Has anyone built their own home server???

[1Bad06Roush]

As the title states, I'm looking for anyone that has built a server for their home. The reason I ask is, I'm looking to build one and wonder is it tough to do The main purpose of it would be for streaming/storing all of my media (ie: Blu-ray movies, music, DVD's, etc) through a PS3 and laptop. I can't keep buying external hard drives and then trying to keep up with them, instead just centralize all of them.

So I guess my main questions to someone who has done this, is........

1) RAID1 or 5
2) At what point is overkill in reguards to RAM, video card, sound card and so on
3) Where's the best place for parts?

I have several questions, but I figure they'll come in do time

Thanks,
Mike

[RoushMach1]

Send a PM to Slick GT, he can help you out.

[redfire427]

Yes. Her name is Kim. Just kidding, it sounds like a cool project.

[DevilSun]

You trying to build a server, or a home theatre pc, or kind of in between? What OS are you planning on running on it, Vista? Is it going to hooked up directly to a hi-def tv through HDMI or just supplying the PS3 with video content over network? Depending on what you're going to actually do with it, and where it's going to be there might be some extra things you want to consider such as power level and subsequent noise issues.

I ask, because I recently built a home theater PC that is directly connected with HDMI running 1080 playing blu-ray movies, as well as DVDs and music...but I don't know much about it running as a media extender or whatever for XBOX360 or PS3. I can post more specs or links to what I put in it if you're interested. I went middle of the road quality, but cheap in price (got the cpu for $25 for dual core 2.3GHz) ... even went with an integrated video card but on a very new chipset that had good reviews, and it worked out very well for me; can play bluray movies (either from drive or harddrive) at 1080 without a problem, although I am offloading the audio over optical to my A/V receiver.

[Mustanger]

Originally Posted by DevilSun

You trying to build a server, or a home theatre pc, or kind of in between? What OS are you planning on running on it, Vista? Is it going to hooked up directly to a hi-def tv through HDMI or just supplying the PS3 with video content over network? Depending on what you're going to actually do with it, and where it's going to be there might be some extra things you want to consider such as power level and subsequent noise issues.

I ask, because I recently built a home theater PC that is directly connected with HDMI running 1080 playing blu-ray movies, as well as DVDs and music...but I don't know much about it running as a media extender or whatever for XBOX360 or PS3. I can post more specs or links to what I put in it if you're interested. I went middle of the road quality, but cheap in price (got the cpu for $25 for dual core 2.3GHz) ... even went with an integrated video card but on a very new chipset that had good reviews, and it worked out very well for me; can play bluray movies (either from drive or harddrive) at 1080 without a problem, although I am offloading the audio over optical to my A/V receiver.

Weird & amazing but I actually understood what you said!!

OP, my son in law does that for a living so if you get stuck I can ask him specific questions...

[Mrs. Supersnake]

Quit playing around with computers and go out and drive the SuperSnake on these cool October mornings...she loves the feel of cold hands on her steering wheel...really gets her motor running

[Mariob01GT]

3) Where's the best place for parts?



newegg.com

[DevilSun]

Damn straight on newegg. They just put that processor I got back on sale -- it's only 7$ than when I got it.

Newegg has the AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400 2.3Ghz 45W Dual Core Socket AM2 OEM Processor for $40 - $8 Code: AMD1068 = $32 with free shipping

[1Bad06Roush]

Originally Posted by DevilSun

You trying to build a server, or a home theatre pc, or kind of in between? What OS are you planning on running on it, Vista? Is it going to hooked up directly to a hi-def tv through HDMI or just supplying the PS3 with video content over network? Depending on what you're going to actually do with it, and where it's going to be there might be some extra things you want to consider such as power level and subsequent noise issues.

I ask, because I recently built a home theater PC that is directly connected with HDMI running 1080 playing blu-ray movies, as well as DVDs and music...but I don't know much about it running as a media extender or whatever for XBOX360 or PS3. I can post more specs or links to what I put in it if you're interested. I went middle of the road quality, but cheap in price (got the cpu for $25 for dual core 2.3GHz) ... even went with an integrated video card but on a very new chipset that had good reviews, and it worked out very well for me; can play bluray movies (either from drive or harddrive) at 1080 without a problem, although I am offloading the audio over optical to my A/V receiver.

I have a super laptop that's perfect for doing it straight to the tv via hdmi. But for convinience and getting away from juggling several different extenal drives, I would like to back up all my discs and stream it into my PS3 via ethernet cable. Sound from the fans and drives is not really a huge concern because I plan on storing it in large unused closet.

Originally Posted by Mrs. Supersnake

Quit playing around with computers and go out and drive the SuperSnake on these cool October mornings...she loves the feel of cold hands on her steering wheel...really gets her motor running

That's precisely what I have planned for the weekend!!!!

[1Bad06Roush]

This exactly what I'm looking to build..........but not at their price, sheesh they're expensive!!!!
.:: Niveus Media, Inc ::. Tomorrow's Digital Home, Today!

Niveus Storage Server - Cargo Edition: 16TB, Windows Home Server-based - Engadget

[1Bad06Roush]

I dove off into it and here's what I got.........................
Antec mid tower case - 8 bays
Seagate HD's - 1TB x 4
Seagate HD - 500GB x 1
Diamond Radeon HD 4870 video card
Intel Dual Core - 8500 - 3.3ghz
4G memory @ 1000mhz
Asus P5Q Deluxe Mobo
Blu-Ray drive/burner
DVD writer
Window Vista Ultimate - 64bit

I got everything up and running last night, now just to give it the real test as a media machine!!!