Efficient I5 Build

[Ottertail]

I am planning to build a computer to use with Blue Iris camera security software for home use. Since it will be on all the time, I would like something fairly effiecient but still at a resonable cost.

I understand Blue Iris software is processor intensive, but an Intel I5 should be sufficient since I will not have too many cameras.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. Primairly Blue Iris with some Adobe Lightroom photo processing.
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2. What YOUR budget is. .. around $600

3. Parts from USA probably Newegg

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. Intel

5. New Build with all new parts

6. NO Overclock... and for that matter.. no graphic card.. using on board video. Zero Gaming involved.

7. Build Before New Years

8. Will Run Windows 7 software.

Again.. I dont need a graphics card to save cost and efficiency.

So far...

I need help with processor, motherboard, and power supply...

Intel Core i5-4570S Haswell Quad-Core 2.9GHz LGA 1150 65W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I54570S $215 Thought this is more energy effiecient version of the I5???

ASRock H97 Anniversary LGA 1150 Intel H97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $72.79 Since I am not overclocking?

Crucial M500 CT240M500SSD1 2.5" 240GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $80 Would I benefit from a SSD drive?

Power Supply... Since I am not planning a graphics card.. I thought I could get by with a smaller rated power supply.. and up the efficiency rating.

Rosewill FORTRESS-450 450W Continuous @50°C, Intel Haswell Ready, 80 PLUS PLATINUM, ATX12V v2.31 & EPS12V v2.92, SLI/CrossFire Ready, Active PFC Power Supply $80 I could go with a larger rated supply or a gold rated unit? But, since I have no video card I thought this size would be more than acceptable?

I think the other componets are pretty standard.. 8GB ram, 1TB internal hard drive. I will not be storing very much video.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Ken g6]

Thought this is more energy effiecient version of the I5???

Hm, that's a tough call. What the S processors do is run fast on one core or briefly, but throttle down their clock speeds before using too much power.

It looks like the system requirements for Blue Iris depend on how many cameras you're using and at what resolution.

Another thing you could do is get a standard i5, use it at standard speeds for Lightroom, and throttle it down with ThrottleStop when you're not using it for Lightroom. I imagine you could find the minimum speed necessary for BI and leave it there.

Mobo: H97 is the right general kind of mobo, but a smaller one might be more efficient. Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX. Do you already have a case, or are you open to options there too?

SSD: An SSD is good - it uses less power than a HDD so you can keep your HDD spun down most of the time.

PSU: Ideally, you want a PSU rated for twice your average load that covers your maximum load too with some room to spare. You are on the right track, but I'd think even smaller - perhaps a Seasonic 360W, or a PicoPSU. This links in to what case you use, too.

RAM: I'd suggest low-voltage, and/or single-stick. It doesn't matter much, but it probably helps a little. If standard RAM is much cheaper, though, get standard RAM.

HDD: Try to get a "Green" drive, 5400RPM.

 

[Ottertail]

Interesting feedback.... thanks.

I do not have a case picked out yet... physical case size is not a major issue. If I get a smaller sized motherboard, I assume it would fit in a smaller case but would also fit in a standard size case? I am open to any options on the case.

Good idea to have an SSD to keep the HD spun down.

I will look into an SSD with a "green" HD and also a smaller PSU.

The I5 processor is interesting.. just by reading the description it is rated at 65 watt versus 85 watt for the less efficient unit. But it also has a slower clock speed.

 

[Charlie98]

SSD: An SSD is good - it uses less power than a HDD so you can keep your HDD spun down most of the time.

Question: How often is this thing going to be recording video? If it's 24/7, your HDD is never going to spin down. Both WD and Seagate have 'video' drives, but you can use a standard WD Green drive; personally, I have a 500GB Green in my Swann VR that runs 24/7... It has some ungodly amount of hours on it, but it keeps chugging along... if not a bit noisily... I can hear it writing at night (it's in my master closet.) Dropping the loot for an SSD largely depends on how often you will use this machine for anything but VR... if it's not very often, I wouldn't waste my money on an SSD.

Personally, I would just get a standard i5 processor; remember, it only uses what power it needs... it's not like it's running 100% all the time (unless it needs to) and having full i5 power when you are photo and video processing will be nice.

As far as a case... where is it going to go? If it's out in the open you can opt for a standard PC 'tower' or 'cube,' or if it's going somewhere out of sight, you can use a small horizontal HTPC-type case.

 

[OlyAR15]

So are you trying to set up a home security system, or something else? One issue I have with using a regular computer to double as a security system is that, in the event of a break-in, chances are that the computer will be stolen. So if you want to use a computer as a security system, you should probably build one dedicated to that task and make sure it is hidden and secure so it can actually do its job.

 

[Cerb]

The S or T models won't be any more efficient than the regular models, and you can make the regular models run at lower max power with most motherboards, if you want. New processors scale in power well by load. My 4C8T Haswell idles at around 8W, and rarely goes above 50W, often running all cores above the base clocks, when gaming. You can set the power limits in the BIOS, which will allow you all the benefits of a S or T CPU, but with higher clocks when thermal headroom is available, and more flexibility, for the same cost as the regular version of the CPU. IMO, the S and T variants really only make sense for system integrators, that need to be able to plug the CPU in and go.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I would suggest running the Intel Power Gadget on other computers you own, to get a better idea of how much power the CPU is using most of the time - and compare it with the numbers from a Kill-A-Watt or something to get an idea of how small a part of the overall system power consumption the CPU typically is.

Even with a bunch of terminals and web sites open, my CPU rarely feels the need to clock past 1.6GHz, and it's using 8-9w most of the time.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

I would suggest running the Intel Power Gadget on other computers you own, to get a better idea of how much power the CPU is using most of the time - and compare it with the numbers from a Kill-A-Watt or something to get an idea of how small a part of the overall system power consumption the CPU typically is.

Even with a bunch of terminals and web sites open, my CPU rarely feels the need to clock past 1.6GHz, and it's using 8-9w most of the time.

Neat, I never knew about this program. It actually reports the same numbers as hwmonitor, which I figured were inaccurate since they seemed so low. Can anyone attest to the accuracy of the power usage figures reported by the sensor?

 

[mfenn]

Neat, I never knew about this program. It actually reports the same numbers as hwmonitor, which I figured were inaccurate since they seemed so low. Can anyone attest to the accuracy of the power usage figures reported by the sensor?

You might be shocked at just how little power a modern Intel CPU requires while it's just poking along. You're seeing the same power figure that the CPU uses for its own internal power usage calculations, so it is reasonably accurate (+/- 10%).

EDIT: Regarding the build itself, I'd like to echo a few of the questions that have already been asked:

- Is this going to a dedicated surveillance box or are you adding surveillance duties to your day-to-day PC? From the mention of Lightroom usage, it sounds like the latter, but I'm not sure.
- How many cameras do you have/plan to have and how much footage do you plan to keep?

 

[Ottertail]

Thanks for all the good information!

This computer will be primarily a dedicated surveillance box.. On my other computer I am running Linux.. I would like to try Lightroom or Photoshop which is not available on Linux. So, my usage on this computer would be minimal.

I am only planning less than 7 cameras. They will not be continuously recording.. they will only record when the software detects a motion in front of the camera using Blue Iris. I have the software set up to send me an email on a trigger, so even if the computer would be stolen, I would still have the information. The computer will be placed behind a desk so they will probably not see it anyway. The software will be set to record over the footage.. this can be set depending on the size of the hard drive and how often I want to write over the previous footage. There can be many false triggers from wind, animals, or myself just coming and going. I would not keep these and just write over them until I see something like an intruder.

I have tested the software on an OLD laptop and have successfully ran 2 cameras but it bogs down. I dont even know the processor on the laptop.. it was given to me from a friend. I am sure an I5 will meet the needs for the number of cameras I will be using.

When I am traveling, I would like to check on my house and remotely view all the cameras to be sure the heat is still on and house is still there!

Linux does have a camera surveillance software program but from what I read it is difficult to set up and has not been updated recently.

It sounds like the processor will not be used much unless a trigger occurs. I am leaning towards a standard I5 processor with a SSD and a "green" hard drive for recording when it occurs. The hard drive will not be used unless it triggers and records.

 

[Cerb]

I haven't kept up to date on progress, but if you mean Zoneminder, yes, it's a pain. It can do all kinds of cool stuff, but anything you've read about it being hard to get set up, especially like you want it to behave, is 100% true.

As far as CPU use goes, doing the motion detection is what should use the most CPU, unless you have CPU-heavy compression settings, with software video compression.

 

[Charlie98]

I have the software set up to send me an email on a trigger, so even if the computer would be stolen, I would still have the information. The computer will be placed behind a desk so they will probably not see it anyway.

You mean it actually sends (emails) a full video file to you? I find that hard to believe. I could see it sending an email notification of a trigger... but not the video file. ...but I've been wrong before.

If thieves are breaking in somewhere to steal some stuff, they will look in all the clever hidden places... well, places you think are clever, those are places they naturally think to look.

 

[Ottertail]

I don't think Blue Iris software will send a video clip but it will send several photos of whatever triggered the software. You can set up alerts on your smart phone to warm you at the time the cameras are triggered. My limited testing had photos of UPS delivery and the wife coming home, etc. This is $50 software .....

I agree with those that are concerned the computer could also be taken but with the phone alerts and pictures, there would be time to remotely access the cameras to see what is happening before this computer would be searched for and discovered. ( hopefully). I am also considering a smaller case so I can hide the computer better. The outside cameras are not hidden and are also a deterrent.

Zoneminder is the Linux program that has similar functions but my Linux knowledge is limited and I don't want to put in the effort to try to get it working.

Focusing back on the computer build, the comments here have helped me learn more about the different components. Once I finish a build I will meter the demand at rest and after the cameras have triggered the software.

 

[mfenn]

As far as CPU use goes, doing the motion detection is what should use the most CPU, unless you have CPU-heavy compression settings, with software video compression.

Agree. It sounds like the amount of footage kept on this box will be minimal, so I don't see the need for more than a standard 1TB HDD. I also don't see the need for an SSD in a surveillance box.

I'd go with something like this:

i5 4570 + ASUS H87M-E combo $259
Team DDR3 1600 8GB $60
WD Blue 1TB $57
Rosewill Capstone 450W $55
Cooler Master N200 $35 AR
Total: $466 AR

 

[Cerb]

Also, the WD Red and Purple would be excellent drives for this usage, more than a Green (or similar non-WD low-duty 5400 RPM) (Purple are advertised for your use, for what that may be worth). I've just been messing around with a Purple, and it's a 5400 RPM drive (<=120MBps typical sequential transfers), but very responsive, and stays that way with multiple write streams, much better than most 7200 RPM drives (my guess is that it's got a sizable write cache with deadlines on writes, but that's just speculation).

Re: Zoneminder: I wouldn't even have Windows at home, were it not for video games, much preferring Linux(es), and I'd much rather pay for easier to configure software than have to try to set up Zoneminder, again.

P.S. :thumbsup: to mfenn's parts list (like that's abnormal...)

 

[Charlie98]

I don't think Blue Iris software will send a video clip but it will send several photos of whatever triggered the software. You can set up alerts on your smart phone to warm you at the time the cameras are triggered. My limited testing had photos of UPS delivery and the wife coming home, etc. This is $50 software .....

Right on!

Zoneminder is the Linux program that has similar functions but my Linux knowledge is limited and I don't want to put in the effort to try to get it working.

My Swann prebuilt uses a Linux-based GUI, it's nothing pretty to look at, but it works... and I have very limited experience with Linux at all. It's not too bad. There is a simplicity to Linux that seems to make sense for situations like this.