Home media streamer only

[mikebsd]

After many hours of searching the internet I feel more lost than when I started. I'm looking to build a media server for my house. The server will only stream music, photos and 1080p remux .mkv movie files.

I have 5 samsung 1080p smart tv's and 2 samsung 720p smart tv's, 2 nexus 7 tablets. I plan on running plex media server either on windows or *nix. I want an ssd drive for my primary OS disk and at least 4TB's of disk space for media storage.

I have all my tv's wired with cat 5 cable and have an gigabit N router with gigabit N switch. My budget is anywhere from $200-$800. I look forward to any help that is provided.

 

[AxlFone]

Do u want something like this?
http://promotions.newegg.com/seagate/13-4026/index.html?cm_sp=Cat_-_Network-Attached-Storage-NAS-_-seagate%2f13-4026-_-http%3a%2f%2fpromotions.newegg.com%2fseagate%2f13-4026%2f118x118.jpg&icid=207141

Or do u want build own system?
Then look here.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1868133/bestconfigs-poll-nas.html

There u can pick parts that u really want.

 

[mikebsd]

I would rather build my own. I think I've come to the correct conclusion that since all I want to do is just stream that the CPU is not a big priority for me. I also will not need a separate graphics card since I wouldn't be hooked up directly to any tv's.

Those 2 links were great thank you. I noticed in the second link you submitted a build. I'm curious if you did any type of raid on that system? If yes, did you use motherboard on-board raid or an additional raid card?

 

[AxlFone]

Just look mobo with 6 or more sata pots.
6-8 big sata drives is so much storage.. And for RAID yes you can do if mobo supports it. Then if you need more storage room you can buy raid card. Not sure if SSD heps much. But sure you can try small 64-128 SSD. Did you plan to do RAID 5 or 10?

There is other options too and choice depend lot what OS you use.
(what is best) Better if look parts and then we can look to make it better?

 

[mikebsd]

Here's my build list I just completed. It's above my budget but I'm fine with that. I am going to more than likely run freenas or ubuntu as my OS. During this process the main worry has been picking a good motherboard, I think I found a good one.

With the build complete I can turn my attention to Raid options. I value data integrity more than storage space.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130T 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($98.07 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1115.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-09 13:29 EST-0500)

 

[sora]

Here's my build list I just completed. It's above my budget but I'm fine with that. I am going to more than likely run freenas or ubuntu as my OS. During this process the main worry has been picking a good motherboard, I think I found a good one.

With the build complete I can turn my attention to Raid options. I value data integrity more than storage space.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130T 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H87M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($82.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($98.07 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1115.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-09 13:29 EST-0500)

Sold build + there is plenty of room for media considering you have 12TB space.

 

[mikebsd]

Thanks, would you recommend on board raid or a raid card?

 

[AxlFone]

Couple things.
AsRock H87 performance do have better soud card on board.
Better VRM components.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h87performance.
One HDMI in + two out. Not sure what u need but. More is more.

Cappstone is good psu (really good) if 450w is cheaper then take it.
This system is not taking so much power that you need 550w.

G.skill memory is better.

Samsung TLC SSD is not best choice. Take MLC samsung pro or sandisk ultra plus. 120GB-> 128Gb. 64GB is maybe enough but mere is netter.

Other pats was looking OK. Maybe cpu can be non T 10cheaper price and u can under volt it mach T .

CPU cooler if you like more silent build.

Here is good one if you can find this.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Raijintek/Ereboss/
Fan is not best one but easy to install more silent fan.
Or use it without fan. (just case fan can be enough)

CM 212 EVO is other option.

Memory is Cl 8 so it is faster than Cl 9 memory. (Cl 9 is cheaper)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($120.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Performance ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($102.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.95 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Red 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.36 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($95.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1115.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-10 06:27 EST-0500)