Budget Home Server/Streamer

[Silverbrain]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next few weeks

Budget Range: Under $500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Streaming to PS3 using PS3 Media Server, Data storage and backup to crashplan, 24/7 machine as others will use this computer for their crashplan backups.

Parts Not Required: Hard drives, keyboard, mouse, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, amazon

Country of Origin:CA

Parts Preferences: Not partial to any one brand.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution:n/a

Notes: This system I want to setup in a corner and forget about it. Run's 24/7 off ethernet, semi quiet, not a lot of power consumption. I use my current gaming PC to do all the tasks now, but that means leaving a powerful computer on 24/7, sucking power, creating heat. I'd like to offload the tasks so I can set my primary computer to standby when not in use. Small form factor preferred.

TIA

 

[ScrewySqrl]

here's my suggestion:

Intel Celeron G530 2.4 GHz dual core: $56.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116409
low power (65W), and blows away $80 triple core Athlons.

AS Rock H61M-VS: $53.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241

Geil 4 GB DDR3-1333: $23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144509

Apex HTPC case with 275W PSU: $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154061

Silenx 80mm quiet fan: $9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835226021
the included fan with the case is loud, so replace with this

WD green 2 TB HDD: $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136514
use for storage

OCZ Vertex Plus 60 GB SSD: $68.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227738
use as the boot drive, its only SATA 2, but the mobo is only SATA 2 as well.

Samsung DVD: $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233
$515.88

 

[jmsellars1]

Assuming you don't need something powerful you could get ultra low power consumption from an Atom or E-350 or something.

 

[jmsellars1]

ASUS AT5NM10T-I
G.SKILL 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM
SAMSUNG Spinpoint M8 HN-M101MBB 1TB 5400 RPM 2.5" SATA
Antec ISK Series ISK 100 MINI ITX

That comes under $300 and would consume like 50W at full load for the entire system. Also It's about as small as computers get and pretty quiet. Also very cheap, the only problem is that it won't be very powerful.

 

[Silverbrain]

Will the suggestions above be powerful enough to transcode on the fly video as well? I realize I used the word stream, but also need to transcode to an Xbox360 on occasion. Thank you for all the suggestions.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the one I listed has the fantastic Intel HD video, it falls down on games, butt it'll transcode 4 minutes of HD (1920x1080) to 1024x768 ipad video in 22 seconds!

 

[Silverbrain]

Fantastic. Luckily this won't be used for games, just going to sit and hum along. Thank you all for the suggestions, now time to piece together and buy!

 

[jmsellars1]

Yeah the atom probably won't be ideal for that, obviously it will do it but it might take a long time.