Multimedia server - correct me before i start ordering

NEOhidra

New member
Here is what i have in mind for a multimedia server, which should be able to hold 15 HDDs (2 of them 2.5''), stream (also transcode audio and HD video) and meanwhile will be running a SSH server, http server and probably something else:

Case:
Fractal Design Define XL wich at some point should be fully loaded with HDDs

Mobo:
P8Z77-V LE

CPU:
Intel Core i3-3220 (maybe Intel Core i3-3220T but there probably isn't any difference)

Cooler:
Cooler Master Hyper 412 Slim or Cooler Master Hyper 612S

HDD:
SAMSUNG 830 Series 128GB SSD
(Intel 330 Series 120GB SSD or SOCZ Vertex 4 128GB SSD)

RAM: Is there anything that should look for? I suupose evey RAM stick would do.
Corsair Vengeance Low Profile White 1.35V 8GB.

PSU: Now here is where i have no idea what to choose - how powerfull PSU i would need at all?
CM Silent Pro Gold 600W
, CM Silent Pro M600

Please correct what needs to be corrected.

Excluded components:
Corsair HX750(Silver but does have 12 SATA Connectors), or Thermaltake TPG-750M
Acording to http://www.corsair.com/learn_n_explore/ i wont need a 700W PSU thats why will go with a 600W

KINGSTON HyperX Genesis 2X4GB, 1600MHz (CORSAIR VENGEANCE 1600MHZ 2X4GB, 1600MHz
Not sure how much space will be available for the RAM module if i go with CM Hyper 412 Slim.
 
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Assuming 2TB drives - you honestly saying you're gunna have 30TB of data you need to stream?
Also, you'll need some form of RAID or sata controller PCIE card to connect all of these drives.
Try to get RAM at 1.5v or under.
Avoid OCZ.
 
Assuming 2TB drives - you honestly saying you're gunna have 30TB of data you need to stream?
Also, you'll need some form of RAID or sata controller PCIE card to connect all of these drives.
Try to get RAM at 1.5v or under.
Avoid OCZ.

he doesn't have anything OCZ lol
 
OCZ isn't recommendable it seems.
On this forum people think these 2 things only for some reason. I don't agree with it all.
Never buy OCZ
Always buy a GD-65 for z77
Buy Corsairolol Peripherals

so don't be surprised if you ever see that on here
 
On this forum people think these 2 things only for some reason. I don't agree with it all.
Never buy OCZ
Always buy a GD-65 for z77
Buy Corsairolol Peripherals

so don't be surprised if you ever see that on here

IKR! OCZ are solid, there are more Z77 boards than just MSI and LOLOLCORSAIRLOLOL
 
Everything looks fine to me. Which OS are you going to be using?

I think to go with Windows 8.

looking good to me...
what kind of raid controller will you be using?
None for now. I have 3 HDDs but their number will increase :) I am going with such a big case in order to avoid replacing it later (with bigger one) or searching for external enclosures. Later (if needed at all) i think to go with something like SUPERMICRO AOC-SASLP-MV8 PCI-Express x4 Low Profile SAS RAID Controller.

Now i have the chance to ask - can i use breakout cables with every other SATA controller (like SYBA SY-PCI40010 PCI SATA II (3.0Gb/s) 4 Port RAID 0/1/5/10 JBOD Card)?

I am worried if the CPU cooler will allow me to install full height RAM modules and that is why i decided to go with Corsair Vengeance Low Profile White 1.35V 8GB.

Also anyy comments about the CPU (Core i3-3220) and its performance when it has to transcode HD videos (in order to stream it to UPnP devices)? It wont be a daily task but is a good to have feature. How would it compare to i5-3450? I doubt that i will get i5 for a server but who knows!
 
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he doesn't have anything OCZ lol

It's an option under the hard drive?

As for the OCZ drives - they break. They have the highest return rates - fact.
Don't see how you can possibly attempt to argue with that.

You still haven't said why you hate Corsair peripherals?

And it isn't always buy GD65...duh!

If they're short on money we say get the G45 ;)
haha

No, but generally, MSI do just make the best, and most reasonably priced motherboards for the Z77 line-up.
 
what about using windows home server 2011 you can get it for £32 now it is exelint been using it for a while now never had eny problems with it plus it is good for media streaming plus u can logon to the serve from over the internet and watch your videos and files
 
These kind of builds seem perfect for... Trinity ;)

Not sure if there's any FM2 capable of 15 storage drives though :S
 
In terms of mirroring or using parity for your data, the storage spaces element of Windows 8 is far superior to anything that you get with Home Server 2011. However - you could run an instance of Home Server 2011 as a virtual machine, and enjoy the benefits of PC backup etc for very little cost.

The downside is that as soon as you start running vmware, you might need to beef up the processor and ram. I would go with the standard Corsair 1.5v LP memory, its so cheap. You pay an extra £10 or so for the 1.35v stuff, and it will only save you 2W of power. So based on 24/7 usage you will save £2 a year - so it'll be a 5 year payback...

I would also go with 3TB drives instead of 2TB, as they are currently the best price/GB atm. That means you will only need 10 drives to reach your 30TB total.

With the storage spaces facility on Windows 8, you can do a thing called short provisioning, which means you can tell the system that there is say 20TB of space for your movies, but you only have say 4TB physically. The system will then prompt you when you are running out of space so that you can add more. This means that it is best only to buy the storage that you need now, and can add to it at a later date without any need to rebuild raid arrays etc.

Also the prices of hard drives tend to fall over time (if we don't have any more floods) so its more economical to buy storage as you need it instead of all up front - and luckily Windows 8 is designed for this cost model as well.
 
what about using windows home server 2011

Indeed but WHS isnt supported anymore. I also considered it first but i think W8 might be faster, i also get all the codecs build in for video transcoding. Not sure if WHS doesnt have them too but Bubble UPnP Server transcodes out of the box h264 encoded clips on Windows 7 and the same should be valid for Windows 8.

These kind of builds seem perfect for... Trinity ;)

Not sure if there's any FM2 capable of 15 storage drives though :S

The boards for FM2 APUs (at least from what i saw) have more SATA ports in general then Intels. Also the price the AMD products are very tempting but i have a very limited choice when it comes to FM2 boards. I went with Intel because their CPUs are superior and a server requires good CPU while AMD are my #1 for a HTPC (personal opinion please do not flame me).

In terms of mirroring or using parity for your data, the storage spaces element of Windows 8 is far superior to anything that you get with Home Server 2011. However - you could run an instance of Home Server 2011 as a virtual machine, and enjoy the benefits of PC backup etc for very little cost.

The downside is that as soon as you start running vmware, you might need to beef up the processor and ram. I would go with the standard Corsair 1.5v LP memory, its so cheap. You pay an extra £10 or so for the 1.35v stuff, and it will only save you 2W of power. So based on 24/7 usage you will save £2 a year - so it'll be a 5 year payback...

I would also go with 3TB drives instead of 2TB, as they are currently the best price/GB atm. That means you will only need 10 drives to reach your 30TB total.

With the storage spaces facility on Windows 8, you can do a thing called short provisioning, which means you can tell the system that there is say 20TB of space for your movies, but you only have say 4TB physically. The system will then prompt you when you are running out of space so that you can add more. This means that it is best only to buy the storage that you need now, and can add to it at a later date without any need to rebuild raid arrays etc.

I was thinking for FlexRAID. It does a JBOD (which i intend to use by mounting drives to a NTFS folder) and would allow me to use my drives which i use at the moment. It works also under Linux and would allow me to use my JBOD if i decide to change the OS also can add/remove HDDs at any time.

Meanwhile i tested i5-3470 with Bubble UPnP Server and having in mind that i3-3220 is ~39% less powerful them i5-3450 then if i want transconding the i5 is the way to go. I was hoping that i3-3220 would do the job but... the prise would be high.
Now i am tempted by AMD A8-5500. According to www.cpubenchmark.net its Average CPU Mark is 4585, while i3-3220 scores 4274. There is almost no difference when it comes to the prise. But when the transcoding feature is excluded a Pentium G2120 should be sufficient.

Now i hesitate about a key component - the CPU but will probably go with Pentium G2120.

Thank you all for responding!
 
he doesn't have anything OCZ lol

currently, the company is having hardship and purchasing product from a
company with a chance of not being here can prove to be a money nightmare
to replace or even RMA.
they have done somethings to put them in this position without his or
my opinons..

airdeano
 
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