As I recall, the problem revolved around how the system was allocating CPU slices (and their number of CPU cycles) so that Docker and VM performance was better.  This reallocation of resources was not a problem for CPU's with moderate processing power but it was an issue for some low end CPU's being unable to supply data fast enough for high bit video playback.   RealTek NIC's were identified as being the problem child in the cases that I was familiar with at the time.  But I suspect the problem appeared to related to that brand of NIC only because they are the principal supplier of NIC's  to the manufacturers of cheaper motherboards.

Interesting. I had one playback issue yesterday on a low res file (using Emby the playback just stopped and it returned to the Movie info page), whilst 1080 bluray rips played with no issue or stutter. Might be a file issue on that one, will keep an eye out but it was a minute issue compared to what I was experiencing using the RealTek NIC. I'll take a look at unraid and Emby logfiles to see if I can find any info on the incident.

Example: A Celeron D 352 with 3,2GHz (S-775) has around 350 Passmark Points - no surprise that "something" is stuttering, when the CPU must also handle your NIC-Traffic

Try to get an C2D-E8400 or E8600 (2200-2600 Passmark Points) or an old Q9550 (4400 PMPs)

Edited May 23, 20179 yr by Zonediver

13 minutes ago, Zonediver said:

Example: A Celeron D 352 with 3,2GHz (S-775) has around 350 Passmark Points - no surprise that "something" is stuttering, when the CPU must also handle your NIC-Traffic

Try to get an C2D-E8400 or E8600 (2200-2600 Passmark Points) or an old Q9550 (4400 PMPs)

Thats funny because when I built my first unraid key server in 2006, I was running an even lower spec processor and memory and I had no stutter issues. Tom was clearly stating that it was pointless to install a more powerful processor a more memory, back then for pure network streaming of files. Oh well. You live and you learn I guess....Always put as much power as your wallet can afford when you buy... 

Thats right - for pure streaming only its ok, but the passmark of this Celeron is really weak - IMO

And remember: unRAID v6 needs more power then the previous versions.

Edited May 23, 20179 yr by Zonediver

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Processors/Intel-Processor-Pentium-E6800-3-33-LGA775-Socket/B0040YA0LG

9 minutes ago, gnollo said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Processors/Intel-Processor-Pentium-E6800-3-33-LGA775-Socket/B0040YA0LG

 

Much better - generates around 2100 PMPs - 7x faster then the Celeron

And has only 65W (Celeron D has 73W)

 

EDIT: This one is also nice but has 95W and around 4400 PMPs

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Computers-Accessories/Intel-Proccessor-1333MHz-Socket-LGA775-Warranty-Retail/B0012WDMNC/ref=pd_day0_107_6/260-3757664-2221800?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9GNPFMJQ1ZAXE1Z0WMN8

Edited May 23, 20179 yr by Zonediver

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-G33-DS3R.html#cs

According to the site above, the Q9550 is compatible, which is great. Now I have never bought a second hand component for a PC... Would you chance it? I'm guessing that if it's faulty Amazon would take it back like they do for all other purchases?

 

3 hours ago, gnollo said:

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-G33-DS3R.html#cs

According to the site above, the Q9550 is compatible, which is great. Now I have never bought a second hand component for a PC... Would you chance it? I'm guessing that if it's faulty Amazon would take it back like they do for all other purchases?

 

 

I bought several CPUs second hand in the past (2x Q9550, 1x i5-3470s)

IMPORTANT: When you get it, check, if all Capacitors and other SMD-Parts on the bottom side of the CPU are there. If not, send it back.

Edited May 23, 20179 yr by Zonediver

I purchased a second-hand CPU off of Ebay a couple of years ago.  No Problems--- but I carefully vetted the Seller beforehand, determined that the seller had a lot of good reviews and no negative issues that would indicate any unfair customer treatment.  You might want to contact the vendor and inquire how the CPU is 'packaged' and what are his return policies. 

Thanks, One of the two options has 555 reviews on Amazon, 99% positive. They state: "Component Only . Not Boxed . No Accessories", I am assuming that it would come with the fan right? I have also emailed the seller with the same question.

14 minutes ago, gnollo said:

Thanks, One of the two options has 555 reviews on Amazon, 99% positive. They state: "Component Only . Not Boxed . No Accessories", I am assuming that it would come with the fan right? I have also emailed the seller with the same question.

I would suggest actually reading the most recent reviews and pay close attention to the ones with negative comments.  Look for positive ones where the vendor and customers had actual interaction.  Most used CPU's come without fans. 

 

And be careful, price out what a new MB, RAM, and CPU would cost you.  I replaced these in my servers late last year (spec's below) and early this year for about $250US. You don't want to drop too much in upgrading CPU when you may be forced to replace everything when the MB craps out in the near future.

 

EDIT:  I got my upgrade for around $20 and then found out the system still didn't have the CPU horsepower to do the job.  I don't think a performance boast from a multi-core CPU necessary buys you much if you are not getting a boast in Passmarks per core. 

Edited May 23, 20179 yr by Frank1940

Thanks for your help guys, food for thought. I am gonna continue testing and if the problem becomes unbearable I will have to choose between network card or CPU replacement. At roughly the same price, my gut instinct says buy CPU, as it seems to me that the bottleneck here is CPU based, I am only fixing this by putting some processing in the network card. One day I might decide to use the server for more than passing files via the network card, and I will then still have a CPU bottleneck.

...good idea - but kill this crappy Celeron

1 hour ago, Zonediver said:

...good idea - but kill this crappy Celeron

Got the memo Zonediver. The CPU does not come with the fan, so I am thinking of this option

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Master-Hyper-RR-212E-16PK-R1-Heatpipe/dp/B0068OI7T8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495551109&sr=8-1&keywords=coolermaster+hyper+212+evo

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0012WDMNC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I installed this processor on my gigabyte, fans spinning power on but no vga output or any other signs of life.

anything to suggest before I put the celebrants back in?

 

You have to be on Bios Version F71+ for that CPU to work.

 

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-G33-DS3R-rev-1x#support-cpu

Damn. Is there a way to upgrade the BiOS without swapping the Celeron back?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Probably not

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

11 hours ago, gnollo said:

Damn. Is there a way to upgrade the BiOS without swapping the Celeron back?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 

 

No there is not because the BIOS doesnt recognise the new CPU

Well, I tried one more time and I was able to upgrade the bios as I was able to see the gigabyte bios splash screen and the various options.
I had to tell the bios again to select the USB as booting device and voila, back in business


Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Before the upgrade...

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

During...

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

After...

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Tested playing a bluray ripped to the server and cpu usage is 4% now vs 100% before.
The server is actually quieter now, it will be interesting to see if performance and temps improve for parity checks too (my hard disks get quite hot without placing a fan in front of the server and the Norco SS case fans become quite noisy, I replaced the stock ones with Coolink SWiF2-12P)



Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk