Mini-ITX Build

[Tinymacrocosm]

Im thinking of creating a file server/HTPC-like machine to store all my stuff (mostly movies). It will be placed next to a television so i'd like it to be as quiet as possible, if not silent. It'll be running 24/7 so while power consumption isnt a huge concern, lower is better.

Asus E35M-I Deluxe Fusion AMD E-350 @ $175

Lian Li PCQ08A @ $120 Haven't decided if silver or black yet.

5x Western Digital Green 2TB WD20EARS @ $80 ea

Memory; i certainly dont need anything high performance but not sure if i should go for 4GB or 8GB. I dont know how much a file server would really use.

PSU - undecided. The total power consumption of this system will likely be under 200 Watts even under full load. I could do fine with a super cheapo PSU, but i would like it quiet.


I was even considering some of those fanless 300W - 400W PSU's but im somewhat concerned about heat as there will only be a single 120mm fan moving air.

I will likely replace the case fan with a quieter/non-LED 140mm fan from Noctua.

This machine will also be used for ripping/encoding Blu-Rays that i have. I can probably do better with an equal priced Core i3 mini-itx system for ripping, but im not too concerned about the speed. It'll be encoding 24/7 so i dont care if it takes a few hours longer.

Suggestions for either the missing parts or a better configuration?

 

[Xonim]

4GB should be plenty of RAM for that purpose. I guess if you want, 8GB isn't THAT much more expensive anyway, but it's overkill imo.

I dropped a fanless 400w Seasonic power supply in my HTPC/storage box, using a Lian Li V354B case. It has a bit more airflow (I think I have it setup with 3x 120mm, it's been a few months...), but the fan speed control is on low. Honestly, you can't even tell that PSU is doing anything. I've NEVER felt it get warm. Unless the Zacate platform runs a lot warmer than an i3 setup, I would think you should be fine with a fanless.

 

[DaveSimmons]

This machine will also be used for ripping/encoding Blu-Rays that i have. I can probably do better with an equal priced Core i3 mini-itx system for ripping, but im not too concerned about the speed. It'll be encoding 24/7 so i dont care if it takes a few hours longer.

The i3-2100 encodes at 4x - 5x the speed of the E-350, so it will spend much more time at idle instead of max load. That could be better for cooling (and therefore noise) as well as power use.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/328?vs=289

The 2100 and 2100T idle at the same low power use, so there's no need to spend extra on the T.

 

[Tinymacrocosm]

The i3-2100 encodes at 4x - 5x the speed of the E-350, so it will spend much more time at idle instead of max load. That could be better for cooling (and therefore noise) as well as power use.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/328?vs=289

The 2100 and 2100T idle at the same low power use, so there's no need to spend extra on the T.

Hmmm... you make a very good point. However, the comparison also shows around 4X the power consumption at load. The net effect seems to be the same for power usage, so the i3 only edges out on time.

The i3's TDP might make it harder to go (nearly) fanless.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Hmmm... you make a very good point. However, the comparison also shows around 4X the power consumption at load. The net effect seems to be the same for power usage, so the i3 only edges out on time.

The i3's TDP might make it harder to go (nearly) fanless.

Also a good point. So if you're really in no hurry, the lower idle power and lower cost are points in the E-350's favor.

Do you plan to use it to watch Netflix HD or other Silverlight video? Right now the E-350 chokes on that because it is not currently GPU-accelerated. Everything else seems to be fine:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4442/zotac-zbox-brazos-goes-htpc/2

 

[mfenn]

The parts you picked out are fine. Regarding the memory and PSU:
- I'd just grab a $30 4GB DDR3 1333 stick and call it a day. You won't use that much just for a fileserver and transcode box. If you ever decide to do something a lot more stressful, you can always pop another stick in.
- A high-capacity fanless PSU like the Seasonic SS-400FL is going to cost a pretty penny and not really net you anything over an normal Seasonic 350W. Reason being that PSU fans are really quiet and you'll be drowned out by the case fans anyway.