To Replace Whs: Win 8 Vs 2012?

Sorry if this is not a good place to pose this question.

I've plain had enough of the problems of trying to keep my WHS v1 home server alive; anyone have any advice on if I should be researching using Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 Essentials?

I've done some reading thus far and having difficulty understanding the main points that would separate these two OS's for me.

Thanks.