Advice on processor for transcoder/server...

[ozz9955]

Hey! You'll probably notice this is my first post, but I've been lurking a while as a guest! Lot's of awesome info and builds, and some of you guys are hilarious...I notice a few Honda lovers too

Anyway, I'm after building 2 small form factor PCs (OS X convert would you believe). The gaming rig I've got all sorted in my head but will post a spec at a later date to get opinions, however the server/transcoder...I'm a bit stuck on - at least when it comes to the processor!

So here's what I want from this rig:

- Quiet and low power draw whilst on idle (I understand it'll use power whilst on full tilt)
- It'll serve music and pictures etc to my mac and other apple devices, and my gaming rig too - but the key thing is it'll play a HTPC role and deliver 1080p video to my gaming rig which will be running XBMC.
- I would like it to transcode (is that the right word..?) DVDs and Blurays using Handbrake.
- Will be Mini-ITX

So - I'm not looking for blistering speeds here, I don't mind waiting a few hours for a DVD or Bluray to be transcoded, but I don't want to wait days! I'm sure you guys see what I'm after...just a headless box to handle all my files and leave my Gaming rig to concentrate on what it does best!

So any suggestions on Processors and motherboards? I mean a whole rig if you feel like it - I'm all for suggestions! My budget for the Mobo and Processor is around £200 - but the less the better - I'm really after value here so I can pile more into the gaming rig

Cheers!!

Ozz

 

[ozz9955]

You're not far off what I was thinking!

Although the Mobo would need to be this due to it being mini-ITX (just noticed I didn't put that in my first post, I'll change that now!):

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-417-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2071

It's out of stock but that's no biggy...Thing is, how would this setup perform? People are saying you need i5 or even i7 to run handbrake at a suitable level, and that just seems pretty far fetched to me!

 

[wazza300]

you want a multithreaded chip if your transcoding/editing/encoding video,non multithreaded if mainly gaming ect

 

[Bacon?]

i3 had 4 threads same as any i5.

 

[elroberto]

If you're going to be transcoding or as a server the more threads the better...especially with software like Handbrake. A Quad core Trinity would be ideal...but just spotted you need Mini-ITX. There is an Asrock Mini-ITX board on the site here for Trinity socket FM2 but it's not in stock yet.

This would be a better Transcoder than an i3 in Handbrake and does have lower power consumption at idle too. Maybe it'd be worth contacting OcUK to find out when they're expecting these boards.

 

[elroberto]

i3 had 4 threads same as any i5.

Um...no they don't. They're dualcores.

 

[BrianB]

i3 had 4 threads same as any i5.

Um...no they don't. They're dualcores.

i3
Cores: 2
Threads: 4.

i5 has more cores, same threads. wtf? They put HT on i3 or what?

 

[Speed]

Yes, all i3's from Clarkdale have HT. Goes without saying that more true cores are better.

i3 2100:

 

[Bacon?]

Um...no they don't. They're dualcores.

They have HT

 

[ozz9955]

If you're going to be transcoding or as a server the more threads the better...especially with software like Handbrake. A Quad core Trinity would be ideal...but just spotted you need Mini-ITX. There is an Asrock Mini-ITX board on the site here for Trinity socket FM2 but it's not in stock yet.

This would be a better Transcoder than an i3 in Handbrake and does have lower power consumption at idle too. Maybe it'd be worth contacting OcUK to find out when they're expecting these boards.

It's funny you should mention AMD as I was looking at them for the server originally till I realised I couldn't find a M-ITX board without an inbuilt processor...I will ask as that'll mean more bang for buck for sure!

Cheers everyone, definitely helping

EDIT: I assume you mean this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...cm/skinflint-couk&campaign=pcm/skinflint-couk

 

[Martini1991]

Um...no they don't. They're dualcores.

Oh boy.

Although they're in no way equivalent to 4 threads from the 2500k/3570k etc.

Look for a 960T OP, hope it unlocks, a 6 cored Thuban will be best, giving a nice balance between highly threaded apps and gaming.
Or wait for Vishera and hope AMD don't have another failure launch price wise.

 

[ozz9955]

Oh boy.

Although they're in no way equivalent to 4 threads from the 2500k/3570k etc.

Look for a 960T OP, hope it unlocks, a 6 cored Thuban will be best, giving a nice balance between highly threaded apps and gaming.
Or wait for Vishera and hope AMD don't have another failure launch price wise.

I can't find a M-ITX board that has an AM2+ or AM3 socket - hence my difficulty! The Trinity is looking like the best bet at the moment price|performance wise!

I'm not sure what you meant, but I always thought Thubans were 1xxxT models...unless I'm missing a trick here!?

Cheers though

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

It's funny you should mention AMD as I was looking at them for the server originally till I realised I couldn't find a M-ITX board without an inbuilt processor...I will ask as that'll mean more bang for buck for sure!

Cheers everyone, definitely helping

EDIT: I assume you mean this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...cm/skinflint-couk&campaign=pcm/skinflint-couk

HandBrake is also getting OpenCL support too,meaning the IGP should improve encoding speed.Also,unlike other GPU accelerated encoders,the quality to seems to be the same as a CPU only encode.

Its a shame the AM3 mini-ITX motherboards are not cheap,as the 95W Phenom II X6 1045T is not expensive.

 

[Martini1991]

I can't find a M-ITX board that has an AM2+ or AM3 socket - hence my difficulty! The Trinity is looking like the best bet at the moment price|performance wise!

I'm not sure what you meant, but I always thought Thubans were 1xxxT models...unless I'm missing a trick here!?

Cheers though

960T is a Thuban locked to a quad core, similar to the callisto's.
But can unlock.

If you're liking the look of trinity, then wait for Vishera.