HTPC/Media PC decision

[only1brian]

Okay, im in the process of wanting to build another PC just for to store media... but also want a HTPC.

Would it be a good idea to combine the two? It would consist of 5 Harddrives (1music, 1DVD rips, 1short films/shows, 1 movies compressed, then the OS)

But the cases i had in mind were:
Antec 180, soprano, or Zalman HD160XT

http://www.xoxide.com/zalman-hd160xt-case-silver.html

 

[w1retap]

Just build a cheap NAS server running FreeNAS. Use spare parts and free stuff as much as you can, buy a few low end parts if you need to. It doesn't take a powerful system to run it.

Then, build your HTPC and have it connect to the NAS server for content. This way you wouldn't have to have the HTPC on 24/7 to be the server, and you also won't have to worry about all the extra heat in your HTPC system. You can go with a smaller/cheaper case to save more money. (unless you want the $600 case with a touchscreen)

 

[only1brian]

Just build a cheap NAS server running FreeNAS. Use spare parts and free stuff as much as you can, buy a few low end parts if you need to. It doesn't take a powerful system to run it.

Then, build your HTPC and have it connect to the NAS server for content. This way you wouldn't have to have the HTPC on 24/7 to be the server, and you also won't have to worry about all the extra heat in your HTPC system. You can go with a smaller/cheaper case to save more money. (unless you want the $600 case with a touchscreen)

That was something im also considering.

 

[nlancaster]

This is my Home Theater/Server.

I am using a Thermalright XP-120 without a fan and a custom cardboard shroud from the Silverstone ST60F PSU to draw air over the CPU heatsink. My temps are around 43 degrees celcius on the CPU, so basically silent. And rock stable. I also crammed in an Icydock 5-in-3 Sata Backplane, sometime in the future I am planing to mod the case to take a second 5-in-3 HD rack for a total of 10HDs. And also with a little bit of modding you probably could fit in more internal hard drives. But it does have space for 3 of them in the case.

O and I forgot to mention. This machine is only 15inches tall because of the same odd Power supply placment as the V600.

http://www.lian-li.com/product/product06.php?pr_index=14&cl_index=1&sc_index=1&ss_index=4&type=a

 

[only1brian]

This is my Home Theater/Server.

I am using a Thermalright XP-120 without a fan and a custom cardboard shroud from the Silverstone ST60F PSU to draw air over the CPU heatsink. My temps are around 43 degrees celcius on the CPU, so basically silent. And rock stable. I also crammed in an Icydock 5-in-3 Sata Backplane, sometime in the future I am planing to mod the case to take a second 5-in-3 HD rack for a total of 10HDs. And also with a little bit of modding you probably could fit in more internal hard drives. But it does have space for 3 of them in the case.

O and I forgot to mention. This machine is only 15inches tall because of the same odd Power supply placment as the V600.

http://www.lian-li.com/product/product06.php?pr_index=14&cl_index=1&sc_index=1&ss_index=4&type=a



http://nlancaster.shackspace.com/HTPC%20server.jpg[/IMG]

Thats what im thinking of doing with the antec.
I might as well do this, and then if i feel like i want to have a standalone HTPC, i can just build one and add it to the network later on. For now, im at an apt with a few others, and i dont have a TV at the moment, so most of what i do is on my PC anyway.