Build Log: Project Repurpose : Media Server

[Commander_Z]

So, the story of this build is  that our old PC(this one) was running like a dog for quite a while, 1GB ram, single core Athlon CPU @ 2.4GHz, 300W PSU, and somehow running Windows Vista. (Let the hate role in ).

 

anyway, i convinced the family to get a cheap upgrade box w/ W7 to replace it, all fine and good.

 

Now, i had this idea that i would turn the old pc into media server, and so I pulled everything out to see what I had to work with.

 

 

 

 

These first few photos are what it looked like to begin with

 

[Flyguygamer]

That looks like a really big project. What are you going to change?

[Commander_Z]

After you've come down from the shock and disgust of the innards of that PC, here's what im left with

 

 

[nukem]

cool,so whats ur plans for it? by media server u mean file server.. or like a hTPC?

[Hotnuggets]

mmmmmm dat cpu fan dust

[Commander_Z]

I intend to  go as budget as i can with this hopefully, and post updates here and there.

 

I'll lists some parts soon when i get the chance to properly plan this out, but for now, enjoy the photos, well try anyway

 

Thanks

[Commander_Z]

cool,so whats ur plans for it? by media server u mean file server.. or like a hTPC?

 

Yeah,a file serve, storing all my media

 

tv shows, movies, music, photos

 

I want to have devices in the house be able to access the content

 

 a couple nexus 7's, laptops, pc's etc

 

see how it goes

[JoshM]

I love older/ghetto builds, keen as a bean, because money doesn't mean everything and I'm quite over 900D builds haha!

[Commander_Z]

I love older/ghetto builds, keen as a bean, because money doesn't mean everything and I'm quite over 900D builds haha!

 

 

Thanks man, now that I have my Gaming PC under my belt, I thought it was time for a less stressful( I hope) build project

[JoshM]

Thanks man, now that I have my Gaming PC under my belt, I thought it was time for a less stressful( I hope) build project

yeah I have been thinking the same thing, doing up my old rig (used by the family now) but once you get the bug, you just want another project!

[Commander_Z]

yeah I have been thinking the same thing, doing up my old rig (used by the family now) but once you get the bug, you just want another project!

 

My thoughts exactly

[Commander_Z]

I will use linux  as the OS, and install something like Plex to control the media side of things

 

Undecided on what version of linux to use, Ubuntu, Linux Mint etc

 

or whether to use XBMC or something similar

[Commander_Z]

So I've been looking into parts for this build and have come up with an Intel build and an AMD build

 

there's not much price difference between the two, but would like your guys thoughts on them both

 

bear in mind that they were the cheapest components i could find from the site i've brought from in the past

 

Intel build list

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz

Mobo: Asrock H81M-HDS Socket LGA 1150 H81 Chipset mATX

RAM: Crucial 4GB 1600MHz

PSU: Cooler Master 400W 70% Efficiency

HDD's: Still undecided

 

Total: $303.60

 

 

AMD build list

CPU: AMD A4 4000 Dual Core @ 3.2GHz Socket FM2

Mobo: Asrock AMD FM2+ FM2A55M-HD+ Socket FM2/FM2+

RAM: Crucial 4GB 1600MHz

PSU: Cooler Master 400W 70% Efficiency

HDD's: Still undecided

 

Total: $269.10

 

 

Thoughts??

 

 

[Commander_Z]

The AMD build mobo has six SATA 2 ports whereas the Intel build mobo has 2 sata 3 and 2 sata 2 ports

 

not sure how many drives i will add to this system, or whether i should change the mobo, spend a little more

[Hikaru12]

Why not FreeNAS?

[Commander_Z]

Why not FreeNAS?

 

that could be a sensible option

 

thanks

[mkessler9]

So, the story of this build is  that our old PC(this one) was running like a dog for quite a while, 1GB ram, single core Athlon CPU @ 2.4GHz, 300W PSU, and somehow running Windows Vista. (Let the hate role in ).

 

anyway, i convinced the family to get a cheap upgrade box w/ W7 to replace it, all fine and good.

 

Now, i had this idea that i would turn the old pc into media server, and so I pulled everything out to see what I had to work with.

 

 

 

 

These first few photos are what it looked like to begin with IMG_20140124_154858.jpgIMG_20140124_154859.jpgIMG_20140124_154915.jpgIMG_20140124_154922.jpgIMG_20140124_154931.jpgIMG_20140124_203045.jpgIMG_20140124_203101.jpgIMG_20140124_203104.jpg

I have that pc sitting in a closet. Not with the same specs though. I got it from a friend that didn't want it any more. I just took that hard drive out and put it in my server. Your defiantly gonna want to clean that cpu fan. I would recommend putting freenas on it then putting some plugins on it like plex media server. (that's what I did with one of my servers) oh and I would add a exhaust fan to.

[Commander_Z]

I have that pc sitting in a closet. Not with the same specs though. I got it from a friend that didn't want it any more. I just took that hard drive out and put it in my server. Your defiantly gonna want to clean that cpu fan. I would recommend putting freenas on it then putting some plugins on it like plex media server. (that's what I did with one of my servers) oh and I would add a exhaust fan to.

 

yeah, im pretty much decided on FreeNAS and using Plex in to handle the media side.

 

I'll have to measure the mounts on the back but im pretty sure its 80mm.

 

I'll see if i can mod the case in some way that i can add more fans(if need be)

 

btw, what drives are you using, greens, reds????

[mkessler9]

yeah, im pretty much decided on FreeNAS and using Plex in to handle the media side.

I'll have to measure the mounts on the back but im pretty sure its 80mm.

I'll see if i can mod the case in some way that i can add more fans(if need be)

btw, what drives are you using, greens, reds????

I'm pretty sure it's a 80mm fan. And I'm just using any hard drives I get from old computers. Lol. I've got a blue and a Seagate barracuda in one right now.

[Commander_Z]

I'm pretty sure it's a 80mm fan. And I'm just using any hard drives I get from old computers. Lol. I've got a blue and a Seagate barracuda in one right now.

 

Just measured the fan mounts and it is 80mm

 

do you have other fans mounted in the case, or maybe post a pic or two of what yours looks like??

 

also when downloading plex, the linux version has options if you are running Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS

 

i'll be running FreeNAS, so just pick the Ubuntu one?

[mkessler9]

Just measured the fan mounts and it is 80mm

do you have other fans mounted in the case, or maybe post a pic or two of what yours looks like??

of my servers? Sure I can post some pics later

[Commander_Z]

of my servers? Sure I can post some pics later

 

awesome

[mkessler9]

Just measured the fan mounts and it is 80mm

do you have other fans mounted in the case, or maybe post a pic or two of what yours looks like??

also when downloading plex, the linux version has options if you are running Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS

i'll be running FreeNAS, so just pick the Ubuntu one?

after you install freenas you can add plug-ins like plex, I'm pretty sure there's a plug in for it. I'm not completely sure how to obtain the plug-ins as I haven't messed with it yet. I just installed freenas on it last week after having Windows on it and just file sharing and using a software to externally access the files. So there should be something on free nas 's site that explains it.

[Commander_Z]

after you install freenas you can add plug-ins like plex, I'm pretty sure there's a plug in for it. I'm not completely sure how to obtain the plug-ins as I haven't messed with it yet. I just installed freenas on it last week after having Windows on it and just file sharing and using a software to externally access the files. So there should be something on free nas 's site that explains it.

 

 

ok cool

 

its a bit more learning involved than building a regular pc here

[Hikaru12]

ok cool

 

its a bit more learning involved than building a regular pc here

 

The only thing I dislike about FreeNAS is if you decide to go with ZFS, you really should be going for server grade parts and then you need to spend the extra money building the pools. For example if you go for Raid Z2, you'll need 2 drives for parity and I think 2 data disks. If you can afford more that's great, but less is not possible. ZFS thus pushes you to spend more money but then again it was really meant for enterprise anyway. If you don't care about data protection/redundancy then FreeNAS UFS would be good.

 

As for installing things, it's gotten easier but it's still not there yet. You have to mess around with shares and different jails. It's a pain to install 3rd party apps but it's worth it when you get Plex working like a champ.