Media PC build.

[Teched Out]

Hello there. I'm down to the last 400GB on my current media PC, so I need to get cracking on a new one. Current one is out-dated in many ways (C2D, no IGP, large case which only holds two 3.5" drives, etc) so I'm going to take this opportunity to upgrade the whole thing. 

 

This is what I've come up with, so far:
 

Case: SilverStone DS380

Probably my favourite part of this build. So small yet so many drives!

 

PSU: Silverstone ST45SF-G 450W SFX

 

CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X31

I have to compare the size of this thing with the SilverStone Tundra TD03, to see if it will actually fit.

 

Motherboard: ASUS Z97I-PLUS

Eh, possibly a bit overkill for what I need it to do, can revisit this. What I want from the motherboard is integrated wireless AC, HDMI out and no less than four USB 3.0 & two USB 2.0. Can't think of anything else I want from the motherboard, at this point.

 

CPU: Intel i3 4160

I want something that's not going to use a lot of power, but will be reasonably fast for when I want to convert the odd video.

 

Memory: Some cheap 2*4GB kit. Probably don't need more than 4GB, but whatever.

 

SSD: Haven't decided yet. Was going to carry over my 520 series 120GB. Now I'm deciding between a new 120GB or a large SSD (~500GB) to be used as a download cache, still unsure if there's benefit to the latter.

 

OS: Not sure if I'll stick with Windows 7 or jump to Windows 8 for the HTPC. Thoughts?

 

Storage: This is where I've been the most unsure. I want to have a 20-25TB RAID 5 array.

 

RAID Controller: HighPoint RocketRAID 2720SGL
I don't know a great deal about this brand. I've read that this card is simple but gets the job done and is good for the price. I'm not looking for a super expensive enterprise solution, but I also don't want something which will give me problems. I need the controller to support up to eight drives (if I ever want to fill the case) in RAID 5.

 

Hard Drives: Will use ether 4, 5 or 6TB Reds. I won't be using anything lower than 4TB, to get the most out of the case.

 

 

Obviously this will not be used for gaming. It will be connected directly to the TV in the home theatre room and then networked via Wireless AC (Netgear R8000) so the other PCs in the house can stream media from it.

 

At the moment, I'm looking at around $2,500 AUD. Don't want to spend more than $3,000.

 

 

Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[Dabombinable]

If you can stand a slow computer (quick boot times though), pretty much anything right back to a Pentium 3 667MHz does the job (the jury is still out on sub 500MHz Celerons). In all reality though, just buy a second hand Core 2 Duo machine, as most of them can still run Windows 7 quite well, and even 8.1 or Win 10 tech preview, and upgrade the HDDs.

[Theguywhobea]

If you can stand a slow computer (quick boot times though), pretty much anything right back to a Pentium 3 667MHz does the job (the jury is still out on sub 500MHz Celerons). In all reality though, just buy a second hand Core 2 Duo machine, as most of them can still run Windows 7 quite well, and even 8.1 or Win 10 tech preview, and upgrade the HDDs.

I really can't see a PIII playing 1080p video.... And he also said he already had a C2D and he wanted to upgrade from it.... Honestly, that build is just fine for what he wants

[Teched Out]

If you can stand a slow computer (quick boot times though), pretty much anything right back to a Pentium 3 667MHz does the job (the jury is still out on sub 500MHz Celerons). In all reality though, just buy a second hand Core 2 Duo machine, as most of them can still run Windows 7 quite well, and even 8.1 or Win 10 tech preview, and upgrade the HDDs.

I'm assuming you didn't even read the first paragraph?  :huh:

[Dabombinable]

I'm assuming you didn't even read the first paragraph?  :huh:

Sorry, I missed that part, but even though its outdated, it will do the job just fine. You only realistically need newer computers for Gaming, rendering, video editing and other intensive tasks. Even an old P4 laptop from 2003 is still good enough for media and office work.

[Teched Out]

Sorry, I missed that part, but even though its outdated, it will do the job just fine. You only realistically need newer computers for Gaming, rendering, video editing and other intensive tasks. Even an old P4 laptop from 2003 is still good enough for media and office work.

Eh, obviously we both have different expectations of what we want from our media PCs. I'm not going to be shopping at the local thrift store for my new media PC and I'm absolutely not going to have a crusty old laptop running a ~$5,000 home theatre.

 

Suggesting a system with a PIII, when I've detailed a ~$2,500 build, really isn't any help.

Yes, my current system does the job, but I'm looking to modernize it. I want to drop unnecessary components (dedicated graphics, USB wireless N dongle), increase the storage and decrease the size of it.

[watts300]

@CuRle_

 

I'd probably go for a combo like this.    If it were me, I'd just use the stock cooler for a media PC.   But obviously it's still in your budget to buy a different one if you really wanted.  I'd get an i5 for those occasions where (as you said) might need to transcode a video.  

 

I wouldn't get Windows 7.    8.1 will have longer support, and likely a better/smoother/free upgrade to 10 when it comes out.  

 

I have the Z87 version of that PC Mate board and it's swell.   It supports RAID 0 and RAID 1.  

 

I normally don't use optical drives, but a blu-ray drive might still be relevant for you.  

 

For Wi-Fi, I would get either a PCIe adapter, or a USB one that's about $20 plugged into the internal port on a USB PCI(e) card.  They work equally well.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($179.69 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($89.98 @ OutletPC) 

Memory: G.Skill AEGIS 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($57.98 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($99.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($262.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($262.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($262.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($262.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Western Digital Red 6TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($262.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer  ($52.89 @ OutletPC) 

Total: $1795.48

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-14 23:03 EST-0500

[Teched Out]

WiFi will be handled by the onboard WiFi. Something I don't want is external devices.

If the case supported it, I'd add a Blu-Ray drive, but the Blu-Ray player connected to the home theatre will suffice. I may get an external one, though.

 

Might skip the after-market cooler, to start with. Can always get one later, if I think I need it.