Can you advise me on what parts I will need to build a small NAS PC ?

[jamieuk23]

Hi with me wanting to be able to view all my DVD movie collection I have in different rooms around my flat + wanting to run a raid setup as a backup I have decided to build my own NAS system.

I really want to go down the ATX min root as it will allow me to buy a small PC case to store in my bedroom.

I am a bit unsure what type of motherboard I will need to get tho and if I will need a dual core CPU to go with it ?. Does it matter if the motherboard has built in graphics card ?

Any one else running a similar PC and can advise what parts I will need etc

[jim]

Build a NAS system?

Would it not make more sense to buy one?

If you've got a load of spare bits around and can save a load of cash then fair enough but it sounds like you're buying from new/used?

[Funkstar]

All you need is the most basic of PCs. integrated graphics are a good idea as they are low powered, take up no space and problem free.

I would suggest looking at Windows Home Server. Lets you do funky things with different sized hard drives instead of forcing you to use the same capacity drives in a RAID array. Also if you are using a full blown PC, WHS has the capability to really take advantage of that, like being able to stream media to different clients (while transcoding media on the fly to suit).

[jim]

Yeah, if you want to put a server together then definitely build/buy a proper PC, but not for a plain NAS.

[jamieuk23]

I just want to make something I can steam all my videos to in aother rooms and have hard drives in raid. What software would I use for this ?

Nas systems are like £350 I can build something better and faster for around £200

[CWH]

If you want to use a PC, then freeNAS would suffice. However I would at least try the free trial thats available for Home Server and see if it suits. It will happily run on an Atom, if you want a very quiet system while still streaming your media.

Colin