Need new computer for Blue Iris v4

[Rodman2185]

Hi. I'm looking to replace my dedicated Blue Iris 4 machine as I've added several new high-def cameras. It's an HP desktop with a AMD Athlon II X4 635 processor @ 2.90 GHz. I'm looking at the following machines and would like input on the best way to go. Cost is a consideration. I would probably be upgrading the OS to Windows 10.

Dell Optiplex desktop, i7-3770, 3.4 GHz 8GB memory, 1 TB drive, Windows 7 Pro $505 used but like new.
Dell Inspirion 3000 desktop, i5-4440, 3.1 GHz, 8GB ram, 1 TB drive, Windows 8.1 $403 new open box.

My cameras are 4 Reolink 4 MP domes set at 10 fps and 2560x1440, 2 IPC cameras 1.3 MP set at 10 fps and 1280x720 and one HIKvision 3 MP dome set at 10 fps and 1920x1080. All are recording direct to disk.

I know the i7 machine is more powerful, but do I need to spend the extra $102 or will the i5 be OK.

Thanks

 

[fenderman]

Hi. I'm looking to replace my dedicated Blue Iris 4 machine as I've added several new high-def cameras. It's an HP desktop with a AMD Athlon II X4 635 processor @ 2.90 GHz. I'm looking at the following machines and would like input on the best way to go. Cost is a consideration. I would probably be upgrading the OS to Windows 10.

Dell Optiplex desktop, i7-3770, 3.4 GHz 8GB memory, 1 TB drive, Windows 7 Pro $505 used but like new.
Dell Inspirion 3000 desktop, i5-4440, 3.1 GHz, 8GB ram, 1 TB drive, Windows 8.1 $403 new open box.

My cameras are 4 Reolink 4 MP domes set at 10 fps and 2560x1440, 2 IPC cameras 1.3 MP set at 10 fps and 1280x720 and one HIKvision 3 MP dome set at 10 fps and 1920x1080. All are recording direct to disk.

I know the i7 machine is more powerful, but do I need to spend the extra $102 or will the i5 be OK.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum. You are being overcharged for both of those systems...the dell optiplex 7020/9020 i7-4790 haswell fourth generation machines are about 500 with full 3 year next business day warranty from the dell outlet. The i5's are about 350 or so. They have a sale once or twice a month. The i7 you listed is quite possibly 3 years old...The dell systems are practically new.
How much cpu is your current machines using?
If you are going to go with an i5 and a home type machines like the inspiron, look at this new model from asus, with the latest skylake i5-6400 processor - only 429. Has improved integrated graphics.
http://www.amazon.com/M32CD-Desktop-Windows-Keyboard-Mouse/dp/B014QVM2KO/ref=sr_1_4?tag=slickdeals&ascsubtag=f590de246eee11e58835466a4853223d0000&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1444327482&sr=1-4&refinements=p_6:ATVPDKIKX0DER,p_n_condition-type:2224371011,p_n_feature_four_browse-bin:2289793011

 

[Rodman2185]

Thanks for the advice. I've looked at the Dell outlet site, but nothing currently under about $600+ for an Optiplex i7 system. I guess I need to check their site daily until I see their sale. I will look at the Asus system, but I do prefer a Dell.

 

[fenderman]

Thanks for the advice. I've looked at the Dell outlet site, but nothing currently under about $600+ for an Optiplex i7 system. I guess I need to check their site daily until I see their sale. I will look at the Asus system, but I do prefer a Dell.

Follow the outlet twitter feed...by the time you manually check it can be too late. You can also setup an alert via slickdeals.com

 

[Rodman2185]

Fenderman -Just reread your post and a forgot to answer you on current CPU usage - usually around 80%. I'm also thinking about re-purposing a windows home server 2011 box I built two years ago. It has a ECS H61H2-I3. It's got 8 megs ram and an ssd and stata drives. I tried loading BI on it and it will load and run, but the Pentium G2030 processor is not up to handling BI and would need to be replaced with an LGA 1155 socket processor I5 or I7 3rd gen (pretty much only available on ebay for about $175 and up depending on model. Also to go to Windows 10 would require purchasing a new copy of Windows 7. Looks to be cheaper to go with a new machine. The Asus machine you linked to looks to be capable of running BI smoothly and the price is right. I haven't done much research on the Intel Skylake processor yet, but do you think this would be a good replacement with some room for additional cameras down the road?

 

[fenderman]

The asus is has got at least double the processing power than you current system. So it would be just fine with some extra headroom.

 

[JDWX]

I did the twitter feed from Dell, they are seriously blowing up my phone. Act fast if you like one, I have debated on several machines and poof, gone in minutes.

 

[Q™]

I'd suggest you follow Fenderman's advice to the letter. But please be careful: BI overheated my CPU and my poor little Oggey died from heat stroke. </sniff>

 

[Rodman2185]

I'm going to use a SFF case that I was previously using for a WHS 2001 server. It has an 120 GB SSD boot drive and a 1.5TB drive for data, 8 GB RAM and currently a Pentium G2030 dual core processor. I have BI running on it with cpu utilization at about 60% with the BI control panel open and about 45% with it minimized. BI runs great on the WHS 2011 OS as opposed to the Windows 10 PC I previously used. I'm replacing the G2030 cpu in there now with an Intel I5-3750 four core cpu that should give me a good performance boost. I should have the new processor in a few days. Much cheaper than buying a new PC if it works out.

 

[0658]

I wanted to give you my limited experience with BI-4, cameras, Cpu's and cooling. Always have more CPU than you think you will ever need as additional and upgraded cameras always seem to appear.

Cooling is important, I have an H100 Corsair liquid cooler with lots of fans. I have never had even the remotest issue concerning cooling.

I have 31 MP of cameras. I knew I was going to add cameras so I have a Hexa (6) core Intel Cpu with 32 GB of Ram. As an example of CPU usage, my computer with all cameras running idles between 40-50%. Typically it is around 45% which is plenty of extra room to use the computer for just about anything else. I realize that cost is a consideration but sometimes it is important to get enough power the first time around.

I built, a dedicated fast I-7, four core computer to use as a dedicated BI computer but found I did not need it, my current computer is more than fast enough for the cameras and BI.

 

[MartyO]

Cool computer in more than one way, 32 GB of Ram, does it get used???

 

[JDWX]

If I might ask a quick question without derailing much.... Seems the thread's question may be answered....



Fenderman, been looking for a cheaper way than 5 bils, I found this for 200 or so from a local kid, "Dell Optiplex 390 i5 6GB DDR3 320GB HDD 750GTX Nvidia 1GB GDDR5"

Your thoughts? Only running 4 1 and 2 mp cams now, but plan several more 3+mp Capable?

This is basicially it, I would guess... http://www.amazon.com/OptiPlex-390-Genuine-Professional-Computer/dp/B00NVMLEIG

 

[fenderman]

If I might ask a quick question without derailing much.... Seems the thread's question may be answered....



Fenderman, been looking for a cheaper way than 5 bils, I found this for 200 or so from a local kid, "Dell Optiplex 390 i5 6GB DDR3 320GB HDD 750GTX Nvidia 1GB GDDR5"

Your thoughts? Only running 4 1 and 2 mp cams now, but plan several more 3+mp Capable?

This is basicially it, I would guess... http://www.amazon.com/OptiPlex-390-Genuine-Professional-Computer/dp/B00NVMLEIG

I would not buy that for 200. Its a first /second gen system that has been around for 4 years...the system is likely a tower because of the size of the video card...
Buy this instead for an extra hundred, well worth it, http://www.ebay.com/itm/111799465949
I have purchased from this guy before...hes legit.

 

[JDWX]

Exactly what I need to know, thank you very much.

Would I be better served jumping up into the 400-500 (I7) range? or would what you mentioned be adequate for what I was speaking of and general Blue Iris-ness?

 

[fenderman]

Exactly what I need to know, thank you very much.

Would I be better served jumping up into the 400-500 (I7) range? or would what you mentioned be adequate for what I was speaking of and general Blue Iris-ness?

That system will be fine for up to 15-20MP or so...Honestly, i would wait until the hardware acceleration is released and we know how much it benefits the systems...it should be out soon...
For example this i5-6400 has the new skylake with improved integrated graphics, and is only 429 (see amazon as the seller on the right, temp out of stock, but they will get it soon)...
http://www.amazon.com/M32CD-Desktop-Windows-Keyboard-Mouse/dp/B014QVM2KO/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1445469198&sr=1-1&keywords=asus+i5-6400
Its not a business machines, but still decent for the price.
But if you need something now, go with the 300 dollar hp...you cant really go wrong...
if you have a legit copy of windows this is another option for 284
http://deals.ebay.com/5002322471_Lenovo_ThinkServer_TS140_Tower_Server_System_Intel_Xeon_E3_1225_v3_3_2GHz_4GB_PC?customid=91a36bec784a11e5a668bac357c990e30000&pub=5574652453&campid=5335869999&afepn=5335869999&icep_id=117&ipn=icep&afepn=5335869999&rmvSB=true

 

[JDWX]

Excellent info, appreciated.

I'm running an ancient Dual Core AMD 4600 Athlon 64 2.41ghz Was fine on three cams, but it's suddenly coughing a lung since I added one of those $25 cams the other day haha... That thing is eating CPU or an update whacked something. I can kinda wait, I'm poor and have just been looking for a steal. That's how I roll, eventually a deal comes along.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Rodman2185]

Just thought I'd post a followup on which route I went. In post #5 I described my current WHS2011 box with the Pentium G2030 processor. I replaced that with an I5-3750K I picked up on ebay and with doing nothing else to the system I went from around 60% CPU usage down to around 26% with the control panel open. I'm running three 4MP cameras, one 3MP camera and two 1.5MP cameras all at max resolution and about 10-12 fps. Significant improvement with only a CPU swap.

 

[CDAPete]

Hey guys, I am very new to this world of NVR, IP cams, etc. I have had plenty of old-school DRVs over the years but just made the switch and immediately got burned after buying a brand new AvertX 16 channel NVR only to learn that the features (or lack there of) absolutely suck! Here's one: Email notification on motion alert... on ALL of the cameras or NONE of the cameras, not just the ones you choose. Can you imagine?

I am willing to jump in with both feet and buy a new PC (or refurbed) PC and a copy of Blue Iris but i am just not clear exactly what the demands would be for an 8-12 camera setup. At the moment I have FIVE 4MP bullet cams, and Five or SIX more 2-3 MP mini dome cams. So that would be around 32+ MP that would need to run smoothly. My goal would be to find a machine that has plenty of headroom so as not to be running it to the max. I would also very much like to have my video recorded to an NAS drive in a remote location (more work for a thief to find). Is Blue Iris a practical way to go? I don't want to be a slave to a buggy system or software. Can anyone tell me what might be a good PC to consider for under a grand? I'm very grateful for any info you can share to get me off to a good start. Thanks!

 

[fenderman]

Hey guys, I am very new to this world of NVR, IP cams, etc. I have had plenty of old-school DRVs over the years but just made the switch and immediately got burned after buying a brand new AvertX 16 channel NVR only to learn that the features (or lack there of) absolutely suck! Here's one: Email notification on motion alert... on ALL of the cameras or NONE of the cameras, not just the ones you choose. Can you imagine?

I am willing to jump in with both feet and buy a new PC (or refurbed) PC and a copy of Blue Iris but i am just not clear exactly what the demands would be for an 8-12 camera setup. At the moment I have FIVE 4MP bullet cams, and Five or SIX more 2-3 MP mini dome cams. So that would be around 32+ MP that would need to run smoothly. My goal would be to find a machine that has plenty of headroom so as not to be running it to the max. I would also very much like to have my video recorded to an NAS drive in a remote location (more work for a thief to find). Is Blue Iris a practical way to go? I don't want to be a slave to a buggy system or software. Can anyone tell me what might be a good PC to consider for under a grand? I'm very grateful for any info you can share to get me off to a good start. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum...get a dell optiplex 7020/9020 i7-4790 when on sale at the outlet..they can be had for under..if you cant wait you can get them for 600 on ebay. Get 8gb of ram.
Blue iris is fantastic.

 

[CDAPete]

Hey Fenderman: Many thanks for this incredibly speedy reply to my very first post. I was actually just looking at those but they are $850-950 on the Dell site. Glad to hear that BI is working well for you. I will check out the Dell outlet (as I have before) and see if something jumps out at me. By the way, I have my original 61' Strat sitting right here next to me (just in case you are THAT kind of Fenderman