Best Media Server Options

[jesterglm]

Hello.

Im trying to set up a media server. I am currently using a i7 920 but its loud, hot and sucks down the power. Its hooked up to a ceton infinitv4 usb and streams to my xbox 360 and roku with media center and plex. I do have a i5 3570k desktop i could use instead. My question is would the i5 or i7 be best all around. I will be streaming to multiple displays at once and dont want any lag. The server is on 24/7 but would like to be able to have it shut down and wake up when needed. Would it be a better option to buy a i3 Haswell for the power savings. Im trying to find the best power to performance option. Here are the stats of my parts.

 

i7 920

Asus P6t LGA1366 mother board

8gig Corsair ram

multiple HDs

Windows 8

 

i5 3570k

MSI Z77A-G41 mother board

8gig Corsair Ram

7990 video card

Windows 8

 

Thanks for any info you guys might have.

[mvitkun]

what are you trying to stream?

[jesterglm]

I use it to store all my Bluray rips, DVD, Music, DVR and live tv. It will stream all of them.

[WoodenMarker]

I use it to store all my Bluray rips, DVD, Music, DVR and live tv. It will stream all of them.

Do you need on the fly encoding on the computer or is it more or less just a NAS?

[jesterglm]

As of now I don't do any on the fly encoding. I convert the files before i put them on the server. I would like to do on the fly encoding so i don't have to covert every file.(Takes so long)

 

Thank you everyone for the fast responses.

[ShadyHost]

Do you really need an i7 for a local network media streaming pc? As long as you have decent wireless or integrated ethernet in your house, you should be fine with whatever you have lying around. 

 

920 vs 3570k I would use the 3570k because of less power consumption. If it is going to be on 24/7 you are going to want that extra savings. 

[jesterglm]

I just had the 920 sitting around. I wanted to check with the smart guys on this forum to make sure if I use a different system it would still handle the movies and live TV. Everything goes through a 24 port Cisco gigabit switch and a Cisco gigabit N router for the laptop. Should a get an i3 haswell would that be sufficient for speed and good on power.It also is my DVR and stream my livetv to the whole house.

[WoodenMarker]

I just had the 920 sitting around. I wanted to check with the smart guys on this forum to make sure if I use a different system it would still handle the movies and live TV. Everything goes through a 24 port Cisco gigabit switch and a Cisco gigabit N router for the laptop. Should a get an i3 haswell would that be sufficient for speed and good on power.It also is my DVR and stream my livetv to the whole house.

Even a G1610 would have no problem with that. You just need a fast drive array and a fast network. 

[dalekphalm]

Even a G1610 would have no problem with that. You just need a fast drive array and a fast network. 

The G1610 wouldn't have sufficient power to transcode on the fly stuff like high quality blu-ray rips. You'd want the i3 for transcoding on the fly. Or your current i5 would also work.

[WoodenMarker]

The G1610 wouldn't have sufficient power to transcode on the fly stuff like high quality blu-ray rips. You'd want the i3 for transcoding on the fly. Or your current i5 would also work.

You're correct. An i3 would do better but the OP never said he required on the fly transcoding.

[silencerbob]

I used a 4 year old PC for a media server with TV tuner and HDDs full of movies, TV shows, music, etc. Its not the CPU power u need.. Its the network connection that's important. I paid a guy to hook up an Ethernet connection between my media server and client PCs.. Yay 1GB connection!

[jesterglm]

Thank you guys so much. I'm going to use the i7 for now. When I get it done I will throw up some pictures.

[jesterglm]

Im still debating if i should use my I5 3570K or get a new Haswell I3. Here's a picture of my my stuff being test fitted in my server rack. Its the I7 920 for now. Hope you like.