Just ordered Foxconn NetBox-nT510 (Atom D510 dual-core) on impulse

[gtd885a]

I just ordered this on impulse and I was wondering if anyone had experience using it with Sage:

Foxconn NetBox-nT510 (Atom D510 dual-core) Nettop Barebone + 2GB CORSAIR DDR2 Memory $124.98 (free shipping) - Newegg Shell Shocker

Specs-

* CPU Type - Intel Atom D510 1.66G/Dual Core
* Chipset - North Bridge - Intel NM10
* Memory slot -1 x 200Pin
* Memory Type Supported - DDR2 800/667
* Max Memory Supported - 2GB
* Serial ATA -1 x SATA 3.0Gb/s
* Onboard Video - Intel GMA 3150
* LAN - Atheros AR8131M
* Max LAN Speed - 10/100/1000Mbps
* Wireless LAN - 802.11/b/g/n
* 2.5" Internal Bays - 1
* HDMI - 1
* VGA - 1 x D-sub
* Expansion - 6 USB
* Audio - Mic & Speaker & Combo analog & Digital

Is this going to be useless as a server, or is it powerful enough to give it a shot? I assume it's too weak to use as a server/client (mostly b/c of graphics), right? I have HDHRs as tuners.

At my disposal I have WHS, Win 7, Vista, XP, but could also load Linux if that would work beter. I've only ever used Sage on XP and Vista so far.

[Oats]

I would think it would work fine as a server as long as you don't run CPU intensive things on it like comskip, transcoding, MVP viewing, etc.

[mr_lore]

I think even comskip would work just not very speedy like my setup it takes about 20mins post 30min show to finish (assuming no other jobs) and about 40-45mins for a hour long show to finish. And I'm just running a dual core 2.3ghz AMD (X2 4400+).

comskip+playon on that box at the same time maybe too much to ask but one other the other with hdhr tuners seems very realistic to me.

[Fuzzy]

The AtomD510 is actually pretty capable. It shoudl ahve no problem with sage server related tasks. As you have deduced, it will NOT work well as a client. It shouldn't have a problem comskipping a couple shows live, especially with HDHR's (as they are MPEG-2, which comskip really quick). PlayOn, on the other hand, will probably NOT work. sageTV Transcoding will work, but it will definately take some time to transcode something.

[gtd885a]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. The unit is supposed to be delivered on Wednesday. Trying to decide whether this will be for the kids, or for Sage.

I'm also sitting on a combo I picked up from Fry's a few days before for $90 AR (AMD Athlon II X4 635, ASUS M4A785T-M/CSM). This is obviously much more powerful, but would also use much more energy 24/7.

[rwc]

Out of curiosity , why would it make. Bad client? I thought that the integrated graphics on the 510 were supposed to handle hd ok, and outside of displaying graphics, isn't a client relatively low CPU usage?

[Fuzzy]

The GMA3150 chipset doesn't do very much hardware decoding at all. It can barely get buy doing HD MPEG-2 decoding, but H.264 is out of the question. This leaves it to the CPU to decode, which also doens't have the power for it. Aside from the horsepower limitations, the GMA3150 is limited to only 1366x768 resolution on it's DVI/HDMI output.

[autoboy]

You can get around the HD decoding limitations of the Intel Graphics by installing a Broadcom HD PCI-e Decoder, but you can't get around the HDMI resolution issue which makes it kinda pointless as a HTPC.

As a basic server it would be fine. Comskip and playon would take it out of the basic server category and I would go with a faster processor. On idle, a well built normal PC can sip only 35W.

[gtd885a]

Originally Posted by autoboy

You can get around the HD decoding limitations of the Intel Graphics by installing a Broadcom HD PCI-e Decoder, but you can't get around the HDMI resolution issue which makes it kinda pointless as a HTPC.

As a basic server it would be fine. Comskip and playon would take it out of the basic server category and I would go with a faster processor. On idle, a well built normal PC can sip only 35W.

Thanks again for the opinions. Got this yesterday, and I'm leaning towards giving it to the kids and rebuilding my Sage box with the X4 635. I'm thinking I might give Linux a try as I am trying to get rid of my current (physical) Ubuntu server.

[JetreL]

I was going to suggest running Sage on linux.. Seems like a pretty snazzy little box. I might pick one up just for testing myself. Let us know how it works out.