X2 3800: use it in a htpc or fileserver?

skanky · 4 May 2007 at 10:41

have a fileserver with a 939 x2 3800 which replaced an a64 3000, im tempted to get a shuttle and use that as a dedicated htpc with an asus 8500gt.

the fileserver has 8 (atm) hdds, 3 are running off a 3 port xfx revo which im looking at to replacing with a 3ware card, the rest are running off the anu ultra's mobo ports (2 are in raid1).

is it worth me swapping the X2 to the shuttle and use the a64 in the fileserver? or does the better processor need to be in the fileserver? both machines will have at least 1gb ram.

the htpc will be used for high bitrate 1080i media, the 8500gt will accelerate h264 but wondering if the A64 will struggle with things the 8500 doesnt hardware accelerate like mpeg2-ts hence asking if X2 is better option.

overclocking isnt an option as it needs to be cool/quiet as possible. although if dual core processors are recommended for both machines, i may go AM2 3600 EE for the shuttle..

any comments appreciated.

lsg1r · 4 May 2007 at 11:20

I would put the x2 in the htpc and use the a64 in the server, the revo card takes a lot of the processing needs off of the processor and at any level file serving isn't exactly hard on modern cpu's.
h264 may be accelerated by the 8 series card but its still cpu intensive in my view so better to have the x2 where it will be made better use of.

Uhtred · 4 May 2007 at 11:34

As above. As a way to be sure, put the file server under heavy load and monitor the cpu to see how much load it is put under. hi def requires a good cpu really so i'd use the dual core with that.

Dureth · 4 May 2007 at 11:54

A file server wont push an A64 3000 at all. The HTPC would benefit greatly from the X2 3800.

skanky · 4 May 2007 at 12:21

if im not overclocking and running a X2 3800, whats the lowest type of DDR i could get away with?

edit: and how much ram is recommended?

marscay · 4 May 2007 at 12:53

until recently my htpc was a opteron 148 @ 2.9ghz and 512mb of ddr400, played media just fine even 1080p material.

didn't quite cut it for gaming in general but was fine for PES6

Dureth · 4 May 2007 at 14:00

At current prices I'd suggest you get 1GB of RAM for the HTPC and 512MB should be enough for the file server. Any speed of DDR would be fast enough for either system (even 266Mhz, although 333Mhz or 400Mhz would be best).

lsg1r · 4 May 2007 at 14:27

I'd say get pc3200 (or higher if cheaper they'll just clock down anyways), they match the chips nicely if not overclocking

CAS is probably less of an issue so you could save money on going for a lower cas rating.

EDIT: amount of ram - personally wouldn't go any less than a 1GB especially with current prices being so good. Might even be worth considering 2GB for the HTPC