The Raspberry Pi was fun.. now time to move on.

bdt said:
How about mini-ITX, Haswell-style? Bonus points: *dual* HDMI, and WiDi* to boot ..and you get a PCIe x16 anyway. *this automatically means Intel-based wireless-n and bluetooth. Then drop in an i5 4430; surely its integrated HD Graphics 4600 GPU is up to the job?
Click to expand...
So, assuming the above as the core of the innards, how do you feel about the BitFenix Prodigy aesthetic? Should you feel the need you could slap five (!) 3.5" drives in there (all of which can be data, it also allows for a stupid number of 2.5" drives too (assuming you don't already know this)). This way, you could start off with the Haswell-powered GPU (effectively/mostly good for up to 4k output on its own anyway) but should you choose, still have space for that discrete GPU card.

625_thumb.png

859_thumb.png

Other options (always) include Lian-Li, like the Q07 (which rather sucks on drive capacity compared with the Prodigy (which may/not matter))

900x900px-LL-3fb7264d_front.jpeg

900x900px-LL-18a0bcd1_rear.jpeg

Or the Q27, which gives drive flexibility back to you

q27.jpg

q28.jpg
 
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You should have a look at what you can do with a PS3, it does all the streaming you want. As does the Roku and the Apple TV. I think that storing content on your media player is overrated. In the end it will never be enough and its also not very accessible on a media center.

Store everything on a dedicated pc somewhere else, I can promise you, its the most cost effective solution
 
Not interested in the PS3. Te Apple TV could be a contender though. It will have to be the ATV2. I see some stores are now stocking them again. Having said that, this Xtreamer looks quite good. Shame about the price though.
 
Keeper said:
Like, I'd do this:

ErWDiEl.jpg


[UR
Click to expand...

I have this exact same case, fanless motherboard, 2 x SSD, dual tuner analogue tv card, super silent power supply, running Windows MCE. Works nicely, looks good, very happy.
 
Tinuva said:
HP Microserver is probably the best buy for the above requirements.

That said, there are specials on them from time to time I have been told by some people, which is when you want to buy it to save the maximum on it. The only problem is, you want to use onboard gfx with it. You must use audio via HDMI, if you want analog or spdif you will need to add that with a low-profile soundcard.

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/products/proliant-servers/product-detail.html?oid=5336619#!tab=features

Hard drive space wise, I think it can take up to 4 or 5 hard drives.

I personally bought a very specific look for an HTPC case, and built the system around that, eg. something like this:
http://htpc.moneualusa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=89
312_overview.jpg



But you could go for something like this:
http://www.xcase.co.uk/Home-theatre-pc-case-p/casse-q100.htm
Casse-Q100-2T.jpg
Click to expand...

I know this is an old post - however I have decided to go with the Microserver. Not too worried about HDD space and all that - it's going to run Windows 7 and XBMC will run ontop of that. I will use my current PC for storing media and downloading etc and put it somewhere else in the house.

Thanks for all the tips guys.
 
Tander said:
I know this is an old post - however I have decided to go with the Microserver. Not too worried about HDD space and all that - it's going to run Windows 7 and XBMC will run ontop of that. I will use my current PC for storing media and downloading etc and put it somewhere else in the house.

Thanks for all the tips guys.
Click to expand...

Which graphics card do you have?
 
CamiKaze said:
Which graphics card do you have?
Click to expand...

Some ATi card I bought a few months back - it has HDMI with sound output, which I currently use at the moment. It's PCIe - so will pop it in the HP server and connect it to the AV receiver.
 
Tander said:
Some ATi card I bought a few months back - it has HDMI with sound output, which I currently use at the moment. It's PCIe - so will pop it in the HP server and connect it to the AV receiver.
Click to expand...

So...is the a low bracket thing for my AMD 7950? because im looking for a case to sit nicely next to my receiver, but since the HP case is so thin...im a bit worried.
 
CamiKaze said:
So...is the a low bracket thing for my AMD 7950? because im looking for a case to sit nicely next to my receiver, but since the HP case is so thin...im a bit worried.
Click to expand...

I believe the HP server takes a normal sized GFX card. No need for a low profile card. However the AMD 7950 is a monster. These HP servers only have a 150w PSU - so your GFX will suffer in there - also, there is hardly any space inside:

Look at this listing on Bidorbuy: shows you pics of the inside (Sort of) to get an idea:
http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/1093...GB_HARD_DISK_WARRANTY_INCLUDED_BRAND_NEW.html
 
you will need a low profile card for the microserver
infact, a lp card with a fan, as some heatsinks are too big
gt210 is perfect for the hp
 
I don't recall anything saying we need a LP GFX for the server?
 
Oh I have a HD5450 card. All I need to do is put a LP bracket on. Or make one myself. So no issues there.
Thanks for sharing the link.
 
Tander said:
Do you have the HP? How is it?
Click to expand...

Should collect it today.

Also have now ordered an additional 2GB of RAM and a Gigabyte GT610 which should arrive tomorrow.

Haven't decided on an OS as of yet but am leaning towards XBMCbuntu.
 
I used to have XBMCbuntu on, then one day an update broke the X11 window manager from starting up. Needless to say I was disgusted and installed my own clean debian with XBMC and never looked back.
 
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