OS for Media\Home Server maybe email server later

[Toepunch]

Ok I am looking at a Media home server to store everything on (movies, music, pics and backups) and stream them through the house.

For the server I have a quad core socket 754 with 4gb ram and multiple hhd, boot will be a 37gb raptor and a 2tb WD red drive other HHD's.

For the 2 pc connected to tvs will be an ITX board w core i3 intel 3000 onboard video with 6gb ram and a small SSD around a 100GB.

Stuff that will be connecting to it are 3 Win7 pc's, Win8 pro tablet and 3 android tablets. 2 of the android tablets are for kids also.

What is the best OS for this? I was looking at WHS 2012 but not against Linux, windows 7 or 8. Also looking at email server in the future probably.

 

[Dion]

Win7 or 8 is all you need.

 

[Dangman]

For the server I have a quad core socket 754

Double check what motherboard and CPU you have. There is no such thing as socket 754 quad-core CPUs.

 

[Toepunch]

Opps your right not 754. Haven't looked at it since 2008.

MB is a EVGA 750i FTW with a 2.4 GhzSocket 775 quad core

 

[Dangman]

If you don't already have a legal and transferable copy of windows 7 or 8 available, I'd go with Linux.

 

[svet-am]

I do exactly his at home with CentOS 6 under the hood. I run MythTV for all of my TV/media as well as OwnCloud, SaMBa, FTP, and SubSonic (Google Music replacement).