That's depends on your HTPC requirements, watching movies only? Blu-Ray or 4K proof?
Blu-Ray only can use Core i3, no extra graphics card needed, save $$.
4K may require some special display port such as DisplayPort or HDMI so a graphics card is required, maybe low-mid range with such ports available will do.
OS need to be considered as well due to combined NAS setup, media centre with SMB capable is good, as it supported by many devices nowadays.

But if you going to put HTPC in the living room, it's best to have standalone media player that able to access NAS through network, less clutter since your media player may use WiFi to stream movie over the air, or the HomePlug equivalent.

if we go the media player and separate nas route, what media player would you recommend?

If you know there's Android TV in the market right now, has WiFi capability, easy enough to play Full HD movie, and small enough to hide behind your TVs, cupboard, etc. (slightly bigger than wireless router)

but nowadays we can hook up NAS easily to TV right?

That's if your TV supports it, not all TV has such features, and those TV is expensive? (cheapskate thought)
Android TV can be had for less than RM300 excluding the month subscription (require Internet service to watch movies online)

actually what's the best way to stream movies that i've downloaded to the tv? say i store them on a NAS. get an android box as well?

either HTPC or media player only afaik

media player like roku/apple tv?

media player like roku/apple tv?

Synology NAS works with Chromecast

anyone has a psu for hp microserver n36L? Mine was just fried by lighting. Got my brother to buy me a pico-psu from US but won't boot up.. maybe cos i was running 1 molex to 4... cannot find connector for the 2nd 5v line..

Hi guys, not sure if this the right thread to ask.
I have created 2 volumes in synology, but why the volumes capacity cannot utilize the full disk size?
I have allocated this much hard disk space from the virtual machine, 5GB and 8GB.
But the volume capacity I got from this is less, 490MB and 3.44GB.

Thank you.

You use VM for Synology OS?
Please tell us more of what you mean by "allocated this much hard disk space from the virtual machine".

Hi wildwestgoh,
I mean  this. 2 harddisks of size 8Gb and 5GB each.

Made a video to help those thinking of using Freenas to create Network share at home?

What ESXi version are you using?

Hi blacktubi, I am not running on esxi, but workstation 10.

Your virtual disk is configured to store as a single file or multiple file?