HP ProLiant Microserver - Advice

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SpoonTech

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Hi,

I am looking for a PC to use as my media server using XBMC. I'd like the system to be able to run Ubuntu / OpenELEC well, without glitches when playing 1080p media. I'm thinking of the N40L HP ProLiant Microserver.

The system will also run as an FTP server, and will be connected to my router via a LAN Cable.

Can anyone convince me not to buy this machine. I am thinking of purchasing through Esquire in Cape Town tomorrow.
I originally was going to use a raspberry PI but i need a bit more than that (storage etc.). Is there a newer version or competing product that you would recommend.

Also, in your setups, can you use it straight out the box without an additional GFX card or do you feel that a GFX card is necessary for media centre use. (I am happy to use VGA as an output if necessary - provided 720p and 1080p resolutions are supported.)

Regards.
 
You up for reading? Why start another when there is the official thread here.

You will need a graphics card.
 
I had one and loved it, however, if you want a storage device the HP might not be good enough.

I'm in the process of building another HTPC, and will not go the HP route - I'm rather going to get a cheap PC.

Pro's:
-Can use ANY 3Dcard, not only the super low-end cards.
-Can add more than 4 internal Hard Drives. <-This is most important.
-Can Add a cheap SSD Drive for faster XBMC and Cover-Art loading, and super fast bootup time - even with Windows 7 (Which I need to run Hyperspin & Emulators)

Cons:
-Slightly higher power usage?
 
Keeper said:
I had one and loved it, however, if you want a storage device the HP might not be good enough.

I'm in the process of building another HTPC, and will not go the HP route - I'm rather going to get a cheap PC.

Pro's:
-Can use ANY 3Dcard, not only the super low-end cards.
-Can add more than 4 internal Hard Drives. <-This is most important.
-Can Add a cheap SSD Drive for faster XBMC and Cover-Art loading, and super fast bootup time - even with Windows 7 (Which I need to run Hyperspin & Emulators)

Cons:
-Slightly higher power usage?
Click to expand...

And you forgot to mention it's just a tad more expensive too ;)


OP, you could always separate the two functions, keep your Pi as htpc then build a NAS for storage/streaming.
 
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kayvee said:
And you forgot to mention it's just a tad more expensive too ;)
Click to expand...

Not really?

mAboB9z.jpg
 
Add your SSD and 3D card and yes it is.

You also need space to stash that monster.
 
Thanks, didn't seem like there was too much recent advice around..
Budget is around 1500 as I'd like to use about 6.5k on a decent desktop.
 
I'd suggest that it depends on how many disks he is planning to have. For a starter, I think that the MicroServers are pretty decent, with 4-5 bays. If you are already planning for more than 10TB disk space, then maybe the microserver is not right for you. Then again, it does have eSATA, so you could add a drive bay fairly easily. It's a pity it doesn't support port multipliers, though.

As a frontend for your media player, it might not be ideal. It is large, and while it may not be particularly noisy, it is not silent. I'd personally prefer to have the NAS as a backend device, and something like a Pi or other small, low-powered device attached to the TV.

FWIW, I installed my OS onto an 8GB flash disk plugged in to the internal USB port. The OS doesn't need a whole lotta performance, and I didn't feel an SSD was required.

Edit: It turns out it DOES support port multipliers, but you need a new BIOS:

http://homeservershow.com/forums/in...uccessfully-enabled-port-multiplier-on-esata/
 
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Get the HP. A GT 520 card will set you back ~R450 and it runs 1080 movies with no problems. I have 4 x 3Tb and 1 x 2Tb hard drives in my micro server as well as 2 x 2tb external hard drives and will just buy another HP when I run out of space.
 
SpoonTech said:
Thanks, didn't seem like there was too much recent advice around..
Budget is around 1500 as I'd like to use about 6.5k on a decent desktop.
Click to expand...

Spend R900 on a decent front end, and the rest of the money on storage for your desktop. If you are anything like me, the desktop will stay on 24/7 anyway, so it's not like you'd be saving electricity or anything.

I'm currently using a Pi, and to replace it, I just ordered a G.Box Midnight, which is an Android 4.0 box running XBMC. It's had pretty decent reviews. I figured it is easier/cleaner to get a purpose-built device with remote and case, than trying to hack that on to the Pi.
 
Crowley said:
Get the HP. A GT 520 card will set you back ~R450 and it runs 1080 movies with no problems. I have 4 x 3Tb and 1 x 2Tb hard drives in my micro server as well as 2 x 2tb external hard drives and will just buy another HP when I run out of space.
Click to expand...

Ya but then you have 2 PC's on consuming power..
You are also paying 2 X R1500 now + R400 for the GFX card... R3500 could buy you a much more capable PC.
You also have more Cables to deal with, nevermind the fact that you have another LAN cable to plug in somewhere just to access your media.

1 PC with lots of storage, better CPU and 3D card, and possibly a SSD card, is much better than 2 smaller PCs with low-end cards.


The OP has a budget of R1500, and can only take the HP - but if you have that extra R500 to spare, a PC might be the better choice.
 
I want to use this as a test server for PHP dev, test applications etc, which is one of the main reasons, later when I rig up my Raspberry PI I'll move this system somewhere else and use the PI as the front-end. 4 Drive Bay's is not a problem for me. 250GB for OS, and 3 x 2TB is more than enough. I have a 4mbps line so anything older than 6TB I won't watch, so I can just delete and get again at a later stage. 6TB is a massive amount of content.

My desktop will be windows only, and this server will be Linux. (prob Ubuntu)
I'm also setting up automatic content downloading etc, which can get tricky on a raspberry PI, and it's cool to have more gadgets =)
 
In which case your plan seems fine, although you will end up with a useless graphics card in your microserver once you implement the PI.

Personally, I'd get the PI working first against your desktop, then get the microserver when you are ready for it. It only took me a couple of hours to get Xbian working on my PI, and that included wrapping my head around the way that XBMC wants your library laid out (and fixing my library).
 
I've bought the MicroServer now, so that's the route I've chosen to take. Pretty keen on it!
Don't think I'll have too much hassles with the PI, think its just that I want a Linux Setup, Windows Desktop and My Macbook Pro in the house. Want a server thats always on for automatic downloads, media centre etc. My other computers are always cluttered up with incomplete downloads etc.
 
Not gonna get a graphics card for the micro at the moment, will look into my options first =)
 
Keeper said:
Ya but then you have 2 PC's on consuming power..
You are also paying 2 X R1500 now + R400 for the GFX card... R3500 could buy you a much more capable PC.
You also have more Cables to deal with, nevermind the fact that you have another LAN cable to plug in somewhere just to access your media.

1 PC with lots of storage, better CPU and 3D card, and possibly a SSD card, is much better than 2 smaller PCs with low-end cards.


The OP has a budget of R1500, and can only take the HP - but if you have that extra R500 to spare, a PC might be the better choice.
Click to expand...
It depends on what you need it for. Firstly I only have one for now and I still have a few TB storage space left so it will be a few months before I get another one. My HP is my download machine as well as my XBMC player so it doesn't need a monster graphics card or a SSD and the 130W (or was it 150W) PSU sips electricity.
SpoonTech said:
4 Drive Bay's is not a problem for me.
Click to expand...
4 drive bays plus a internal SATA connector for your OS drive.
 
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