Inexpensive RAID 5 server/HTPC?

[tool_462]

Hi all,

I decided to go the proper route for storing all of my movies/pictures/data and build a RAID 5 server. Currently I just have a collaboration of random drives (totalling around 8TB, of which 6TB is used) and am nervous about a failure.

I know software RAID 5 is an option in Windows Server 2008 but I think a hardware solution is probably better. Now, I have no experience with server hardware and was curious if anyone has a suggestion regarding an inexpensive server board/setup that has a RAID 5 capable board or controller. Or, what cheap RAID cards are out there for basic needs like mine? I know there are some CHEAP options for this kind of stuff on eBay/Craiglist, I just don't know exactly what to look for.

Things to note:
-Form factor does not matter
-Will be using 4-5 SATA drives (2 or 3TB probably, whatever I find cheap)
-Speed doesn't really matter, just used for streaming movies over the network and storage

Some sort of NAS box could work too if there is a dummy proof way to set one up and access the storage via Windows 7/8.1 computers and manage torrents on it.

[tived]

Heve a look at Synology 1813+

Hen