Recommended Hardware Spec for NPVR server

[Paul_B]

The current server that runs NPVR is a bit of beast and happily consumes 120W idling, it also runs Windows 2008 R2 as the OS as it is my lab server. I'm looking to move to a dedicated NPVR and DVD library server that runs Windows 7 and is easier to support. What would be a recommended spec for running NPVR with Live TV yo a maximum of 4xPCH clients?

Which out of CPU, memory or graphics card is most critical to overall performance of the NPVR server?

MT

Paul

[ShiningDragon]

So, you're interested in building a new (old) energy efficient mediaserver.

I would setup an intel H55 platform (genuine intel mainboard, not from 3rd party manufacturers) and combine this one with a clarkdale cpu (k0 stepping) like the i3-550 (this is a dualcore cpu with 3.2 GHz and additionally hyper threading technology). As ram i would use 2x 2.048 MB kit from kingston value ram series (DDR3-1333).

Why this setup with this "strong" cpu? This is easy to answer: practically all the time the cpu will stay at lowest mode and consumes not much energy, so that the heatproduction is very, very low (and so the noise production from cooling too). Further you could use this server for other purposes (realtime transcoding, dvd ripping, x264 transcoding etc.).

As graphicscard i would just use the iGPU within the clarkdale processor. It's cheap, it's strong enough and has a good quality (compared to older intel graphics). With the right power supply the consumption can be dropped below 50 Wh while serving.

In case of the planned os: I just want to inform you, that it could be that you have to tweak windows 7 pro, so that many shares will be possible. At home i just have the half of 10 allowed clients on a Win 7 Pro server and lesser then 20 networkshares. In many cases the shares just disappeared, because the default win 7 pro settings are far to small for a reliable network connection (compared to your Win 08 R2). Just remember this hint, if you built upon win 7 and see a behaviour like described.

Of course you could built a system on amd base too, but i dislike amd atm. The products are not very stable and the drivers are worser than ever before (e.g. drivers for the graphicscard: a driver appears, then follows a hotfix(!) for a driver, and the next hotfix, and the next hotfix and another hotfix... i am not a friend of trash like this).

[pBS]

i would add get a 80Plus certified power supply for really efficient power...or 90PlusGold if you can get a cheap one..
they run cooler/quieter and only use little extra[waste] to do their job...
active pfc also lowers cost to run it for complicated reasons, but most 80plus supplies already use it..[as opposed to passive pfc or none at all]
they tend to last forever too cuz they barely have to try to do their job...

[imilne]

ShiningDragon, any particular reason why you're recommending going with an Intel H55 board? Do they use less power than 3rd party options? I've got my eye on an Asus P7H55-M, mainly because it supports two PCIe slots which could be handy for tuner cards.

As for memory, there's probably only a watt or two in it, but would a single stick of 4GB use less power than 2x2GB? Any loss of bandwidth dropping from dual to single channel isn't really going to affect an HTPC.

[ShiningDragon]

Yep, the Intel H55 chipset is very energyefficient; especially compared to a standard intel P55 chipset. On the 3rd party side is disagree with products from gigabyte (ignoring technical defaults, problems can appear), asrock/asus (unstable quality, sometimes good systems, sometims bad systems; my server is powered by an ASUS P7H55-V). Just with genuine Intel/Foxconn Boards i hadn't until now any problems (very stable, reliable bios and driver support).

Of course it's possible to use a 4 GB stick instead 2x 2 GB sticks. Meanwhile the quality of 4 GB sticks raised a lot, so that 1.5V modules are widely available. The saving isn't a big deal, but one 4 GB module had another advantage: it's more easier to upgrade someday.

[Paul_B]

Many thanks for the feedback, I'm now looking for a H55 mobo with i3 processor and suitable rackmount case

Paul

[mvallevand]

I'm waiting for the Sandy Bridge reviews. If it's not urgent you might want to consider waiting.

Martin

[ShiningDragon]

There are first reviews outside. For my opinion it's not such a big problem to buy the "old" i3/5/6 series, but of course you're right too: if it's not urgent, then you should wait for the sandy bridges (they're coming out soon). A little more power, little more graphics power, little lesser power consumption at the same price like the current generation.
BUT! Here we have the problem to be early adoptors, because sandy bridge needs a new socket (socket 1155) and thus a new chipset (e.g. h65 or h67). Personally i dislike to buy brandnew things, because they're often enough buggy and needs bugfixes (new chipset revisions, new mainboards revisions, a few bios updates etc.).

Btw., we people and europe can buy offical h67 chipsets... but no sandy bridges. In asia the people can buy official sandy bridges. *gnarf*

[imilne]

I'm waiting for the Sandy Bridge reviews. If it's not urgent you might want to consider waiting.

Martin

I was thinking of that too, but decided to go ahead anyway, and have splashed out on an i3 540 to go in the Asus P7H55-M. It should be quite an upgrade (CPU wise) from my existing 3 or 4 year old X2. If it can handle software decoding of 1080i I'll be happy, because then I can continue with VRM9 GBPVR in Windows 7 which will make migrating to NPVR much much easier.

I'll probably give the integrated graphics a go, and then make a decision on whether to stick with the onboard or continue to use my existing HD4550.

[ShiningDragon]

Update:
Sandy Bridge is out! A very long review of a german site (not the best one, but many informations): http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/proze...dy-bridge/

Of course you could try online translators as microsofttranslator.com , babelfish or google translator.

What a nice piece of hardware!