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madcar86

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Jul 23, 2012
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I am helping build a new media/file server for my parents. I am not sure if I should go with 2 separate builds; One box for storage running Freenas and one box for media/compute running Windows. Or just build one box running Windows with a lot of storage. I am thinking the one Windows box would be best but I am open to suggestions. I want to follow the instructions found here http://www.cuttingcords.com/home/ultimate-server. As for my budget, the less the better, but if it is justifiable I can convince my parents to increase the budget, but I would like to stay under $2000 if possible.

I would like to run the Plex Server on the box as well. I am thinking between 4-6 1080p steams will be enough, especial since I plan to build Plex clients that wont need transcoding. For the clients I am thinking about using Raspberry Pi 2 for the normal TVs, then build a 4K compatible client for the theater room. Any suggestions?

We also want it to be a file server to host not only media but any other files we have. Remote access would be nice too. So storage is must, and to be able to add more too. If i do the Windows box I am thinking of doing Raid 5, do I need a Raid controller too? If I do the FreeNAS box, i heard I need at least 16GB of memory to run ZFS.

Please let me know which setup is ideal; 1) 2 boxes (FreeNAS and Windows) or 2) 1 Window box. I appreciate any help you can give.

Approximate Purchase Date: Beginning of May

Budget Range: $1000-$2000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Plex running 4-6 1080p steams. and File storage both local and remote

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: Maybe, Windows Server vs Win 7/8. suggestions?

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

Location: Acworth, GA

Parts Preferences: Intel

Overclocking: Maybe, if needed

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: No direct monitor, will stream to clients around the house.

Additional Comments: Will be attached to a Crestron Home system. I am dont sure with that will make a difference to the setup. I have PIA as my VPN currently too.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: (e.g. I'm having trouble running game X or my PSU broke)
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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May 29, 2013
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First to run 4 to 6 1080p streams I assume you are running all WIRED networking. Otherwise forget it.

Plex is available on FreeNAS so unless you have some other reason for Windows you could avoid it.

I believe the minimum req for ZFS is 8GB ram. I think the rule of thumb is to add a GB RAM / TB of storage.
 
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madcar86

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yes everything is wired. I am sure some streams will be to a iPad or whatever, but for the most part it will all go to wired clients. The reason I was looking at Windows is because I am more familiar with it. I know next to nothing about Linux or FreeNAS.

Also the article I am using suggest Windows for the compute side of things. It says Plex and Sonarr are optimized for Windows.
 
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boosted1g

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Jun 12, 2013
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You can just build one windows box for this.

No reason to use windows server, you can use both 7 and 8, user preference as far as which one.

You could use a setup similar to mine, I don't run plex, I use XBMC but I also have the workload of IP camera DVR on it.

You can do i5 + 8gb of ram if plex will not need to transcode and your parents wont do anything memory intensive, otherwise will need i7 and 16gb.
I would do SSD drive for boot drive and have plex server installed to SSD drive.

For disks.
I don't like raid array for residential applications because the raid hardware is expensive, when a drive dies you need to get a similar drive of the same and so swaping to larger drives gets very expensive. I use a software called flexraid on my windows box that is fairly similar to ZFS that pools all my drives for my media content into 1 drive and then it performs parity on them. The drives are pooled together but it is still individual drives so the file only resides on 1 drive and not split across all of them. You loose the speed advantage but if you are unable to rebuild array then you only loose the data from that lost drive instead of everything.

I have 4 drives setup this way with parity for my media. I then have 1 large hard drive for backups of all my PCs and 1 more hard drive as just a network share for common files (that is backed up to the backup drive).

I use a Fractal Design Define R4 case that has good cooling, and 8 internal 3.5/2.5" bays, and you can mount 2 2.5" drives on the back of the mobo tray as well.
 
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boosted1g

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Jun 12, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($191.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($93.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Green 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($133.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Green 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($133.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Green 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($133.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1209.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 15:54 EDT-0400

And software license for flexraid is $60.


If you do want to go full hardware raid and not have my suggestion then will need better hard drives and a raid card capable of raid 5.
The downside to flex rad is that it does consume a little bit resources to run (on the i5 and 8gb of ram it would be minimal), and it is not real time raid parity, I have mine scheduled to run once a week.
This is a great option for media content, but not good for files being constantly written/edited.
 
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madcar86

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Jul 23, 2012
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I took yours and got a i7 CPU. What do you think? Overkill? I can get the OS from work.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($294.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($106.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.95 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Green 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($133.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Green 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($133.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Green 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($133.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Green 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($133.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1363.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-30 17:58 EDT-0400
 
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CoupDgrace

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Question. I was looking to do something similar but with a wireless set up. TV access via PMS supported chromecast and then the other 4 to 5 devices would be mobile (phones, tablets and laptops). While I doubt all five devices would be running at once, your comment here makes me hesitate. I haven't bought the router yet, but was looking at upgrading to an 802.11ac standard router for the project. Could you tell me why this is a bad idea? or direct me to where I can find clear data on the topic? I don't know enough about streaming data rates to make an informed decision, but I would have thought 1900+ Mbps would have been sufficient. Does it have to do with needing multiple channels per stream or something?
Thanks,
Nathan
 
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madcar86

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CoupDgrace, I dont know if Im the best to answer your questions. From my experience using Wifi to stream video works but it is not optimal. I used a Chromecast until I got a Raspberry Pi. I prefer the Pi by far. With wifi there is always latency and speed issues, so the highier the resolution of the video the more data is being pushed. If you have a good wifi then it shouldnt be a huge issue, I had a basic wifi and say the difference right away.

As for do an AC wifi, they are great...if you have devices that support AC. My friend that is a Wifi Architecture said it is like 4K TV, one day they will be standard but right now they are under utilized. He recommend sticking with an awesome normal wifi and upgrade to AC in the future. I recommend Ubiquiti if you are looking for an all in one solution and cost is an issue. Otherwise Aerohive is the best.

Generally I perfer hardwired LAN over wifi. Wifi is great for mobile devices but if my devices has a LAN port I use it. I hope that helps.
 
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