Help speccing a system

[mikemarsden]

Hi,

Total PC newbie looking for some help in building a small, quiet media server.

I'd like something I can fit in the stand under the TV that isn't huge that can do the following :

Run Slimserver for a squeezebox
Can play HD media files out to my TV via HDMI and also use the TV in place of a monitor. I may be putting Win7 media cenre on it, so possibly having a remote control and/or wireless keyboard/mouse?

Optical audio out to my 5.1 system.

I'd like at the very least 1TB of storage, mirrored, preferrably more.

The main thing for me is keeping the noise level down as much as possible, so quiet drives and case fans are a must.

Looking to spend £450-500, but can possibly go a little higher to meet all the requirements

Thanks a lot for any help
Mike

 

[bsoltan]

How much space do you have and have you found a case you like? OcUK don't seem to stock many HTPC cases at the moment, will you want to go for a tower?

Do you already have a copy of Win7?

Most drives are quiet as long as you support them well within the case with rubber on the screws etc.

It might be doable but you're looking at £200 just for 2x1TB HDDs and a copy of Win7. A decent case (for looks,noise,capacity) isn't cheap and then you're going to be looking for budget parts for other stuff. I assume you'll want a separate HDD for the OS to boot from, HDMI and optical out either from the motherboard or GPU/Sound or a mix of both then onto peripherals.

 

[mikemarsden]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Because it'll be going in the stand under the TV the case will need to be as small as it can be really.

I already have a spare license for Win7, so don't need to purchase that.

Not sure about a separate HDD for the OS, never thought about that. Are there any reason(s) as to why I should be doing this rather than just having 2 drives mirrored for everything?

HDMI and optical from the motherboard would be fine as long as it can play 1080i/p stuff to the TV. Don't necessarily need a blu-ray optical drive, a DVD will do.