$1000 Media/File Server

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madcar86

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I am building a media/file server for my family.My budget is $1000, give or take. My goal is to put Plex on it and run multiple Plex clients (RaspPlex) off it. I would guess the max number of transcoding would be 4 at any time, for phones and other non PHT based clients. I would also like to be able to play 4K movies ones they become available in the future. I also want to be able to store and access files remotely, so plenty of storage is important. I already have a Win 7 key, and may update to Win 10 when it comes out.

The advice I need is to make sure the build is stable and the most bang for the buck. Also if what i have is overkill, please let me know if there is any fat i can trim off and add to storage.

I also need advice on the case, I don't want to spend a lot (Fractal Design), but I want the case to be functional and clean. I do have a server rack for it, so if the case can go in a rack that is a bonus.

Also, stupid questions, with a full module PSU does it come with the cables or do i need to buy them separate? Any advantage over Semi-module?

Any advice is appreciated, Below is the build so far. Thanks again for your help.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($343.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($177.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 V2 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1057.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-17 13:52 EDT-0400
 
Solution
williamcummins
I am not familiar with Crestron products and therefor cannot provide an accurate advice on this. From what I understand 'All-in-one presentation switch' will actually duplicate your screen or graphic content to multiple monitors. I don't think it will act like multiple Plex clients, but I might be wrong about that. In any ways, even a standard file server that is used by more than one person at the same time will benefit from the hyper threading offered on the i7.

I think the best way to prepare your server to multiple 4K streaming would be to buy the i7 now and then wait and eventually buy the GPU if it's needed. The GTX 750ti will handle 4k just fine.
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AMDAlexK

AMDAlexK

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your going to need a video card if you want to do 4k video, i dont think that the integrated graphics on the i7 can do that. If your looking for something cheap but works well, go with a r7 250x/ radeon hd 7770. They both do 4k just fine. You should be able to pick one up for about $60.

BTW, have you looked into the fx line of processors on the AMD side? The i7 might be a little bit overkill and these FX processors are really pretty cheap. I got a 8320 cpu motherboard combo for $200, and it doesnt bottleneck anything in my system. You might be able to shave off a few dollars and not lose any performance if you do your research. More storage, add a video card....... IDK. just a suggestion.

As for the power supply thing, a fully modular will come with all of the cables that you will need. there really isnt any advantage over semi modular unless your a cable management freak like I am.

Hope this helped,
Alex
 
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williamcummins

williamcummins

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I personnally would go with Intel Xeon processor over AMD FX8xxx if you want to run multiple plex client. Single thread performance is as important as multithread for this kind of build. There is also the ECC support on most Xeon processor. 500Gb for ssd is probably overkill. I would go with 120G if it's only for OS and Plex Client.
 
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madcar86

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Thanks guys I appreciate the help. I agree about the multithreading. I use AMD in my personal gaming PC, but I am lending toward Intel for this build. I have redone the build taking your suggestions. I actually ended up with $40 extra, so any suggests on what to use it for. Maybe replace the SSD with 240GB? Or a more powerful video card? Please let me know what you think. Again thanks for your help.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($232.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-Pro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($44.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N400 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 V2 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $963.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-18 15:02 EDT-0400
 
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williamcummins

williamcummins

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I made some small changes. 1st you don't need a Z97 chipset on your motherboard and went for a more affordable mobo. Still has 6 sata III ports and supports up to 32gb of ram. 2nd i changed the GPU for a less power hungry one. Since the computer will potentially be powered on 24/7, Maxwell architecture will reduce your system consumption and eventually reduce your electricity bill at the end of the month. 3rd i changed the PSU. Since it's the heart of you rig, it needs to be of the highest quality possible.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HhJRXL
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HhJRXL/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($232.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($129.99 @ B&H)
Case: Cooler Master N400 ATX Mid Tower Case ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: FSP Group AURUM 92+ 450W 80+ Platinum Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($112.04 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $992.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-18 15:21 EDT-0400
 
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madcar86

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Thanks William! So i just talked to my father and he says that since 4K isn't readily available yet that maybe we should hold off on doing 4K playback. So I am guessing I wouldn't need the video card anymore, correct? I can grab a 4K video card when 4K becomes more popular. Are do you think I should go ahead and grab one? Put the extra money toward more storage. Also what do think of the case?

What do you think?
 
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williamcummins

williamcummins

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Before considering building a machine capable of 4k playback, you need a 4k TV (or monitor) and 4k content. I agree with your father that there are not much content available atm. If you decide not to purchase a discrete GPU, you will have to change the cpu for a core i7 because Xeon processors do not have integrated graphics. You might save money from not buyind the GPU, but a i7 4790k cost about 100$ more. In the end, you will save ~20$. From the reviews I've seen, the intel hd4600 (the gpu inside the i7 4790k) i just fine for 4k video playback and various display. But this might change with virtual machines and multiple plex clients.
 
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madcar86

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Thanks William! Great advice. We will have a 4K projector and another 4K upstairs . So would you recommend getting the i7 and get video card later on when HDMI 2.2 is easier to find?

The other thing I forgot to mention is we are getting Crestron system put into. The more I think about, I should build a server and build 4K Plex clients. The clients would then pull from the server and run through the Crestron system. If that is the case then I can get by with a cheaper CPU. What do you think?
 
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williamcummins

williamcummins

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I am not familiar with Crestron products and therefor cannot provide an accurate advice on this. From what I understand 'All-in-one presentation switch' will actually duplicate your screen or graphic content to multiple monitors. I don't think it will act like multiple Plex clients, but I might be wrong about that. In any ways, even a standard file server that is used by more than one person at the same time will benefit from the hyper threading offered on the i7.

I think the best way to prepare your server to multiple 4K streaming would be to buy the i7 now and then wait and eventually buy the GPU if it's needed. The GTX 750ti will handle 4k just fine.
 
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Solution
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madcar86

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Jul 23, 2012
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Thanks for all your help. I also did some research and I think am going to go for FreeNas OS rather than a Win7. It seem better for serving media and files.

As for Crestron, I will still need to build multiple clients. The Crestron system just ties all the clients into one "machine" that users can chose from at any TV they are using. There isnt much out there on Plex and Crestron, so hopefully I will be able to find out more and post it somewhere to help others.

Again thanks!
 
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williamcummins

williamcummins

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That would be great. Happy building!
 
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