Media server with transcoding

[LrsK]

I need some help with the specs on a machine that will serve as a media server using PS3 Media Server on Ubuntu Linux Server. The machine should be quiet (not necessarily dead silent), use little power (as it will be on 24/7), and have a small footprint so I can hide it away.

Since I will be running the media through the network, I don't think a powerful video card is needed. However, the PS3 Media Server will transcode video that is not natively supported by the PS3, so I should at least consider getting a machine that can process this transcoding. Alternatively, I can convert the video somehow before viewing.

I need wired networking, and USB 2.0/eSATA capabilities in case I want to attach a harddrive.

Budget: About 300-400 USD.
Country: Norway.
Brand preference: None, although I am a sucker for quality over low-cost.
No existing parts.

Thanks!

 

[Zap]

Find out if the software you will be using supports any GPU technologies such as QuickSync, CUDA, OpenCL, etc. If it does, then it would behoove you to build that into your hardware choices.

 

[Ken g6]

Looks like it can use CUDA, but for decoding only.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I don't think ps3 media server can transcode cuda/quicksync/opencl?

 

[LrsK]

What about something like E35M1-I Deluxe? It goes for about 200 USD. A case would probably be around 100 USD? I could probably get some decent RAM (2GB) for 50 USD. An external 1TB HDD is about 60 USD.

This might be overkill though, perhaps there are less powerful mobos of the same ilk I can look at?

 

[Zap]

1) The E-350 is not that "powerful" of a CPU. I don't know how much transcoding horsepower PS3 Media Server needs, but the E-350 is just a step above a dual core Atom in performance.

2) Why the "Deluxe" version of the motherboard? Unless you know you need the estra features built-in (USB 3.0, WiFi, Bluetooth) you are better off getting the non-Deluxe model for a lot less money.

 

[mfenn]

What about something like E35M1-I Deluxe? It goes for about 200 USD. A case would probably be around 100 USD? I could probably get some decent RAM (2GB) for 50 USD. An external 1TB HDD is about 60 USD.

This might be overkill though, perhaps there are less powerful mobos of the same ilk I can look at?

That would be more than enough for a simple fileserver and even for encoding 24/7 in the background, but I don't think that it will be able to transcode an HD stream in real time.

 

[Ken g6]

Overall, I suggest that you:

1. Find a small, cheap mini-ITX or micro-ITX case that fits the space you want to use it in. Such a case might come with a power supply, and at these power levels that's probably fine. If not, get a low-end one, <400w, 80+ or better.
2. Find a cheap mini-ITX or micro-ITX Intel H61 motherboard. Whatever matches your case.
3. Find 4GB of cheap DDR3-1333 1.5v-or-less RAM. Lower-voltage RAM will use less power, but will be more expensive. I would personally get one 4GB stick, to save power, even though it will be a little slower.
4. Do you have the hard drive(s) you need to store your media? Get those, preferably internal. If you already have external drives, you could boot Linux off a USB drive if you had to.
5. Finally, with whatever money you have left over, pick your processor. The low end is the G530. Going up from there is the G620, the G800's, and the i3 2100. You might consider a "t" model if you're going to be storing this thing in an unventilated closet.

Oh, and install Linux. Much cheaper than that other OS. :awe:

 

[mfenn]

Oh, and install Linux. Much cheaper than that other OS. :awe:

on Ubuntu Linux Server

 

[LrsK]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Upon your suggestions I have the following preliminary build:

Thermaltake Elements Q VL52021N2 (100 USD)

P8H61-I (100 USD)

TRANSCEND SO-DIMM 2 GB DDR3-1333 (About 20 USD)

I probably have an old disk laying around for storage, but say another 50 USD for storage.

The Intel CPU I looked at cost 170 USD (i3 2100t)

That puts me just over the budget, If I go with an Intel G680, I will be under budget, since this can be gotten for about 120 USD.

How does that look? Is there enough difference between the i3 and the G680 that it's worth the extra money, both in terms of power and energy use?

Overall, I suggest that you:

1. Find a small, cheap mini-ITX or micro-ITX case that fits the space you want to use it in. Such a case might come with a power supply, and at these power levels that's probably fine. If not, get a low-end one, <400w, 80+ or better.
2. Find a cheap mini-ITX or micro-ITX Intel H61 motherboard. Whatever matches your case.
3. Find 4GB of cheap DDR3-1333 1.5v-or-less RAM. Lower-voltage RAM will use less power, but will be more expensive. I would personally get one 4GB stick, to save power, even though it will be a little slower.
4. Do you have the hard drive(s) you need to store your media? Get those, preferably internal. If you already have external drives, you could boot Linux off a USB drive if you had to.
5. Finally, with whatever money you have left over, pick your processor. The low end is the G530. Going up from there is the G620, the G800's, and the i3 2100. You might consider a "t" model if you're going to be storing this thing in an unventilated closet.

Oh, and install Linux. Much cheaper than that other OS. :awe:

 

[mfenn]

A couple of comments:
- The Thermaltake case looks to be nothing but a rebranded APEX MI-008, which you may be able to find for cheaper.
- The mobo looks good.
- That RAM is in the SO-DIMM form factor, which won't work in the P8H61-I. You need normal DDR3 1333 DIMMs.
- The i3 2100 uses about the same amount of power as the T model at idle and should cost less.

 

[LrsK]

Ok thanks for the pointers.

Is there much of a performance gain from going with the 2100 over the 2100T? The 2100T is appealing due to the 35W max TDP. What is the power usage like when idling on these two processors?

 

[Ken g6]

Is there much of a performance gain from going with the 2100 over the 2100T?

Yes. I keep forgetting the i3's don't have turbo boost, so the "t" versions just stay at the same ~600MHz-lower clock speed to maintain that 35W TDP.

The 2100 is better than the G680 both by clock speed and by its hyper-threading. It's too bad Intel doesn't seem to be selling all its versions outside the US yet, though; the G860 might fit your budget perfectly.

Edit: Idling is the same on all Intel processors, I think - 1.6GHz, 1V, very low power use.

 

[mfenn]

Ok thanks for the pointers.

Is there much of a performance gain from going with the 2100 over the 2100T? The 2100T is appealing due to the 35W max TDP. What is the power usage like when idling on these two processors?

The performance gain is linear with clockspeed, so you can expect the 2100 to be 25% faster. The T models are meant for systems that absolutely cannot go over 35W at full load. Idle power usage is pretty much the same between the two and the "race to idle" principle means that for bursty usage, the 2100 will use less overall power.

 

[LrsK]

If I get the 2100, is it possible to restrict the power use to 35W through the bios or jumper settings or something? Would be interesting to try it.

 

[Zap]

Is there much of a performance gain from going with the 2100 over the 2100T? The 2100T is appealing due to the 35W max TDP. What is the power usage like when idling on these two processors?

Idle power usage is the same. The 2100 is a 65W TDP CPU, but don't think it uses 65W all the time under load. 65W is Intel's rating for ALL of their dual cores. Also, while it uses more power, if doing something like transcoding, you will be done quicker with the faster CPU, so it will drop back down to the lower power state faster. I think Silent PC Review found that overall the 2100 averages only something like 5W over the 2100T.

 

[Ken g6]

Looks like you might want to undervolt. It looks like undervolting the CPU can be done on any of the major chipsets. Be sure to test stability with Prime95 or Intel Burn Test.

 

[LrsK]

Hi again guys, I am getting closer to ordering these, as I will make a trip to the US soon. I will be ordering from newegg.com and amazon.com, unless there is a preferable place in your minds

Has there been chenges since I put my build together that should make me change it?

- Asus P8H61-I REV 3.0

- Mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

- Intel Core i3-2100T Sandy Bridge 2.5GHz LGA 1155 35W Dual-Core

- SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB (omg these got expensive)

- I will maybe wait on the case, as it's a little bulky


I have about 4-6 weeks until I need to have these delivered. Should I make any changes? Should I wait to buy a HDD and just use an old external I have for now?

Thanks!

 

[mfenn]

All that stuff is fine, though I wouldn't get the 2100T over the 2100 for the reasons that Zap explains above.

HDDs have indeed gotten ridiculous due to the flooding in Thailand. You can either wait or get a 500GB drive to hold you over.