P4 530 vs C2D E4300 CPU for server?

[uberpixel]

Here's my current SageTV server setup:
---
Pentium 4 530 (3.0ghz) single core
MSI 915G Combo Mobo
2gb DDR2 800 RAM
HDHomerun
Windows Home Server

Would I have better or worse performance if I moved the server to this config instead?

Proposed setup:
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Intel Core2Duo E4300 (1.8ghz) dual core
Abit AB9 QuadGT
2gb DDR2 800 RAM
Windows Home Server
HDHomerun

My current setup works fine with my HD200, but Placeshifter on my laptop (Dell Inspiron 6000 w/ 2.0ghz Pentium M) either pegs the server cpu with transcoding or maxes out the laptop without transcoding. This test was run with the Laptop connected to a LAN and while the server was also recording 1 HD program via HDHomerun and streaming 1 SD program to the HD200.

This is all hardware that I have on hand. I'd prefer not to spend a lot more money, but I could possibly swing a new CPU for the ABIT mobo. Maybe a low cost quad core like the Q8400 (2.66ghz).

Any ideas out there?

Thanks!

[MrD]

go for a e8400 -- speed kills peaches

half the power too

[uberpixel]

Originally Posted by MrD

go for a e8400 -- speed kills peaches

half the power too

Thanks for the advice, but I have no idea what you mean by that.

I'd really prefer to work with what I have already.

Will a dual core E4300 @1.8ghz be better than a single core P4 @3ghz?

Thanks!

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by uberpixel

My current setup works fine with my HD200, but Placeshifter on my laptop (Dell Inspiron 6000 w/ 2.0ghz Pentium M) either pegs the server cpu with transcoding or maxes out the laptop without transcoding. This test was run with the Laptop connected to a LAN and while the server was also recording 1 HD program via HDHomerun and streaming 1 SD program to the HD200.

If you're concerned with transcoding being done on your server the 1.8GHz dual core is not going to solve your issue. You would need both the additional cores and the speed to solve that issue. Especially if you may look at commercial skipping on that same server. The 1.8GHz dual will work for WHS but the transcoding and other processes are CPU intensive as you have discovered. With multiple cores Sage can run on a core and the transcoding can run on another. Single core (including your 3.0GHz hyperthreading) is still a single core.

Gerry

[Graygeek]

When I jumped from a P4 to and E4500, similar to the E4300. It was a huge difference, CPU Temp was at least 10c lower and processor utilization was much, much lower. I run two extenders etc. See my sig. I recently upgraded to the PDC6300, nice value processor. Difference was not that noticeable. I run commercial skip and do some transcoding. The E4500 was fine for that, not a fastest but it let me enjoy my cup of coffee I tend to be a bit fugal (cheap according to wife) and found the PDC6300 to be a nice balance of performance and cost, the E8400 was just to much cost for my need. Intel has created a very confusing number scheme. This seems to have created a lot of confusion when you are trying to decide what best meets your need. Good luck .... let us know what you choose.

[sic0048]

The dual core will definitely be faster. If my memory serves me right, at some point, Intel changed the way they measured their clock speeds - so you cannot compare 3.2ghz to 1.8ghz. The old P4 chip was measured one way and the dual core is measured another way. 1.8ghz under the new measurement system is much faster than 1.8 ghz under the old system.