Dual or Quad core for home cctv server

Atom · 27 Aug 2011 at 12:25

I am looking at putting up some cctv around the house and over the car. I have 2 basic b&w cameras and a capture card to start off with but the plan will be to build it up to between 4-6 ip cams recording 24/7.

Never done anything with cctv and am unsure if it would require a lot of processor power. Would a i3 530 or i5 2400 be suited best and any basic mobo ok?

ToejaM · 27 Aug 2011 at 12:36

I cant see you needing anywhere near a quad core in honesty, if you say the cameras are basic they wont be taking a lot of cpu to capture as I imagine the device its self does all the legwork..

Either way I'd be interested to know myself

Jasonst888 · 27 Aug 2011 at 12:45

Cant imagine this would need a quad core, but whats the price diff? bare in mind resale value, plus whilst you might not need the quad cores power the fact that you wont be taxing it at all would make it more reliable....

Orcvader · 27 Aug 2011 at 12:53

What resolutions does the capture card record in? My parents had an old 64 Athlon that was recording 5 240p streams with no problems. A single core would be fine for this even.

Atom · 27 Aug 2011 at 13:18

I was considering the i5 for when I expand it to the ip cams but the more I think about it the i3 530/UD2H could be overclocked up to 4ghz possibly, if need be but power consumption and reliability are my 2 main concerns.
Power consumption, there is nothing in it at idle but the i5 draws slightly more when taxed.

i3 530/UD2H about £110
i5 2400 £110 + mobo.

Both second hand.

Looking at prices of ip cams, it might be cheaper for me to go down the capture card & bnc camera route. Will do some more research.

ExecutorKevin · 27 Aug 2011 at 13:29

IMO an i3 Sandybridge is OTT
Have a look at a £40 athlon x2 250. paired with a £30 motherboard its very good for value.
I have one clocked to 3.8Ghz with the stock cooler and its very fast, plays all the latest games so I'm sure it would handle some ip cams, even recording in HD.