[mythtv-users] Backend Hardware Questions

[Mike Perkins]

On 16/01/15 02:28, Brian S wrote:
> Greetings all,
>
> Very Short Version: Do we think a Phenom II X4 B50 CPU stuck in a M4A87TD
> motherboard will have the ability to run well as a MBE & light-use desktop using
> an HVR-2250, 2 HDHR's, and 3 HDD's (OS on SSD)?
>
> Long Version: After running a rather computery mythtv setup for a few years, I'm
> attempting to downsize a little bit, and am wondering if converting my desktop
> into the only backend is feasible - it seems like it would be, but I have a
> knack for overlooking the obvious sometimes.
> Present setup is MBE w/HVR-2250 recording OTA + HDHR prime, SBE w/HVR-2250
> recording OTA (two antennas - I live halfway between Chicago & Milwaukee) and
> then a FE only.
>
> Was thinking I could move all BE's to an always-on desktop machine. Pertinent
> specs on the box in question:
> CPU Phenom II X4 B50 (4 core, 3.1Ghz)
> mobo Asus M4A87TD/USB3
> 8gb RAM (can bump to 16)
>
> So the general idea here is to pull the HDD's from the respective BE's and add
> them to the desktop computer, add one of the HVR-2250's to the desktop, and then
> replace the other BE recorder with another HDHR (due mostly to cabling issues).
> The OS runs on an SSD. The mobo has 6 sata slots so I should be ok with all the
> HDD's. (I realize I will also need to do other steps with fstab & database and
> what-have-you)
> The Big Question here is mostly just does the above machine have enough oomph to
> (theoretically but rather unlikely) record ~6 streams at once/run jobs/serve
> content to FE's while also being a desktop for mostly light-duty stuff? The only
> real CPU-intensive thing I can think I do is run virtualized windows XP for a
> few minutes at a time to scan documents to dropbox.
> And I suppose Big Question #2 is there anything I might be overlooking here that
> means this won't work or is a Bad idea?
>
Make sure you have a generous margin on your power supply, since you're adding 
several disks to an existing system. I would even suggest buying a new one to 
make sure you have sufficient capacity. Modern PSUs will have better caps, 
electronics, etc and will be more power efficient - if that's not an oxymoron.

-- 

Mike Perkins