A quiet, low power, small BEAST! (new system advice)
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:31 pm
Hey everyone!
I am looking for some help in designing a new HTPC/server system (ubuntu). Here's what I want to use it for:
HTPC - using mythtv on linux to playback mp3s, movies to a HDTV (720p/1080i) (no TV tuner)
File Server - going to stock it with 1TB to 1.5TB
File Downloader - It will be running 24/7 to process downloads
Backup - daily backups of networked computers
Web Server - for small applications
Here are some requirements I have set for myself:
- Low Power - Since it will be running 24/7, the lower power and heat the better
- Quiet - the quieter the better
- Small Case - It will only have 1 5.25'' case and 2-3 HDDs so something along the lines of a Dell Dimension series (7x15x15)
- As much processing power as I can get under the above conditions
- High Airflow (I plan on designing and routing the cabling to allow for maximum efficiency)
- I don't really want to spend over $750ish
Given the above, what kinds of parts should I be looking into? Here's what I've drawn up:
- ORIGINAL -
Case: Absolutely No Idea. (Maybe a NSK4400 B stock?) I've been looking but nothing I've seen has met my specs of small, quiet, good airflow, mATX only
CPU: AMD Athlonâ„¢ X2 Dual-Core BE-2350 (will this be enough processing power?)
CPU Cooler: Scythe SCNJ-1100P Egglink Big but will allow for great cooling and low noise
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) Egglink
GFX: Will the onboard graphics cut it for HDTV? If not, I'll get a fanless NVIDIA 7600GS Egglink
Board: BIOSTAR TForce TF7050-M2 Egglink Latest and greatest from NVIDIA. A lot of the stuff is onboard, saving me from adding power hungry PCI cards
HDD: 2 x Seagate 7200.10 500GB Egglink
PSU: SeaSonic S12 II SS-380GB Egglink Higher Efficiency than the smaller power supplies but not massively overkill
Optical drive: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD Writer Egglink Cheap SATA drive which will give the ability to save airflow
- UPDATED -
Case: Absolutely No Idea. (Maybe a NSK4400 B stock?) I've been looking but nothing I've seen has met my specs of small, quiet, good airflow, mATX only
CPU: AMD Athlonâ„¢ X2 Dual-Core BE-2350 (will this be enough processing power?)
CPU Cooler: Scythe SCNJ-1100P Egglink Big but will allow for great cooling and low noise
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) Egglink
GFX: Will the onboard graphics cut it for HDTV? If not, I'll get a fanless NVIDIA 7600GS Egglink
Board: BIOSTAR TForce TF7050-M2 Egglink Latest and greatest from NVIDIA. A lot of the stuff is onboard, saving me from adding power hungry PCI cards
HDD: 2 x SAMSUNG HD501LJ 500GB Egglink
PSU: SeaSonic S12 II SS-380GB Egglink Higher Efficiency than the smaller power supplies but not massively overkill
Optical drive: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD Writer Egglink Cheap SATA drive which will give the ability to save airflow
P.S. - I haven't looked at it yet, but this thread over at ExtremeTech seems relevant ETech Forums
I welcome all comments and suggestions! If I'm overkilling a component, I would love to know as I haven't made an HTPC before. I'll try to include as much info as I can into this thread so it can be used for users who come by and browse it. Thanks for your help and I look forward to your responses!
phpguru
I am looking for some help in designing a new HTPC/server system (ubuntu). Here's what I want to use it for:
HTPC - using mythtv on linux to playback mp3s, movies to a HDTV (720p/1080i) (no TV tuner)
File Server - going to stock it with 1TB to 1.5TB
File Downloader - It will be running 24/7 to process downloads
Backup - daily backups of networked computers
Web Server - for small applications
Here are some requirements I have set for myself:
- Low Power - Since it will be running 24/7, the lower power and heat the better
- Quiet - the quieter the better
- Small Case - It will only have 1 5.25'' case and 2-3 HDDs so something along the lines of a Dell Dimension series (7x15x15)
- As much processing power as I can get under the above conditions
- High Airflow (I plan on designing and routing the cabling to allow for maximum efficiency)
- I don't really want to spend over $750ish
Given the above, what kinds of parts should I be looking into? Here's what I've drawn up:
- ORIGINAL -
Case: Absolutely No Idea. (Maybe a NSK4400 B stock?) I've been looking but nothing I've seen has met my specs of small, quiet, good airflow, mATX only
CPU: AMD Athlonâ„¢ X2 Dual-Core BE-2350 (will this be enough processing power?)
CPU Cooler: Scythe SCNJ-1100P Egglink Big but will allow for great cooling and low noise
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) Egglink
GFX: Will the onboard graphics cut it for HDTV? If not, I'll get a fanless NVIDIA 7600GS Egglink
Board: BIOSTAR TForce TF7050-M2 Egglink Latest and greatest from NVIDIA. A lot of the stuff is onboard, saving me from adding power hungry PCI cards
HDD: 2 x Seagate 7200.10 500GB Egglink
PSU: SeaSonic S12 II SS-380GB Egglink Higher Efficiency than the smaller power supplies but not massively overkill
Optical drive: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD Writer Egglink Cheap SATA drive which will give the ability to save airflow
- UPDATED -
Case: Absolutely No Idea. (Maybe a NSK4400 B stock?) I've been looking but nothing I've seen has met my specs of small, quiet, good airflow, mATX only
CPU: AMD Athlonâ„¢ X2 Dual-Core BE-2350 (will this be enough processing power?)
CPU Cooler: Scythe SCNJ-1100P Egglink Big but will allow for great cooling and low noise
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) Egglink
GFX: Will the onboard graphics cut it for HDTV? If not, I'll get a fanless NVIDIA 7600GS Egglink
Board: BIOSTAR TForce TF7050-M2 Egglink Latest and greatest from NVIDIA. A lot of the stuff is onboard, saving me from adding power hungry PCI cards
HDD: 2 x SAMSUNG HD501LJ 500GB Egglink
PSU: SeaSonic S12 II SS-380GB Egglink Higher Efficiency than the smaller power supplies but not massively overkill
Optical drive: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD Writer Egglink Cheap SATA drive which will give the ability to save airflow
P.S. - I haven't looked at it yet, but this thread over at ExtremeTech seems relevant ETech Forums
I welcome all comments and suggestions! If I'm overkilling a component, I would love to know as I haven't made an HTPC before. I'll try to include as much info as I can into this thread so it can be used for users who come by and browse it. Thanks for your help and I look forward to your responses!
phpguru