[mythtv-users] hardware advice: ivy bridge vs nvidia

Joseph Fry joe at thefrys.com
Mon Aug 27 13:42:13 UTC 2012


>
> > The only way the processor may make a difference is if you were using
> > VAAPI with the Sandy/Ivy bridge processor's built in graphics
> > processor.
> My thought was that VAAPI doesn't seem to work properly with Sandy
> Bridge, in part because the design leads to tearing and in part because
> there are many other rough spots.  But since Ivy Bridge supposedly cuts
> way down on the tearing and has better linux support, maybe VAAPI would
> work with it.
> >  VAAPI is supported, however it is not as refined a solution as VDPAU.
> >
> >
> > Go with the cheaper processor and at least an GT430 for the optimal
> > support (make sure you have 96+ cuda cores on the nvidia GPU; so no
> > 420/520/610 even though the model numbers are higher)
> Is the 440 OK?  I thought from the numbering it would be better than the
> 430, but maybe not.  ASUS says it has 96 CUDA (cores?).  It seemed good
> that particular model was fanless and supposedly cooler.
> >
> >
> > My recommended build is a good Ivy Bridge capable motherboard, cheap
> > $45 Celeron G540 CPU, and 4-8GB of RAM.  Coupled with a Nvidia GPU and
> > VDPAU you will have excellent performance today and an easy path for
> > upgrades when CPU/RAM prices drop.
> Thanks for the tip.  I'll have a look at the Celeron.  As I said, I need
> something with enough power to run Windows (Vista), and it would be nice
> if it could do commflagging and transcoding too.
>
>
My current backend runs just fine on an old 2GHz Pentium Dual Core E2180,
circa 2007, even transcribing 720p recordings at just a hair over realtime.

You will find that the Celeron G530/G540 will perform well enough for most
builds right now... and will certainly run Wndows 7 just fine.
 Additionally you will have far less problems getting VDPAU working then
you would VAAPI.

Then a few years from now, you upgrade your processor to an 8 core i7, and
16GB-32GB of  2000MHz ram and you have a system that will easily last you
another few years.  The key is the motherboard, make sure it supports the
Ivy Bridge and the fastest ram speeds available... get a board with 4 ram
slots and fill two now and two later for a more incremental build.

Essentially, my motherboard, CPU, and RAM cost me under $140 (I just
purchased them last week), barely more than you'd spend on processor alone.
 And in a couple of years I can replace the processor about $50 and have a
killer 4-8 core i7.  If you find a board with 4 slots, you could go to 32GB.

My Build, prices after rebates/discount codes/shipping from various vendors:
ASRock B75M            $66.81
Intel Celeron G540       $44.04
Patriot PV38G160C9K $24.99  (2x4GB 1600Mhz)
Zotac ZT-40703-10L     $39.99  (GT 440 - ebay)
Total:                        $175.83

I could easily have spent that much on a just a processor... but then I
would have to get VAAPI working now, when it's support is only so-so.  Far
easier to skimp on the processor and go VDPAU and let VAAPI mature a bit
more.  In the meantime, my motherboard/ram are ready for the upgrade.

Either way, it would be almost impossible to build a system today that
wouldn't support Mythtv quite well (assuming you use a VDPAU supported
Nvidia GPU).
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