HTPC + RAID 5 + Bittorrent + DLNA Box

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
contro

contro

Distinguished
Apr 12, 2004
297
0
18,780
Approximate Purchase Date: Tomorrow-Next Week


Budget Range: $500-$1000


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Bit Torrent , Watching Movies, Streaming to PS3


Parts Not Required:
Hard Drives for the RAID 5 I already bought 4 Western Digital 2.0TB WD20EARS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136514


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: The cheaper the better, I use newegg.com a lot but I have priceblink installed on my Firefox Web Browser to find even cheaper prices.


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: I prefer ASUS and Intel, but if there is a better brand I am willing to go with another. Would like to go with a Modular Power Supply if possible.


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Monitor Resolution:
I have a LG FLATRON M237WD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005120&cm_re=M237WD-_-24-005-120-_-Product



Additional Comments: Here is my current setup:
I have a Samsung HW-C560S Home Theater System
and everything is connected to it, The LG Monitor, my PS3, and for now My Asus W3J Laptop which is acting as my current home theater PC.....

I'm not sure where to start originally I wanted to use the 4X 2TB drives in a NAS Enclosure was looking at Synology DS411j but in the end a DIY build was the most logical choice due to all the things I want to do on the computer.

They machine will be on 24/7 I am a slightly bit concerned about power when I am not going to be home. I'd like to run Windows 7 on it, Movies will be watched on the PC 1080p, flash, and maybe Blu-Ray discs but I have a PS3 for that so it's not terribly important. and uTorrent will be run on it.

Preferably I'd like sound and video to be outputted via one HDMI cable, not sure if it's possible or if it's the best choice.

I'd like to go with a HTPC case the smaller the better if it's possible, At least 5 hard drive bays if possible, I do not want to install the OS on the RAID 5 array. The quieter the better.

Well that's pretty much all the information I have. Any questions feel free to ask I'll reply as soon as I read the feedback.
 
Solution
Alvin Smith
NOTICE ... I will continue to edit and develop the build, on THIS message posting.
................The contents of THIS post is subject to change ... check back frequently.
*****************************************************************

Motherboard ... Well, HERE is your "ASUS" Motherboard ... But NOT INTEL SOCKET !

ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
$140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=eCWbkolMf0DOW0IV

And ... Here is ALL THE PROC YOU WILL NEED (Does Everything you asked + plenty of head-room)
... On YOUR budget, you will be using the STOCK COOLER (3.2GHz, stock ! .. No OC req'd ! )

AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana...
Sort by date Sort by votes
Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

Distinguished
Feb 16, 2010
3,479
0
20,960
Just read your last post ... Gonna make some espresso and take a shower, right now.

... Forget about the spinpoint ...

... At only $16, you might want to buy a NEW **SATA** DVDR, now, anyway ... maybe.

... I'll have to get back to you, on the rest ... Annual Property Taxes!

laytah
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
contro

contro

Distinguished
Apr 12, 2004
297
0
18,780


Ahh I understand taxes... ughh, I think I may actually have a SATA DVD Burner lemme check.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
contro

contro

Distinguished
Apr 12, 2004
297
0
18,780
I chose free shipping from Amazon and the cheapest shipping from NewEgg. Just received e-mails saying everything has shipped except the CPU cooling fan from Amazon wonder why.... But all the parts I ordered are expected to be here tomorrow or by Wednesday. Just checked up on the DVD Burners I have all of them are Parallel but the motherboard I ordered does have a 1 x ATA133 2 Dev. Max so I can use one of the ones I have for the OS install would like to pick up a Blu-Ray burner.

As for the SDD I'd really like to make use of the 6.0Gb/s SATA on the motherboard any feedback on these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120%20600038519%204017&IsNodeId=1&name=%24100%20-%20%24200
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

Distinguished
Feb 16, 2010
3,479
0
20,960
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148357

You can plug this into a SATA-II *OR* a SATA-III port connector ... It is gonna run at (prolly) exactly the same speed ... Only the very pricey "super-pro" SSDs can saturate the older SATA-II standard interface.

.... A SATA3 port will "step-down" for a SATA-II drive ...

... Likewise ... You can hang a SATA3 Drive on a SATA2 port and the drive will "step down" (if it is really that fast) ...

... The vast majority of SSDs cannot even saturate a SATA2 interface, regardless of if they conform to SATA3, or not ...

I would not consider the interface, as a purchasing factor, unless I was buying a REALLY big/fast (internally RAIDed) SSD.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
contro

contro

Distinguished
Apr 12, 2004
297
0
18,780


Going to buy it.

I do understand what you are saying it's the same for USB 3.0, SATA 6.0Gb/s the technology is still to new for it to be fully utilized.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

Distinguished
Feb 16, 2010
3,479
0
20,960


Great! I have been tellig folks that BR burners would be well under $100 after christmas, for 9 months, now .... looks like that came true.

... I'm still trying to figger what BR is good for (read OR write) ??

... Blockbuster went bankrupt ... nobody rents, that way ... I can't even get my busy friends and fam to watch disks that I made/burned (regular DVDs) ... I just started a channel on YouTube and sending email links seems to work .... Your call ... If you ever use the BR burn function ... I see precious littlr use or justification .. then .. now ... ever ... But, I can see a reader, in an HTPC ... but with DRM/HDCP, there are blocks on commercial material ... I mean ... USB drives prolly nake more sense.


Any-who ... I did my duty ... made my point ... $80 aint chicken feed but, if a BRB belongs ANYwhere... it is in an HTPC/Server.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
contro

contro

Distinguished
Apr 12, 2004
297
0
18,780
Going to document the build on my website as well as on this forum. Pics will be on my website stay tuned!

I'm gonna get some sleep. Just finished shoveling snow outside, ughh have to do it tomorrow again as well maybe will post pics later tonight or sooner hopefully.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

Distinguished
Feb 16, 2010
3,479
0
20,960
Pretty pics ... VERY nice page design.

*****************************************************

If you have ANY technical issues, be sure to consult this TS guide ...
... Everything that I know (and several other techs) is in it ...
It *DOES* solve over 90% of probs with any new build (or failure).
... KEEP IT HANDY !!
...READ *BEFORE* BUILDING !
***********************************

PERFORM THESE STEPS before posting about boot/no video problems!

"System won't boot" and "no video output" checklist


This checklist is a compilation of troubleshooting ideas from many forum members. It's very important to actually perform every step in the checklist if you want to effectively troubleshoot your problem.

1. Did you carefully read the motherboard owners manual?

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

***************************************************

Also, this is our builder's guide ...

AGAIN ... READ *BEFORE* BUILDING !

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Last Updated on November 6, 2010

This thread is to provide a step-by-step guide to how to build a PC. These are the general steps required in building a PC, which can be performed what sequence you feel best fits your needs.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

Distinguished
Feb 16, 2010
3,479
0
20,960
Yeah ... I issue those links, as standard procedure, once the parts start rolling in ...

In that last day, waiting on the final parts ... A good time to "BONE UP".

(Saves me at least half my headaches ... too ... could save MORE if folks would READ!).

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

Distinguished
Feb 16, 2010
3,479
0
20,960


MIND ?! ... Are you effin kidding me ?! ... PLEASE !


I like to spoon-feed these links and apply as much emphasis as might be well received.

Timing (timeliness) also is in the builder's ultimate interest.

... Sometimes, the day they order is the last you will hear from them ... You should get a "feel" of when a customer is going to sustain the relationship, throughout the build ... I like to sneak away, at this point ... But I am always just one PM away.

Anyway ... Point is ... Sometimes I issue the "Help Links" as early as "commitment time" ... If the builder looks to be highly confident and less needy. ... Just to remind them and so that they will have a handy reference.

.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
contro

contro

Distinguished
Apr 12, 2004
297
0
18,780
OMG! I can't believe I wasn't notified of these posts! Oh I went and bought 5 SATA cables from Newegg last night, still waiting on the CPU Heatsink, and SSD Drive. Also The case only came with two large fance one on top and one on back I'll need to purchase two extra fans for the Hard Drive area.

120 mm fans I went and looked on New Egg last night but couldn't make a choice on any of them I'm looking for real quiet fans that would keep the WD20EARS cool I mean they spin at 5400RPM so I imagine they should not generate that much heat already but I just want to be safe.

As soon as the rest of the components come in (I really hope everything comes in by the beginning of next week sometime) I will post more pics.

Like the new system builder's guide links you posted never had a need to use them, but this is a new computer I am building. It has been I'd say almost two years since I built a new system I don't foresee any major problems. The only major concern I have is setting up the RAID 10 I have never set up a RAID 10 though I imagine it cannot be that difficult just wish I had some clear instructions, OS is not going on the RAID 10, OS is going on the SSD. Also going to pick-up Window 7 Ultimate from my friend today for a sweet price of $60 !

I like how he's using the same case as me in my build : http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building ^__^


Also big that to everyone who posted here Especially a big Shout of Thanks to Alvin Smith for all the suggestions and information he has given me!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
contro

contro

Distinguished
Apr 12, 2004
297
0
18,780
Ok the SSD and CPU cooling fan came in today. I had to edit my website a bit pics were coming out funky so I separated them in two posts:
Part I

and

Part II

Alls that I am waiting for right now is the SATA cables for the RAID array, and recommendations for 120mm case fans to cool the hard drives.

Going to start the build and OS Install most likely tonight or tomorrow! I'm sure the RAID can be created after the OS Install.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

Distinguished
Feb 16, 2010
3,479
0
20,960
These are very quiet ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185091&cm_re=120MM_fan-_-35-185-091-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

These are good and cheap. ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103052&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

These provide better air-flow and turbulence ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXucLF74uo8

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
contro

contro

Distinguished
Apr 12, 2004
297
0
18,780


Bought the Scythe's moves more air. Waiting on the Fans and the SATA cables for the RAID setup and it should be practically complete.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom