FreeNas with AMD A6 3500 CPU

[Freesnofla]

Hi Guys, one question concerning the CPU in my FreeNas PC. Actually I run AMD A6 3500, what it be of benfit if I change to a bigger one? I think specially for the Plex Streaming?

best regards
Freesnofla

 

[Whattteva]

In order for transcoding to work well, you really want to make sure it uses AMD's VCE technology.
As of now, I don't think FreeBSD supports Intel QuickSync, so I wouldn't be surprised if the story is the same with AMD VCE.

To answer your question though; In general, if there is no video hardware decoding support, a faster CPU will always benefit you since transcoding is generally a pretty CPU-intensive process.

 

[krikboh]

FreeBSD/FreeNAS does not utilize the GPU portion of the AMD APU's. The AMD A line are in general not a good choice for FreeNAS.


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[Freesnofla]

What would you guys recommend then?

 

[Whattteva]

Honstly, for Plex transcoding, you're much much better served doing it from a different OS that better supports hardware decoding. It will be significantly faster than any FreeNAS box you can build.

In other words, use the right tool for the job; You can still use FreeNAS as a data store for the streamer though.

I think the problems with so many people on this forum (that I have observed) is that people try to hack and slash their FreeNAS installations to do stuff that it was never meant to do.

 

[krikboh]

Plex on FreeNAS can handle transcoding with no problems, but you need the proper CPU. AMD is generally not recommended for FreeNAS, especially the APU line. I'm sure you have an FM socket motherboard since you are using the A6 3500 chip and those boards only support APU chips so you would need to replace your motherboard and processor. Please read http://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/hardware-recommendations-read-this-first.23069/

 

[cyberjock]

I've got an E3-1230v2 and I've been able to transcode 4 simultaneous streams without hitting 50% utilization. The right CPU can allow you to do amazing things with transcoding. In fact, I'm about 2 weeks from moving my plex server to a FreeNAS jail. :P

 

[Whattteva]

Well, I certainly don't dispute that having a fast CPU will do it no problem. The point I'm trying to make though is the same exact CPU (and all other things equal) can and will do better if hardware decoding is supported.

Of course, in the case of transcoding, all you really care about is fluid video on the client, so more speed isn't really beneficial. More speed would matter though if you're just trying to convert as many videos as fast as humanly possible.

 

[Freesnofla]

I've got an E3-1230v2 and I've been able to transcode 4 simultaneous streams without hitting 50% utilization. The right CPU can allow you to do amazing things with transcoding. In fact, I'm about 2 weeks from moving my plex server to a FreeNAS jail. :p

And what kind of motherboard are you using? You Nerds out there know's that much, I'm a poor old man who like to follow but it takes me always a lot of time to get that done.

 

[cyberjock]

X9SCM-F is the motherboard I'm using. If I had to build another system right now I'd probably go with E3-1230v3 and the X10SL7-F.

Well, not really.. that setup is limited to 32GB of RAM and I'm finding it somewhat limiting. ;)

 

[Freesnofla]

What cooler would you recommend?

 

[cyberjock]

The one that comes with the CPUs... they are more than adequate.

 

[Freesnofla]

Can I install the motherboard you mentioned in that case without trouble http://www.corsair.com/en/special-edition-white-graphite-series-600t-mid-tower-case

 

[Ericloewe]

Can I install the motherboard you mentioned in that case without trouble http://www.corsair.com/en/special-edition-white-graphite-series-600t-mid-tower-case

I suggest you read up on motherboard and case sizes. That case fits up to full ATX and most boards used around here are microATX or smaller.

 

[Freesnofla]

But that's the case I have actually and I like to keep that one.

 

[cyberjock]

But that's the case I have actually and I like to keep that one.

So do what Ericloewe said and read up on it. If you did you'd realize that the board is smaller but is still compatible.

 

[Freesnofla]

Yes I got the point that the board is smaller, but I was then afraid to get it installed in that case. I build it last time my self and I like to do it that time again. I wasn't sure if I should need a kit or something like that to get the smaller board installed. I'm happy as you mentioned me that I can use that microboard as well.

 

[Freesnofla]

Ah shit I got it Case Motherboard Support : Mini ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, E-ATX, sorry for my blindness

 

[cyberjock]

Ah shit I got it Case Motherboard Support : Mini ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, E-ATX, sorry for my blindness

Spank yourself! Not with your hand... with my hand!

 

[Freesnofla]

Force isn't a solution

What RAM would you recommend?