![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
I figured this forum would be more appropriate than the General Hardware forum due to my specific needs, so would appreciate comments on my proposed setup.
I've been reading up on Windows Home Server and it seems to be a pretty simply yet effective solution. I'm quite intruiged by the software JBOD where I can add additional storage when necessary. I would rather not have to fiddle around with RAID and/or linux - while I can, my job right now leaves me absolutely drained and exhausted at the end of the day.
While budget is not a constraint, I would rather not spend a great deal of money on something I figure requires little computing power. It'll be running 24/7, so I don't really want power hungry components anyhow.
My proposed build is something like this:
Motherboard: Either GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM or GIGABYTE GA-M78SM (I'm wondering if its worth the extra 15 bucks to get the 8200 onboard graphics in the event I want to play HD video right off of it)
Proc: AMD64x2 4600
Ram: Some old 2 x 512 DDR2 I have lying around
Case: I'm at a loss here. Are there any decent mATX cases with a goodly number of 3.5" bays? mATX is good since it takes up less space, but I'll do mid-tower if necessary
PSU: I have a spare PSU from my old Antec Sonata lying around somewhere. Not sure if there SATA power supplies on the thing though. Will have to check that up. Otherwise - would also appreciate comments on a reasonably lower
Storage: I'll add as and when I need, right now I'm starting off with an old 74GB Raptor as an OS drive and 1 x WD6400AAKS and 1 x Seagate 7200.10 500GB
In addition to comments on my proposed setup above, I'd appreciate comments on the following as well:
How good is Windows Home Server as a media server? I currently have two options - to stream wirelessly using some form of UPnP, or to set it up near my TV and play off HDMI
Right now my home network is wireless G + regular ethernet. I know it probably won't cut it when streaming wirelessly, so I'd probably have to upgrade my gear to Wireless N if I want to go that route. [Unrelated quesiton - anyone have a good wireless N bridge to recommend?] I guess there won't be any problem playing it off HDMI - my only worry is if the processor and onboard graphics will have the juice. In terms of streaming, what options would I have?
I've been reading up on Windows Home Server and it seems to be a pretty simply yet effective solution. I'm quite intruiged by the software JBOD where I can add additional storage when necessary. I would rather not have to fiddle around with RAID and/or linux - while I can, my job right now leaves me absolutely drained and exhausted at the end of the day.
While budget is not a constraint, I would rather not spend a great deal of money on something I figure requires little computing power. It'll be running 24/7, so I don't really want power hungry components anyhow.
My proposed build is something like this:
Motherboard: Either GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM or GIGABYTE GA-M78SM (I'm wondering if its worth the extra 15 bucks to get the 8200 onboard graphics in the event I want to play HD video right off of it)
Proc: AMD64x2 4600
Ram: Some old 2 x 512 DDR2 I have lying around
Case: I'm at a loss here. Are there any decent mATX cases with a goodly number of 3.5" bays? mATX is good since it takes up less space, but I'll do mid-tower if necessary
PSU: I have a spare PSU from my old Antec Sonata lying around somewhere. Not sure if there SATA power supplies on the thing though. Will have to check that up. Otherwise - would also appreciate comments on a reasonably lower
Storage: I'll add as and when I need, right now I'm starting off with an old 74GB Raptor as an OS drive and 1 x WD6400AAKS and 1 x Seagate 7200.10 500GB
In addition to comments on my proposed setup above, I'd appreciate comments on the following as well:
How good is Windows Home Server as a media server? I currently have two options - to stream wirelessly using some form of UPnP, or to set it up near my TV and play off HDMI
Right now my home network is wireless G + regular ethernet. I know it probably won't cut it when streaming wirelessly, so I'd probably have to upgrade my gear to Wireless N if I want to go that route. [Unrelated quesiton - anyone have a good wireless N bridge to recommend?] I guess there won't be any problem playing it off HDMI - my only worry is if the processor and onboard graphics will have the juice. In terms of streaming, what options would I have?
