Another Sage Server Question

[phantomfsoc]

Sorry guys for asking a question that has been asked a million times.

I've decided I love sage and want to ease the stress on my HTPC by using a new box as a sever and my (fancy box) at the TV as the client. I know Sage (server) doesn't need a powerful machine to just record, so the muscle will stay in my PC connected to the TV.
My questions are, for things like MAME roms, Pictures and Music, do the files HAVE to be on the Server end, or can they be on the CLIENT end. And if they CAN be on the Client end, will CLIENT directly read the files or will the server read the files off the Client, then process them and feed it back to the Clent??? (hope that makes sense) What I'm getting at is that I really want to keep the stress off the SERVER and let the client work it. (AM I wrong to want that?
And lastly anyone wanna give me specifics on what your running for this type of set up. I gotta buy a MB, CPU, Ram and maybe a HD to just install Windows and Sage on. I already have 2 SATA drives to use for recoding from my pvr 350 and pvr 250. Also for the video card, the the server end NEED one that can do DX9,VMR, and bells/whistles or can it just be a crappy (maybe) onboard video, JUST TO RECORD.
Hope to hear from someone soon. (Wanna do this on the weekend)
Thanks again
Phantom

[stanger89]

Originally posted by phantomfsoc
Sorry guys for asking a question that has been asked a million times.

I've decided I love sage and want to ease the stress on my HTPC by using a new box as a sever and my (fancy box) at the TV as the client. I know Sage (server) doesn't need a powerful machine to just record, so the muscle will stay in my PC connected to the TV.
My questions are, for things like MAME roms, Pictures and Music, do the files HAVE to be on the Server end, or can they be on the CLIENT end. And if they CAN be on the Client end, will CLIENT directly read the files or will the server read the files off the Client, then process them and feed it back to the Clent??? (hope that makes sense)

The files need to be accessible by the server, since it's the part that keeps track of thier location.

What I'm getting at is that I really want to keep the stress off the SERVER and let the client work it. (AM I wrong to want that?

The thing is just serving files is no stress at all, it will be the client doing all the work the server just reads them and sends the data to the Client. What I would do is put all your storage and all your media in the server, and then put a small 2.5" laptop HDD in your client, just for the OS/Sage. That method has two benefits, 1) simplification - everything is stored on the server, 2) noise reduction - you keep all your loud storage outside your Client/HTPC/HT.

And lastly anyone wanna give me specifics on what your running for this type of set up. I gotta buy a MB, CPU, Ram and maybe a HD to just install Windows and Sage on. I already have 2 SATA drives to use for recoding from my pvr 350 and pvr 250. Also for the video card, the the server end NEED one that can do DX9,VMR, and bells/whistles or can it just be a crappy (maybe) onboard video, JUST TO RECORD.

Well I'll start with the easy one, the server, since it's doing no playback, doesn't need anything special for a video card.

I'll just put it this way, buy quality, name brand components, and you won't be sorry, I'm not sure what your goals are so I'll just give you some generic recommendations:

1) Intel chipset for P4, nForce chipset for AMD CPU
2) If you want something for the client, go P4 or Athlon 64.
3) Corsair RAM (Crucial's good too)
4) Motherboard - Abit's my favorite, but since they make no nForce3 boards, probably a Gigabyte or Asus board if A64
5) Geforce 6800 > Geforce FX 5900XT > Geforce FX 5700 Ultra or (Radeon 9600XT+ if you need component video out)

Hope to hear from someone soon. (Wanna do this on the weekend)
Thanks again
Phantom

Feel free to ask questions if you want more specific answers or something.