HTPC/server

[blender]

I know there are many HTPC threads already, but it probably wont hurt to post one more. I currently have a Ubuntu based server (mostly working as a file server via nfs) running on old Athlon 64, which is starting to wear down. I'm planning on building a new setup, which could serve as a server and HTPC. It should be quiet and be able to play 1080p video.

Sandy bridge seems attractive, because it packs a lot of power and runs cool. I have learned about some problems, however. Firstly, the first H67/P67 chipsets had some SATA problem, right? But the new P8 ones should have this fixed? Another problem, as I understand, is the integrated graphics of SB. If I plan to use external nVidia card, will there be any issues in playing back video (on CPU with mplayer-mt, I still won't fully count on VDPAU)?

My current "shopping chart" includes these:

Intel Core i3 2100
Asus P8H61 B3 Intel H61 LGA1155
Kingston Valueram 4GB 1333MHz DDR3
Asus ENGT520 SILENT/DI/1GD3(LP) GeForce GT520 1024 MB DDR3
Corsair CX430W
Antec Three Hundred

plus my old hard drives and what not. I feel that I should go with the standard casing, since I have a place for it in my living room. Those HTPC casings seem a bit overpriced. Also I wan't to have room for extra HD:s. Will there be any problems with running the Lucid with SB? I would prefer LTS version.

[johnc]

I suspect that you wouldn't have any problems with that setup.

BTW have you considered having a NAS for your file server and a Zotac ION box for your HTPC? It depends on your requirements of course.

[blender]

I suspect that you wouldn't have any problems with that setup.

Ok, thanks.

BTW have you considered having a NAS for your file server and a Zotac ION box for your HTPC? It depends on your requirements of course.

I have not. In addition to file server, I have some other things in mind for the server.

[deanjo]

Another problem, as I understand, is the integrated graphics of SB. If I plan to use external nVidia card, will there be any issues in playing back video (on CPU with mplayer-mt, I still won't fully count on VDPAU)?

Asus ENGT520 SILENT/DI/1GD3(LP) GeForce GT520 1024 MB DDR3

No problems at all with that card, I picked a couple up for HTPC use and they have been working flawlessly under XBMC and are surprising cool for a pure passive card. ~ 35-37C is all mine ever reach on playback.

[blender]

No problems at all with that card, I picked a couple up for HTPC use and they have been working flawlessly under XBMC and are surprising cool for a pure passive card. ~ 35-37C is all mine ever reach on playback.

That is good to know. Although probably this card can't push more graphics that what is needed for basic desktop. This is perfectly ok, because I don't intend to run games on this setup, just to pass the CPU decoded video material to the TV.

[blender]

There is also the 2100T version, which seems to be clocked at 2.5GHz and has amazingly low TDP of 35W. At a local reseller 2100T is around 14 euros more expensive than the 2100. Is there a good reason to prefer 2100T over 2100? I mean, is it possible to underclock 2100 for smaller TDP if necessary? Is 2100T enough to play 1080p video on Linux with mplayer-mt (of course this depends on bitrate, so this would require someone's experiences)?

[johnc]

There is also the 2100T version, which seems to be clocked at 2.5GHz and has amazingly low TDP of 35W. At a local reseller 2100T is around 14 euros more expensive than the 2100. Is there a good reason to prefer 2100T over 2100? I mean, is it possible to underclock 2100 for smaller TDP if necessary? Is 2100T enough to play 1080p video on Linux with mplayer-mt (of course this depends on bitrate, so this would require someone's experiences)?

I can say that I have an ancient AMD dual-core Opteron 2.2 GHz and I can play 1080p with mplayer-mt without any problems. Just barely -- both cores peg at the most graphically intense scenes -- but no stutters. That's with karaoke subtitles too.

[deanjo]

That is good to know. Although probably this card can't push more graphics that what is needed for basic desktop. This is perfectly ok, because I don't intend to run games on this setup, just to pass the CPU decoded video material to the TV.

Why would you use CPU decoding out of curiosity if you have GPU acceleration available? The vdpau decoder engine on that thing is a monster.

[blender]

Why would you use CPU decoding out of curiosity if you have GPU acceleration available? The vdpau decoder engine on that thing is a monster.

Would you say that VDPAU is mature enough to decode any h264 video without any problems?

[deanjo]

Would you say that VDPAU is mature enough to decode any h264 video without any problems?

It has been for a long long long time. It was pretty rock solid about 6 months after release. First few months had some teething pains but has been working flawlessly here (on h264) for 18 months on 8200 IGP, 8800GT, GTX-275, GTX-580, GT520 with multiple terabytes of h264 media ranging from rips to hd captures to streaming content.