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Looking to build a media server

  • 29-12-2008 12:20am
    #1
    kaisersose77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,719 ✭✭✭


    At the moment I have a htpc with about 4tb worth of harddrives. I want to setup a media server now that can be accessed by the htpc aswell all the other laptops and pc's in the house. So am looking at getting windows home server as well as more 1tb harddrives so that I have 8 in total, allowing me to have 4tb of data. So I'm looking to get:

    a case that will support at least 9 harddrives
    a processor that can handle streaming data no problem and is low wattage
    power supply that can connect to at least 9 harddrives
    a motherboard that will connect to as many harddrives as possible (i'll get a sata pci card if need more sata connections)
    2gb ram
    gigabit network card

    server will be used for file storage, streaming music, streaming xvid, streaming hd mkv



    If anyone built anything similar lately it would be great if you could let me know what parts you used as I am lost as to what processor and motherboard i need.


Comments

  • #2
    littleemperor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39 ✭littleemperor


    hi,

    just looking at what hp are doing with their home media server, a semporon amd chip is used. if you want to juice it up the intel quad core is about 175 euro and is a great over clocker. that's a lot of hard drives i like the nzxt towers myself
    http://www.komplett.ie/k/kc.aspx?bn=10149
    i use a gigabyte mainboard
    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=342990
    this one is a little expensive but has the 8 sata sockets.
    komplett also do oem home media server software for about 132 euro.

    best of luck


  • #3
    SouperComputer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    a processor that can handle streaming data no problem and is low wattage

    A PII will stream without breaking a sweat, the problem is when you need to transcode or recompress on the fly for certain client machines (XB360 or web streaming, any HD for more than 1 simultaneous wireless device). For this 1 CPU core per simultaneous device/transcode is wise. As pointed out above Core2 Quads are excellent value for money. Add any TV commercial flagging to this too.

    If you don't anticipate much transcoding and it's just pure streaming, something as a low spec as an intel atom (or a PII hehe) will easily do what you need. FWIW, a low wattage CPU isnt going to mean jack if you are running 8HD's!

    If you dont plan overclocking, it would do no harm to just stick with a plain intel-made board. You may have to use an add-in SATA card to have all your drives connected. Gigabit is onboard most motherboards today, just don't make the mistake of having all the client machines running 1Gb too.

    Have you considered any fault tolerance for your data? Not everybody bothers when its just media, but its always a good idea to think about it. A UPS and decent surge protection might not be a bad plan either

    Case wise, of course make sure whatever you pick has good ventilation, especially for the HD's. Spend extra if you need to, it will probably last 6-10 years. Rackmount might be a good idea too, you never know how things might expand in the future. Dont forget to check adverts.ie for used bargains.

    PSU wise, someone else can advise on specifics, but generally avoid thermatake's overrrate rubbish and try to go for something that has a 120mm fan.

    HTH


  • #4
    kaisersose77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,719 ✭✭✭kaisersose77


    well it will be 9 harddrives altogether! (dvd drive will be removed once whs is installed)

    Atm I have these added to my ebuyer cart

    Corsair 4GB Kit (2x2GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL5 Lifetime Warranty
    AMD Sempron LE-1250 Socket AM2 L2 512KB 2.2GHz Energy Efficient 45w Retail Boxed Processor
    Antec 300 Three Hundred Case - No PSU
    Western Digital 1TB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm - OEM Green Power x5
    Microsoft Windows Home Server w/Power Pack 1
    Corsair 400W CX PSU - 12cm DBB Fan 80%Plus Certified Efficiency
    Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2H 740G Socket AM2 onboard VGA 8 channel audio mATX Motherboard
    StarTech Metal 3.5" to 5.25" Drive Brackets 10 Pack (to use harddrives in the 5.25" slots)

    I have a core2quad in my htpc, so that will be doing any encoding etc. This will just be storing my movies, music, tv shows and recording satellite tv to.


    The server will go to sleep when i'm asleep and working hopefully with the lightsout addin for whs. Well i know its not going to sleep for all that time, but it'll be better than being fully on 24/7.

    I've got to a stage where I have about 1tb of movies, 1.5tb of tv shows, 50gb of music etc and I'd like it to be a bit safer than just have them on one pc and no backup. And also I want to be able to access these files from my htpc, laptop, xbox etc.


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