WHS - Where to start?

Oynas · 10 Aug 2010 at 09:37

I'm looking to build a Windows Home Server in the coming months. Trouble is it's been a long time since I was last in the hardware game, so I don't really know where to start.

The server's purpose is going to be backing a couple of Macs, streaming media to several devices (Mac, TVs, etc.) and ripping and encoding DVD/Blu-Rays. Now I don't have any old hardware lying around, so I shall be starting from scratch.

It needs to be able to run the next version of WHS (Vail). It doesn't have to be quick at encoding, as I can leave it churning away. I was thinking maybe enough room to house at least 7 drives - 1 for the OS and three replicated pairs for data.

Anybody got any ideas in terms of hardware? Things I need to be aware of?

EDIT: not sure if this in the right location or not.

Oynas · 10 Aug 2010 at 12:05

Thanks for the info.

This 'CUDA-assisted goodness' you speak of - is that something that will help with encoding?

Although the case is the least of my concerns at the moment, I was thinking about the Fractal Design Define R2. Do you guys think that would be suitable?

Oynas · 10 Aug 2010 at 18:38

What CPU would you use with that? Something like: -

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-251-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=803

Oynas · 11 Aug 2010 at 12:06

Blimey, I find all of this really quite confusing.

Does this processor look okay: Intel Core i3 530

The motherboards are what really confuse me. Some have SATA 3Gb/s other 6Gb/s - I presume this is the bandwidth available to each SATA port. Anyway, does this look okay to pair with the above processor: Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 Intel P55 (Socket 1156)

Edit: or this one: Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 (Socket 1156)