Is using the Aria for a home file server crazy?

[mikelinux]

After numerous problems with my primary computer and losing half my data, I decided it was time that I look into getting a home file server. However, there were a few things I wanted it to be capable of besides simply being a file server. This included:

-being particularly small, so that I would be able to easily carry it to a friend?s house or another location and still have my data with me.
-have LOTS of storage space, via SATA
-run through Gigabit Ethernet, so that speeds would be as if the hard drives were actually in the computer
-be powerful enough to handle normal file requests, run BitTorrent in the background, handle media playback (i.e. DVDs and DivX) and run a distributed computing app as well (i.e Folding@home).
-preferably have FireWire and USB 2.0
-be quiet and run cool

With this in mind, I?m looking at the following hardware for now:

-Antec Aria for the case?supports three hard drives and has excellent connectivity, yet still is a small case
-either the MSI K8MM-ILSR with and Athlon 64 3000+ or the Intel D915GUX with a Northwood P4
-2 Western Digital 250GB SATAdrives (not in RAID)
-some CD-RW/DVD combo? not decided which manufacturer
-Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu for the cooling


Is this completely insane of me? Will the components be cooked in that case, especially with two hard drives running? I really love this case and think it will work out well, but then again maybe someone out thinks otherwise and could let me know.

Thanks a lot!

-Mike

 

[loup garou]

After numerous problems with my primary computer and losing half my data

Perhaps your first new investment should be good backup hardware/media/software.

 

[mikelinux]

I've had this idea for a while, and only now have had the excuse to actually go and have some fun with it. I'm not worried about the data, I've got protection for that, but in the case my system goes down the way it did, making it difficult (not impossible) to access my data, I'd prefer to have it on a separate computer so I can continue my work uninterrupted.

The point is, it's not the data I'm worried about (I've got that covered) but the ability for the Aria to stand up to 2 250GB drives, an Athlon 64, one or two PCI cards, etc. as far as ventilation is considered. I'm not one to do mods all that often...some people have put blowholes in the side of the Aria to improve air flow, etc. I'd prefer not to have to do that, but if necessary some guidance would be awesome

-Mike

 

[Rigomortis]

I am using an Aria case w/ 1 120 and 1 250 gig drives and an AXP 1700 without any trouble. In fact it's currently acting as my HTPC.