Fishing for server suggestions..

[osx-addict]

Ok.. So I've been using an older HP/Compaq DC7600 series small form factor machine with a dual-core 1.8Ghz cpu (give or take -- I don't recall the exact speed) that is running XP SP3.. It generally runs OK until comskipping kicks in when it starts crawling and causing issues with my pair of HD300's -- getting unresponsive,etc.. If I kill the comskipping remotely then the problem disappears until the next comskipping event.

I moved over to a faster Mac Mini running Windows7 (dual-core 2.53Ghz) and it was actually slower feeling -- both systems were up using VNC remotely and the Windows-7 box was soo SLOW feeling -- not sure why. Anyway, it's been giving us occasional fits where the HD300's would start being unresponsive even though there was nothing particularly taxing going on (no comskipping in this equation).. So, last night I moved things back to the original server for the meantime but really want to find something that has a bit more oomph and can handle 3 HD Home Run boxes (6 tuners in total over gigabit ethernet), comskipping without a hitch and also double as a security system for 2-3 IP network security cameras..

One extra thing I'd love to see is something that does NOT require a 450W power supply to run 24x7. I've got a machine that would likely work -- a business class HP Proliant Xeon server (quad cpu) but it costs about $45/mo to run it -- it's VERY power hungry. Are there any i7 based (or better) motherboards out there that are equipped with built-in eSata connections and can consume perhaps 100W max even at heavy load?

P.S. I don't mind building up a custom machine from parts if that's what it'd take -- or a pre-built is fine as well if it'll do the job. Oh yeah, Gigabit ethernet is mandatory.

[osx-addict]

How about a machine like one of these.. I'm familiar with HP systems as they've never given me any issues in the past.. I can get one of these on Craigslist for not too much..

[stanger89]

I'd just build something. You can build an i5 machine that will probably pull less than 50W idle (depending on hardware), and have more than enough power for comskip.

Remember, just because you've got a 450W power supply doesn't mean it's pulling 450W all the time. I think my i7 920 rig pulls less than 100W (that might be including monitors) idle.

[osx-addict]

Thx.. I've been actually looking over some systems reviewed/built on the silentpcreview site.. As for the power, at least on Proliant rack mount servers (which is what I've got), they ALWAYS pull 450W -- I've measured it.. It doesn't matter if it's in the BIOS loading an OS or just sitting there - always hungry, all the time. Of course that's because it's fully redundant hardware -- everything hot-swappable -- harddrives, power supplies,etc.. They're beasts and work great if you can afford to feed them.. I'll keep looking..

This little board sounds interesting and has lots of promise..

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by osx-addict

Thx.. I've been actually looking over some systems reviewed/built on the silentpcreview site.. As for the power, at least on Proliant rack mount servers (which is what I've got), they ALWAYS pull 450W -- I've measured it.. It doesn't matter if it's in the BIOS loading an OS or just sitting there - always hungry, all the time. Of course that's because it's fully redundant hardware -- everything hot-swappable -- harddrives, power supplies,etc.. They're beasts and work great if you can afford to feed them.. I'll keep looking..

This little board sounds interesting and has lots of promise..

Any newer system will not have those power consumption problems. Those old Xeons were both power hungry, AND they had basically NO power management features. This means even if they are doing nothing, they're still wickedly bashing 1's and 0's around fervently at full speed and full voltage. Moving to ANY newer CPU would be an improvement in power management (and most likely performance). I don't think you need to spend on an i7. Pretty much any i5 level system will function as a perfectly capable sagetv server.

[Skybolt]

I am runnig and older Q9400 series Quadcore maxed out at 8gb of DDR3 on 2008R2. It is almost over kill, even though, turning off the swap file made my 4 HD300's and HD200 much more responsive. I would also consider an SSD for the OS and something else for the rec drive, the fanart would fly. Disk access is typically the biggest bottle neck.

[osx-addict]

Thanks guys.. I'll keep an eye open for a decent i5/i7 system if the price is right.. also something that has at least 1 eSata port on the back for extra expansion IF it doesn't have room inside depending on the type of case it's got.. I'll keep the SSD in mind as an option.

[osx-addict]

Are there any big differences between AMD and Intel -- should I stick with Intel parts (e.g. i5,i7)? I see some quad-core AMDs for cheap but I've never owned any AMD processors -- EVER.. Just curious.. I do see that I can get some I5 based Dell Optiplex 790's for about $400.. Still looking at the build-your-owns but haven't done that since the mid 80's..

[panteragstk]

AMD processors are much more power hungry than intel for the same performance.

Why buy a system when one can be built for much cheaper?

[stanger89]

Not to mention with much better parts. Those Dell Optiplex's are built like crap, we run them at work, I've got a rather old one, but it has not a single spare power connector in it.

If you really don't want to build one yourself, go to somewhere that will custom build one for you with parts you choose, or that will at least tell you what all is inside it. Something like Puget Systems or iBuyPower or CyberPowerPC.

[osx-addict]

Like I mentioned, it's been a LONG time since I built a machine from scratch (think the x86 days -- before pentiums.. ).. I don't mind building a machine for the reasons you state but I just need to find the right motherboard/CPU/RAM combo along with a requisite case to fit it all.. I'll admit that the combination of motherboard/cpu combinations is staggering -- there are so many to choose from and if I'm trying to keep power consumption low it's a bit more difficult to weed thru all of the vendor docs to figure that stuff out since many don't make it obvious. I'll probably see about reading the recommendations on sites like the one mentioned earlier (silentpcreview) as many of their goals are similar to mine.

[osx-addict]

Ok.. Found my setup -- just need to find the $$ to make it happen..

• Intel DP67BG motherboard
• Intel i5 2500K CPU
• Scythe Kabuto or similar cooler
• cheapie graphics card like AI Radeon HD5450
• Seasonic SS-400ET or similar PSU

Unfortunately the first two are the big $$ at close to $340 for the pair -- this of course excludes the case like an Antec.. I may have to keep an eye open for someone getting rid of their stuff for cheaper than new on CL or fleabay.

[sTVb]

I'm not sure what advantage the 2500k would have over a regular i5-2500 or i5-2400 for Sage uses. $45 spread from the 2400 to the 2500k + the P67 premium + vid card adds up to a huge price premium for something that's primarily a media server.

Are you thinking of overclocking or underclocking?

[osx-addict]

Actually, I gather (now) that the Intel board mentioned above may not be the exactly what I need.. I'm no longer looking at any P67 systems since they lack the built-in video card support I'd prefer to have since it will be nothing more than a media server sitting in a corner. I could live with an H67 system but that would disallow any overclocking (IIRC) should I want to do that in the future -- for a few bucks more (not that much in the grand scheme of things), I can get a Z68 based system that has the onboard memory and overclocking capability for future use (if wanted). A not too distant chain (Microcenter) currently has a deal going on for the combination 2500KCPU + Asus P8Z68-V LX motherboard for about $250 which seems like a good deal for a decent rated combo. The price difference between the 2400 and 2500k is only $30 at this particular store.. Are you thinking this setup is overkill? Just curious...

[stanger89]

I think planning for overclocking is way overkill for a media server, yes.

[osx-addict]

Well.. I'm not planning on overclocking ever, but if the MB will do it that's fine by me.. I just want to ensure I can take advantage of any features the CPU has to offer (including the turbo feature) which I gather some MB's may not support depending on the chipset used (h67,p67,etc). I also want an MB that will not only support the i5 but also the i7 in the off chance I want to migrate to a faster CPU in the future as Sage will not be the only app running on this machine as mentioned earlier. I don't mind paying a little more for flexibility -- I may opt to use some of the flexibility or not.

By the way.. If you've got an alternate suggestion for a motherboard that can take an i5 or i7 and comes in the $50 range for pricing and behaves well in reviews, I'm fine with that.

[panteragstk]

Spend more than $50 on a motherboard. You will be glad you did.

[Skybolt]

This alot more than $50, but if your going to use the 2500K processor this will fully exploit it's features. A cheap MB will noty fully support the 2500K processor.

Http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131790

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131792

it's well worth the money IMO.

-Skybolt

[The Truth]

Originally Posted by osx-addict

Ok.. So I've been using an older HP/Compaq DC7600 series small form factor machine with a dual-core 1.8Ghz cpu (give or take -- I don't recall the exact speed) that is running XP SP3.. It generally runs OK until comskipping kicks in when it starts crawling and causing issues with my pair of HD300's -- getting unresponsive,etc.. If I kill the comskipping remotely then the problem disappears until the next comskipping event.

I moved over to a faster Mac Mini running Windows7 (dual-core 2.53Ghz) and it was actually slower feeling -- both systems were up using VNC remotely and the Windows-7 box was soo SLOW feeling -- not sure why. Anyway, it's been giving us occasional fits where the HD300's would start being unresponsive even though there was nothing particularly taxing going on (no comskipping in this equation).. So, last night I moved things back to the original server for the meantime but really want to find something that has a bit more oomph and can handle 3 HD Home Run boxes (6 tuners in total over gigabit ethernet), comskipping without a hitch and also double as a security system for 2-3 IP network security cameras..

One extra thing I'd love to see is something that does NOT require a 450W power supply to run 24x7. I've got a machine that would likely work -- a business class HP Proliant Xeon server (quad cpu) but it costs about $45/mo to run it -- it's VERY power hungry. Are there any i7 based (or better) motherboards out there that are equipped with built-in eSata connections and can consume perhaps 100W max even at heavy load?

P.S. I don't mind building up a custom machine from parts if that's what it'd take -- or a pre-built is fine as well if it'll do the job. Oh yeah, Gigabit ethernet is mandatory.

Sounds like you should either get more hard drives separate, or raid 0 them... have an ssd for ur boot up disk....


I have a Phenom II X2 560 unlocked to x4...with a H60 or H80 cpu cooler. my pc is in a closet and shoots out cold air. and overclocked to 3.6ghz... with and ssd boot up 50 gig, and 2x 1.5tb raid0 and 3x1tb raid0 for TV and sage set to record for bandwidth... I only run comskip when nothing is recording... but i can watch TV while comskip is running on 2 files at the same time with no issues ever.... i have a centon x4 tuners and 3 colossus hd-pvrs

also I'm running on WIN7 32bit, for firewire channel changing... and have 4 gig DDR3 ram in 2 slots.

I think this system can be 100 for the chip and mobo... ssd 100 or less, other HDs a little more.

[loomdog32]

I just built a new Sage Server..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157270 ASRock Z68 MicroATX mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116400 Intel i5 65watt CPU
8gb DDR3-1600 - It was gaming memory really cheap Shell Shocker
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148591 Seagate Momentus XT 500gb Hybrid HDD for System - I highly recommend this drive. I have used it in all my recent builds. Comparing price/performance it blows SSD and conventional HDD out of the water. Same system running Win7 boots from power button to usable desktop in under 4 seconds!
3x Seagate 1.5gb 7200RPM HDD for RecTV
Windows Home Server 2011
HD HomeRun
HD HomeRun Prime 3CC

Sil3124 4port eSATA
Sans Digital 4Bay eSATA HDD enclosure
Sans Digital 5Bay eSATA HDD enclosure
9x Seagate 2tb 5900RPM HDD for Archive Media

Total power consumption approx 95-125watts idle according to UPS everything is plugged into. Under Heavy HDD IO (moving media around to correct shares), this spiked to 140-150watts. Without the 2 enclosures, it stays around 50-70watts.