Many questions about building server/htpc/gaming/arcade cabinet thing

badasschris · 19 Sep 2011 at 14:16

Not sure if this is the right place to post these questions but I would really appreciate any advice on any of them.

I am thinking of turning my desktop into a server to host up files, download, connect to tv to watch films and play games, and put it all inside a home built cabinet to look like an arcade machine.

questions

1) is there a way to setup a desktop to be always on and hosting up files but turn off monitors and save as much power as possible (and keep noise down)

2) my desktop is e8400 clocked at 3.6ghz + 4gb ram + hd4890. This should be good enough for any gaming but do I need to think about any changes as making into always on server

3)I am planing on connecting 2 displays one inside the cabinet for when playing arcade games or quickly browsing web or looking after downloads etc and also connected to 1080p tv. Is there a way to setup a shortcut to switch displays a bit like you can do with a laptop?

4) any other advice

Thanks

TNGL · 19 Sep 2011 at 16:17

1.) Setup a custom power plan.
2.) You may need some more fans to keep everything well ventilated.
3.) I'm not sure, why don't you set it up so all you have to do is move the mouse and it'll turn the monitors on. Or just press the off button on the monitor.
4.) A microserver would probably be better for this. Make sure you run backups of all of your files. Why put it in a cabinet?

badasschris · 19 Sep 2011 at 19:09

Tingle said:
1.) Setup a custom power plan.
2.) You may need some more fans to keep everything well ventilated.
3.) I'm not sure, why don't you set it up so all you have to do is move the mouse and it'll turn the monitors on. Or just press the off button on the monitor.
4.) A microserver would probably be better for this. Make sure you run backups of all of your files. Why put it in a cabinet?

Hi thanks for your replys.

1) for custom power setting can you do things like disable dedicaded graphics and use internal instead? also lower cpu or any other hardware stuff like that or do you think in idle a desktop wont use much power anyway?

3) sorry what I meant by this is the ability to be able to set output only to display one or two or both using a shortcut or somehting so I dont have to drill down into setting every time (not a big hassle but might make things a bit nicer)

4) I have a readynas at the moment and although it shares file across the network just fine it hasn't been downloading properly for a while plus can only take 2 discs so I thought seeing as I was going to put pc in living room anyway why not keep it on and act as a server, is this a bad idea? will it not be as reliable as my readynas?

Also reason I want to put it in cabinet is because I think it will look cool and instead of hiding my pc make a feature of it. (by cabinet I mean arcade cabinet/machine like donkey kong or somehting)

RimBlock · 20 Sep 2011 at 02:36

badasschris said:
Hi thanks for your replys.

1) for custom power setting can you do things like disable dedicaded graphics and use internal instead? also lower cpu or any other hardware stuff like that or do you think in idle a desktop wont use much power anyway?

Newer motherboards allow the switching between a dedicated video card and the inbuilt video of the newer i3/i5/i7 processors. Look for a board supporting LucidLogix Virtu GPU. I have not used it but it claims to be able to do what you seem to be wanting.

badasschris said:
4) I have a readynas at the moment and although it shares file across the network just fine it hasn't been downloading properly for a while plus can only take 2 discs so I thought seeing as I was going to put pc in living room anyway why not keep it on and act as a server, is this a bad idea? will it not be as reliable as my readynas?

The idea is fine but you may need to play around a bit to get it all working the way you want.

The ReadyNAS is an appliance unit built for the specific function where as what you are trying to do is build a machine to fill many functions... a 'jack of all trades'. It is possible but will probably require a bit of blood, sweat and tears to get it just the way you like it.

RB