Ok I am wanting to build a server that can stream music and video (sd and hd) to my computers hooked to my tvs. I already have one pc built hooked to a 65 inch dlp toshiba 1080p, it is enough specs later on, I also have a dual core processor and a quad core processor just sitting around, in order to build this server what should I look for and how much space should I start with. I was thinking 2 terrabites for a while. I was planning on using the dual core processor with 4 gigs of server ram, my main hold up is motherboard and case. Do I need a bad ass video card and sound card since it will be going over my network, I also have a gigbit router so speed is not an issue. I want this to hold all of my dvd collection and music collection so I can listen or watch whatever I want any time. I am also going to build another gaming pc with the quad core processor, what is the best bang for the buck sli video card EVGA 01G-P3-N891-AR GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB I have been thinking of this one using 3 of them but if I do what is the best power supply and case for this setup I did 2 sli card in a antec 900 I ran out of room really quick. Any way I appreciate the advice.
you dont really need that much for a file server. i have an old computer with 1ghz cpu and 512mb ram and it does just fine. a dual core and two gb will be more than enough for what you need. i would recommend using windows home server(if all your computers are windows) and a couple of 750gb hdd in raid 5. if you use 3 drives you will have 1.5tb or redundant storage. you will also want to look at a raid card. i don't really know much about them but maby someone else can recommend one.
1. For the server can I just use a cheap pentium 4 processor it will have lots of video on it I have over 400 store bought dvds, and 50 hd dvds with about 30 blurays, and more songs than you can count. so I need lots of space but I am not wanting to spend a ton on the internals cause I want to spend my money on another gaming rig, Now I dont want to be cheap and sacrifice power or quality but heck its a server as long as the info gets to the other computers I am good. Also I want the 3 pcs to be able to stream off of the server to play any thing off of it. I have 2 laptops but they will only stream music not video. What is my best bet. 2. For the gaming rig I was looking at a 2000w power supply and at least 2 sli cards for it and later I will add a 3rd, but any way I am having a really hard time trying to decide on the video card I like evga alot I had alot of luck with the brand. Any way what is the best bang for my buck. I was looking at the 9800gt series but I was also looking at the 200sx or what ever the new cards are. I am also wondering if I have 2 gigs of video ram on a vista system what kind of system ram should I go with and how much do I really need.
if you have an old p4 computer that you can expand with all the storage you need and add some ram then it would do fine. but if you are buying new you should get an e2180 and 2gb ram. 2000w is totaly overkill. 1000w is overkill. if i were you i would get 2 4870 in crossfire and an x48 motherboard with a q9550. you should use a 750w corsair psu.
