I've been keeping an eye on the Shuttle KPC (http://us.shuttle.com/KPC/). With a barebones starting at just under $100 I did some quick configuring on NewEgg and found that a really nice system could be had for under $300 ($270 as I configured it but you can go with a faster processor for a little more).
- Shuttle KPC K45-Black Intel Socket T(LGA775) Intel 945GC KPC Barebone - Retail
Item #: N82E16856101064
$109.99 - pqi 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Desktop Memory Model MAC42GUOE
Item #: N82E16820141099
$32.99 - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136073
$89.99 - Intel Celeron D 315 Prescott 2.26GHz Socket 478 73W Single-Core Processor Model NE80546RE051256 - OEM
Item #: N82E16819116031
$38.99
Subtotal: $271.96
This might be just what Rich needs :D/
Looks good! I will check out the pictures to see what the hell you're talking about.... :rofl:
I accidentally pressed the play button while focused on my flac folder. It took the server 15 minutes to cue up 1444 songs, then when it finally started playing the remote went AWOL. I am running off the nas now, but I had no music for 2 hours. :shock: 'Squeeze' came up on IP this time, but doesn't appear as music source to remote. I was trying to play Beach Boys Endless Summer (greatest hits) at the time, maybe this is SB way of revolting? So I am ready to build a SB machine. I just wanna decide if I will do anything else on it beside SC7, and where I will put it.
I'm tempted to build a full blast music box to run Sonar, SOund Forge, SC7, etc. That would need to be a dual core or better and really quiet. Thanks Nick
Rich
That box above will support dual core as well. So, for about $100-125 more you should be able to get a decent dual core chip. The mini-itx boards that would meet your needs are in the $250 range where the comparable standard size boards with the same functionality run in the $50-$75 range, so you are definitely paying for the small size. It's one of those things where you can build it good enough to get by but for only a little more you can build a full blown system that will handle anything you'll throw at it. I
If you are going for the full blown system then I'd stick with a standard form factor machine that you can stick in additional drives as you upgrade down the road. The reduction in main board cost could then allocate money to extra ram, faster processor, or even an extra quite case.
The last decision would be the OS. Windows is easy, but expensive, and Linux/Unix is more efficient, bu there's a learning curve.
Thanks Nick. I decided to go with the faster machine in a quiet box with large RAID array for music only. I will keep pics, movies, backup music projects, whatever else on the NAS.
I use Raid 5 on the NAS, a dummies version called X Raid which is just plug and play reboot automatic cofig. I haven't done real RAID5 since Novell 3. I imagine it has gotten quite a bit easier in 12 years?
I'll make a parts list from your recommendations and run it by you guys. Thanks
Rich