New HTPC/NAS Build - ASUS E35M1-I Deluxe

[sweeper240]

New HTPC/NAS Build - ASUS E35M1-I Deluxe
Parts List:

ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE Fusion AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD Hudson M1 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo
Model #:E35M1-I DELUXE
Item #:N82E16813131698
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$174.99

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO
Model #:F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO
Item #:N82E16820231318
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$46.99

Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Model #:CT064M4SSD2
Item #:N82E16820148441
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$149.99 -$35.00 Instant

Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD2002FAEX
Item #:N82E16822136792
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$169.99 -$30.00 Instant

APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 250W Power Supply
Model #:MI-008
Item #:N82E16811154091
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$55.99 -$6.00 Instant

PICO-PSU whatever is best to use ... 60 - 90 watts

1. What will you be doing with this PC? From most to least important - NAS, HTPC/Playback, Web browsing, Gaming (internet/flash games), Overclocking

2. What's your budget? not a driving factor, no budget

3. Where do you live? Santa Monica, CA

4. What exact parts do you need for that budget? see parts list above

5. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? no

6. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? USB 3.0 SATA 6Gb/s m-atx or mini-ITX preferred

7. What resolution output do you need? 1080p, 720p
Do you need multiple monitor output? no

8. Does this system need to fit into a particular space? no necessarily

9. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? I don't want to spend a lot of time screwing around and cutting metal
What tools do you have? Screwdrivers

10. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem? as quiet as possible, but would rather have some noise from a fan than have the system get too hot and die

11. How mobile does this system need to be? no water cooling, only air

12. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? yes

13. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? in a couple weeks


Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations for or against this build. I want to have the lowest energy consumption while also being stable for near 24/7 operation as a media/data server. It might be utilized for P2P download/sharing of content which is legal to distribute.

Thanks

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

I would have a suggestion to use the intel platform for a NAS because there should be a noticeable improvement in processing power vs the E350. Some choices I would make for the NAS would also to not use an SSD especially if it's on often and primarily playing / streaming / browsing. The SSD isn't a bad option; it just adds quite a bit to the cost. If you don't need tons of space, than the SSD will make the system very responsive. I definitely don't think it is worth having the 2tb black drive because you could get nearly 2 2tb green drives for more space or redundancy. Here are some choices I've been thinking over for a NAS myself.

$25 - Rosewill Microatx Case
$42 - Seasonic 300W Bronze PSU or Antec Earthwatts 380w
$87 - ASRock Microatx H67 USB3 SATA6 Mobo
$78 - Pentium G620
$80 (-$10 if ordered by 9/1) - Hitachi green 2TB drive or $80 - Samsung green 2TB drive
$26 - G.Skill 4gb DDR3

 

[tvarad]

New HTPC/NAS Build - ASUS E35M1-I Deluxe
Parts List:

ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE Fusion AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core)

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 250W Power Supply
Model #:MI-008

PICO-PSU whatever is best to use ... 60 - 90 watts

1. What will you be doing with this PC? From most to least important - NAS, HTPC/Playback, Web browsing, Gaming (internet/flash games), Overclocking

2. What's your budget? not a driving factor, no budget

3. Where do you live? Santa Monica, CA

4. What exact parts do you need for that budget? see parts list above

5. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? no

6. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? USB 3.0 SATA 6Gb/s m-atx or mini-ITX preferred

7. What resolution output do you need? 1080p, 720p
Do you need multiple monitor output? no

8. Does this system need to fit into a particular space? no necessarily

9. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? I don't want to spend a lot of time screwing around and cutting metal
What tools do you have? Screwdrivers

10. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem? as quiet as possible, but would rather have some noise from a fan than have the system get too hot and die

11. How mobile does this system need to be? no water cooling, only air

12. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? yes

13. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? in a couple weeks


Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations for or against this build. I want to have the lowest energy consumption while also being stable for near 24/7 operation as a media/data server. It might be utilized for P2P download/sharing of content which is legal to distribute.

Thanks

If you're going to use it for anything other than HTPC/NAS duties, I suggest a build with a discrete CPU (low powered like the i3 2100T (?) if you want to save power). I have a similar build and gaming simply does not suit it. And it has very limited overclocking capabilities.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Why not go for a Llano build?

 

[obidamnkenobi]

I have a brazos laptop with the E-350 and I haven't tried it as an HTPC, but I think it might be a bit sluggish. If this is primarily an HTPC (and not just a NAS) I think I'd consider and i3 or similar desktop part as others here have said.

edit: I put a cheap-ish 30GB SSD in my HTPC and it's awesome. Superresponsive and no annoying HDD noise. If you can afford it definitely recommended. Also; if the mechanical disk will just store media a green/5400rpm drive is more than fast enough and less noise

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just wanted to add - if you are going to use the E-350, then that is a single-channel platform, so you might as well get a single 4GB DDR3-1066 CAS 7 DIMM. That's what I have in mine.

 

[phea]

I've been doing some research on the same thing. Using the fusion amd or intel based cpu/video/mobo, I've heard that they do not run very well with media streaming and run hot. Instead I decided to go the sandy bridge option while still sticking with the mini-itx form factor. The prices jump $25-75 dollars higher (depending on mobo + sticking with the 2120t) than the E35M that your going with, but IMO it its worth it because of a stronger CPU.

Intel Core i3-2120T Sandy Bridge 2.6GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 35W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32120T

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115094
-This specific CPU is the 35W version as opposed to the 65W, so its almost as good as Fusion units in terms of power consumption.

BIOSTAR TH61 ITX LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138327
- You can shop around for boards that match your specific needs. I got this board because of the chipset has all the bare essentials i needed. Mainly the 4 SATA 3Gb/slots instead of SATA 6Gb, HDMI, Blu-Ray audio. The newer H67/68 chipsets were aimed more at performance than NAS/HTPC.
- I purchased from amazon to save on CA tax and shipping.

LIAN LI PC-Q08B Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112265
- Always loved Lian Li for the style and construction.
- Has 6 HDD racks and space for a blu-ray drive
- Mini-ITX

FSP Group FSP300-60GHS-R 300W SFX12V 80 PLUS Certified Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104075
- Has brackets to work with a standard ATX case
- Super small and enough wattage to expand to 4-6 HDD's
- 80 PLUS Cert

I just ordered this stuff today, hopefully can post more on it when i put it together. Hope this helps

 

[sep]

Nice setup. When I upgrade I'll use this case & motherboard. CPU I think I'll go the G620 as recommended in the Anandtech File Server Guide.

Oh if it's not to late switch the ps for this one
SilverStone Strider Plus ST50F-P 500W. Someone used this in the same case and it performs and looks really good. I bought the Powersupply for my current server.

Let us know how it works out.

 

[sep]

How is the building going?