i used to but home server is better suited for at home, and makes it easier for a home user to set it up where as an enterprise level server is not as simple to setup for average user

Just get an itx board, decent dual core, 16gb of ram, plenty of sata ports. Build the box, whack linux on there, easy breezy.

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New master race build guide | Budget HTPC build

If you're looking to just use it to play video, then what's the point in getting anything other than the bare-bones?

SSD + GPU hardware acceleration is all you need.

Spending extra £ on a better CPU, RAM etc really isn't going to make any noticeable difference. As for wireless, I can stream 1080p encodes over the network without a hitch, but I guess it depends on how busy your network's going to be.

Since there's only two of us living here I'd imagine even though we have more than two devices, only 2 will be used at a time.

Could I also use it to sync my internet bookmarks over multiple machines and browsers? What about game saves (obviously for things not on steam. Minecraft for example)? I do video editing a bit on final cut pro, could I save my files to the server so I could edit from any machine?

Any other interesting things people do with servers that I might not have thought of? What about accessing it over the internet when you're not at home. What's that about?

Would I plus this into my wireless router and if someone is connected to my internet could be connected to the drive, or will it need it's own wireless card?

is the server is sitting somewhere and you are streaming video from it GPU hardware is pointless.....

GPU acceleration is not required. If its a remote box then you just mstsc on anyway. Also, CPU and RAM is critical.

Im afraid you have no idea what you are talking about.

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New master race build guide | Budget HTPC build

TNAG, I think you need to make your mind up as to what you actually want from the machine. It sounds to me like you'd be fine with a workstation that has network attached storage.

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New master race build guide | Budget HTPC build

Sorry, got it in my head that you're wanting a HTPC not a NAS. Ignore that!

Yeah, I don't think I really know what I want it to do myself. I like the idea of having a wireless drive, but I would like it to do more, but I don't know what that more actually is, I was kind of looking for ideas at the same time, which isn't a good way to go about a purchase.

Thanks for the advice anyway, everyone. If I am going to make a decision I have enough info to do so, I'm just going to step back for a bit. I think I got a bit over excited at the idea and ran away with it.

To be honest, I'd start with Falseys suggestion. The nice thing about a PC as a NAS box is you can always extend the functionality later by adding more software.

Better yet, you could probably test the water now with an older PC if you have one.