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[tyler69]

I am looking into building a new server and it shall run MC server on it. However, I am not sure what CPU to get (probably a Xeon with a iGPU though). I am interested in DLNA, convolution, bitstreaming, madVR, transcoding.

What does MC benefit (more) from in a CPU? Frequency, cores, threads? Anything else?
What functionalities benefit from what feature (e.g. the more threads a CPU offers, the "better" does convolution work)?
What are developments by JRiver that will make more use of cores or threads or frequency?

Thanks.

[Manfred]

- To push audio latency to a minimum (single thread performance, high CPU frequency) | I have < 25 ms latency, not lipsync problems per default
- To analyze a large number of audio files (multi thread, multi core)
- Update metadata for a  large number of audio files (multi thread, multi core)
- For video, specially 4k (my experience) a decent NVIDIA GPU is better (I have no more than 15% CPU utilization during all type of video playback; i3-6100/GTX 960)
- Streaming audio/video to multiple users (multi thread, multi core)
- Video transcoding (single thread, multi thread, multi core)

In the mean time I have a MC Server with i3-7100 and 16 GB ECC RAM, no GPU and an iKVM for remote Management and a MC based Media renderer with  i3-6100/GTX 960 and Sotm-txUSB +ifi iPower as audio interface.

[tyler69]

Thanks Manfred.
What do you mean by "single thread, multi thread" with regard to video transcoding?

Is there a max. number of threads/cores MC can utilize (for convolution, resampling audio, streaming video/audio)?
I remember reading somewhere that DSD encoding is single threaded, but I am not sure.

[Awesome Donkey]

Look at the benchmarks for various CPUs, the single-threaded performance and the multi-threaded performance. Depending on the task, MC would benefit from higher single-threaded and multi-threaded performance along with higher base/turbo clock frequencies of the CPU.

However, I am not sure what CPU to get (probably a Xeon with a iGPU though).

Terrible idea if you want to get the most out of madVR. An iGPU is simply not powerful enough, especially if you plan on doing 4K with madVR. Plus you don't need a Xeon CPU either as a 4 to 6 cores (with 8 to 12 threads) CPU will be more than sufficient for your needs.

IMO, Intel 8700K CPU + Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti GPU would be the highest end performance-wise right now. Could probably get away with using a AMD Ryzen 2 CPU + at least GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 GPU if you're intending to do 4K with madVR.

[tyler69]

Thanks Awesome Donkey.
I am aware of the madVR utilization of the GPU. These questions are rather interesting for building a server to replace my NAS. I want to store media files but also run MC server on it so that I do not need to turn on my HTPC (which has a GTX 1050Ti) everytime I want to listen to music (requirement from by significant other). Ideally with convolution filters. I realize there is a energy usage vs. performance tradeoff with regard to the CPU. Hence my questions.

The iGPU would "only" be needed to stream/transcode movies (I remember Hendrik saying that JRiver is looking into utilizing the GPU during transcoding, but did not hear any news with regard to this. It would be interesting to know if this development also involves integrated GPUs). However, I anticipate this to be mostly used for listening to music.
For "critical watching" I'd turn on my HTPC which is connected to a Projector (and would connect to the server's MC library via ethernet). Still unsure though on the setup as I am currently also looking for ethernet based DACs (would be connected to the server). Latency when watching movies comes to my mind though when thinking about this setup, but haven't put to much thought into it yet (I see this can be compensated within MC). At least that are my thoughts as of now. Decisions, decisions

[mattkhan]

Are you intending your server to be a Windows box?

You can also do it the other way around, have the server serve the HT and stick a relatively low power box nearby for music only use.

[tyler69]

Yes, it shall be windows based since that offers the greatest compatibility (also with regard to MC features). I was thinking about your suggestion, however, then I'd need to run HDMI from the server to the projector, which is possible now but might become an issue in the future (might move some time soon). Next thing is the energy costs: In addition to the CPU, a dGPU in the server would probably add up quite a lot.

[Sapagrino]

I’ve referred to this thread often, as I look to customize and buy a PC online to use for MC, Roon and Sonos Desktop.  So, can I ask what you went with and how you like it?

I’d like to pull the trigger on an online purchase tonight from the likes of CyberPC, Alienware, etc.  The gamer vendors seem to have similar priorities as you’d want if you intended to take full advantage of MC’s multi-channel, multizone, audio and video capabilities. I’ll probably start a new forum thread to get help fine tuning what I’ll take a shot at on their sites.  Hoping I can keep closer to $1,600 than $3,200!  I’d love to hear where and how you made the tough calls on price vs. performance, if you have the time.  Thank you!

[tyler69]

I have not yet pulled the trigger on any hardware. In the past weeks, I evaluated Roon, which might have an influence on the decision. I only have a stereo setup with convolution btw.. I think <=$1000 should suffice for new hardware, no?!