Media Server ~€250

Telchak

Okay, so I'm planning to get a computer to run Plex Media Server on to end all my NAS & Raspbmc woes! :eek:.

1. What is your budget?
Around €300 including the Roku.

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer?
A Plex media server, and a file server for some other things like photos. Will mostly be streamed to a Roku, Chromecast (via my GS3), and a WDTV Play (Eventually probably just three Roku's).

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Yes/No]
No.

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer?
I already have the drives

5. Do you need a monitor? [Yes/No]
No, I'll be managing via remote desktop.

6. Do you need any of these peripherals?
Nope

7. Are you willing to try overclocking?
Want to keep it quiet, so no.

8. How can you pay?
Visa debit, or or bank transfer (would prefer to use Amazon)

9. When are you purchasing?
Friday hopefully.

10. If you need help building it, where are you based?
I don't!

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So here's what I was thinking (couldn't get the basket script to work)

• Intel Core i3-3220 - £79.14
  
• MSI B75IA-E33 - £50.20
  
• 4GB Integral DDR3 - £32.99
  
• Thermaltake Element Q (220W) - £51.98
  
• Roku 2 XS - £49.98
  

That brings me to £264.29, or about €321. #I don't know much about the AMD side of things.

I already have the drives I need, but was also looking for some advice on the sofware side of things. I was planning to run Lubuntu with Plex Media Server. The thing that has me a bit confused is file management.

Ideally I need some way of being able to manage the files on it from my Chromebook, but don't know anything that will give me a web interface to do so. Any suggestions in this regard would be great Edit: At the moment I can use chroot to connect to SMB shares, so might just end up using that. Would prefer a less messy browser-based option though.

yawhat!

If your going down the mini Itx build would you not be better off using that with XBMC?

Telchak

yawhat! wrote: »

If your going down the mini Itx build would you not be better off using that with XBMC?

Not sure what you mean, I want Plex to serve to multiple devices

yawhat!

Telchak wrote: »

Not sure what you mean, I want Plex to serve to multiple devices

That mini ITX build would slot under your TV as its small enough. You use XBMC to manage and play all your files.

http://xbmc.org/about/

Ah just seen you wanted multiple devices. Never mind.

Telchak

yawhat! wrote: »

That mini ITX build would slot under your TV as its small enough. You use XBMC to manage and play all your files.

http://xbmc.org/about/

Oh, I see what you mean. No, I want the server running on it's own somewhere in the house and have a Roku & Chromecast hidden behind the televisions.

Genghiz Cohen

Would a NAS work?

Telchak

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

Would a NAS work?

More bang for buck if I build myself. Really need something that will handle Plex transcoding.

davidsatelle100

The Hp proliant microserver deals that come up now and then will work for you. I use one running plex to a nowtv and works perfectly.

Telchak

The processor in the ProLiant seems (significantly) less powerful than the i3 I was going to get. Keep in mind I will occasionally be transcoding to two devices and streaming to a third at the same time.

Telchak

Went the AMD route in the end; the six core FX6300 price was too tempting