Help re-imagine my media server!

[ryanjoachim]

I've added some details of the hardware I'm currently using for reference in images.

I want/need to condense my media server into a much more compact case, preferably without having to buy smaller hardware (besides the case, obviously). Here's where I'm stuck -

Suggestions on small but "pretty" (not flashy) cases, and suggestions as to how to handle the 4 HDD (+1 SSD) drives currently in the machine. Is it feasible to expect to find a case that is much smaller than the one I already have, but still be able to have room for all the hard drives?
If not, would I be looking at building a NAS-type box for the drives instead?

This is specifically a media box, with 720p and 1080p (4MB-12MB/s bit-rate) content.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

[Kyuubixchidori]

wait, did you pick a APU for NAS?

[ryanjoachim]

wait, did you pick a APU for NAS?

 

No, I picked an APU for this media PC. At the time, the PC was going to be handling transcoding, ripping, and other duties. It is a media server right now, not a NAS.

[Kyuubixchidori]

No, I picked an APU for this media PC. At the time, the PC was going to be handling transcoding, ripping, and other duties. It is a media server right now, not a NAS.

For that don't you want straight cpu performance?

[Prysin]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling ACFZ13 36.4 CFM CPU Cooler  ($23.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M PRO3+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard  ($48.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory  ($55.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($22.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 400W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $310.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-07 14:41 EDT-0400

 

This should do pretty darn well. If you OC the APUs CPU to 4.4-4.6GHz you should get higher multi thread performance then a Intel i3 4330

[Prysin]

For that don't you want straight cpu performance?

AMD Apus have onboard pipelines that help transcode and decode videos using the iGPU section

http://anandtech.com/show/7677/amd-kaveri-review-a8-7600-a10-7850k/2

 

you can read up on Kaveri and how it is designed there. It makes for some good reading. For gaming performance, check out this link

http://anandtech.com/show/9307/the-kaveri-refresh-godavari-review-testing-amds-a10-7870k/5

[ryanjoachim]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. My goal for now is to keep the current hardware that I have now (as much as possible) and simply transplanting it into a smaller case.

[Gerr]

You're biggest issue on size is your FULL ATX motherboard.  If you are willing to get a mATX mobo, you can look at mATX cases which are much smaller than normal ATX cases.