G3240 vs I3-4160

[nick779]

Currently I have the Pentium G3240, and for my uses im able to almost saturate my gigabit ethernet connection to my computers when doing downloads through CIFS, and I can peg them during uploads as well. I also use my box to run plex and stream generally to 1-2 devices with minimal transcoding.

When streaming to these two devices the highest usage ive ever seen is 178% (Dual Core) and it settled around the 120% area for several movies. Its rare that usage ever gets this high because the vast majority of my movies are h264 and dont need encoded.

My question is this, I have 10 more days left for the return window on my 3240, would it be worth it to return it and drop in a 4160 for $60 more? I dont really think I need the power, but I figured I would ask the community.

 

[Jailer]

Depends on whether or not you plan on expanding your usage scenario in the future. It sounds like it's meeting your current needs but will those needs change? That's what you have to ask yourself.

 

[stefanb]

$60 for factor 1,5 cpu power (3275 CPU mark vs. 5037) - see here: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=2250&cmp[]=2317&cmp[]=2244
I would take the 4160 or the i3-4360 @ 3.70GHz - CPU mark is 5558 - $145.

S.

 

[nick779]

Depends on whether or not you plan on expanding your usage scenario in the future. It sounds like it's meeting your current needs but will those needs change? That's what you have to ask yourself.

If anything Id think they would go down. Ill be moving out shortly and will be down to a single tv and probably an iPad or some tablet. Maybe I should just let it go as it is, and/or grab 8gb more RAM instead.

 

[Pharfar]

I have a system with a G3220, running a NAS for my family (8-12 ppl). It's primarily used for Plex (movies are h264) and a Minecraft server (in jail). So far it's doing a great job. I wouldn't recommend a CPU this size in larger environments, but for us it's OK When prices drop on bigger CPUs in a few years time, I think i'll do an upgrade.

 

[nick779]

I have a system with a G3220, running a NAS for my family (8-12 ppl). It's primarily used for Plex (movies are h264) and a Minecraft server (in jail). So far it's doing a great job. I wouldn't recommend a CPU this size in larger environments, but for us it's OK :) When prices drop on bigger CPUs in a few years time, I think i'll do an upgrade.

This is kinda where im going. I may wait a year and get the 3.8ghz i3 when it gets around $125

 

[Pharfar]

Sorry for spamming, we replied at same time. Your money is much, much, much better spent on RAM. Maybe my system runs so good, because of the 24 GB I have?

 

[nick779]

Sorry for spamming, we replied at same time. Your money is much, much, much better spent on RAM. Maybe my system runs so good, because of the 24 GB I have?

Well, you have much, MUCH more storage than I do. I know I want another 8GB for some breathing room, and then ill eventually wipe my pools and add another 2 1TB reds for a 6 disk Z2.

 

[Pharfar]

I have more storage, I know. But I also want to emphasize, that with 3 jails running (including Virtualbox Ubuntu with 6GB dedicated RAM), the little "baby" CPU manages very well. So you will be more than happy with that G3240. Enjoy the money saved and FreeNas

 

[Jailer]

Spend your money on more RAM. You're at the minimum now and that's for just basic NAS operations.

 

[Fraoch]

There are a lot of accounts on this forum regarding how well the Haswell Pentiums run. So yeah, you may want to stick with it especially since your needs are going down.

If you're ever interested in encryption though, you'll need the Core i3 because it supports AES-NI instructions. Performance on encrypted pools will suffer greatly without this.

 

[nick779]

Spend your money on more RAM. You're at the minimum now and that's for just basic NAS operations.

Thats what I figured.

There are a lot of accounts on this forum regarding how well the Haswell Pentiums run. So yeah, you may want to stick with it especially since your needs are going down.

If you're ever interested in encryption though, you'll need the Core i3 because it supports AES-NI instructions. Performance on encrypted pools will suffer greatly without this.

Encryption is cool, but I dont store anything sensitive on this.