Hi guys, I'm looking to set up a multipurpose home server and hoped you could help me with the hardware selection.

First of all, the services it will provide:

• Hosting a MySQL database (for training and testing purposes)
• FTP server
• Personal Mail Server
• Home media server

So with this in mind I've done some research, and found some viable solutions:

• A standard PC with the appropriate software (Either second hand or new)
• A non-solid state mini-ITX system
• A solid state, fanless mini-ITX system

I've also noted the pros and cons of each system:

• A standard second hand PC with old hardware would be the cheapest option. It could also have lacking processing power, not enough RAM and generally faulty hardware. Also, huge power consumption heat generation and noise levels.
• A standard new PC would have top-notch hardware and will stay that way for quite some time, so it's a good investment. But again, the main problem is power consumption, heat generation and noise levels.
• A non-solid state mini-ITX system would have the advantages of lower power consumption, lower cost (as far as I can see) and long lasting hardware. But it will generate noise and heat which will be even worse because of the size.
• A solid state, fanless mini-ITX system would have all the advantages of a non-solid state mini-ITX but with minimal noise and heat. The main disadvantage is the read\write problems of flash memory.

All in all I'm leaning towards a non-solid state mini-ITX because of the read\write issues of flash memory.

So, after this overview of what I do know, my questions are:

1. Are all these services even providable from a single server? To my best understanding they are, but then again, I might be wrong.
2. Is any of these solutions viable? If yes, which one is the best for my purposes? If not, what would you suggest?

Also, on a more software oriented note:

1. OS wise, I'm planning to run Linux. I'm currently thinking of four options I've been recommended: CentOS, Gentoo, DSL (Damn Small Linux) and LFS (Linux From Scratch). Any thoughts on this? Any other distro you would recomend?
2. Regarding FTP services, I've herd good things about FileZila. Anyone has any experience with that? Do you recommend it? Do you recommend something else?
3. Regarding the Mail service, I know nothing about this except that it exists. Any software you recommend for this task?
4. Home media, same as mail service. Any recommended software?

Thank you very much.