Guidance needed for new motherboard i7-7700K - Plex build

IamDavid

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2000
5,888
10
81
It's been to long since I built my own machine so please help! I'm not building a new machine from the ground up but repurposing my 3 year old Digital Storm AIO setup.

Components to build around:
  • i7-7700K
  • NVidia 1080 Ti
  • 32GB DDR4 3000mhz memory

The main purpose of my new machine will be for PLEX and gaming.
  • Best motherboard? I can't use my current MSI Z270i since it has no extra slots. I need at least 2 pci-e slots.
  • Best full size case? I don't care about how it looks, I want easy access and good airflow.
  • Power supply? I plan on many, many hard drives.


Thanks for the suggestions!
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,448
10,118
126
So, it appears, that you want to side-grade an (ITX? SFF?) gaming setup, into a full-sized ATX case / mobo for more room, cooling, and expansion (and as you note, "many, many" HDDs).

As far as the HDDs go, possibly, would it be worth-while considering a NAS unit, or a NAS build, to complement this rig? The reason I suggest that is, is that gaming rigs, are often preferred to be overclocked for maximum performance gaming, while at the same time, multiple HDDs acting as a server, you want stability and uptime. The two are basically kind of at odds with each other.

That's not to say that you can't set up multiple larger HDDs hanging off of an ATX workstation build, for Steam game storage, RAID arrays (chipset), or other such purposes. Just be aware, of issues relating to storage and storage sub-systems, when you choose to overclock your rig for gaming (only IF you overclock).

Also, be aware, that as far as case selection goes, having a case with many intake or exhaust fans or a top port for a radiator, may not have the most 3.5" HDD bays, and vice-versa.

I built an unRAID server, in a NZXT Source 310, I think it was? It was a diminutive ATX case, with 8 3.5" HDD bays in front, and maybe a fan or two in front of them. (Fairly important, if you're going to be stacking 7200RPM HDDs on top of each other.)

I don't use it much, it was a pain to swap out drives. (Had some software issues understanding how to do so with unRAID after getting the initial disk configuration "registered" with the OS.)

I use my (multiple) 4-bay NAS units quite a bit more. I'm considering moving up to an 8-bay or 10-bay NAS. They are so convenient, quiet, and relatively low-power, compared to a build-your-own server. They are also, at the higher-drive-count end, quite a bit more expensive, and slightly more limited. (They often run a Linux derivative, with a proprietary web GUI, and "apps". The TerraMaster NAS units, which I have not used, I've heard that their default NAS OS is somewhat lacking in features, but it's on a USB stick internally, and can be swapped out for an open-source Synology derivative, or possibly, even "raw" Linux. I use QNAP, which is more full-featured, but far less flexible as far as open-source OS replacements - basically none that I am aware of. They do have a decent selection of apps, and support docker and KVM, on x64 platforms.)

It's also possible to build a "Gaming PC in a VM", using higher-end gear for an unRAID (6+) server, using KVM, and a hardware platform that fully supports IOMMU and GPU virtualization/pass-thru (I am aware those aren't quite the same thing), that would allow you to install a Windows OS for gaming, in a VM, and still have direct access to the GPU and whatnot for gaming. (Check the unraid forums for more details?)
 
Last edited:

IamDavid

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2000
5,888
10
81
Thank you VirtualLarry for all the information.
The current Digital Storm PC I'm disassembling is an All-In-One, 34" display PC with no upgrade-ability when it comes to hard drives or expansion cards. I guess I am side-grading into more of a traditional HTPC that'll also be utilized as a gaming PC on occasion. The main focus of the machine is as a PLEX server. I love ripping my own Blu-ray collection and having access around the world, I travel a lot! I currently have 6 USB external 8TB drives that I hate more so because their ugly than anything. It's in my home theater room so the more clean I can make it the better.
My actual gaming time is rare so it's almost an afterthought and won't impact the main purpose of the machine.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
96,156
15,774
126
Thank you VirtualLarry for all the information.
The current Digital Storm PC I'm disassembling is an All-In-One, 34" display PC with no upgrade-ability when it comes to hard drives or expansion cards. I guess I am side-grading into more of a traditional HTPC that'll also be utilized as a gaming PC on occasion. The main focus of the machine is as a PLEX server. I love ripping my own Blu-ray collection and having access around the world, I travel a lot! I currently have 6 USB external 8TB drives that I hate more so because their ugly than anything. It's in my home theater room so the more clean I can make it the better.
My actual gaming time is rare so it's almost an afterthought and won't impact the main purpose of the machine.


Just have another box serve as file server somewhere else in the house and move the ext hdds there? Ethernet works. No need to rip open an AIO.

Or get a usb 3.0 with longish cable and put the ext hdds in a cabinet or something.
 
Last edited:

simas

Senior member
Oct 16, 2005
412
107
116
OP,

where you are planning to play your media on - computer monitor, TV, mobile devices ,etc ?
If you _only_ do it on TV, one single device (HTPC/NAS/Gaming) may be ok.
if you have TV or want to use NAS as NAS (always on, lots of storage, low power, just enough performance), then as others said consider separating the functions.

What I have done
- Shield TV as primary media player (streaming + Kodi for local, Plex client and Plex server). 3-10W power consumption, updated model coming shortly, review here https://www.anandtech.com/show/9289/the-nvidia-shield-android-tv-review
- let NAS be NAS. always on, support for plenty of storage, very low power. I have both QNAP and Synology, use QNAP 332X as primary NAS (10G access paid with cheap 10G Brocade switch and cheap connectx3 cards for PCs to give me fiber between key devices)
- gaming PC is turned on/off as needed. Once game is done, PC is turned off. no need to run this always.
 
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