Hello,

 

I'm wanting to start building and I found this http://www.ebay.com/itm/150750496815?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649.

 

I mainly want to use it to share files to 2 xbmc boxes and run couch potato, sickbeard, and sab. Will this be able to transcode videos?

 

Will adding the second processor be worthwhile?

 

Thanks

It should.

 

You wont know 100% until you get it and test it out.

 

AS far as transcoding, XBMC needs no transcoding. for the other apps, it will do fine..

 

That said. be warned..

 

this is an enterprise type server, it will sound like a jet engine in your house. there is no real way to mod this to be quieter.

 

It will also consume more electricity then a modern server.

it is PCIx. sort of dead technology, but it looks like everything is included..

 

for a garage or basement based server. it is a pretty good deal. that was probably a $3K server when new.

I am very tempted to get one and put it in my basement for backups only... but i cant justify another rackmount server.

There were several people on Lime Tech who bought this server already, and apparently they made it work.  I can't find the post for it though.  Try doing a search, and may be you can find it.

 

I wanted to the same as you, but I built my own instead.  I didn't want to take a chance on buying something used and not work.  It's better to buy new and if it doesn't work you can return it.  Furthermore, a lot of older technology becomes expensive to use since it is hard to find parts for it.

There were several people on Lime Tech who bought this server already, and apparently they made it work.  I can't find the post for it though.  Try doing a search, and may be you can find it.

 

I wanted to the same as you, but I built my own instead.  I didn't want to take a chance on buying something used and not work.  It's better to buy new and if it doesn't work you can return it.  Furthermore, a lot of older technology becomes expensive to use since it is hard to find parts for it.

 

the ones they bought were AMD based. This one is Intel based so the board is different. Those were from the same guy and they all had good customer experience.

 

 

There were several people on Lime Tech who bought this server already, and apparently they made it work.  I can't find the post for it though.  Try doing a search, and may be you can find it.

 

I wanted to the same as you, but I built my own instead.  I didn't want to take a chance on buying something used and not work.  It's better to buy new and if it doesn't work you can return it.  Furthermore, a lot of older technology becomes expensive to use since it is hard to find parts for it.

 

the ones they bought were AMD based. This one is Intel based so the board is different. Those were from the same guy and they all had good customer experience.

 

That's good to know.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

I went ahead and bought this, I guess I'll find out soon enough if everything works. I can always upgrade the mother board latter.

 

I know that xbmc won't need transcodeing but we also have a ipad and a ps3. I was just thinking that it might be something I want to try if the hardware can handle it.

 

The same seller also has matching Intel 5160 processors for $20, would this be worth getting?

Thanks for your thoughts.

You're welcome

 

I went ahead and bought this, I guess I'll find out soon enough if everything works. I can always upgrade the mother board latter.

Cool, let us know how it works out.

 

I know that xbmc won't need transcodeing but we also have a ipad and a ps3. I was just thinking that it might be something I want to try if the hardware can handle it.

2GHZ dual core Xeon "should" be able to transcode.

 

The same seller also has matching Intel 5160 processors for $20, would this be worth getting?

That's a tough call, that adds  quite a bit of power consumption.

also, unraid only uses 1 core. the addons you run should be able to use additional cores.

I guess $20 is worth it, even if you dont install it. you will need a CPU cooler if it is not included.

I have seen matched sets of LGA771 Quadcore CPU's for as low as $50 for the set on ebay recently. you might be able to really beef it up if you wanted