HTPC Server Encoding System $1,000

bigmix

January 24, 2012 6:02:42 PM

Approximate Purchase Date: Next Couple of Months

Budget Range: to $1,100 Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (HTPC; Encoding; Server to other TVs)

Parts Not Required: (None) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (Newegg, Amazon, Tiger Direct)

Country: (USA)

Parts Preferences: by brand or type (HTPC Case for setting next to TV)

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: (1920x1080, 1920x1200)

Additional Comments: (Would like any advice on if I am going overkill. I want something I can run W7 64bit, Mediabrowser, XBMC, Makemkv, Handbrake, PowerDVD, 3D playback. I want to also backup other computers on the network. For media I want to use this as the main encoding machine.)

Parts:
Motherboard:
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
CPU:
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
PSU:
CORSAIR Gaming Series GS600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Case:
nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 6000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Blu ray:
LG Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 10X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA 12X Super Multi Blue with 3D Playback & M-DISC Support WH12LS39 LightScribe Support – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Storage:
Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARX 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

OS Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or
Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Can anyone help me with the above build?

My main overall purpose is storage, but I need a PC that can encode well also. I also have need of a HTPC or media streaming device with a better User Interface than WD TV Live that I am currently using. (It plays mkvs and other formats well, but getting to the media is hard. Kids/wife want pictures like on my laptop.) I would make this the main house server, but would also like it to function as the before mentioned HTPC.

Am I overkill on the components?
If I add more storage in the future, will the case produce too much heat?
Will I benefit from the SSD or should I go with just a small HDD for the OS?
Should I build a cheaper server and go after another media streamer or try to modify the WD TV Live for movie sheets?

Thank you.

More about : htpc server encoding system 000

inzone

January 24, 2012 7:30:29 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Media-Player-Catalog-Categor...

http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-oplay-mini-plus-revi...

You could get this for your media solution and then concentrate on the Pc as just a server and backup.

If you are not using the Pc for gaming then you don't need the i5-2500k.

Intel Core i5-2300 Sandy Bridge 2.8GHz (3.1GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I52300
$179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Corsair Force Series GT CSSD-F90GBGT-BK 2.5" 90GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$139.99 and a $30 rebate makes it $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I did not see you mention gaming as one of the uses of this Pc so I don't see the need to overclock. The SSD is 90gb so as to give you ample room for the OS and updates and your main applications and the SSD will help make the Pc faster performing overall.
I didn't see a video card selected are you going with the onboard graphics?

bigmix

January 26, 2012 12:35:25 PM

How is the user interface on that machine. The reason I like an HTPC is Media Browser is so easy for the wife and kids. It is neat looking also.

I was planning on the integrated graphics. I do want 3d, 1080p, and DTS. Is this still possible?

How is the 2300 at encoding?

Thanks

inzone

January 26, 2012 8:02:44 PM

http://www.guru3d.com/article/asus-oplay-mini-plus-revi...

You can get a breakdown of how it works with this review.

Intergrated graphics is good and it is also HD but how for you can take it is another story and it really is not very good for gaming. There are some issues with the 2000HD of the power cpu's but the 3000HD is much better. Unfortunatly when you go for low budget you are stuck with the HD 2000 and to get the HD 3000 you have to go up to the i5-2405S which goes for $219.99. You had originaly chosen the i5-2500k which has the HD 3000 so that would be good to stick with it.

So I would stick with your original selections except for the SSD and build your HTPC and probably not bother with the media player if you like the Media Browser for your needs.
It might not be a bad idea to add a video card later on for some better results in gaming I'm sure your Kids will be wanting to play some of the popular games and the intergrated will just not cut for those games.