first time build nas/possible htpc

parisv · 17 Jun 2011 at 08:53

Hello everyone this is my first post after it took me about 10 times to sign up with the image verification thing!! :confused:

This is the first time I've looked into building my own nas. In fact it will be the first time I've custom built a pc. I'm planning for it to be a NAS but could one day replace my mac mini as a HTPC.

I'm planning to use unraid

I'd like it to run plex media server also now that there is a linux install for it.

So far here is my kit list:

case: http://www.chenbro.eu/corporatesite/products_detail.php?sku=159

motherboard, cpu, gpu: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-442-AS

ram: http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX1333C7D3K2_4GX.pdf

hdd's probably start with a 2tb wd cavier green with unraid it allows you to add more on the fly.

Do those specs look compatible/ok?

I will be wanting to access files from osx and windows.

This motherboard combo uses 18w of power so it's quite low.

What would be a intel atom alternative for this?

I've been trying to look but struggling to find out power consumption details. It would need to have 4 sata ports or a pci e express slot to put a controller i guess?

Thanks.

parisv · 17 Jun 2011 at 10:06

DiCe! said:
Welcome to the forum, Rule number 1, dont link to competitors

edited, appologies

parisv · 17 Jun 2011 at 11:23

DiCe! said:
might be worth having alook here

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18216324

Plex server needs a minimum of 1.6ghz cpu I think.

parisv · 17 Jun 2011 at 11:33

thanks. Yeah it was always going to be a nas but thought whilst i'm there....

I'm happy for it to be a nas but i really want plex server on it. Then I can use other things to connect to it instead of an htpc.

I joined the unraid forums yesterday I will look into it further I didn't know you needed 3 drives straight away for optimal use, so thanks for the heads up!

I like the size of the chenbro case thats the sort of thing i had in mind to fit in my cupboard under the stairs i don't want a big 20 disk server. maybe in years to come after this build i might change my mind and do a new build but I'm very happy with something that can fit in the chenbro or similar sized case

parisv · 17 Jun 2011 at 12:15

what sort of spec are you going for?

parisv · 18 Jun 2011 at 09:39

changed my mind gonna go for this instead.

it costs more but I've just upgraded my macbook so have some spare ram for it.

http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/ATOM/ICH9/X7SPA-H-D525.cfm

parisv · 18 Jun 2011 at 10:49

do you know where I can buy this motherboard it's not on overclockers site.

parisv · 18 Jun 2011 at 18:26

ok. i tried to pm you but there was no option! Yeah done google can only see a couple just thought there might be one google had missed.

what case did you buy for yours?

parisv · 20 Jun 2011 at 08:40

Bry said:
I got it from an auction site was in the US but came swiftly and had no problems (cant say anymore than that due to forum rules) . I wouldn't recommend it for a HTPC board as you really would need an ION chipset for that

using Lian Li V354b case. Allows for a lot of hard disks but is very small

yeah I've decided to concentrate on the nas instead of it doing both. I have a mac mini that can play the video stored on the nas anyway.