Low power media server?
mdaudioguy
Posts: 5,165
I'm looking to buy/build a low power PC/media server for my digital collection, rather than running it off of one of my heavily-used PCs. Found this with an initial look: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6390950&CatId=1888
I'd probably add at least a 1TB HD. I'm thinking linux for an OS to run Squeezebox Server software. How much RAM is necessary for something like this?
For whatever reason... I'm not interested in a NAS solution.
Thoughts?
I'd probably add at least a 1TB HD. I'm thinking linux for an OS to run Squeezebox Server software. How much RAM is necessary for something like this?
For whatever reason... I'm not interested in a NAS solution.
Thoughts?
Post edited by mdaudioguy on
Comments
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I would say 2 gig would be more than enough. Technically you could get away with 1 (assuming this won't be an internet connected machine, so you could bypass running an antivirus.
But with the cost of ram today, I'd just spend the extra $20 and do it right65" Sony X900 (XBR-65X900E)
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If you're making a media server, you might want to consider future use. I know you can add usb drives and such to that unit you have selected, but you might want to consider building your own in a larger box.
I built a HTPC, with the goal of storing all movies/music/pictures locally on the unit. It had 4 hard drive capacity. I had the boot drive, 1tb for pictures/recorded tv/musc, 1.5tb for movies... i added an additional 2 tb for movies and it's filling fast. So fast, that I drilled holes and mounted an ssd in there for the OS. With a total capacity of 8tb (I know they have 3tb drives now, but they are too expensive to consider ATM), I will probably actually have to end up getting a server for extra movies.
Movies are big. You can generally compress them to around 17 gigs and not notice a difference, but if you're gonna end up streaming BR w/o menus and such each movie is probably around 36 gig... give or take... so you'd get around 200 uncompressed movies on four drives. I went from zero movies on the computer to 195 in less than a year. I would definitely consider the option of expansion a great asset. -
Another thing- do a search on real power consumption. With the proper options, an "always on" computer with a high power processor can come close to the power consumption of these low-power options by going into low power modes when not actively in use.
The only reason to go with a low power box is if you need silent (or car PC, etc). The high power options will take more of an investment to keep quiet when they're running full speed... but cost the same otherwise for about 4x the CPU benchmark.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
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Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
Another thing- do a search on real power consumption. With the proper options, an "always on" computer with a high power processor can come close to the power consumption of these low-power options by going into low power modes when not actively in use.
The only reason to go with a low power box is if you need silent (or car PC, etc). The high power options will take more of an investment to keep quiet when they're running full speed... but cost the same otherwise for about 4x the CPU benchmark.
I second that. Modern CPUs/GPUs are very efficient. You'll definitely get a sleeker box by using a prebuilt atom system, but considering your intended use (media server), storage is it's primary function... those atom boxes don't necessarily excel at that. -
I built my server with an old discarded MB and processor. Streaming is not the problem. Storage is the key. I started off with 2 TB and now have 13TB. It will fill up quickly and with full backup of all movies,music and computers make sure you can expand. I use Windows Home Server and the backup utility saved my **** many times.HT/2 CH
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I picked up a Compaq with Sempron processor / 2GB / 500GB HD / Windows 7 HP for $230. Added a Rosewill AM2+ 92mm HSF for $18 and a rebate ATI 54XX card for another $30. For for around $280 I have a dead silent HTPC.
This was one of those deals from Office Max. The Sempron is a low power CPU and I don't have to sacrifice snappy Windows 7 performance. BR playback is all off loaded on the GPU with CyberLink Power DVD v10.
I stream from a server so all the storage is downstairs.
