New "Tiny" PC Build

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weelzSA

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So as the title suggests, I am looking at building a "tiny" PC that would be used primarily as a media server. I currently use a HP N40L but now want to replace that with a new build.

Was looking online and found this setup:

Case - Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX PC - R492
CPU - Intel G3240 Pentium Processor 3.10 Ghz - R694
Motherboard - MSI Intel H81M-P32L M-ATX Motherboard - R617
PSU - Thermaltake LitePower 450 Watt - R309

So my questions are will this be a big enough improvement over the HP N40L to warrant the costs and will everything fit and work together? As always if there are better suggestions in the similar price range, feel free to pass on that info.

I already have RAm, HDD's and graphics card (but mite not even use one if that processor will do the job).

Will mainly be used to run my Plex Server and the occasional web browsing (the PC will sit next to my TV).

Let me know.
 
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Why don't you give all the specs and prices so we don't have to run around following links and all. :)
 
I'd go with an AM1 setup. I have two of them at home, they are cheap and flippen fast.
 
Definitely an improvement over the Microserver.

How many people are using the Plex Server and what quality is your content in general?
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
Definitely an improvement over the Microserver.

How many people are using the Plex Server and what quality is your content in general?
Click to expand...

Normally just one device (Roku 3) but time to time it will be 2 or 3 devices at a time. All my content is at least 720p for TV shows and then 1080p for movies. 3D content is also obviously 1080p. Mostly playbacks quite well but from time to time the playback will stop to "buffer" which is a pain but mainly happens with 3D and bigger 1080p files.

Just dont want to spend the money to find there is little to no improvement.
 
Anyone had good results with a Raspberry Pi? I bought one when they first came out and tried running XBMC on it. was sluggish. I have since sold it, but now I see there is a version 2. I'm sure that could work fine.
 
AceSwiftShooter said:
Anyone had good results with a Raspberry Pi? I bought one when they first came out and tried running XBMC on it. was sluggish. I have since sold it, but now I see there is a version 2. I'm sure that could work fine.
Click to expand...

just last week Friday I used my Raspberry PI v1 as a NAS Server, working very nicely! Running openmediavault OS, extremely easy to set up
 
The PI 2 is a massive improvement over the Pi 1 due to quad core processor, speed and RAM increase. Makes a night and day difference running openelec, I wrote it off on the Pi 1 but I retired my Microserver from HTPC duties with the Pi 2 as replacement.
 
weelzSA said:
Normally just one device (Roku 3) but time to time it will be 2 or 3 devices at a time. All my content is at least 720p for TV shows and then 1080p for movies. 3D content is also obviously 1080p. Mostly playbacks quite well but from time to time the playback will stop to "buffer" which is a pain but mainly happens with 3D and bigger 1080p files.

Just dont want to spend the money to find there is little to no improvement.
Click to expand...

You should be good if all your stuff is direct playing (but then so would a Microserver).

I think you should be good though, that CPU should be capable of doing 1 x 1080p transcode and 1 x 720p transcode simultaneously (in theory). Probably will get stuttering if you try and run 2 x 1080p transcodes at the same time.

Then again the only time you'll need to transcode is if the client doesn't support the media format (the Roku 3 generally direct plays most MKV and MP4's) or you drop the quality (if you're remote streaming most likely).

That set up sounds fine though for your needs.
 
Rouxenator said:
Plex? Why complicate things. Kodi.
Click to expand...

Depends on the needs of the OP I guess. Sounds like there are multiple devices involved here so Plex would be an obvious choice. No Kodi on the Roku either.

If it was just a standalone device needed I would also recommend Kodi, doesn't make sense here though.
 
Rouxenator said:
You mean like more than one TV? But why?
Click to expand...

Yes, some people have multiple TV's in different rooms.

Not only that, but devices like mobile phones and tablets. I only have one TV but also enjoy having my media available on my phone and I share my libraries with my family. My mother watches stuff on their Chromecast 800kms away, my friend too. My brother in Spain watches stuff from my server.

You just need to choose the correct tool for the job.
 
I've tried XBMC / Kodi a few times but nothing ever came close to the experience I get with Plex (that is my personal opinion).
 
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