difficult. There's a 160gb minimum requirement that's been a pain in the ass the last couple of hours. Finally figured it out but had to go to my local B&M computer store to pick up some extra parts (SATA cables, 2.5 to 3.5 HDD cage, assorted screws, zip ties, 8gb usb key).