Help me build a Mini-ITX Windows Home Server =D?

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iNfmousMobb

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Feb 12, 2013
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I was gonna get a Synology NAS but, because I want to use it as a download server I think WHS 2011 would be a better build for the money. Also, the consumer based synology product line seems rather underpowered.

Also, I'd prefer to use mini-itx and this Lian-Li case because... well.. its sexy as hell. LIAN LI PC-Q25B

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next few weeks.

Budget Range: $500 (+/- $100) after rebates/tax

System Usage from Most to Least Important: I want to run Windows Home Server 2011 to accomplish the following.... File storage, streaming media (specifically 1080p mkv H.264 videos) to my media player (sony smp-n200, possibly a wdtv live or htpc in the future), downloading via jdownloader/other download applications (I have files saved on mega), downloading via sabnzb/sickbeard, and unrarring 5GB+ files. I wish for it to be a 24/7 machine so low power consumption is a must. (windows backups to but, thats not the main reason I'm doing this).


Are you buying a monitor: No, I won't be using a monitor on this guy except for maybe setting it up initially and using VM. (I can just borrow my other monitor for setup.


Parts Needed: mini-itx case (LIAN LI PC-Q25B only $80), mini-itx mobo, cpu, psu, ram, 3tb hd (either 3tb wd red/green)

Do you need to buy OS: Yes (WHS 2011, $50)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: amazon, newegg.com, ncix.com.

Location: santa barbara, CA (got a frys nearby and they price match microcenter)

Parts Preferences: Not specifically.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Not going to use one.

Additional Comments: Pretty much all my uses are listed in the system usage. I would like use mini-ITX form factor but, I'm not married to it. At most though, micro atx.

Thank you so much for the help! =D!
 
Solution
mattius92
CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($130.85 @ Amazon)
Case: Lian-Li PC-Q25B Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($42.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $515.30
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

That i3 only uses 35 watts of power (at the most), and the motherboard...
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Onus

Onus

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Jan 27, 2006
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If you might want an optical drive (burning backups, ripping DVDs, etc), consider also the PC-Q08B: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112265 which can also fit a stack of drives.
One limitation you'll hit with either case is that many mini-ITX boards don't have a lot of SATA connectors on them. You might choose this Asus, which has 6: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131841 or, get a mSATA boot drive for the underside of this ASRock: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157312
The CPU can be a low-power SB or IB Pentium.
 
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mattius92

mattius92

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CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($127.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($130.85 @ Amazon)
Case: Lian-Li PC-Q25B Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($42.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $515.30
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

That i3 only uses 35 watts of power (at the most), and the motherboard has a lot of ports for video and audio making it good for a HTPC.
 
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iNfmousMobb

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Feb 12, 2013
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Decisions decisions, well if I burn any DVD's I'd do it with my other comp so no worries about the optical drive there.

As far as the motherboard I guess I'm still a bit stumped, I don't know if I need the codec on the motherboard cause I'll be building a seperate HTPC, use a media player (like the wdtv live) or the TV itself to stream the actual video files, they'd just be stored on the server.

With that said though, the AsRock Z77E-ITX is only 140 right now and comes with 8GB of ram making it seem like a pretty sweet deal over the AsRock H77M. I also prefer that it has a broadcom LAN chipset over a realtek lan chipset as well. I'm pretty sure I can survive with 4 sata ports, especially if each one has a 3TB HD attached to it.

Also, since I'm not using it as an HTPC, do I need as much power as the i3-3220T has? The most strenuous thing I can imagine it doing is unraring large files. However, I'm not to sure, just trying to save a little so I can put the rest towards WHS 2011 =D.

Thank you guys so much! You've all be super helpful!

Edit: would there be any reason to get the p8h77-I over the asrock z77e-it's besides the 6 Sata ports? In retrospect that makes it sound better but a free 8gb ram stick and the better LAN chipset might make the as rock the better deal. Specially since I'm using it as a download sever?

Also I just realized these MB only support the CPU fan and one more but, I can just connect the other fan to the psu right? Thanks again!
 
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mattius92

mattius92

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CPU: Intel Pentium G630T 2.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77E-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($127.27 @ Amazon)
Case: Lian-Li PC-Q25B Mini ITX Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $516
Total without the motherboard and RAM is: $332
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Overall price went up due to the more expensive, but better motherboard.

You said the i3 might be too much power for what you need, so I added in a 45W Pentium 630T dual-core.
 
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iNfmousMobb

Honorable
Feb 12, 2013
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10,510
CPU: Intel Core i3-3220T 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-I LGA 1155 Intel H77
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive
Case: Lian-Li PC-Q25B Mini ITX Tower Case
Power Supply: CORSAIR CX430M 430W

So after much internal debate, I think for what I'm doing with this sucker the extra two sata ports will do me more good than the better NIC on the asrock. (I know sorry for all the back and forth haha)

My only question is will the G.Skill ECO ram work with this motherboard? Also, should I go for the 9-9-9-24-2N at 1600, orrrr the 8-8-8-24-2N at 1333? They're about the same cost.

Thanks again guys! =D
 
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mattius92

mattius92

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Which RAM you choose is up to you. Typically I will go for the faster RAM, but if the other is much cheaper then go for it. Typically faster RAM will equal faster boots and response, but this is just a server PC so you should be fine with 1333 RAM
 
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