Help me build a server for Plex!!

[Roqua]

Hey fellas! So I'm looking to build a PC that I can run windows on to run Plex. I just did a huge upgrade on my old rig so I have a few parts left over that would work awesome for my server. However I have a few concerns.

 

1) Needs to use as little power as humanly possable, without compromising on performance. Remember, it's going to be doing Plex decoding on up to 4 devices (usually only 1 or 2!), so it needs some oomphf!

2) Would LOVE to be able to recycle my old parts. Not 100% required but would help.

3) Case needs to have at least 3 3.5 hard drive slots. I have 3 2tb HDD sitting around waiting to be used. Lets use em!

4) Case needs to be as small as possible. It will be sitting in our living room, and needs to take up as little space as possible!

 

Other than that, it's pretty straight forward!

 

The parts I have left is an old 3570k, asus p8z77m motherboard and the 8gb of ram. The issue I have with the 3570k, is it's beefy and will do the decoing needed, just it uses a fair amount of power. Could I underclock it to save power? Or just fork out and build new? 

[Rohime]

You really only need  oomphf! which you trans-coding, does not need for straight decode really.   The need for transcoding is dependent on the file formats and the devices you send them to.  Its really only newest of formats (x265 (not x264) and the like) that cause concerns for transcoding.

 

Laptop level components, or NAS style deployments are typically most power efficient.   As you say components you mention will do the job, just suck power in doing it.... hmmm...

 

I'd start with those components (and no graphics card - and only one stick of ram) and as few fans as possible in case (you dont want it noisy overnight when it re-indexes files, etc).    And then go look for the smallest most power efficient Power Supply you can find that *just* does the job (check its power curve, target optimal point).    This will probably be the main thing to get you were you want to be fore efficiency. 

[Roqua]

7 minutes ago, Rohime said:

I'd start with those components (and no graphics card - and only one stick of ram) and as few fans as possible in case (you dont want it noisy overnight when it re-indexes files, etc).    And then go look for the smallest most power efficient Power Supply you can find that *just* does the job (check its power curve, target optimal point).    This will probably be the main thing to get you were you want to be fore efficiency. 

So the lower the PSU wattage, the less power? I assumed it was the hardware inside? I dunno much about the power side of PC's!

[Rohime]

8 minutes ago, Roqua said:

So the lower the PSU wattage, the less power? I assumed it was the hardware inside? I dunno much about the power side of PC's!

not really that, but the power supplies have an efficiency curve, and a band on that curve where they are most efficient.   if you buy a 'too large' power supply, then you wont be able to draw enough power to be in the most efficient band.

 

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2624/3

[Roqua]

Cool, thanks! SOmething to look into.

 

What cases are available with 3-4 HDD bays and as small as possible? 

[Eniqmatic]

4 hours ago, Roqua said:

Cool, thanks! SOmething to look into.

 

What cases are available with 3-4 HDD bays and as small as possible? 

You can't buy the smallest case with 3-4 bays as your motherboard is MicroATX. So something like the Fractal Design Core 2500 is a nice MicroATX case with enough space for your needs:

 

http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/core-series/core-1500 

[Roqua]

I need something that looks a little more like a server case. Something to blend in with my Xbox, DVD player ETC. I'm looking at something like this. I'm pretty sure I'll grab this case anyway! Has everything I need.

 

https://www.pccasegear.com/products/23189/silverstone-gd06b-usb3-0-micro-atx-case

[geo3]

The CoolerMaster Elite110 is super a small case that will take 3 3.5 drives, but you will need to get an ITX board to put in it.  Plus it's under $40.

[Mikensan]

To save power you can undervolt and declock your processor. Scale 'er down to ~2.9ghz or lower (the Intel Atom Avoton is ~2.8ghz) and you can transcode multiple 1080p streams without breaking a sweat.