Is 1G vs 100Mbps Server<>Client beneficial?

[mdmint]

Wondering if anyone has found the need or any benefit to use Gigabit connection between Client and Server. The sysbrd I'm using to build Client has dual nics with one of them Gigabit but the sysbrd I'm using for the Server (ECS K7S5A w/XP 2100+ 512M from my main computer which got an upgrade as part of the project to XP3200+ 1G dual channel 400FSB) only has 100Mbps and with 4 250s and Raid5 Controller no PCI slots available. (Server XP Pro sp2 all ready with just under 750G video storage partition waiting for the 250s which are supposed to arrive from Sage today). If noone has any network issues with Client also having a 250 and recorder in network mode I won't worry about a the hassle (and expense) of a different sysbrd for the Server. I'd just rather know now before hammering the systems only to find out there's a network bottleneck! Oh, the client and server will be connected to each other on a separate switch from the rest of the home network. Said switch will be connecting to the main wireless access point/router/switch combo unit...

Getting close now - final parts supposed to arrive today (in addition to the 250s pending arrival bunch of different size quiet temp controlled fans for both Server and Client including 120mm for Server side door to blow directly on the 4 250s, 2.5" HD adapter, oh and 2nd 20G standard size hd for Client to keep ghost image ready in case of Client HD failure) going to be a very busy weekend!

BTW, this dual 400x400w redundant hotswap power supply I used for the Server is sweet! (but not quiet, small price to pay for uptime and it's not in the AV room anyway. Took a wee bit of case cutting/modding.) And the 256M controller cached Raid5 4x250Gb HDs scream. Who me, a hardware junky?

[Capt Dean]

I've used both.
The "slower" connect proved more than ample to stream content from the server to the client. I record at 8000kbs.

I prefer the 1Gig connection though, because my client PC also doubles as the one that I edit and burn the video from. Moving the files off the server on that pipe is MUCH, MUCH quicker.

If all you need the client for is viewing. No problems. If you actually want to move the files themselves. You won't be sorry with the Gigabit line.

[stanger89]

Average recordings run 6-8Mbps, so you need 1000Tx until you start playing with 7-8 streams, you'd only have 1 each way. 1000Tx would be nice but it's definitely not necessary.

[mdmint]

Thanks for the replies. The sysbrd in the client (Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe) already has 1Gb NIC. Since I won't be using the client for editing burning etc but my main computer I've already ordered a GbNic for it and a Gb Switch from Newegg.

Server wise I was debating adding PCI slot GbNic and going with a USB 250 for #4 Server tuner since out of slots but my older ECS K7S5A sysbrd decided otherwise. It has a "quirk" of loosing CMOS setup now and then on a cold boot. I replaced the battery so that's not the problem. What makes it really bad is the Promise Fastrak S150 SX raid controller requires PCI bus mastering and the default K7S5A setup is bus mastering disabled. Powering up after loosing setup the K7S5A ini's all cards BEFORE allowing going to setup and with the S150 in it hangs and won't go into setup! Means I have to pull the S150, run setup, put S150 back in and hope it didnt' loose setup again. The K7S5A is coming out and picking up another Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe later today. Sucks, I had the thermal fans from the dual back 80mm fan thermal sensors on CPU heatsink and side door 120mm fan sensor on top 250 processor, all the cabling tied off neat etc to. Thought Server was ready for SageTV software install but back to hardware after discovering the CMOS quirk...