Trying to build a plex media streaming PC for around $300-$400, any tips?

[hammy]

Hey everyone,

 

I'm trying to throw together a plex media streaming build. I have 4x 4tb 3.5 HDDs, and at most I'd be streaming 2 uncompressed blu-rays at once. I also wouldn't mind having something that can encode pretty quickly. Any recommendations/builds?

 

(Also, would you guys recommend doing Windows or like a FreeNAS software? Just wondering)

[StormTheGamer]

For a good PC to stream on your looking for about$700+

[manikyath]

so... before i start i'm gonna say i used to have plex on my server, but it actually made the routers on my network crash and reboot daily because of a weird bug thing something

i kinda recommend against using plex, but if you insist, i'll help you out.

---

probably gonna suggest grabbing a low power processor, 4 or 8gb ram, fitting mobo, efficient psu and silent case.

[GalacticRuler]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690S 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($28.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($22.98 @ OutletPC) 

Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($30.60 @ SuperBiiz) 

Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $382.53

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-27 19:48 EST-0500

[hammy]

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690S 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($28.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($22.98 @ OutletPC) 

Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($30.60 @ SuperBiiz) 

Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $382.53

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-27 19:48 EST-0500

 

Thank you so much! Looks great, the only thing that gives me pause is that there's only 4x sata ports. Might limit expansion/number of drives? 

[manikyath]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CsRzQ7

this is what i came up with.

- i5 4460, i looked elsewhere, it ended up being the cheapest...

- cheapo gigabyte motherboard, but 6 sata ports

- 4GB ram, wont need more

- boot ssd, was the cheapest one that still made sense

- a nice case, thats also somewhat silence optimized

- a power supply thats "fine"

 

i'd suggest using a linux distro of your choice, and run plex on that, along with maybe a few extra services.