To somewhat future-proof myself, I've decided to build one of these things to go along with the htpc I'm going to be setting up.
I found what I think to be a good basic set up. It's as follows:
Components:
CPU: 2.7 GHz AMD Sempron 140
Motherboard: BIOSTAR TA785G3HD
RAM: Kingston 2 GB DDR3 1066 RAM
Case: Antec Three Hundred
PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CMPSU-500CX 500W
Expansion Card: Supermicro Add-on Card AOC-SASLP-MV8
Hard Drive Bay: COOLER MASTER STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hardisk Cage
Then for harddrives I'll start buying a couple of these (depending on which are a better deal at the time):
2 TB Seagate Barracuda LP
2 TB Samsung Spinpoint F3EG
2 TB WD Green EARS
Couple questions:
1. Does anyone have any experience with that case? A different one was recommended (Cooler Master Centurion 590), but I can't find them in stock at any of the normal places I buy computer stuff. With the hard drive bay I listed that will put me at 10 bays, which I think will be enough (start swapping 2TB HDDs out of 4TB HDDs once the prices drop)
2. Is it ok to pair HDDs of different makes? Also, is it ok to put in HDDs of different sizes (I may be imagining things, but I thought I read somewhere that the HDDs should all be the same size)?
3. Is there any major benefit to going with a Hot Swap vs. Non Hot Swap bay?
4. Am I missing anything?
The hardware side of this seems straight forward. I'm sure I'll have issues / questions once the actual setup gets underway.
Edit: Just noticed that that mobo is sold out. Alternatives?
Edit 2: Maybe this mobo - ASUS M4A785T-M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
I found what I think to be a good basic set up. It's as follows:
Components:
CPU: 2.7 GHz AMD Sempron 140
Motherboard: BIOSTAR TA785G3HD
RAM: Kingston 2 GB DDR3 1066 RAM
Case: Antec Three Hundred
PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CMPSU-500CX 500W
Expansion Card: Supermicro Add-on Card AOC-SASLP-MV8
Hard Drive Bay: COOLER MASTER STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hardisk Cage
Then for harddrives I'll start buying a couple of these (depending on which are a better deal at the time):
2 TB Seagate Barracuda LP
2 TB Samsung Spinpoint F3EG
2 TB WD Green EARS
Couple questions:
1. Does anyone have any experience with that case? A different one was recommended (Cooler Master Centurion 590), but I can't find them in stock at any of the normal places I buy computer stuff. With the hard drive bay I listed that will put me at 10 bays, which I think will be enough (start swapping 2TB HDDs out of 4TB HDDs once the prices drop)
2. Is it ok to pair HDDs of different makes? Also, is it ok to put in HDDs of different sizes (I may be imagining things, but I thought I read somewhere that the HDDs should all be the same size)?
3. Is there any major benefit to going with a Hot Swap vs. Non Hot Swap bay?
4. Am I missing anything?
The hardware side of this seems straight forward. I'm sure I'll have issues / questions once the actual setup gets underway.
Edit: Just noticed that that mobo is sold out. Alternatives?
Edit 2: Maybe this mobo - ASUS M4A785T-M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard