Home Media Server Build

[Oshino Shinobu]

I've recently moved house, and I want to get the network set up properly, as I have the chance to wire everything up as I want. Going to add access points around the house to get WiFi covering the entire house as well (house is pretty spread out, with thick walls). 

 

As I'm going to try to do it properly, I'd like to add a media server onto the network, so I can stream movies, music and such to Chromecast, phones, PCs etc. on the network. I plan on using Plex, as it seems to have the best support for a range of devices. The server/PC will be hardwired to a switch that connects the rest of the network. 

 

I'd like to keep the build as small as possible, but as it's going to be running pretty much 24/7, I need it to remain somewhat cool and quiet (hence the aftermarket cooler).

 

Parts I need:

 

CPU

CPU Cooler

RAM

Motherboard

Case

 

Parts I have already:

 

4x 500GB Seagate drives

750W PSU (No name. Might buy a cheap 80+ Bronze PSU at some point). 

 

 

Use case

 

Going to be running a Linux distro, so I don't need to worry about buying an OS. It will be used to run Plex, streaming music, photos and 720p + 1080p videos to various devices. I'd expect to have a maximum of 3 videos being streamed at once, but having 2 at once is going to be the average load. 

 

Price

 

I'd like to spend around £200 on the parts I need. 

 

I've put two partlists together so far. One uses AMD and the other uses Intel. I feel like the AMD quad core may do better for this sort of build, especially for multiple video streams at once, but I'm not too familiar with Plex, or media serves in general really.

 

AMD Build

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor  (£55.03 @ Scan.co.uk) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  (£24.97 @ Scan.co.uk) 

Motherboard: MSI A78M-E35 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard  (£36.94 @ Scan.co.uk) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£21.33 @ Ebuyer) 

Case: Fractal Design Core 1500 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  (£39.50 @ Amazon UK) 

Total: £177.77

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-20 02:10 BST+0100

 

Intel Build

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  (£48.80 @ Amazon UK) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  (£24.97 @ Scan.co.uk) 

Motherboard: Asus H81I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  (£49.99 @ Novatech) 

Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  (£21.33 @ Ebuyer) 

Case: Zalman M1 Mini ITX Tower Case  (£39.99 @ Amazon UK) 

Total: £185.08

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-20 02:10 BST+0100

 

Suggestions for different parts, complete setups, or advice regarding Plex or another media server software are appreciated. Also, which Linuz distro would you advise for this? 

 

[Fred Castellum]

Following, will stalk. 

 

My vote goes to the AMD build.

[KRImSIN]

Following, will stalk. 

 

My vote goes to the AMD build.

also go for the AMD build seems alot more worth it.

[Oshino Shinobu]

Following, will stalk. 

 

My vote goes to the AMD build.

I'm thinking that the AMD built should perform better right now, but the intel build gives better upgrades for the future. I also prefer the mITX Zalman case. 

[Fred Castellum]

I'm thinking that the AMD built should perform better right now, but the intel build gives better upgrades for the future. I also prefer the mITX Zalman case.

Go for it.