Media computer and home server?

Thanks for the tip. So in your opinion no drastic changes to be adressed?

Once this rig is built could I use it like a NAS for my laptop?
 
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More or less, yeah. Just enable sharing.

I think you ninja'd me...I added a bit about SSD's. Not necessary though...just an option. I edit my posts way too much...

As far as which RAID to use, RAID 1 would be the simplest since it only requires two drives, and would work fine in this application. For a more complex one, RAID 5 would be better than 10, since this will be a write-heavy environment, but I really don't see the benefit of doing it in the first place. The wiki article is a pretty good read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID
 
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Do you have a better case then they CoolerMaster HAF 912 to suggest? I would like something with hot swappable bays so I don't have to deal so much with cable management.
 
You still have to run cables to a hot swap bay...

The Xion Predator seems to be a decent case, though you may wan to add a fan or two at some point:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208036

The AXP seems decent enough as well, for a top-mounted PSU design, and has four hot-swap bays:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208032

There's also the Antec Six Hundred and Two Hundred S, but their cable management is not very good.

Why do you need them to be hot-swappable? :confused:
 
Well, generally better...sometimes the other features of the case make up for it. The benefit from a bottom mounted PSU is that the PSU gets its own isolated cold air supply from under the case, and it opens up the top of the case for multiple fans. If the case still has decent airflow then you'll be ok.

Running cables for another hard drive isn't hard, really...not nearly as time-consuming as it might seem. Just takes some planning ahead.
 
It's pretty straightforward, really, but it's different for every case. The idea is to limit how much it restricts airflow through the case, so run as much as you can behind the motherboard tray and drive cage. It makes a lot more sense when you physically have it in front of you.

to give you some ideas, here's a tip video type thing, but this guy is really anal about it...it doesn't have to be that neat at all. Though obviously, if you end up with a case that has a window, you'll want it to be neater...

[yt]EBr7RzxsuLg[/yt]

I'm off to bed now...
 
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Here is an updated version of my build.

Mobo: Asus skt AM3 AMD M4A79XTD EVO
RAM: 8GB at 1600 mhz
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black edition
Graphics: Nvidia GTS 450
HDD: WD Caviar Black 2 tb 7200 RPM
Case: Antec Three Hundred
PSU: ANTEC TruePower New Series 750W Blue Power Supply


I have decided to go with an Asus board for superior build quality. Or so I'm told.
I'll get the X4 965 because a hex-core processor seems to be overkill. I can upgrade that later. I saw the HAF 912 In stores and it seems fairly cheap. I still haven't seen the Antec three hundred in stores.

I still need:
wireless Ethernet card
Optical drive
Media card reader (I need something that will support Compact Flash cards)
TV tuner card
 
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Asus and Gigabyte are about the same level as far as build quality goes, though lately Gigabyte has been a bit better IMO. It still has a $25 combo with the OS on Newegg, so it's a better deal than any Asus board I could find.
HP- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.534209
Pro- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.534215

I'd grab the Phenom II 955 instead of the 965...it's cheaper, and pretty much the same thing. They overclock to similar levels, and you can very easily set the multiplier up a notch on the 955 and have the same thing as a 965. No strings attached.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

If you're moving to the TPN series, the 550W one would be much cheaper and more than enough for this rig.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020

I'd advise against the Antec 300. It has absolutely no cable management options, and you have to mount the power supply upside-down. The HAF 912 better in nearly every way, unless you just don't like the looks.

Just about any SATA dvd burner will work fine...
 
Drenlin said:
Asus and Gigabyte are about the same level as far as build quality goes, though lately Gigabyte has been a bit better IMO. It still has a $25 combo with the OS on Newegg, so it's a better deal than any Asus board I could find.
Click to expand...

I already have windows 7 I don't need that deal


Drenlin said:
If you're moving to the TPN series, the 550W one would be much cheaper and more than enough for this rig.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020
Click to expand...
Even after upgrading?

Drenlin said:
I'd advise against the Antec 300. It has absolutely no cable management options, and you have to mount the power supply upside-down. The HAF 912 better in nearly every way, unless you just don't like the looks.

Just about any SATA dvd burner will work fine...
Click to expand...
I find the HAF 912 looks kinda cheap any other suggestions for the case?
 
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