Home Media Server: Pre-Build Considerations
While I wait for the hardware to arrive for the custom home media server build I’ve told you all about in my two previous posts, I wanted to share some of the pre-build rituals that I like to follow before assembling any PC. Â Although anyone can slap some parts into a case, tighten a few screws, attach some cables, and build a fully functional system, I think taking just a few extra steps along the way can make a marked difference to the long-term reliability and performance of the rig.
So what am I getting at? Â Just to reiterate some information from a previous post, the list of hardware and software I plan to use for the home media system build includes:
Operating System - Windows Home Server
Processor - AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400
CPU Cooler - ZEROtherm BTF95 CPU Cooler
Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2
Memory - Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/2GNR
Hard Drives - Western Digital Caviar Green (3)
Enclosure - Antec Mini P180
Power Supply - Antec Neo Power 500 500W
Optical Drive - LG 22X GH22NS30 DVD+DL Writer
Now, most of those parts will never need updates or new driver downloads, but the motherboard–the foundation of the system–and the optical drive will. Â Because most hardware bought on-line has been in transit and has potentially sat on a warehouse shelf for weeks, or maybe even months, it’s always a possibility that the BIOS or firmware installed on the component and the driver discs included with it, will be outdated the moment the hardware arrives.
With that in mind, I first hit Gigabyte’s website. Â I searched the support page for the GA-MA74GM-S2 motherboard and first downloaded the latest BIOS for the it. Â I skipped Gigabyte’s driver download page, however, because I am already aware of the components used in this board and will instead grab the latest reference drivers directly from the component manufacturers website–that meant hitting Realtek’s site for HD audio and 8111/8169 LAN drivers, and AMD’s site for the latest chipset and graphics drivers.
As for the optical drive, I did basically the same thing. Â I hit LG’s support site and searched for downloads for the 22X GH22NS30 drive to see if any updated firmware was available. Â There didn’t seem to be though, so I moved on.
With the drivers and updated motherboard BIOS downloaded, I copied them to a flash drive for later use. Â Now, when I actually assemble the system and install the OS, I’ll have all of the most recent drivers available for the system, right in one location.
