Look this server build list over please

[DBGaither]

I have some money to play with. I want to build a server that I can rip my DVD & Blu-Ray collection to. I plan on using an HD200 extender on the front-end.

At first I had selected a Sempron 2.7Ghz 45W processor but my friend mentioned that it may not be able to adequately run Sage whilst ripping my collection in the background. So I changed it out for a Dual-Core processor. I added a regular DVD-reader in addition to the Blu-Ray reader to improve ripping times, but that may be mis-guided.

I selected the motherboard based on 10/100/1000 ethernet, the drive was a result of wanting low-power drives - wasn't sure if I should buy a separate HD for the OS & apps and then use a larger drive for the data. The enclosure seemed to be large enough to expand and has adequate cooling. I know SageTV doesn't require much memory, but I wasn't sure about co-existence with other apps (PlayOn, AnyDVD etc).

Please look this list over and give me some feedback. This is already a bit more money than I would like. I already have keyboard/mouse as well as an un-installed copy of OEM-XP. I don't want to spend more than I need. I have about 200 DVD's and about 30 Blu's at this time.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...px?ID=11721531

[JetreL]

I can't see the list using the link you posted but you should be fine with:

• Dual Core Processor or better
• 2-3 Gigs of Ram
• (1) 80 GB Drive for OS
• (3-4) - 1.5 TB or better drives.
• Decent Power supply
• Cooling Fans in the case

Some things to look at when specking out you system are DVDs run about 8.6 Gigs uncompressed and Blu-Ray is ~30Gigs

You didn't mention the OS but if you are running WHS I one stand-alone drive for recordings and the rest go into the WHS shared drive for DVD, music, images, and document storages.

[DBGaither]

Originally Posted by JetreL

I can't see the list using the link you posted

Sorry about that, I'll try it another way. I thought I had made my wishlist "Public" at Newegg, but I guess I missed something. Check out the screenshot below for a better description. If this doesn't work, I'll just type everything out. Your imput is important to me. -Thanks!

[DBGaither]

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139008 $49.99

PQI POWER Series 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model MAD42GUOE
Item #: N82E16820141300 $43.99

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX
Item #: N82E16819103688 $56.99

LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Reader SATA Model iHOS104-06
Item #: N82E16827106325 $59.99

GIGABYTE GA-M68M-S2P AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7025/nForce 630a chipset Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128424 $45.99

Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EARS 1.5TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136513 $99.99

ASUS Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A4/BLK/B/GEN
Item #: N82E16827135201 $17.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Item #: N82E16811129042 $49.95

SYSTEM SUBTOTAL $424.88

[davephan]

A dual core is really an absolute minimum. You're much better off with a quad, especially if you do any Comskip processing or compression. How are you backing up your C drive. You could you imaging for the C drive, then you can recover back in time when the system functioned perfectly. Store the images on a video drive, not on DVDs. Recoveries based on DVDS sometimes fail. How are you protecting your DVD rips? File copying or RAID? After you rip 200 DVDs, you don't want to repeat that process. If a DVD goes bad or gets lost, then you can't re-rip the DVD. It will take a two TB for the DVD rips, plus two TB for redundancy to protect the DVD rips. You'll may need several more TB for the recordings.

A HD-200 is probably the best way to setup SageTV. You may need to add more HD-200 media extender boxes for other TVs, especially if you are using MVPs now. The HD-200 is vastly superior to the MVP.

The system board should have as many SATA drives, USB, PCI, and PCI-e slots as possible. Built-in RAID is a plus, although you might get better results with a RAID card at a higher cost.

Dave

[CoolheadAl]

I had picked up Gateway DX4200-09 for $235 online. It has AMD Phenom 9750 Quad-Core @ 2.40GHz 32/64-bit with 4GB of RAM max out at 8GB. Came with 15-in-1 read/write, DVDRW, ATI HD 3200 with HDMI output, 10/100/1000 PCI-E NIC, 7.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Free upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit got the two DVDs for it. I just added SATA II Blue-Ray to it and extra dedicated SATA II WD Blue Quiet HDD for SageTV Recorded TV. That's connected to a Sharp 46" 1080p HDTV. I use Lenovo N5901 to control everything from my lounge chair!

[SWKerr]

Great Case.

I would go with the X3. It will probably unlock to an x4 and will us about the same power at idle as the X2.
$64 - AMD Athlon II X3 435

I have this in my house server with a Phenom II X4 and 7 hard drives and a BluRay. Plenty of power and very quite.
$40 Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W


Motherboard:
Your choice "GIGABYTE GA-M68M-S2P" Weak graphics, might not be able to preview moves etc on it. It is a micro ATX. It will fit in the case fine but you will have extra space and more limited upgrades options.

This is a lot more but it is a great motherboard and would support any growth. up to 8 SATA ports. I have one and it is very nice.
$140 GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H

Also Good
$95 GIGABYTE GA-MA785GT-UD3H

[Clift]

I would go with a motherboard that has a 785G or 790GX AMD chipset versus an nForce at this point. With the 790GX, you can't beat the Radeon HD3300 IGP, IMO.

[DBGaither]

Okay, based on your recommendations, here's my order - should be here next week.

1 x ($94.99) MB GIGABYTE GA-MA785GT-UD3H 785G R $94.99
1 x ($59.99) BLU-RAY DRIVE LITE-ON| IHOS104-06 - OEM $59.99
1 x ($39.99) PSU ANTEC| EA-380D GREEN RT $39.99
2 x ($99.99) HD 1.5T|WD WD15EARS 64M - OEM $199.98
1 x ($37.99) HD 80G|WD 7K 8M SATA2 WD800AAJS - OEM $37.99
1 x ($70.99) CPU AMD|ATH II X3 435 AM3 R $70.99
1 x ($49.95) CASE ANTEC|THREE HUNDRED BK RT $49.95
1 x ($17.99) DVD ROM ASUS | DVD-E818A4/BLK/B/GEN $17.99
1 x ($54.99) MEM 2G|A-DATA AX3U1600GB2G9-CG R $54.99

Total delivered price $698.87

JetreL - thanks for the heads-up on a separate OS drive
davephan - upgraded processor for Comskip, couldn't swing all those drives tho
SWKerr - thanks for CPU/PS/Mobo suggestions - took all

From some reviews, it sounds like running cables may be a bit tight in this case, but I really think it is a great looking case with plenty of space for additional HD's.

Definitely MORE than I wanted to spend. I also purchased an HD200 /w SageTV6 Bundle. So I already have a wireless keyboard/mouse and a copy of XP to install. I think I may actually place this in my living room and drive my main TV from it and then use the extender for my bedroom TV. But now I'm thinking I should have purchased some sort of remote control setup. I guess I'll just use the keybd/mouse. I was hoping to have 2 extenders, but I suffer from performance-creep, just keep wanting more & faster!

I have a friend that will help me with this build as I'm a Mac guy and have never built my own PC.

Thanks for the help. I'm giddy now! Can't hardly wait!