I researched this to some extent over the past couple weeks and found this website to have some decent feedback and hope I can tap into it to get me some build advice for a home server running Win8. I am torn, admittedly, between going with Win8 or WHS 2011. My current leaning is Win8 because of MS's discontinued support in the future of WHS 2011.
My objective is to have a server that is stable, low energy usage, runs relatively cool (not adding heat to my study), and backs up the other PCs in my home. I want the server to stream to any PC and my PS3 or networked devices (smartphones, tablets). This would be a headless server and it will be a backup for the other PCs in the home.
I figure to get 4 x 2 TB HDDs (likely WD greens) for storage which will hold movies ripped from DVDs, music, and document backups. The case will be what I can find for a decent (low) price. My main hang up is which chip/motherboard to select. I have read all kinds of advice on dual-cores, early quad cores, the newer i3 or even i5 and even a single core option across forums and how-to sites. How do I determine what is best for me? I know this is a broad question and everyone has their opinion, but is there some general consensus on a basic build for a home?
Hassle-free, set it and forget it would be ideal. But, I've built some systems and know that requirement is more of a desire than reality. This is my first server foray so something basic that does the job advise would be most appreciated.
My objective is to have a server that is stable, low energy usage, runs relatively cool (not adding heat to my study), and backs up the other PCs in my home. I want the server to stream to any PC and my PS3 or networked devices (smartphones, tablets). This would be a headless server and it will be a backup for the other PCs in the home.
I figure to get 4 x 2 TB HDDs (likely WD greens) for storage which will hold movies ripped from DVDs, music, and document backups. The case will be what I can find for a decent (low) price. My main hang up is which chip/motherboard to select. I have read all kinds of advice on dual-cores, early quad cores, the newer i3 or even i5 and even a single core option across forums and how-to sites. How do I determine what is best for me? I know this is a broad question and everyone has their opinion, but is there some general consensus on a basic build for a home?
Hassle-free, set it and forget it would be ideal. But, I've built some systems and know that requirement is more of a desire than reality. This is my first server foray so something basic that does the job advise would be most appreciated.