2014-06-01, 18:45
Hello guys. I’m trying to find the most cost effective solution to a problem I have. Let me explain it. Today I have a HTPC capable of 3D and 1080p that is being use with XBMC. At this point I’m not interested on any type of gaming, maybe a little bit of nostalgia emulation.
In case anyone is interested it is comprised of:
1 Intel Core i3-2100 with stock fan http://amzn.com/B004JEVGMO
1 Ultra Durable 4 Classic GA-B75N Desktop Motherboard http://amzn.com/B00B9WIM0I
1 ASUS EAH6570 Radeon HD 6570 Video Card http://amzn.com/B004X8EOB6
1 SY1225SL12L Slip Stream 120mm Case Fan
1 Rosewill Case and 1x 80mm Fan http://amzn.com/B004Q7FUG2
The HTPC connects through USB 3.0 to two Mediasonic H8R2-SU3S2 http://amzn.com/B005GYDMYQ RAID towers. On each tower I have 2 JBOD configurations: 4 x 3TB (12TB) and 4x 2TB (8TB) for a total of 20TB per tower. One tower is a backups of the other, kind of a manual RAID 1.
Now I’m about to fill both towers, and I want to create a new 40 TB tower (10 x 4 TB) that I would backup on the old two towers.
I’m evaluating two options: OPTION 1: create a low cost/low power server that can host the 10 hard drives and use some sort of software raid, and OPTION 2: create a “server/htpc” combo that would serve both purposes.
But since I would like to keep two separate threads, lets focus here on MONSTER HTPC OPTION:
For this option, I’m debating between some components, and I would love that somebody with more experience than me reviews it and gives me his/her opinion. Here it goes:
MOTHERBOARD:
ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Professional http:///1o0w17n $157 @ http:///1rEwEYd
OR
ASRock Z97 Extreme6 http:///1hSSlu7 $170 @ http:///1jNs0NF
CASE:
Rosewill Gaming Computer Case THOR V2 http://amzn.com/B0058P5S9A
OR
Nzxt Technologies Phantom Phan-002Gr http://amzn.com/B004WO17UC
CPU:
Intel Pentium Processor G3420 3.2 GHz LGA 1150 http://amzn.com/B00EUVHMR4 (I would need to use my Radeon HD 6570)
OR
Intel Pentium Processor G3220 3.0 GHz LGA 1150 http://amzn.com/B00EUVG3P6 (I would need to use my Radeon HD 6570)
OR
Intel Core i3-4130 3.4 3 FCLGA 1150 http://amzn.com/B00EUUKVXM
OR
Intel Core i3-4150 LGA 1150 http://amzn.com/B00J2LIF2S
PSU:
I have no real idea. I want a PSU that would support whatever is installed (1xSSD, 10xHDD, CPU, GPU (if needed), Mother), and ideally cost 60 no more than 80.
The power consumption should be about 160 watts at is peak, if my calculation is correct:
Mother + CPU 112 watts (loaded).
10x WD Red 4TB @ 4.5w @ 45w (x10)
120GB SSD (kingston) @ 2.1w
TOTAL: 160 watts.
If I double that, it is 320 watts, so a 500+ watts unit should be more than enough.
So, which is the best option on those for MOTHER, CASE, CPU and PSU? Is there anything better I can buy considering that my budget is about 450?
NOTE: In case is not clear, the HTPC should play 1080p content and 3D content.
THANKS A LOT.
PS: if interested, the other thread is here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=196856
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ORIGINAL FIRT POST:
I want to build a HTPC that would run XBMC on Windows 7, be 3D capable, boot from a 1 x 120GB SSD and have space for 10 x 4TB Western Digital green/red hard drives. It would not be used for gaming, may be a little bit of emulation.
I already have an i3 with LGA 1155 socket, 4GB of RAM, and a Radeon HD 6570 and it would be great if I can use them, but it is not mandatory.
So, what I need recommendations for are:
1) MOTHERBOARD: ideally an LGA 1155 motherboard with 11 SATA capabilities (1 SSD + 10 HDD). Minimum, it should have 10 SATA connectivity (in that case, I would have to do with 1 SSD and 9 HDD). It has to be HDMI or 3D capable or have an PCI slot for my Radeon HD 6570. USB 3.0.
2) CASE: ideally 11 or more 3.5 bays (it can be some 3.5 and some 5.25). Minimum 10 as I can leave the SSD somewhere.
3) PSU: it should be able to easily hold the 10 hdd, the SSD, the motherboard and if needed the Radeon.
I want to build a quality system, but I don’t want to overdo it without reason. For example, if a 600w PSU is good enough, I might go with a 700w PSU if there is no much of a difference or some justification.
So, what would you recommend me to buy? Please know that whatever components I buy, I would import them from USA (don't worry about that). What I mean is that I don't have the luxury of purchasing from amazon/newegg and returning if not good.
THANKS A LOT.
PS: by the way, so far I like this cases, but I don't know if they meet all of my requirements:
http://amzn.com/B003WE9WQO
http://amzn.com/B0058P5S9A
http://amzn.com/B004WO17UC
EDIT: Some clarifications:
I need to connect 10 HDDs and 1 SSD, so it is not actuall ports but "connections/devices". For RAID I was planning to use Windows 7 software RAID. The idea is to have 5 disks for movies (RAID 0 or JBOD) and 5 disks for the series (RAID 0 or JBOD again). If needed, I might add a RAID or SATA board to the bundle.
About 3D, I have an epson PowerLine 2000 projector, so it should work with that.
In case anyone is interested it is comprised of:
1 Intel Core i3-2100 with stock fan http://amzn.com/B004JEVGMO
1 Ultra Durable 4 Classic GA-B75N Desktop Motherboard http://amzn.com/B00B9WIM0I
1 ASUS EAH6570 Radeon HD 6570 Video Card http://amzn.com/B004X8EOB6
1 SY1225SL12L Slip Stream 120mm Case Fan
1 Rosewill Case and 1x 80mm Fan http://amzn.com/B004Q7FUG2
The HTPC connects through USB 3.0 to two Mediasonic H8R2-SU3S2 http://amzn.com/B005GYDMYQ RAID towers. On each tower I have 2 JBOD configurations: 4 x 3TB (12TB) and 4x 2TB (8TB) for a total of 20TB per tower. One tower is a backups of the other, kind of a manual RAID 1.
Now I’m about to fill both towers, and I want to create a new 40 TB tower (10 x 4 TB) that I would backup on the old two towers.
I’m evaluating two options: OPTION 1: create a low cost/low power server that can host the 10 hard drives and use some sort of software raid, and OPTION 2: create a “server/htpc” combo that would serve both purposes.
But since I would like to keep two separate threads, lets focus here on MONSTER HTPC OPTION:
For this option, I’m debating between some components, and I would love that somebody with more experience than me reviews it and gives me his/her opinion. Here it goes:
MOTHERBOARD:
ASRock Fatal1ty Z87 Professional http:///1o0w17n $157 @ http:///1rEwEYd
OR
ASRock Z97 Extreme6 http:///1hSSlu7 $170 @ http:///1jNs0NF
CASE:
Rosewill Gaming Computer Case THOR V2 http://amzn.com/B0058P5S9A
OR
Nzxt Technologies Phantom Phan-002Gr http://amzn.com/B004WO17UC
CPU:
Intel Pentium Processor G3420 3.2 GHz LGA 1150 http://amzn.com/B00EUVHMR4 (I would need to use my Radeon HD 6570)
OR
Intel Pentium Processor G3220 3.0 GHz LGA 1150 http://amzn.com/B00EUVG3P6 (I would need to use my Radeon HD 6570)
OR
Intel Core i3-4130 3.4 3 FCLGA 1150 http://amzn.com/B00EUUKVXM
OR
Intel Core i3-4150 LGA 1150 http://amzn.com/B00J2LIF2S
PSU:
I have no real idea. I want a PSU that would support whatever is installed (1xSSD, 10xHDD, CPU, GPU (if needed), Mother), and ideally cost 60 no more than 80.
The power consumption should be about 160 watts at is peak, if my calculation is correct:
Mother + CPU 112 watts (loaded).
10x WD Red 4TB @ 4.5w @ 45w (x10)
120GB SSD (kingston) @ 2.1w
TOTAL: 160 watts.
If I double that, it is 320 watts, so a 500+ watts unit should be more than enough.
So, which is the best option on those for MOTHER, CASE, CPU and PSU? Is there anything better I can buy considering that my budget is about 450?
NOTE: In case is not clear, the HTPC should play 1080p content and 3D content.
THANKS A LOT.
PS: if interested, the other thread is here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=196856
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL FIRT POST:
I want to build a HTPC that would run XBMC on Windows 7, be 3D capable, boot from a 1 x 120GB SSD and have space for 10 x 4TB Western Digital green/red hard drives. It would not be used for gaming, may be a little bit of emulation.
I already have an i3 with LGA 1155 socket, 4GB of RAM, and a Radeon HD 6570 and it would be great if I can use them, but it is not mandatory.
So, what I need recommendations for are:
1) MOTHERBOARD: ideally an LGA 1155 motherboard with 11 SATA capabilities (1 SSD + 10 HDD). Minimum, it should have 10 SATA connectivity (in that case, I would have to do with 1 SSD and 9 HDD). It has to be HDMI or 3D capable or have an PCI slot for my Radeon HD 6570. USB 3.0.
2) CASE: ideally 11 or more 3.5 bays (it can be some 3.5 and some 5.25). Minimum 10 as I can leave the SSD somewhere.
3) PSU: it should be able to easily hold the 10 hdd, the SSD, the motherboard and if needed the Radeon.
I want to build a quality system, but I don’t want to overdo it without reason. For example, if a 600w PSU is good enough, I might go with a 700w PSU if there is no much of a difference or some justification.
So, what would you recommend me to buy? Please know that whatever components I buy, I would import them from USA (don't worry about that). What I mean is that I don't have the luxury of purchasing from amazon/newegg and returning if not good.
THANKS A LOT.
PS: by the way, so far I like this cases, but I don't know if they meet all of my requirements:
http://amzn.com/B003WE9WQO
http://amzn.com/B0058P5S9A
http://amzn.com/B004WO17UC
EDIT: Some clarifications:
I need to connect 10 HDDs and 1 SSD, so it is not actuall ports but "connections/devices". For RAID I was planning to use Windows 7 software RAID. The idea is to have 5 disks for movies (RAID 0 or JBOD) and 5 disks for the series (RAID 0 or JBOD again). If needed, I might add a RAID or SATA board to the bundle.
About 3D, I have an epson PowerLine 2000 projector, so it should work with that.