Cannibalize old CPU's for Media Server

[McNeely]

Long time dabbler first time builder here.

I have several old PC's sitting in my basement and as I'm getting ready to move I'm hoping to be able to cannibalize some of them to build a media server. I've been meaning to try this for awhile but I'm hoping to start it now. I'm looking to be able to use it over a small home for two laptops maybe eventually a desktop and a game console.

Let me start by saying I don't know if this is possible so somebody may need to just tell me that right out. What I have to work with is an old homebrew PC a Dell and an HP desktop. I'm working off of the assumption I will need a new motherboard but I would like to try and recycle a case and power supply. What sort of specs am I looking at needing? If I keep it wired next to router does this make a difference? Any help would be great

 

[trapper]

It really depends on what CPUs you have sitting around and what kind of media you want to stream (be it SD movies/TV shows and music VS 1080p movies).

Keeping it wired will make a difference and is a good idea for a media PC (unless its directly plugged in to a TV). As for it being right beside the router that isn't a big deal, you just need a long enough Ethernet cable for wherever you want to put it.

 

[McNeely]

Ideally it would be able to stream some HD but my digital collection is mostly in SD. The parts I have come from mostly old dell and and an HP cpu if that would make a difference. I wasn't planning on displaying directly to a TV although I wanted the option to since I don't have a dedicated monitor that I could use. Mostly I'm thinking of homebrew concoction that will fit behind an entertainment center by my router.