[scottyten]

Hi Guys, almost ready to build, just need someone to have a look over it to make sure I am not making any mistakes or missing out anything important.

Thanks

Previously have built an A8 based HTPC that this will serve to among other things.
Also based in Australia
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H-MVP Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($111.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($137.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($137.46 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($137.46 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl ATX Mid Tower Case ($125.30 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $856.63
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-23 08:29 EDT-0400)

I have been looking at purchasing/and or building a Home server (NAS) primarily for HTPC use. I have probably around a $500 budget (excluding hard drives). I looked at the HP N40L's but was put off as I hear they struggle with transcoding.

Looking to connect the HTPC and other computers to the server via cat6 (pre wired) and (wireless? for laptops).

Requirements:

• Minimum 6-10Tb potential storage (Already have 4TB of movies)
  
• Some redundancy for essential stuff (Probably can't afford/need backups of 4tb of movies)
  
• Ability to be self running ie Sabnzbd, sickbeard, couchpotato etc Will serve the HTPC and other computer's the movies to be used with XBMC (and possibly plex)
  
• Ability to Expand Drive pool as needed (4-6 bays)
  

Preferable

• Ability to stream movies to ps3's and apple tv's (Transcode?)
  
• Ability to emulate n64 games (easy I know)
  
• Run an iTunes server
  
• Run as a HTPC if needed (via HDMI)
  
• Quiet & not absurdly large "
  

Any help is appreciated
(ps I know it's a bit overkill for a server but I like the ability to expand and use it as a primary pc if needed)

Thanks

Scott

[Arkitket]

The only thing that stands out for me is the Z77 board. The Z series are primarily for overclocking, but the i3-3220 is not overclockable. The H77 boards are usually identical but without the ability to overclock.

[Dougie Fresh]

My favorite server parts right now are these:

ASUS P8H77-I mini-itx motherboard (has 6 x SATA ports that face up)
Lian-Li PC-Q25 (7 HDD bays, 5 hotswappable)
FSP GHS-R 300W SFX12V PSU (takes up minimal space and comes with ATX mounting bracket)

All the other stuff you outlined like the i3-3220, RAM, HDDs and ODD would also fit right in there.

[scottyten]

Thanks for the replies!
I can get the ASUS P8H77M-PRO slightly cheaper, do you think it's better to swap to that?/
Also with the case I can't see anywhere the ODD can fit, + the ability to replace a 5.25 bay with more HDD's later on is very appealing, that being said smaller would be better.

[Dougie Fresh]

The Lian-Li PC-Q08 would be a better choice if you want an ODD (which you said )

LIAN LI PC-Q08B Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case

You'd need to get the mini-ITX motherboard, the mATX motherboard would not fit.

My home server is the PC-Q08, ASUS E35M1-I, 4GB and 6 x 3.5" HDDs + 1 x 2.5" (SSD for the OS) and the FSP GHS-R 300W PSU I linked. I like it very much for a compact but not too-compact server.

[anthony.selby]

What OS are you putting on this ?

I would get a SSD (or thumbdrive) and load freenas on it

I would probably add some more ram and remove the DVD

You can then use XFS with block deduplication and store even more information ... on my library (90 or so tv series and 700+ movies) I gained 2 TB

* Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820139981 $69.99
* New Board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157302 $87.55
* Chip
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819115078 $119.99
* SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820227510 $25.99 * After rebate

Total: 866.19

[Arkitket]

I definitely would go for an ASUS board if you can, IMO they are great quality

[scottyten]

Should point out that I am in Australia so can't use newegg or amazon etc.

pcpartpicker helps heaps with australian prices.

As for the OS, not sure yet. Looking for something that runs XBMC, Itunes and Serves files. I have never used linux before.

[scottyten]

Update so far

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($85.00 @ MSY)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($39.95 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($155.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($155.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($155.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($119 @ MSY)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 450 ($58.00 @ MSY)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($19.00 @ MSY)
Total: $926.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-24 22:10 EST+1000)

[haf-blade]

Without reading all comments

i3-3220 has only a hd2500 graphics unit
i3-3225 has a hd4000 graphics unit

So if you use it as client without further graphics card take the 3225

[scottyten]

I've heard that it would be a better fit (the 3225) but I can't seem to find it anywhere in australia.

[haf-blade]

I suppose the ship transporting the cpus to australia is attacked by bad boys. Perhaps you should wait 1 or 2 weeks
I'm sure the 3225 will work really better because the hd4000 is the much better on cpu gpu

[Dougie Fresh]

Since this is not an HTPC, but a server that might see work as a primary PC, you don't need the i3-3225 over the i3-3220 unless you have a specific use case that requires HD4000 over HD2500.

[scottyten]

Hi Dougie,

This would primarily be used as a server but will be connected to a tv so that It can also be used as a HTPC when needed. It will be serving via cat 6 (already installed) to my primary tv and A8 HTPC downstairs (in bedroom). It may be used for everyday tasks further down the line, but at the moment it would not be needed.

If the difference is under $20 I might just go for the 3225 as over two years it's not too much if the benefits are there.

[Dougie Fresh]

Ok, in that case, yes I would spend the extra $15-20 to get the i3-3225.

I just built 3 PCs in the Fractal Design Define Mini and 1 in the Define R4 and they are super nice cases. I can't believe how heavy they are. The minis weighed 35lbs when assembled and the R4 was 40lbs when done.