New "Tiny" PC Build

If you go for the i5 you just need to buy a CPU cooler extra, just keep in mind when choosing a motherboard to check the amount of SATA ports. Also do you already have the case, the Cooler Master you mentioned only has room for three 3.5" HDD's.

Thanks, will keep that in mind when choosing a motherboard.

No I don't have the case yet as I am uncertain wether to go full PC or mini-atx. If I was going to go mini-atx then I would have upgraded the 2tb drives to 4tb one at a time over the next few months but if I go full PC, I can keep using the 2tb and just add new 4tb when I need to purchase.
 
I think going full size will benefit you in the long run, it's not like a normal case takes up that much space and you gain way more space for expansion in the future. Wi-Fi won't be a issue I'm sure of it, my Plex server is connected to Wi-Fi to my router through many walls and a long way away and I stream 1080p with DTS audio no issue.

Going full size will also reduce the cost as mini itx boards and cases cost more than normal atx. I see you PM'd Potter on Carb to buy the i5 which will handle all your Plex needs for many years to come.

One more question, are you keeping the HP server or selling it?
 
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I think going full size will benefit you in the long run, it's not like a normal case takes up that much space and you gain way more space for expansion in the future. Wi-Fi won't be a issue I'm sure of it, my Plex server is connected to Wi-Fi to my router through many walls and a long way away and I stream 1080p with DTS audio no issue.

Going full size will also reduce the cost as mini itx boards and cases cost more than normal atx. I see you PM'd Potter on Carb to buy the i5 which will handle all your Plex needs for many years to come.

One more question, are you keeping the HP server or selling it?

Yeah I am thinking of going full size PC rather.

Spoke to PotterH and if all goes well should get the CPU this week already just need to decide between 4570 or 4590, leaning towards the 4590 as it is the newer of the two and then still need to find a CPU cooler (never bought one before so not sure if there a specific thing I need to look for).

Im torn between selling the HP Server or setting it up in my kids room - not sure what I could get for the server and wether it be worth selling it.
 
Spoke to PotterH and if all goes well should get the CPU this week already just need to decide between 4570 or 4590, leaning towards the 4590 as it is the newer of the two and then still need to find a CPU cooler (never bought one before so not sure if there a specific thing I need to look for).

Get the 4590.

http://www.wootware.co.za/zalman-cnps10x-optima-shark-fin-blade-cpu-cooler.html 120mm fan, the bigger the fan the quieter it runs. You can go for cheapie as well, anything you buy will be better than the stock intel coolers the boxed cpus come with.

Note that cooler will only fit in a normal size case.
 
Get the 4590.

http://www.wootware.co.za/zalman-cnps10x-optima-shark-fin-blade-cpu-cooler.html 120mm fan, the bigger the fan the quieter it runs. You can go for cheapie as well, anything you buy will be better than the stock intel coolers the boxed cpus come with.

Note that cooler will only fit in a normal size case.

Yeah pretty sure I will go for the 4590.

I will look for a cheaper CPU fan swell as my budget has gone up quite a bit already from the start so anywhere I can save some cash would be great as I still need a Motherboard and Case. The onboard graphics of the 4590 should be sufficient for my needs correct or should I get a graphics card? There won't be any gaming on this machine - only a Plex Client and download machine.
 
Yeah pretty sure I will go for the 4590.

I will look for a cheaper CPU fan swell as my budget has gone up quite a bit already from the start so anywhere I can save some cash would be great as I still need a Motherboard and Case. The onboard graphics of the 4590 should be sufficient for my needs correct or should I get a graphics card? There won't be any gaming on this machine - only a Plex Client and download machine.

Intel HD Graphics 4600 on the 4590 should be fine.
 
Intel HD Graphics 4600 on the 4590 should be fine.

Yeah I thought as much. I can always add a graphics card later on if I see I need one.

Cool now to look for a motherboard and case and hopefully have this system running in the next few days.

Any idea on a motherboard and case (I know I'm being cheeky :D ) haha... I have seen one or two which I will look into more today.
 
How many sata ports?
Require front usb3?

Well I suppose I need a minimum of 6 SATA ports? I have 4 HDD's that need to be connected already with more to be added at a later stage.

Front USB 3.0 would be nice but I suppose that all counts on the case I get?
 
Can load plex on an Apple TV, cost - R990, then just wifi it up with rest of your devices. Using Airplay I can stream HD tv shows onto my tv with my iPhone.
 
Can load plex on an Apple TV, cost - R990, then just wifi it up with rest of your devices. Using Airplay I can stream HD tv shows onto my tv with my iPhone.

I think you are confused. I already have a Roku which is used to play my Plex media but you beed a PC that acts as your Plex Server where all the files are stored.
 
Well I suppose I need a minimum of 6 SATA ports? I have 4 HDD's that need to be connected already with more to be added at a later stage.

Front USB 3.0 would be nice but I suppose that all counts on the case I get?

Most (if not all) of the cheaper h81/87 seem to only have 4 sata ports, the b85 models seem to have six.
 
This one caught my eye yesterday and is on my list. If can't find anything cheaper will probably end up going for this one. Also just realised, will need to get some sort of WiFi card. I have one of those tiny USB ones which I can test first I suppose (they look like the receiver for wireless keyboard and mouse).

That one caught my eye because of the 2x full size pci slots, so in future should you need you could also plug in some more sata/raid interface cards if you wish.

Keep in mind that this is a full size ATX MB so you will need a case that supports ATX MBs and not m-ATX.
 
That one caught my eye because of the 2x full size pci slots, so in future should you need you could also plug in some more sata/raid interface cards if you wish.

Keep in mind that this is a full size ATX MB so you will need a case that supports ATX MBs and not m-ATX.

Cool thanks. Yeah I saw it is a full size but am pretty sure I won't be going m-ATX any more due to wanting more space for HDDs down the line.

Just worried about stock as the last time they had stock was 2014...
 
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