Approximate Purchase Date: Next few months
Budget Range: Cheaper the better, but $800 max
System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC, FTP server LAN file sharing, Home Automation center (maybe eventually)
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference. Usually use amazon/newegg, but will buy elsewhere if recommended
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: No full towers or the like, but pretty open otherwise.
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (HD TV via HDMI)
Additional Comments: Quiet would be good, Power savings are my top priority.
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When I started looking around I only had eyes for an HTPC, so I was looking at the ZOTAC ZBOX nano VD01 PLUS, but then I started thinking about an FTP server and maybe even a home automation center, and I am not sure if that will be powerful enough. My main concern here is energy efficiency, since the box will most likely be on 24/7. After that stability is another concern due to the required up time.
What I'm thinking now is to use a Linux install (probably Ubuntu because of its ease of use) on a mid-powered micro PC. Honestly though, I am no electrical engineer; I know more watts = more money for the most part, but that's about as far as my knowledge goes in that department.
I realize that all the different things I want this machine to do makes it rather difficult to create something small and low-powered, but any help you guys can give would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Budget Range: Cheaper the better, but $800 max
System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC, FTP server LAN file sharing, Home Automation center (maybe eventually)
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference. Usually use amazon/newegg, but will buy elsewhere if recommended
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: No full towers or the like, but pretty open otherwise.
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (HD TV via HDMI)
Additional Comments: Quiet would be good, Power savings are my top priority.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
When I started looking around I only had eyes for an HTPC, so I was looking at the ZOTAC ZBOX nano VD01 PLUS, but then I started thinking about an FTP server and maybe even a home automation center, and I am not sure if that will be powerful enough. My main concern here is energy efficiency, since the box will most likely be on 24/7. After that stability is another concern due to the required up time.
What I'm thinking now is to use a Linux install (probably Ubuntu because of its ease of use) on a mid-powered micro PC. Honestly though, I am no electrical engineer; I know more watts = more money for the most part, but that's about as far as my knowledge goes in that department.
I realize that all the different things I want this machine to do makes it rather difficult to create something small and low-powered, but any help you guys can give would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!