Your comments on a SageTV build please

[MacDaddy]

My SageTV box, Frankentivo, has been running since the V4 days and is on its last legs. I recently tried to vacuum off the latest dust layer from the components and tapped against the CPU cooling fan retaining clips. The clips broke the plastic retaining straps and I now have everything held together with zip ties while I sort out parts for a new build.

Here is what I'm thinking:
CPU: INTEL,CORE I5 2500 3.3G 6M (not O/Cing so no -K)
MB: ASUS,P8H67-M PRO/CSM H67 1155 (onboard video, small board)
MEM: PATRIOT,2Gx2 PGD34G1333ELK (staying 32bit, want low power)
PSU: SILVERSTONE, ST45SF 450W (sized for 140mm depth case constraint)
SSD: ADATA,64G AS596TB-64GM-C (budget SSD)
CASE: AEROCOOL,M40-BK (small case, good airflow)
OS: WIN HOME PREM 7 32-BIT (using firewire to change STB channels)

I'll be harvesting the 1TB drive from Frankentivo to use as the video storage drive. I'll also get the old intel network card to provide a dedicated link for the 2 HDHRs.

Initial plans are to use just for Sage until I'm stable. Then I would like to virtualize and set up individual VMs for Slimserver, Homeseer and Utilities (Comskip, conversions, etc.).

I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions you might have on this approach.

[blade]

You may want to consider going with a 64 bit OS for future expandability (RAM). I'm still running XP (32 bit) with 2 GB of RAM and between Sage, extenders, Playon and running comskip for 5 tuners there are times when my server takes a bit of a hit due to lack of ram. I think I can add enough that I'll be OK for awhile; however, I'm sure at some point I'll have to upgrade to a 64 bit OS because somewhere around 3.5 GB won't be enough one of these days.

[davephan]

Since you use firewire, you're stuck with Windows 7 32-bit. If you can give up firewire for a USB-UIRT, then you could go with Windows 7 64-bit.

A fast quad is a good move if you do Comskip processing or video compression.

The case sounds small. How many hard drives will it fit? Maybe you plan to use a separate storage server for your video library files.

You should also include imaging software with the build, so you can recover quickly if you run into problems in the future.


Dave

[MacDaddy]

Thanks for the ideas. You're right, I'm trapped with 32bit to use the timmoore FireWire driver. I've tried the USB-UIRT route before and moved to FireWire for reliability. I'm still holding out hope for the HDHR Prime and may move to 64bit.

The case is small. It will hold 2x5.25 and 2x3.25 inside. I plan to use the SSD for OS and the 1TB for recorded video. All other media is on an 7.5TB unRaid server on GigE backbone.

[rrhorer]

Originally Posted by davephan

Since you use firewire, you're stuck with Windows 7 32-bit. If you can give up firewire for a USB-UIRT, then you could go with Windows 7 64-bit.

A fast quad is a good move if you do Comskip processing or video compression.

The case sounds small. How many hard drives will it fit? Maybe you plan to use a separate storage server for your video library files.

You should also include imaging software with the build, so you can recover quickly if you run into problems in the future.


Dave

I agree with everything Dave said. Additionally, I would recommend, rather than purchasing the imaging software, that you consider acquiring a Seagate drive, not that I'm partial to Seagate (quite the opposite); but having a Seagate drive (or Maxtor, which is now Seagate) allows you to download and use their DiscWizard imaging software provided by Acronis (i.e., a version of True Image). It will work with an inexpensive USB drive as long as it's a Seagate. So, for not much more than good imaging software will cost, you can have both the backup storage for your images and the imaging software for all of your pcs, since the USB drive can move from one pc to another.

[MacDaddy]

I have a Macrim reflect license for all the boxes on my home network. I like the idea of an outbord USB drive to image and store somewhere off site. I still need a better DR option for the unRaid box.

[thomaszoo]

I think you will be pretty happy with the upgrade. I just did a similar upgrade using this case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163112

and with a 80+ PSU the temps are very low along with the power consumption (idle is about 60 watts with 2 2TB HDs). I am using an I7 870 but it is usually way more than what I need. Stick with the FW channel changing; I tried using IR and it just wasn't working for me. You should try SageChanger if you are not already using it (it makes sure your STB is powered on prior to changing channels).

I also use Macrium Reflect and have been quite happy with it.

Good luck.

Wayne

[KeithAbbott]

I've used OCZ SSDs in the past, their sequential write speeds are twice as fast as the A-DATA device that you refer to. Today only, you can pick up a 60GB OCZ from Newegg for $90 after MIR. Of course, they have specials running almost all of the time, if you don't want to pull the trigger quite yet.

[MacDaddy]

@thomaszoo - I came very close to using the Silverstone case. The Shuttle was also in close contention. For me, the deciding factors was the depth of the case. I have my equipment in a hall closet and depth is limited to 23". The Aerocool gives me a little more room to get air around it.

@KeithAbbott - I've heard good things about OCZ. I was after a budget model, but for $90 the name brand is worth it.

Thanks again for all the ideas.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by rrhorer

I agree with everything Dave said. Additionally, I would recommend, rather than purchasing the imaging software, that you consider acquiring a Seagate drive, not that I'm partial to Seagate (quite the opposite); but having a Seagate drive (or Maxtor, which is now Seagate) allows you to download and use their DiscWizard imaging software provided by Acronis (i.e., a version of True Image). It will work with an inexpensive USB drive as long as it's a Seagate. So, for not much more than good imaging software will cost, you can have both the backup storage for your images and the imaging software for all of your pcs, since the USB drive can move from one pc to another.

The DiscWizard software is really designed for migrating to a newer drive rather than imaging the drive. My brother in law was using that approach to backup his computer, essentially cloning the boot drive. Over time, the disk cloning software no longer worked on newer drives. Disk imaging software will work on newer drives you purchase over time. The disk imaging software is also not restricted to one drive brand.

Disk imaging software also has other advantages. You can take full images, differential, and incremental images. It is then possible to periodically image the system, even every day or several times a day if you want to go that far. The recovery points can then be very granular in time. Individual files and folders can also be recovered back to a previous point in time with disk imaging. The disk imaging software can also create images on DVDs which can work, but the recoveries can sometimes fail if the optical media is several years old. The most reliable storage media for the image files are hard drives or larger flash drives.

The cost of the disk imaging software is not that expensive compared to the labor cost of manually rebuilding or recovering a system, unless your time has little or no value. Sometimes there are sales on imaging software. Acronis had a sale last month, three True Image Home 2011 licenses for $60. Coupon codes are also available on the Internet that work on the Acronis web site web store to reduce the price.

Dave

[thomaszoo]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy

@thomaszoo - I came very close to using the Silverstone case. The Shuttle was also in close contention. For me, the deciding factors was the depth of the case. I have my equipment in a hall closet and depth is limited to 23". The Aerocool gives me a little more room to get air around it.

Thanks again for all the ideas.

It is a little deeper than I would prefer but it still fits where I want it. The airflow inside the case is excellent; I especially like the way the HDs are positioned right in front of a fan. Best of luck.