3 Builds - WHS Media Server and 2 Mini ITX HTPC's - Thoughts needed

[Shftup]

Hey guys/gals - need some thoughts on my projects.

Getting ready to piece together several builds. Plan is to purchase Mid April and have all 3 completed by end of April.


Build #1 - (WHS - Media Sever Build)

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
WHS - Media Server to distribute movies in MKV format to 2 mini ITX HTPCs in the house and have redundancy for pictures, music, and important files from each PC in the house (4).
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$700-900 CAD with a couple of WD Green 1TB HDD
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
WD, Intel CPU
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
none - so all new
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes, here, avsforum.com
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
nope - no OC.

Here is what I am thinking so far:
HDD - WD10EADS 1TB HDD x 2 (for now, but I plan to purchase more every 2 months to keep up with my movies)
MoBo - Would like a gigabyte ultra durable with 8 SATA's and must have IGP something like GA-EP45-UD3P (the biggest would be a mATX Mobo, any potential mini ITX options? or other suggestions?)
CPU - E5300 or similar
CPU cooler - ??? I assume the intel cooler should be fine, but wouldnt mind a recommendation on the something quieter for less than 25 bucks.
Memory - 4GB - 8GB ?? (which is best here as DDR2 is cheap right now)
Case - Cooler Master Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP or Antec Twelve Hundred or ?? (I really would like a case that is very quiet, has excellent air filters to minimize dust over time, and PSU placement at the bottom of the case)
PSU - ??? Something highly efficient (24 x 7 setup) and that can handle at least 8-10 HDD in time - Seasonic or PC$C, Enermax??



Build #2 - (Mini ITX HTPC's, I need two of them)

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Mini ITX HTPCs - 2 of them, one to a projector via A/V receiver, the other to a plasma, both using HDMI. Also, web surfing, email, wordprocessing, basic plain jane stuff.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$400-700 CAD
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
WD, Intel CPU
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
none - so all new
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes, here, avsforum.com
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
nope - no OC.

Here is what I am thinking so far:
HDD - WD2500AAKS or WD3200AAKS
MB - Mini ITX board with Nvidia 9300/9400 GPU (Zotac GeForce 9300-ITX)
CPU - E7200 or similar
CPU cooler - ??? must be low profile and extremely quiet.
Memory - 4GB should be enough
Case - Must SFF, as small as possible, I just was this - thermaltake - Luxa2 - LM100 mini - LUXA2 -
PSU - ??? I hope something external, or something that comes with the case
Keyboard/Mouse - Adesso 2.4 GHz RF Wireless Mini Keyboard with Optical Trackball

last item - a solid wired router with 8Gb ports

Thats its for now. I will update as things progress, thanks to those who contribute in my thread. Much appreciated.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Shftup
HDD - WD10EADS 1TB HDD x 2 (for now, but I plan to purchase more every 2 months to keep up with my movies)

I suggest bigger drives. The 2TB WD is available, and I think they just put out a 1.5TB version. Get at least the 1.5TB version. It is 50% more capacity and cost than 1TB. You'll end up with fewer HDDs and less power draw overall, plus you are guaranteed the highest density platters for best performance. The 2TB is a tougher choice. It is 100% bigger, but 200% the cost of a 1TB.

Originally posted by: Shftup
MoBo - Would like a gigabyte ultra durable with 8 SATA's and must have IGP something like GA-EP45-UD3P (the biggest would be a mATX Mobo, any potential mini ITX options? or other suggestions?)

I don't think you'd find anything mATX or ITX with 8 SATA. Looks like your case choice is normal ATX so why not consider that?

Originally posted by: Shftup
CPU cooler - ??? I assume the intel cooler should be fine, but wouldnt mind a recommendation on the something quieter for less than 25 bucks.

Intel cooler is fine. Enable Smart Fan.

Originally posted by: Shftup
Memory - 4GB - 8GB ?? (which is best here as DDR2 is cheap right now)

Some normal DDR2-800 would be fine. No need to go more than 2-4GB because you're just streaming stuff so you're I/O and disk limited, not RAM limited.

Originally posted by: Shftup
PSU - ??? Something highly efficient (24 x 7 setup) and that can handle at least 8-10 HDD in time - Seasonic or PC$C, Enermax??

You should get a quality small capacity HDD that is efficient. An E5300 with 10 WD Green HDDs probably would not draw more than 200W or so, and would idle probably closer to 120W. Most PSUs are not very efficient below 20% output. Typically Seasonic makes good low-output PSUs.

Originally posted by: Shftup
CPU cooler - ??? must be low profile and extremely quiet.

Use the stock Intel cooler that comes with the E7200 and enable Smart Fan. Those coolers are low profile already, and can be very quiet.

Originally posted by: Shftup
last item - a solid wired router with 8Gb ports

I've found that the most solid "router" is a computer. Does WHS support internet connection sharing? If so, pop a second NIC into the box (or use a mobo with two NICs) and get a cheap gigabit switch.