HTPC

[Spit-wad]

I posted this thread (http://www.techist.com/forums/f76/multiple-hdd-storage-w-backup-229685/), but nobody replied, but I think I just want a home theater PC anyways.

1. I have a lot of data, and expect a lot more to be coming - currently have about 1.3TB of stuff, but the hard drives they're currently on are being given to my friend, so I need new hard drives for this htpc build. I wouldn't mind preparing for the future and having 4TB, but I'm also pretty obsessed about backing stuff up, so I was thinking about 3 2TB drives in a RAID 5.

2. I want the case to be as small as possible, but I don't know how many HTPC cases have 3 hard drive bays. Any suggestions?

3. Thinking about 3 of these - Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
I've never done a RAID before... anything special I need to know?

4. Recommend other cheap components? I want to keep this relatively cheap (other than the hard drives)

5. Probably will want it to be connected wireless to my network, so need some sort of wireless receiver.

 

[Spit-wad]

I've been looking through Newegg at cases - what's an "external 3.5 bay"? How is it different than an internal 3.5 bay?

also anyone have any thoughts on this case? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811128022

edit: woops double post

 

[El_Roberto]

An external 3.5' bay is for things like floppy drives - you can leave the cover panel in place and put a 3.5' HDD there too. Those drives look good, to use RAID you can use the inbuild RAID controller on your motherboard, but most people would reccommend using a proper controller card. I would never reccommend the case you just posted, if you look at the open pictures you can see it will only fit one case fan properly - the second fan is in a really stupid place (it might work with just two screws).

 

[Muffin Man]

for a lower cost build, you could go with an athlon ii dual core, maybe using onboard video.
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

maybe this case?
Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum panel & Steel HTPC 1000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

 

[El_Roberto]

This case costs allot more but it has better cooling - it's up to you really.

Newegg.com - LIAN LI Black Aluminum PC-C33B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

 

[Spit-wad]

Yeah I had seen that Lian Li one before - problem is that it's a little bigger, but mainly $110 extra.

If I have 3 drives in a RAID5, is it possible/easy to add a 4th to have more space?
And just to clarify my understanding of RAID5, 3x2TB drives would give me 4TB of usable space, correct?

Also link me to a potential raid controller if I don't use one that's built into the mobo? What's the benefit of using a separate controller?

 

[Spit-wad]

What about this combo so I get an HDMI port?
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!
or this one?
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

And I guess I'll go with one of the 2 cases you guys recommended - once I decide if I want to pay extra.
Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum panel & Steel HTPC 1000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
Newegg.com - LIAN LI Black Aluminum PC-C33B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

HDD (3 of these, maybe add a 4th in the future if necessary)
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

I think I'll take a dvd drive from my other computer that has 2.

RAM?
PSU?
RAID Controller?
Wireless receiver?
Other?
Am I going to get enough SATA cables for this?