Build for a home server
A home server that streams your films and shows to every TV and phone, and stores your files and photo backups.
Budget
Goal: A few streams at once
$1,257
- Intel Quick Sync: converts several 4K streams at once with barely any power
- 4 TB of hard-drive storage, plus a fast drive for apps
- About 241 W at full load
- Processor
- 14C/20T
- Graphics
- Built-in
- Memory
- 16 GB DDR5
- Storage
- 5 TB (2 drives)
- Peak power
- ~241 W
- ProcessorCore i5-14600K$354 at PC Case Gear (opens store in a new tab)
- MotherboardMSI PRO B760M-A WiFi$219 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- MemoryTeamGroup T-Create 16GB (2×8) DDR5-5600$199 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageCrucial P3 Plus 1TB$104 at Scorptec (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageSeagate Barracuda 4TB$134 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- CPU coolerDeepCool AK400$44 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- Power supplyMSI MAG A650BN$79 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- CaseJonsbo D31 Mesh$124 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
Mid-range
Best valueGoal: Whole-family streaming and backups
$1,741
- Intel Quick Sync: converts several 4K streams at once with barely any power
- 8 TB of hard-drive storage, plus a fast drive for apps
- About 249 W at full load
- Processor
- 14C/20T
- Graphics
- Built-in
- Memory
- 32 GB DDR5
- Storage
- 9 TB (3 drives)
- Peak power
- ~249 W
- ProcessorCore i5-14600K$354 at PC Case Gear (opens store in a new tab)
- MotherboardMSI PRO B760M-A WiFi$219 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- MemoryKingston Fury Beast 32GB (2×16) DDR5-6000$374 at Mwave (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageCrucial P3 Plus 1TB$104 at Scorptec (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageSeagate Barracuda 4TB$134 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageSeagate Barracuda 4TB$134 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- CPU coolerNoctua NH-D15 G2$219 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- Power supplyMSI MAG A650BN$79 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- CaseJonsbo D31 Mesh$124 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
High-end
Goal: Big library, apps and VMs too
$2,315
- Intel Quick Sync: converts several 4K streams at once with barely any power
- 12 TB of hard-drive storage, plus a fast drive for apps
- About 257 W at full load
- Processor
- 14C/20T
- Graphics
- Built-in
- Memory
- 64 GB DDR5
- Storage
- 14 TB (4 drives)
- Peak power
- ~257 W
- ProcessorCore i5-14600K$354 at PC Case Gear (opens store in a new tab)
- MotherboardMSI PRO B760M-A WiFi$219 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- MemoryCorsair Vengeance 64GB (2×32) DDR5-6000$689 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageKingston NV3 2TB$184 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageSeagate Barracuda 4TB$134 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageSeagate Barracuda 4TB$134 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- StorageSeagate Barracuda 4TB$134 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
- CPU coolerNoctua NH-D15 G2$219 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- Power supplyCorsair RM750e (2023)$124 at Amazon AU (opens store in a new tab)
- CaseJonsbo D31 Mesh$124 at Centre Com (opens store in a new tab)
What matters
- An Intel processor with built-in graphics (no “F” on the end): Quick Sync handles video conversion for Plex and Jellyfin.
- Big hard drives for the library; a small fast drive for the apps.
- Low power and quiet cooling, since it runs all day.
What to skip
- A graphics card: Intel’s built-in graphics does the job using a fraction of the power.
Good to know
- Check your case has enough 3.5" drive bays for the hard drives you plan to add.
- Unraid, TrueNAS or plain Linux with Docker are the usual choices of software.
BUDGET_FINDERPro
The best build for your budget
For Plex, Jellyfin and media server: set exactly what you want to spend and we find the complete, compatible build that suits it best at that price.
Sign in and upgrade to use the budget finderEach build is the cheapest complete, compatible PC from current parts that meets its goal, priced at the best Australian store prices as of 12/11/2026. Speed comparisons are Rigsmith estimates, not benchmarks. Open a build in the builder to swap parts or buy second-hand.