home server to stream media

[ebmurray21]

Specs:
asus sabertooth 990fx
amd fx-8120
4GB ram
HIS ICE Q 6950 2GB
3 x 1 TB WD NAS HDD
600w PSU

I've recently just built a 2nd PC with some old parts that I'll be using for a home media server. I'd like to be able to stream everything to other devices in the house and devices when I'm away.

The thing is though, I don't have a clue what to do next.

What's the best OS to use? I was initially thinking of using Ubuntu desktop
What programmes are easy to use? GUI based?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Solandri]

amd fx-8120

I've recently just built a 2nd PC with some old parts that I'll be using for a home media server. I'd like to be able to stream everything to other devices in the house and devices when I'm away.

I don't recommend using an old PC for a media server. Media servers are typically left running 24/7, and older PCs tend to burn a lot of power. Some quick googling says a AMD FX-8120 system will consume about 80 Watts at idle. By comparison, a modern desktop i3 system will be down around 25 Watts idle, even lower if you use a NUC with laptop parts.

If your electricity is the U.S. average of $0.12/kWh, then a device left on 24/7 for a year will cost almost exactly as many dollars as it consumes Watts. So the difference between your old system and a newer low-power system will be (80 - 25) = $55/yr. By running the old system, you're saving the purchase price of a new system, but you're paying an extra $55/yr in electricity. After 5+ years, you've paid more in extra electricity than it would've cost to buy a NUC or NAS to operate as your media server.

For this reason I highly recommend buying a low-power NAS or NUC (or just re-purpose an old laptop) designed to operate as a media server, instead of re-purposing an old desktop. I know it feels like the environmentally friendly and cost-effective thing is to re-use the old desktop. But the computer industry is a bit weird in that the rate of technological progress is so fast, older equipment often becomes obsolete within a few years.

Edit: If you choose to disregard this and proceed anyway, look into running FreeNAS. Or running Windows or Linux with a Plex server.

 

[ebmurray21]

The PC will be running most of the time, but not 24/7. I don't have money to dish out for more components, and my rent has bills included, so electricity is no worry.

I appreciate your lengthy reply and all of the information. All I'm really after is a way to make this work.

thanks

 

[ebmurray21]

I was looking at Plex already, i'll go with that. Thanks.