Media server rebuild and questions

[MGully8]

The currently using this setup is purely for media storage. Without breaking the bank I would like to add the functionality of ripping and storing my dvd collection (no burning needed except for possible backups) and possibly recording TV? We have a modded xbox in our entertainment center and three laptops in bedrooms with wireless to stream media from the server. The connectivity point for everything is a linksys router/modem/switch (WCG200). Ok that should cover all background info.

Server setup:
Intel 500 mhz cpu
Intel MB
512 mb of Ram
DVD-rom (4 to 5 years old)
80 gb Maxtor Drive
20 gb Maxtor Drive
Crappy vid card (no monitor hooked up since I use remote desktop)
Generic PSU

At the minimum I'll probably need to upgrade the CPU, MB, RAM, PSU, and add a GIGANTIC hard drive.

So now the questions to be answered:
1. What do you suggest for hardware components to make these functions run like a well oiled machine? Take in mind that I'm not looking for the latest greatest stuff. Cost is really not much of a factor but seriously I've been getting by on this current setup for the last 4 months so I should be able to do something for pretty cheap and I have other places that I could be blowing my wad. So the budget is < $400 but less would be nice.

2. What other functions could this beast do? Always looking for ideas.

3. Should I be able to stream video seamlessly over my wireless network with my current setup and wireless components? With a new setup will DVD quality video seamlessly stream?

4. Would investing in better networking wireless hardware be a better alternative?

5. Suggestions for harddrive setup? Thinking would be, partition new harddrive into 1/6 for OS 1/6 for pictures/various backup and the rest for video media. The old space would be for pictures, music, and various other document backups.

6. Any other suggestions/things to watch out for/ideas about this subject.

 

[MGully8]

no one's got any suggestions?

 

[snoturtle]

Originally posted by: MGully8

So now the questions to be answered:
1. What do you suggest for hardware components to make these functions run like a well oiled machine? Take in mind that I'm not looking for the latest greatest stuff. Cost is really not much of a factor but seriously I've been getting by on this current setup for the last 4 months so I should be able to do something for pretty cheap and I have other places that I could be blowing my wad. So the budget is < $400 but less would be nice.

2. What other functions could this beast do? Always looking for ideas.

3. Should I be able to stream video seamlessly over my wireless network with my current setup and wireless components? With a new setup will DVD quality video seamlessly stream?

4. Would investing in better networking wireless hardware be a better alternative?

5. Suggestions for harddrive setup? Thinking would be, partition new harddrive into 1/6 for OS 1/6 for pictures/various backup and the rest for video media. The old space would be for pictures, music, and various other document backups.

6. Any other suggestions/things to watch out for/ideas about this subject.

1. Find a cheap sempron and board
should be more than enough

2.Could rip and store dvd's and or record TV

3.From my use of wireless networks thats where the bottleneck will be
You maybe able to stream to one laptop but I don't think all 3 of them
(I may be incorrect so someone will correct me if so)

4. It might be worth it to more to a faster wireless and than get another large drive for your current box

5.I wouldn't bother partitioning
use the 20 gig for windows and apps and use any other drives for media

 

[MGully8]

Ok here is what I'm thinking about getting:
AMD Sempron Processor 3100+ & ECS NFORCE3-A Motherboard for 79.99 from outpost.com
Genuine AMD Athlon 64X2 HeatsinkFan Socket 754, 939 for $11 from ebay
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered for $65.39 from Chiefvalue.com

Total = $156.38 + hard drive + PSU + shipping/tax

Still looking for a hard drive deal.

Can someone point me in the direction of the PSU that I will handle this setup and 4 hard drives. Noise is not much of a factor since it will be in a closet, prefer cheaper.

I don't think thats too bad!!! Anyone have any comments or suggestions.

 

[MGully8]

How about this?

AMD Sempron Processor 3100+ & ECS NFORCE3-A Motherboard - outpost.com 79.99
ARCTIC COOLING ALPINE64 CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail - 12.99
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) - chiefvalue.com - $65.39
COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RS-430-PMSR/P ATX12V Max: 400W, Peak: 430W - 33.95

Still waiting on a hard drive deal.

Total = 192.32 + hard drive + shipping/taxes

 

[MGully8]

Is my PSU and CPU fan adequate for the setup with no overclocking or that jazz?

 

[snoturtle]

Yup both like like they will be fine as long as no ocing

 

[greigmg]

You've got about the same media server setup I do; I have a 600mhz duron with 256 mb ram, random MB, basic everything else. I use Western Digital 320gig drives. $115 from newegg, and best bang for the buck when compared to the 250, 300, 400, and 500 gig drives.

A cheap way to upgrade the wireless if the signal isn't at 100% is to buy a bigger, higher-power antenna with a long cord and add it onto the server. I bought a dlink for $30 off newegg and it bumped my mediocre, 18mb/s signal up to full strength 54mb/s. That made the difference for me in being able to stream wav files across my network.

I wouldn't touch the cpu/ram/motherboard combo - unless your motherboard doesn't support larger drives. That's something you should check into. I ran into that problem when I built my media server.

What I do is rip cd's using my laptop and stream them over the network to the storage box. Use the laptops for all your processing power and focus on throughput for the server.

I agree with the above poster - your network is going to be your bottleneck. I can stream wav files fine, but I'm not sure how it would handle dvd quality video. Perhaps you could jump into some of this pre-N stuff, MIMO, etc. stuff coming out? I'd be curious to see a comparison of the throughput.