I want to get a home server, hardware help?

[Gamepro105]

Hi all,
I would like to build a low powered server for offsite use Mostly media films, TV, Music.
Off site I have 70Mbps download and 22 Mbps upload.
Onsite I have 17Mbps download and 0.9Mbps Upload.
I would like to create a media server mostly for my use only maybe with Plex or something similar (any suggestions would be great) where I can download the content at 70Mbps and stream it to myself where ever I am.
I would like to go for something Intel based and low powered, I am not completely against re purposing old servers I just don't know what to look for.
I want this server to be able to store around 4TB but making it expandable would be good.
I would like the server to encode the video so I can watch it on my iPhone or what ever tablet I am using.
Micro ATX would be good I want it as small quiet and low powered as possible as it will be on 24/7
Can some one please help me with some ideas of what too look for or a good server build. I don't want to spend a fortune. Any budgets welcome I want it to be as cheap and as good as it can be.
Thanks hope some one has some ideas I am normally pretty good with gaming builds and desktops but when it comes to servers I have idea what to look for.

 

[Kilbane]

1st off Plex is a great start. Due to Plex apps being available for all mobile operating systems, it will communicate easily with the server and the server will then transcode any media to suit your device and connection speed.

I have a home server made from old computer parts, it is used for plex and a teamspeak server. To put into perspective how little power you really need for a media server, my specs are as follows :

Core2Quad Q9500
6GB DDR2 Ram

Now that will happily serve 2-3 connections to Plex simultaneously while still providing a fully functional multi user Teamspeak server.

I use Teamviewer to remotely access the server to give full desktop access. Very useful for when you need to download new media etc without having to physically be at the server. Another great part of that is there are both Android and iOS native apps available to allow remote connection from anywhere in the world.

So with that all in mind, honestly all you need is a semi decent CPU with 4 threads or physical cores (Had a dual core to start and it struggled) with a decent amount of RAM. Look for a motherboard with as many SATA ports as possible as you will forever be expanding, alternatively a decent SATA expansion card.

Depending on what you realistically want to spend, its very difficult to recommend anything specific.