Media Server Build (BIG $$$$)

[jonnyp11]

Guy wants a media server comparative to the one in the e-mail below, and was ready to buy a Xeon 8-core processor and all other kinds of uber computer parts, which i unfortunately had to have a conscience and tell him seemed to be a waste IMO (but i would have to talk to people to know for sure). Here's what I have to go on, and I can ask him any questions or anything so we can get this settled soon.

I appreciate your honesty. Ok... Then put Together something beefier then he last one, but still being price conscious.

Like the best processor before it gets non-cost effective any more. An the same for the other components.

I'm trying to build a system that does what this does:

http://www.arkaos.net/product/index.php?catid=2&pid=1006&iid=38

That system costs $25k. I know we can build one that can do much of the same for much less.

It basically needs to be able to output 6 outputs using 8-10 layers of HD video on the Arkaos Media Master pro software.

I assume the takes the appropriate graphics card, processor, and RAM, along with the SSDs for fast program loading and video file retrieval.

Let me know what you come up with. This should be a fun one to build!!! And use!!!

Current thoughts involve:
-3770k or 3930k (maybe dual 3930's or Xeon equivilent with a dual socket board?)
-32GBs of RAM (64 if dual socket board)
-250GB Boot and software drive, 500gb temp storage drive with a 3tb(x2?) long term drive (files can be moved to SSD as needed and stored on HDD)
-AMD FirePro W600 (needed for 6 display ability)

The rest can easilly be picked, quality psu (modular), reliable 4U rackmount chasis

What do you guys think? I can't tell if the software he will use is even multi-threaded or anything, and what is actually a good thing to have. I mean, he is ready to spend a lot, so it can be overkill, but not the 4k he was ready to drop before (why did I open my mouth?), thinking we should aim for 2k or less in parts unless it will truly benefit from the extra performance of the 8-cores or something. If it will do better then i will ask if he'd rather go for the best on the market, spend a little more but save some time rendering/calculating or whatever you want to call it.

 

[Drdeath]

Dual Xeons

 

[jonnyp11]

Bumpity

 

[FuryRosewood]

Remember its a server, that means ECC Ram and a workstation board. That will bump the price a bit.

 

[jonnyp11]

Just emailed their support to see if i can get the actual specs of the a30 system and info on the software.

 

[Twiki]

What does he plan to do with it? Is it something that a well built desktop can't do?

 

[jonnyp11]

They have the cabinets or whatever for rackmounts there for other equipment so it may as well go in there AFAIK, he's just always said rackmount. And it will run multiple things i'm guessing, but mainly it will run videos on 6 screens at the same time and the software to link them together so it looks right (factoring in distance between them and the size of each display from what i saw about the software), it's used for musical performances.

 

[wolfeking]

Current thoughts involve:
-3770k or 3930k (maybe dual 3930's or Xeon equivilent with a dual socket board?)

Find out how well threaded the software is. If it only uses 4/8 threads, then look at socket 1155 xeons. If higher than that, then look at 2011/1366 xeons, or G34/G36 AMDs (sorry, I don't know the name to them).

-32GBs of RAM (64 if dual socket board)

Does it really need so much? Find out for sure. Also make sure to get ECC RAM to match the processor.

-250GB Boot and software drive, 500gb temp storage drive with a 3tb(x2?) long term drive (files can be moved to SSD as needed and stored on HDD)

Seems like that is a lot of complication for nothing. 256GB/512GB SSD primary, and a RAID array for storage, maybe 0+1/5/10 with 3TB drives. Definitely a mirror array.

-AMD FirePro W600 (needed for 6 display ability)

Here I was going to spot a Quadro, but it would not work without DisplayPort daisy chaining, and don't know if your client can manage with that.

 

[jonnyp11]

Western Digital WD Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136792
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Recover Your Data(expand for options)
-$25.00 Instant
$399.98
$349.98
($174.99 each)


BYTECC Bracket-252K 2.5" Dual HDD/SSD Screwless Bracket For 3.5" Drive Bay - Black
Item #: N82E16817994139
Return Policy: Computer Cables and Accessories Extended Return Policy
$4.99


PowerColor AX7870 2GBD5-6D Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support ...
Item #: N82E16814131474
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$349.99
1

AMD Gift coupon: Bioshock Inf. + Tomb Raider
Item #: N82E16800995146
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$149.99 Saving
$149.99
$0.00


CORSAIR AX760i 760W Digital ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC ...
Item #: N82E16817139043
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$209.99


Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound AS5-3.5G - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100007
Return Policy: Consumable Item Refund Only Return Policy
-$4.00 Instant
$11.99
$7.99


ASUS Z9PA-D8 ATX Server Motherboard Dual LGA 2011 DDR3 1600/1333/1066
Item #: N82E16813131886
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$369.99


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116986
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
$99.99
1

Corel Winzip 17 Standard - Product Key Card
Item #: N82E16832106330
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
-$29.99 Saving
$29.99
$0.00


Rosewill RSV-R4000 Black 1.0mm SECC, 4U Rackmount Server Chassis 8 Internal Bays, 4 Included Cooling Fans
Item #: N82E16811147154
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$99.99
$79.99


iStarUSA D-400-6-Blue Steel 4U Rackmount Compact Stylish Server Chassis
Item #: N82E16811165180
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$175.99
$165.99


iStarUSA D-400-6-RED Material of Front Bezel:Aluminum alloy Material of Handle: 1.2mm SECC Zinc-Coated Steel Material of ...
Item #: N82E16811165181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$175.99


AMD 100-505746 FirePro W600 2GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Workstation Video Card
Item #: N82E16814195115
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$30.00 Instant
$549.99
$519.99


Kingston 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 ECC Registered Server Memory DR x4 1.35V Intel Model KVR13LR9D4K4/32I
Item #: N82E16820239164
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$269.99


XIGMATEK Dark Knight II SD1283 Night Hawk Edition CPU Cooler with Stealth Aerospace Industry Thermal conductive ceramic coating ...
Item #: N82E16835233029
Return Policy: Computer Cables and Accessories Extended Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$49.99


SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD512BW 2.5" 512GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820147194
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$519.99
$499.99


Corsair Force Series GS CSSD-F128GBGS-BK 2.5" 128GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820233395
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$10.00 Instant
$139.99
$129.99


Intel Xeon E5-2620 Sandy Bridge-EP 2.0GHz (2.5GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 95W Six-Core Server Processor BX80621E52620
Item #: N82E16819117269
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$424.99

the cases are option for him, HDDs in RAID 1, cpu doesn't come with a cooler, 1 boot SSD and one for the currently used vids and stuff

Not sure on the graphics card, 7870 has over twice the cores and way faster speed and double the bus width, plus it's a lot cheaper, but the other is lower watt (have to get high watt psu no matter to get dual ESP connectors (8pin cpu)) and FirePro so it might be better for some things, but seems like the performance would even out, making the 7870 better to me (and he'll probs let me keep the games)

 

[jonnyp11]

More i think about it, he might just need a desktop in a rackmount. Isnt the only real difference that the server parts are made to run 24/7/365? And the xeons have bigger caches but the high frequency of an i7-3930k should up for that and the only place he is using the cpu really is in 3d animations he is playing with.