Best way to add storage to old desktop media server

sigmabond

Honorable
Oct 29, 2013
3
0
10,510
Hey Everyone,

I have read a bunch of articles on here about building a home media server and setting everything up, however I have one problem. I'm broke and don't want to spend a ton just to stream some movies/music to my SmartTv/PS3. I have an old dell dimension desktop my folks gave me and I think it will be fine to use, however its an old IDE/PATA system and the storage is only 40gb. It has a P4 2.4 processor w/ 750 mb ram and streaming via wire ethernet. I was wondering what is the easiest way to add more storage and still be able to stream on this old device with no hickups or lagging. I am looking at options of:
External portable HDD USB 2.0, however I worried streaming off this may cause some lag. ($60)
Get a IDE/PATA 250gb hdd ($30 on craigslist) and run it as a slave drive with my current 40gb hdd.
Get a SATA drive and a SATA PC Card. (HDD on CL $40 and $20 sata card).

What do you think would run best and would any of these have a problem streaming to a ps3/smarttv via Ethernet. (I have streamed a .mp4 and worked fine but worried about MKV, no transcoding required).
 
Solution


I have streamed 1080p movies from an external (USB 2) HDD (green WD) to a remote computer over a wired connection for several years. I don't recommend wireless for this. I use a WD Live Hub as the streaming device because it supports the most formats. I would consider adding some RAM if I were you. NOT USED RAM!

sigmabond

Honorable
Oct 29, 2013
3
0
10,510


So you would recommend getting the external drive? Do you think it would cause lag streaming A movie from an external hdd, through usb, through ethernet to the end product given the computers specifications?
 

ram1009

Distinguished


I have streamed 1080p movies from an external (USB 2) HDD (green WD) to a remote computer over a wired connection for several years. I don't recommend wireless for this. I use a WD Live Hub as the streaming device because it supports the most formats. I would consider adding some RAM if I were you. NOT USED RAM!
 
Solution

sigmabond

Honorable
Oct 29, 2013
3
0
10,510


Decided to scrap the desktop idea and just invest money in a WD mybook live and not worry about any of it.
 

ram1009

Distinguished


I can vouch for the WD, It's what I use also. Please pick a best answer. Thanks.