Recommended CPU and memory for client/server box ? (1 Viewer)

[bob808]

I am rebuilding my main backers TV server box that acts as a client for 1 room but also serves 3 other client machines. All screens are setup for 1080p playback on content and are setup on a gigabit network - one of the clients has 3d and uses content from the server box.

Can anyone recommend the most suitable processor and memory config for this rebuild - I don't want to over do it or cut it short on juice.

Thanks


Bob

 

[kiwijunglist]

It would help to know what parts /machines you already have as you might be able to reuse some parts.

The wiki page for htpc hardware video section is up to date
http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/4_HTPC/HTPC_Hardware/Video_Cards_(GPUs)

Most of the other hardware wiki pages have a lot of older harder that is no longer relevant.

I think your main server + client should run a ram drive, so I would put 12 or 16gb of cheap generic RAM in it. You definitely don't need to waste money on performance or fast RAM. With 12GB I'd run a 4 or 6GB Ram Drive for timeshifiting, with 16GB I'd run an 8GB Ram drive for timeshifting. eg. Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 CL9 (x2 of these)

The clients only need 4GB of cheap generic DDR RAM eg. Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 CL9

If you're going for integrated graphics the AMD Trinity Series seems the best value. You could put an AMD A4-5300 or A6-5400 in each of the clients. you'd have to check with someone that the integrated graphics in these CPUs can do 3d otherwise you might need to look at a discrete card for the 3d client.

For the main PC + server you should get something a bit faster like an AMD A8-5600 or AMD A10-5?00 or Intel I3-2100 or i3-2120 something else.

For motherboards just get something cheap with onboard audio/network/etc. from one of the main brands eg. ASUS/Gigabyte, it doesn't really matter, eg. Asus F1A55-M AMD A55 Socket FM1 mATX

For the Cases/HDD/PSU/Remotes I assume you could reuse what you already have.

 

[bob808]

Today it's an early i7 with 24gb ram and an 8gb RAM disk and a radeon 7770

The board and memory have died. I would reuse the case psu hard drives remote etc but simply need a new main board which brings a new processor and memory.

I am happy with all my client machines it's just what to put in the server one

 

[kiwijunglist]

Seems like a very high spec'd PC for just mediaportal + tvserver for 3 additional PCs. You probably don't need to get an i7 or even an i5, and i3 would probably be good enough.

Is the RAM DDR2 or DDR3?

Do the other 3 clients exist? is it the main PC that will be connected to the 3D TV?

 

[bob808]

Yes all clients in place already and no it's a client that displays in 3d when required

 

[kiwijunglist]

So you don't need new client PCs you just need a new motherboard + cpu +/- RAM? for the server?

Intel i3-2120 CPU
Any cheap socket 1155 B75 chipset motherboard
eg. GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3H LGA 1155 Intel B75 USB 3.0 Micro ATX (6x SATA)
1x4GB DDR3-1333 CL9 RAM (x3)

or more expensive option

Intel i3-2120 CPU
Nicer socket 1155 Z77 chipset motherboard
eg. ASUS P8Z77-M 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX
2x4GB DDR3-1333 CL9 RAM (x2)

or more expensive option

Intel i5-3570k CPU
Nicer socket 1155 Z77 chipset motherboard
Z77 Motherboard eg. ASUS P8Z77-V LX INTEL Z77 DDR3 PCI-E3.0 LGA1155
2x4GB DDR3-1600 CL9 RAM (x2)

Main thing is to make sure they motherboard has enough slots of the correct type to fit all your tv cards / peripheral cards that are going into your server

 

[bob808]

Yep just checking what would be optimal for performance without overdoing it an using more power than needed.

 

[kiwijunglist]

^ answer above[DOUBLEPOST=1358683954][/DOUBLEPOST]PS. If your old RAM is DDR3 then just reuse it and add an extra 4GB. If not sell it second hand as DDR2 is more valuable than DDR3