mITX NAS/HTPC

abbotsmike · 11 May 2014 at 22:11

This won't be happening for a little while, but I'm having thoughts about building a NAS and a HTPC. NAS for bulk media storage and backup, HTPC for connecting to the TV and running XBMC, amazon instant video, youtube, web browsing from the sofa etc.

Any reason I couldn't roll these into one box? I'm thinking i3, r9 270, load of WD reds, an SSD for the OS and sofware, all inside a bitfenix prodigy or similar, with some nice slow moving fans.

Anyone see any flaws?

abbotsmike · 12 May 2014 at 11:08

I'm not sure I'd even bother running 'proper' NAS software, just set them up as folder shares within windows. I haven't seen any compelling reasons not too, and I'm not going to bother with RAID or anything.

abbotsmike · 12 May 2014 at 12:08

So it's possible, but not necessarily the best way. I thought that might be the case! It might be I'll do it until my budget expands sufficiently.

I would probably aim for a pair of 2TB drives. One for media and one for backup. The backup drive will be cloned to a USB portable that will live offsite. The media drive might well be worth setting up in RAID0 or similar to give me some redundancy.

Cheers for that!

abbotsmike · 12 May 2014 at 13:00

I'll probably do the same. I suspect it might be a mATX board though, as I have an old case lying around (further reducing cost!) and then it will be perfect to be stuck in a cupboard later when I can afford a separate HTPC!

abbotsmike · 14 May 2014 at 08:24

Definitely meant RAID1. Definitely.