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Build Help - Spec Please

I

imranm

n00b
Joined
Nov 25, 2010
Messages
7
Hi

I've not put together my own rig for what seems an eternity, the last I remember is back when the first ever Athlon was released I'm not very familiar with what's available today and what works well together.

What better place to get some expert advise too!

I've moved to Mac's for many reasons however I would like build a NAS/Stream/Download machine. I was looking at buying a QNAP/Synology and running SABNZBD but user reviews were not very positive with the unpacking, streaming of files etc

So it needs to...

- Run Windows WHS probably,
- Handle downloads, unrar, par2 from Usenet on my Virgin 50MB
- Stream (transcode) to my iPad, iPhone using AirVideo or something similar
- Stream (transcode) to the PS3 too

I will house the server in the cellar so it doesn't matter what it looks like but I need it to be fairly quiet as we use the basement for storage and the wife is always popping down there!

Don't need an optical drive, won't be connecting a display just use remote desktop.

I think 1TB to start with will be enough and I can add more later, RAID is not a requirement.

I was looking at using the Intel Atom (D525) as it consumes a great deal less power, but I don't know if it's up to the job?

I'm at work during the day the only time it will be on is in the evening's and weekends probably use wake-on-lan maybe?

Won't be gaming at all, so something basic would be great, I do prefer the size of the ITX.

I currently use a MacBook 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo etc

Thanks very much for taking the help out I appreciate it :D
 
Sorry missed that - done


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc+

1) Downloading from USENET via my+50MB Cable Connection. 2) Stream/Transcode on the fly movies via AirVideo, ZumoCast to my iPad/iPhone into h264 format. 3) Stream movies to PS3 using PS3MediaServer. 4) Use as a fileserver, shared folders etc - No gaming

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?+

I'm not sure I've never done a build like this before, nothing very expensive and cheaper than a QNAP/Synology equivalent NAS.

3) Where do you live?+

UK, Manchester

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need. +

Case, MotherBoard, CPU, Hard Drive (1TB), RAM, PSU, Some Fans and Cables if necessary. A Mini-ITX system does appeal to me. Graphics on board should be sufficient I would have thought?

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.+

No Parts Available

6) Will you be overclocking?+

Slightly if not at all

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?+

No monitor, content delivered via network etc Managed remotely, system will be located in the basement.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?+

ASAP

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.+

If it's Mini-ITX then an external power source maybe. Quiet onboard and additional fans, quiet as possible! RAID not necessary.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?+

I have been given a licensed copy of Win 2008 Server Standard from work, I think it's 32 bit.


Thanks for your help.
 
You really need to think about how much money you want/have to spend on this build as it is very important when choosing the right parts for your build. With that being said, there are many different models ranging in a bunch of different prices for QNAP/Synology products.
 
I would say around £250 max, I had a look at a few qnas and synology products but they weren't very powerful
 
imranm said:
I would say around £250 max, I had a look at a few qnas and synology products but they weren't very powerful
Click to expand...

£54.57 - AMD Athlon II X3 440 CPU
£43.45 - Asus M4A78LT-M LE AMD 760G AM3 Motherboard
£20.55 - Hypertec 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM
£38.86 - Seagate Barracuda 1Tb 7200.12 Hard Drive
£34.55 - Corsair 430CX 430W PSU
£33.95 - Coolermaster Elite 340 mATX Case
---
Total: £225.93 inc VAT plus shipping

I couldn't come up with a mITX setup that would have provided decent transcoding performance.
 
That CPU is crap and probably wouldn't last very long. No telling how many components it would take out when it does. I'd stick with a solid PSU over a cheap one.
 
Skillz said:
That PSU is crap and probably wouldn't last very long. No telling how many components it would take out when it does. I'd stick with a solid PSU over a cheap one.
Click to expand...
Fixed that for ya. :)

But yeah, imranm, don't skimp on the PSU. As Skillz said, the big risk of going with a lower quality or even shitty quality like the PSU you chose is that those PSUs can damage your PC over time. In addition, there's no telling what their actual power capability are. Just because they say it's a 500W PSU does not make it a 500W PSU. Finally, some shitty PSUs can and will pop and die. The end result of that is sometimes a fully dead PC.

The X2 550 isn't an improvement.
 
I'm just making sure you're staying on your A game Danny!! :p

ps
thanks lol
 
Thanks for all your help so far I really appreciate you guys going to the trouble.

Just to satisfy my curiosity what would be a comparable Intel alternative? I assume it's more expensive.

I want to change the case to something along the lines of the Xigmatek Utgard with the IcyBox Backplane - Could someone recommend a cheaper hot swappable bay type setup? What do you think of the case?
 
The cheapest Intel setup that I can recommend would be based around the Core i3 540 CPU which can be had for around £83.37. The cheapest decent H55 chipset motherboard is around £58.22. The rest of the parts are the same as the AMD setup.

That Xigmatek Utgard is basically a modified Xigmatek copy of the cramped Antec 900 case. As such, I cannot recommend it.

Also in terms of best price to performance ratio for hot-swap capability, you simply cannot beat this case:
http://www.xcase.co.uk/X-Case-RM-420-Hotswap-4u-p/case-rm420.htm
 
imranm said:
What if I changed the CPU to the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition CPU at £65.27 - would that be an improvement?
Click to expand...

In stock form no improvement. But given that the Phenom II x2's are well known for unlocking cores & that motherboard supports it, there is the chance that could end up a Phenom x4 @ 3.1 Ghz simply by changing one setting in the bios. Its a gamble & may or may not pay off.. If the Extra 10ish is something you want to try then go for it.
 
Danny Bui said:
The cheapest Intel setup that I can recommend would be based around the Core i3 540 CPU which can be had for around £83.37. The cheapest decent H55 chipset motherboard is around £58.22. The rest of the parts are the same as the AMD setup.

That Xigmatek Utgard is basically a modified Xigmatek copy of the cramped Antec 900 case. As such, I cannot recommend it.

Also in terms of best price to performance ratio for hot-swap capability, you simply cannot beat this case:
http://www.xcase.co.uk/X-Case-RM-420-Hotswap-4u-p/case-rm420.htm
Click to expand...

Is the on-board GPU as good? The only reason for looking at an Intel solution was should I be naughty and give OSX a go, I know it's against the EULA. I do have Mac's at home so I'll end up drowning myself in guilt and not bothering with it but nevertheless it's a nice to have :eek: :p

I came across the Xigmatek Utgard in this Youtube Video of a 12TB Server Setup. I like the chaps CPU heatsink/fan (Noctua something...).

On AVForums, I spotted this case which I think you'll like, it even has the caddy bay option thingy :D - The case you mentioned is great but expensive, I plan on getting one drive and adding more as I go along.

Let me know your thoughts on how to make it silent as possible.

bastage said:
In stock form no improvement. But given that the Phenom II x2's are well known for unlocking cores & that motherboard supports it, there is the chance that could end up a Phenom x4 @ 3.1 Ghz simply by changing one setting in the bios. Its a gamble & may or may not pay off.. If the Extra 10ish is something you want to try then go for it.
Click to expand...

Now that is interesting, I didn't know that, thanks very much - would be a gamble, what are the chances it works?

Thanks,
 
imranm said:
Is the on-board GPU as good? The only reason for looking at an Intel solution was should I be naughty and give OSX a go, I know it's against the EULA. I do have Mac's at home so I'll end up drowning myself in guilt and not bothering with it but nevertheless it's a nice to have :eek: :p

I came across the Xigmatek Utgard in this Youtube Video of a 12TB Server Setup. I like the chaps CPU heatsink/fan (Noctua something...).

On AVForums, I spotted this case which I think you'll like, it even has the caddy bay option thingy :D - The case you mentioned is great but expensive, I plan on getting one drive and adding more as I go along.

Let me know your thoughts on how to make it silent as possible.



Now that is interesting, I didn't know that, thanks very much - would be a gamble, what are the chances it works?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Hard to say.. it depends alot on the batches & what the retailer has been sending out & being as your on the other side of the pond I would not be able to even speculate.. Also of note though. Alot of the athalon x3's could unlock into a quad as well so the slightly cheaper one may as well.
 
imranm said:
Is the on-board GPU as good? The only reason for looking at an Intel solution was should I be naughty and give OSX a go, I know it's against the EULA. I do have Mac's at home so I'll end up drowning myself in guilt and not bothering with it but nevertheless it's a nice to have :eek: :p
Click to expand...
The onboard GPU is still good. However for OSX, you will need to get a separate video card as OSX, hacked or not, does not support the onboard GPUs of the Core i3 and Core i5 dual core CPUs.

imranm said:
Let me know your thoughts on how to make it silent as possible.
Click to expand...

All right then what's your new budget? It's extremely clear now that you're willing to go past your original £250 budget. It's also clear that you have some new requirements for the case setup. So please list out ALL of your new requirements right now please.

Also, how much storage do you have to have in the future? And did you seriously want hot-swap capability or multiple drive bay capability (two different things)
 
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