Home Media Server/Nas build

[Brian Bouler]

okay my first post after lurking on here for years. Getting ready to do a pretty big project with my home computer systems. I basically have 2 Pc's that I use, well to be totally honest, I have 1 pc that I mostly use and 1 that a relative built for me last year that I hardly ever used until recently when the other PC started acting up. I decided it was time for some upgrades so after much much much reading on here and other places I have come up with a few build suggestions starting with the following as a home media server/nas box. I want it to be a central location for all my music, movies and files that can be accessed from every computer on the network or my phone/tablet as needed. I seek all advice on the build because I admit to only knowing what I read on here.

Here is the Media server build

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1IxrL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1IxrL/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1IxrL/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad540kokhjbox) | $59.98 @ Outlet PC
**Motherboard** | [ASRock FM2A85X Extreme4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-fm2a85xextreme4m) | $79.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f310666cl9d4gbxl) | $44.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st3000dm001) | $119.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st3000dm001) | $119.99 @ Amazon
**Case** | [Fractal Design Arc Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcaarcminibl) | $98.98 @ Outlet PC
**Power Supply** | [Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu500cxv2) | $24.99 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lite-on-optical-drive-ihas124-04) | $17.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $556.90
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-28 12:15 EDT-0400 |

Some notes - I already have the Case and Power Supply that I purchased new last week. I also have a Seagate Barracuda HD that I want to transfer to the media server unless someone convinces me that 7200rpm drives just are destined to fail. My original design had the WD green drives but I am trying to save money for the gaming build I plan to do next. Also, As far as operating systems go.. I've read that freenas is great but also that windows 8 can be used as a suitable option. I would like things to be as simple as possible so give me feed back on that.

Finally, on a seperate issue. which you can give your opinion on if you feel like it...
as far as my gaming/do stuff for work build...

do i go 4770k, 4820k or If i skip the dual graphics cards I could afford the 4930k

I plan on using dual 770's or a single 770 for now if I go the 4930 route.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[AMD Radeon]

very good build

dont you want a dual core haswell build for a slightly performance improvement and better power consumption?

 

[Brian Bouler]

very good build

dont you want a dual core haswell build for a slightly performance improvement and better power consumption?

I hadn't even thought of going that route. It looks like I might have to pay extra for a better motherboard, so is the performance/ long term reliability going to be worth it? I plan on running this box 24/7 so reliability is important.

 

[AMD Radeon]

maybe you can start modifying this build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B85M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($30.83 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: Rosewill RANGER-M MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $294.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-28 13:12 EDT-0400)

 

[Brian Bouler]

Thanks again for your response, ill give it a look!