gaming pc/plex server all in one or pc nas server build?

[Bradley Kars]

Is it really worth it to build a nas server for 24/7 streaming via plex or should I just add the HDDs to the gaming pc I'm building and call it good?

Nas server build

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($298.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus H87I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($100.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Case: Silverstone DS380B Mini ITX Tower Case ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: FSP Group 300W 80+ Certified SFX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $1425.93

That adds $750 to my build (putting me at $3500) vs just adding the HDDs and calling it good.

 

[Because0789]

I built a separate machine because I didn't want to leave my gaming machine on all the time and didn't want either a)turn off the server while gaming or b)Have the transcodes interfere with my gaming. I also have other people using my server so that is why I wouldn't want to turn off the server. If you want to save some money you could go with the Fractal Design Node 304 for $90 bucks, 6 drives but you could probably fit 1-2 ssds/2.5 inch drives in as well and most motherboards only have 6 Sata connections as well. I would spend the money you save on a 128 gig ssd for the main os, it will speed up all of the library and metadata actions that the server has to do.

 

[Because0789]

Though that case is pretty sweet for that purpose, wish I had known about it when I did my build.

 

[Bradley Kars]

I actually found the case in a blog and it seemed awesome, I don't need the SSD as I'm planning to use freenas which runs off USB but thank you for the input on the nas server seeming far more appealing