Skt 1155 CPU for transcoding on WHS2011

[thestrangebrew1]

I've got a whs2011 rig that has problems transcoding/streaming to my android device over the internet using myPlex via Plex media server. I currently have an intel g620 which does absolutely find for it's duties as a server chip and when I stream over my LAN CPU usage is 0-10% depending on content (720p vs 1080p), but streaming over the internet, cpu usage is 100% and I still get stuttering. Will an i3 (any version) transcode my media properly? Or will I have to bump it up to an i5 cpu?

 

[blckgrffn]

Weird!

My G620 is stuck at 1.6ghz but I play videos (SD quality xvid/mp4 files) over the internet with absolutely no issue. I am not sure what my CPU usage is, however...

What are your source files like?

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Weird!

My G620 is stuck at 1.6ghz but I play videos (SD quality xvid/mp4 files) over the internet with absolutely no issue. I am not sure what my CPU usage is, however...

What are your source files like?

All my video files are encoded to .mp4 using handbrake for regular dvds, ripbot for BD.

I posted a little more information on the Plex forums here:

http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php...zation-100-when-accessing-whs-through-myplex/

regarding the issues I was having and I had originally assumed I needed to take the load off the cpu by getting a gpu but was convinced otherwise.

Most of my files are 720p content and even those stutter over the internet, just not as bad as the 1080p stuff.

 

[blckgrffn]

All my video files are encoded to .mp4 using handbrake for regular dvds, ripbot for BD.

I posted a little more information on the Plex forums here:

http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php...zation-100-when-accessing-whs-through-myplex/

regarding the issues I was having and I had originally assumed I needed to take the load off the cpu by getting a gpu but was convinced otherwise.

Most of my files are 720p content and even those stutter over the internet, just not as bad as the 1080p stuff.

I just tried a 720p mp4 and my G620 is running 30-40% and stutter free, I'll see if I have any higher quality files...

Does changing the streaming quality help? Mine is set to high...

What is your upload speed on your Internet connection? Is it maybe trying to re-buffer frequently?

Sorry, no 1080p files on my server ready to stream

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I just tried a 720p mp4 and my G620 is running 30-40% and stutter free, I'll see if I have any higher quality files...

Does changing the streaming quality help? Mine is set to high...

What is your upload speed on your Internet connection? Is it maybe trying to re-buffer frequently?

Sorry, no 1080p files on my server ready to stream

I'll have to check and see if changing stream quality helps when I get home tonight (at work right now). I can't remember the upload speeds so I'll check that too. Just curious what media server are you running? Maybe that has something to do with my cpu utilization too.

 

[blckgrffn]

I'll have to check and see if changing stream quality helps when I get home tonight (at work right now). I can't remember the upload speeds so I'll check that too. Just curious what media server are you running? Maybe that has something to do with my cpu utilization too.

Ah, I am using WHS2011. Sorry I didn't mention it earlier...

Just the default, out of the box config. I don't like customizing/messing with details unless I can help it!

It works with my 360's and Sony Blu-Ray players, so that's enough for me... I missed the Plex element.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Ah, I am using WHS2011. Sorry I didn't mention it earlier...

Just the default, out of the box config. I don't like customizing/messing with details unless I can help it!

It works with my 360's and Sony Blu-Ray players, so that's enough for me... I missed the Plex element.

Ah ok. I was using PS3MS prior to building my server and got very comfortable with it, but I began to have issues with it streaming and decided to try a few others. I found Serviio to work pretty well, but had trouble updating large files to my library. Plex just recently added dlna functionality and I'm loving it so far. I'll post back some results as far as internet speeds and let you know.

 

[blckgrffn]

Ah ok. I was using PS3MS prior to building my server and got very comfortable with it, but I began to have issues with it streaming and decided to try a few others. I found Serviio to work pretty well, but had trouble updating large files to my library. Plex just recently added dlna functionality and I'm loving it so far. I'll post back some results as far as internet speeds and let you know.

I've heard a lot of great things about Plex...

You'd think if you could stream it in your house (on the phone, via wifi?) you could rule out transcoding as the performance killer, right?

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I've heard a lot of great things about Plex...

You'd think if you could stream it in your house (on the phone, via wifi?) you could rule out transcoding as the performance killer, right?

That's what I thought but apparently not. I think I'm going to sink a cheap gpu in there to see how it works out. Via wifi on my LAN, 720p streams no probs on any of my devices. Upstairs in my stepsons room the xbox and his pc has some trouble streaming the 1080p stuff. This is the same for my android phone too (over wifi on my network). At work when I'm trying to stream it's horrid no matter what content I'm trying to stream lol

 

[blckgrffn]

That's what I thought but apparently not. I think I'm going to sink a cheap gpu in there to see how it works out. Via wifi on my LAN, 720p streams no probs on any of my devices. Upstairs in my stepsons room the xbox and his pc has some trouble streaming the 1080p stuff. This is the same for my android phone too (over wifi on my network). At work when I'm trying to stream it's horrid no matter what content I'm trying to stream lol

I'll be interested to hear what you discover

I have 2Mbps up, fwiw.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

My server is uploading at 4.22 mbps according to speedtest. I'll be putting in a gpu, I've got an old 8800gt somewhere in the garage I'll have to dig up and post back.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Adding a gpu didn't do anything unless there's some setting to help transcode the video and take load off of cpu. If anything, I think it messed up my server because I can't access Plex this morning lol. Had a few other issues on my main rig while I was messing around with stuff and windows couldn't repair itself so now I'm looking at a possible fresh install lol. Retarded...

 

[blckgrffn]

Adding a gpu didn't do anything unless there's some setting to help transcode the video and take load off of cpu. If anything, I think it messed up my server because I can't access Plex this morning lol. Had a few other issues on my main rig while I was messing around with stuff and windows couldn't repair itself so now I'm looking at a possible fresh install lol. Retarded...

Hah! Fun times

Best of luck getting everything back up and running!

Sounds like a 2500k (or similar) might be needed for Plex to really work well?

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Hah! Fun times

Best of luck getting everything back up and running!

Sounds like a 2500k (or similar) might be needed for Plex to really work well?

Yea man lol that's going to suck dropping another $200. The wife will surely not be happy about this lol Thanks for the help & suggestions!!

 

[blckgrffn]

Yea man lol that's going to suck dropping another $200. The wife will surely not be happy about this lol Thanks for the help & suggestions!!

I hear you!

Any i5 is probably going to be good enough for this application really, and will provide quite a step up over that G620.

So maybe more like $150 if you are thrifty