[Drazzilb]

Well here is the big question. Am I Going to BIG??

I want it to play 1080p with no problems

The only uses for this system is movies, TV Shows and Live TV when it's finally implemented into XBMC

Here is the system
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Public...r=19836027

Now the system is going to be put into an AV cabinet so I do want to make sure that the system stays as cool as possible.
Price is a bit of an issue. I know the case is a bit pricy however it has some amazing reviews and I'm a die hard Lian-Li customer.
From the reviews on the case it is highly recommended to get a Modular PSU

This is the rest of the parts to be put into the system at a later time
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Public...r=15653745

I plan on using Dharma Live at first then to install windows 7 at a later time.
I'm going to use the on board video card for a while then install a GT430.
I do plan on eventually using 3D (When supported by XBMC) and BitStream HD Audio. However, to Bitstream HD Audio I'm going to have to upgrade my receiver first so I'm going to hold off till then for the Graphics card.
So from what I've been told and have read the GT 430 is the best for that.

I do plan on having 1 maybe 2, 2TB Hard drives in this system for local storage. However eventually build my self a NAS full of storage all connected with wired connections.

This is my thoughts for my NAS. I'd like it to be kind of small and quite since it's going to be put in the living room as well.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Public...r=15593085

Absolutely nothing fancy. I have ZERO experience with RAID however would love to keep everything nice and backed up and secure. I'm thinking of going with FreeNAS for the OS. I haven't spent enough time on that subject.

[poofyhairguy]

Overall the builds look ok except:

Too powerful of a PSU on the main build, and you want something rear venting. This:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817371034

Is perfect.

On the NAS, I would not want to trust my HDs to a case with a default PSU and little airflow. For example, here is my favorite cheap NAS case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811129066

Look at all the fans and mounting bays. I can confirm that maxed out you can get 10 drives in that thing. There are also other decent cheap cases, but I promise none come with a PSU.

As far as a NAS PSU goes, it needs to be single raid and solid or you kill drives. For example this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817139017

Can easily power up to 10 drives as well.

[Drazzilb]

Ok, as far as the HTPC PSU is there something smaller with modular connections. Everything I've read about the case that I'm looking at is that its HIGHLY recommended.


I'm going to look at the case some more. I agree it needs to be extremely quite but extremely cool. However I was looking for something kind of compact like a micro atx case something I'm going to stick in the corner of my living room so that I can keep it hard wired to my HTPC\

Something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811147111

120mm fans lots of air with low sound. There will be NO optical drive and no graphics card so the only thing generating heat in the system is the HDDs and the Proc.

[eskro]

i agree on the Corsair 430W PSU!!
Actually, i would buy 2, one for the HTPC and one for the NAS
$20 mail-in-rebate + free shipping looks appealing enough!!

if you dont need USB3 like me, motherboard (HTPC) could be
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128455
$49.99 with Rebate + $7.87 Shipping

RAM (HTPC)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231276
$54 + free shipping

SSD (HTPC)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820233122
$79 + free shipping

with the saved money, get your GT430 (HTPC)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product
$55 with rebate + $5 shipping

[eskro]

my favorite cheap NAS case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811129066

+1

[poofyhairguy]

First let me say you can get away without a modular PSU if you are organized inside. Its all about the zip ties.

For a HTPC case that Lian Li is maybe my favorite for style, but if you want silent look here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

[eskro]

yepp, i also agree again
i vouch for that SILVERSTONE Grandia Series GD05B!!

[Drazzilb]

OK I agree. I do not need the 550 PSU. Since I'm not going to be running any high end video cards.

I went with the 430w PSU

I don't need usb 3.0 so I'll go with the other MB

I was spending quite a bit for that SSD I'll go with the nova

Now the Case I've been bouncing between the two. Now noise from the HTPC isn't a HUGE deal seeing as how it will be in an A/V Cabinet. I'm really interested in keeping the NAS silent due to the fact that it's going to be put into the corner in my living room. Now with saying with this computer going to be put in a cabinet would you still recommend these two cases?

[DavidT99]

A NAS is not going to be silent and noise levels will increase the more HDD's you add plus fan speeds increase the more loading there is. I advise you put the NAS somewhere out or ear shot and cool.

I noted that you mentioned NAS and backup, a NAS protects you against hardware failure but not from user failure. If you delete or corrupt a file it is gone, you will need to backup critical files to another source just in case.

David

[Drazzilb]

Absolutly the NAS is really for Movies and TV Shows. I have a 2TB external HDD for my critical files. I was really wanting to know about RAID or mentioning the fact that I've never set up a RAID but I'm still really early into this to even need a RAID set up.

I do understand that with more hard drives the machine will get louder. However there is no way I can keep the system wired to the HTPC with out it being in my living room. Unfortunately I'm not living in a house where I can hard wire everything. I'm going to be buying HDDs as I need them but for the time being I'd like to keep the noise down as possible.

[poofyhairguy]

I'm going to be buying HDDs as I need them but for the time being I'd like to keep the noise down as possible.

That means get something with ONLY 120mm fans (as that will be way more quiet than smaller fans) like I linked above, and look into Unraid.

[nemek]

I wonder why you need sempron for NAS - performance is very similar to zacate (sata3) or u may go on cheep and buy some atom (without ion - i dont know but mb even single core is enough for NAS). It will be cheaper, smaller and consume way less power = less heat.

[poofyhairguy]

I wonder why you need sempron for NAS

Because a Sempron will go in a more compatible mobo with more sata slots.

[nemek]

Because a Sempron will go in a more compatible mobo with more sata slots.

I believe most ppl won't need more than 4 sata's for NAS.

[eskro]

6 sata is safer