Help and Suggestions for Budget Media Server

[JoeyBad]

I really have very limited experience building computer. I have built only one about a year ago that was meant to be a car PC but when my laptop died it became a desktop. I'm currently using that PC as a media server to stream movies and music to my PS3 using TVersity. I'm trying to get all of that media off of my desktop and have a machine specifically for the streaming of this media because the current system I have doesn't do the job when streaming compressed and uncompressed HD media. I believe that I am on the right track, but I want to make sure that this system will work before I throw my money into it. Any changes and suggestions are welcome

The system I have in mind as of now is:

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687

Motherboard: JetWay JM26GT4-D3-LF AM3 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153167

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

Case: APEX DM-387 Black Steel Micro ATX Media Center / Slim HTPC Computer Case w/ ATX12V Flex 275W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154087

Memory:Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K2/2G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134637


I need to know if the on-board graphics card will be able to support the HD media that I'm currently have troubles with or not. If it will not I have this graphics card in mind, or if anybody has a better/cheaper alternative I'm willing to change my mind haha



Graphics: SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829

Again Thanks for your help and suggestions

PS: sorry I had to edit the links

 

[WR2]

The onboard GeForce 6100 video would not get you the smooth HD playback you're looking for.
HD 4200 IGP on the 785G MBs should get video sorted out for you. BIOSTAR A785G3 AM3 785G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $65

Have a DVD drive/burner to carry over? Or one you can borrow for OS/Software install?
Everything else is looking OK.

 

[JoeyBad]

Thank you for the reply. I already have a BR reader on my current system that I have been using to rip my HD media. I'll just throw that onto the new system of keep it on my current system and transfer the files via external HDD. The system is just going to be setup in the cornor of my bedroom with no monitor but after I get so much media on my external I'll just hook up my monitor and and transfer everything onto the internal HDD rinse and repeat when needed haha.

as for the OS, I'm still up in the air. I have an old xp disc floating around here somewhere, but I was really thinking about going with Linux since I won't really be using it for anything other then a server. I have a lot of questions about that, but I can't find a specific software/ OS section.

my main questions are:
1) would a computer noob like myself beable to navigate my way around a Linux machine?

2) will I need anything special to get my current hardware to run on a Linux machine?

3) I think that I read something in the past about needing a special router for a Linux machine. I could be wrong but is this true?

and 4) which flavor of Linux would be best suited for a media server?

 

[WR2]

1. Almost certainly yes. The graphical user interface's make that easy. I like the Ubuntu. http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop
2. With a well supported linux distribution probably not.
3. Again, not likely with a well support linux distro. Especially if you're using mainstream hardware. Good support for networking is one of Linux's strengths.
4. Since you're going to be running a headless server you don't need a full fledged desktop package like Ubuntu. But the typical 'Lightweight Linux' server packages can be more intimidating to navigate and set up.
You might want to start out with a user friendly package like Ubuntu Desktop just to gain some confidence in running Linux.

 

[JoeyBad]

alright, Thank you again for the help. Hopefully I'll be able to throw the money together in the next week or so. If I have any troubles i'll let you know.