Would a Dell PowerEdge T30 Mini Server work for BI

[alwayson]

Hello,

Sorry for the bother, I am trying to rapidly decide what hardware to get to manage about 25 cameras using Blue Iris (BI).

I asked about getting a Desktop in another thread, but am wondering, if something like this would be suitable as well:

This does however lack an OPERATING SYSTEM, not sure if this would be an issue...I am not a programmer, but I presume I can add an OS or equivalent?

Price is about $350 (US Dollars)

Dell PowerEdge T30 Mini Server: Intel Xeon E3-1225, 1TB HDD

Processor
Intel® Xeon® E3-1225 v5 3.3G, 8M cache, 4C/4T, turbo (80W)
Operating System
No Operating System
Memoryi
8GB UDIMM, 2400MT/s, Single Rank, x8 Data Width
Hard Drive
1TB 7.2K RPM SATA 6Gbps Entry 3.5in Cabled Hard Drive
Base
PowerEdge T30 Server
Warrantyi
1Yr Basic Hardware Warranty Repair: 5x10 HW-Only, 5x10 NBD Parts
Optical Drive
DVD+/-RW SATA Internal
Dimensions
Height: 14.17 inch / 359.9mm
Width : 6.89 inch / 175mm
Depth : 17.12 inch / 434.85mm
Ports
10x USB, 1 microphone, 1x headphone, PS2, Displayport, HDMI, RJ45, serial, audio in, audio out
Chassis
Mini tower
Availability
Error Correction Code (ECC) memory
Software RAID
Power
290W
RAID Controllers
Software RAID: Intel Rapid Storage Controller 12.0 (supports SATA 6Gb/s or SATA 3Gb/s)
Chipset
Intel C236
Storage
Up to 6 total SATA HDDs (4 x 3.5” SATA HDD + 2 additional 2.5” SATA HDD (w/ expansion kit and optional controller card)

Optical bay: Internal DVD+/-RW (standard on Intel Xeon configuration, optional on Intel Pentium configuration)
Slots
4 slots:
1 PCIe x16 3.0
1 PCIe x16 3.0 (x4 speed)
1 PCIe x4 3.0
1 PCI

Network Controller
Intel I219-LM Gigabit Ethernet LAN 10/100/1000 1-port
Management
Intel AMT 11.0 (supported on Intel Xeon config)
Intel Standard Manageability (supported on Pentium config)
Regulatory

 

[fenderman]

No, you want an i7 equiv....6-8th gen..

 

[Dr.Zeuss]

Hi FenderMan. You helped my buddy hksone with his setup. I just bought this today because I couldn’t find anything good on dell outlet like you recommended. I’ll prob be doing BI with 6-8 cameras. What are your thoughts?
Acer Desktop Computer Aspire ATC-780A-UR12 Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7400 (3.00 GHz) 8 GB DDR4 1 TB HDD Intel HD Graphics 630 Windows 10 Home 64-Bit - Newegg.com

Thanks in Advance

 

[fenderman]

Hi FenderMan. You helped my buddy hksone with his setup. I just bought this today because I couldn’t find anything good on dell outlet like you recommended. I’ll prob be doing BI with 6-8 cameras. What are your thoughts?
Acer Desktop Computer Aspire ATC-780A-UR12 Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7400 (3.00 GHz) 8 GB DDR4 1 TB HDD Intel HD Graphics 630 Windows 10 Home 64-Bit - Newegg.com

Thanks in Advance

it will work, note that system only has 2 sata connections...so if you add ssd, you will have to disconnect the dvd drive...
it also has windows home vs pro......

 

[Dr.Zeuss]

it will work, note that system only has 2 sata connections...so if you add ssd, you will have to disconnect the dvd drive...
it also has windows home vs pro......

Dam it. I didn’t think of that of Windows home. Any drawbacks with that? I don’t see why I would use the dvd drive.

Thanks again!

 

[fenderman]

Dam it. I didn’t think of that of Windows home. Any drawbacks with that? I don’t see why I would use the dvd drive.

Thanks again!

some more options with deferring updates and windows remote desktop....

 

[alwayson]

Thank you @fenderman I will continue to look for a reasonably/competitively priced i7

All leads are welcomed...thank you

 

[twiztidicp420]

The E3-1225 v5 proc is listed on the link below so it should support the hardware acceleration. The Server you listed is priced around the same price as the I7 6-8th gen equiv PCs and has up to 6 sata drives so seems decent to me.
Intel® Product Specification Advanced Search

@fenderman Can you elaborate on why the an i7 6th gen would be better than the xeon?

 

[Enrique]

some more options with deferring updates and windows remote desktop....

One other difference I ran into is that the Pro version of the OS has better encryption features in PowerShell which comes into play when creating certificates and keys. I'll try to find the link for refernce but I can confirm that creating keys/certificates using PowerShell is harder in the Home version.

 

[alwayson]

Hello and Happy New Year to all of you!

I am still looking for a computer system or equivalent to run Blue Iris (BI) with about 25 cameras at my home/home office.

I will keep that computer/hardware exclusively for Blue Iris (BI) so I want something that is affordable, as I just need it for that use.

I was made aware of a deal on a

Dell PowerEdge T30 Mini Server: Intel Xeon E3-1225, 1TB HDD

The basic specs are:

• Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
• Intel HD Graphics P530 (onboard)
• 8GB 2400 MT/s DDR4 RAM (ECC)
• 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive
• DVD+/-RW Internal Drive
• 290W Power Supply
• No Operating System
• Ports:
  • 6x USB 3.0 (2x Front, 4x Rear)
  • 6x USB 2.0 (2x Front, 4x Rear)
  • 1x Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)

The full specs are here:

goo.gl/DMMoy1

For about $300 plus taxes, new.

I understand I may need to upgrade the HDD, and add/upgrade some other hardware and get a OS, but, apart from that, would it be suitable to run and manage Blue Iris (BI)?

I would rather opt for this than get a used desktop online for $500 or so.

Please advise.

Thanks

 

[bp2008]

Someone has submitted performance data for an E3-1225 v5 on the BiUpdateHelper site. Find it and click on its row in the table to see full details: Blue Iris Update Helper

Now, this guy's system is running really high CPU usage with 27 cameras (averaging 1.9 megapixels) at really low frame rates. It might be suffering from the infamous Quick Sync Video (hardware acceleration) memory leak, since memory usage is also higher than I would expect for that load. It should be performing better than that. Regardless, I think it would be a struggle to get really good frame rates (15 FPS) with 25 cameras (assuming average of 2 megapixel resolution) with that CPU. E3-1225 v5 is Skylake architecture (6th gen), equivalent to an i5-6xxx.

On ebay I've been able to find used 4th-gen i7 systems with 8 GB of ram, 500gb or 1TB HDDs, with Windows preinstalled/licensed, for prices at or just above $300. A 4th gen i7 is significantly more capable than a 6th gen i5. The benefit of a 6th gen CPU is that if Blue Iris ever implements H.265 hardware acceleration, it will be supported on 6th gen and newer CPUs only, but for now that isn't a major concern. H.264 isn't going away any time soon.

 

[alwayson]

Thank you @bp2008 are you able to share any ebay links you have where you have seen these prices?

I know there are hundreds of options on ebay, the hard part is trying to find the legitimate listings.

I will appreciate any help you can provide.

Thanks

 

[bp2008]

This looks like a good one: Dell Optiplex 9020 PC Desktop i7-4790 3.6GHz 8GB 500GB HDD Windows 10 Pro | eBay

 

[bp2008]

This could also be okay. HP ProDesk 400 G1 - Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz-8GB RAM-1TB HDD-DVD-RW | eBay

Says it has a Win7 key but it isn't installed. Last I checked, you can install Win10 with keys from 7 and 8 and it treats it like a free upgrade. I have no idea how long before that gets shut down, but as long as it works it does help speed up the process of installing the OS.

 

[jockovonred]

...
On ebay I've been able to find used 4th-gen i7 systems with 8 GB of ram, 500gb or 1TB HDDs, with Windows preinstalled/licensed, for prices at or just above $300. A 4th gen i7 is significantly more capable than a 6th gen i5. The benefit of a 6th gen CPU is that if Blue Iris ever implements H.265 hardware acceleration, it will be supported on 6th gen and newer CPUs only, but for now that isn't a major concern. H.264 isn't going away any time soon.

Can you let me know if the details below would be good for Blue Iris running about 4-6 cameras?
Price is $310 shipped with reinstall disc

Specifications:

• HP Elitedesk 800 G1
• Small Form Factor
• CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 4th Gen @ 3.4GHz Quad Core
• RAM: 16GB
• HDD: 500GB
• OS: Windows 10 Professional 64 Bit

I'm guessing this is good but only has 30 day return/warranty.

Could I get your thoughts on it?

 

[alwayson]

Than you @bp2008 this looks like a reasonable unit and it has a one year warranty.

My concern is that it has no HDMI ports...I want to connect the tower to 1-2 HDMI inputs i.e. monitors

I presume there are USB TO HDM adaptors...do they work ok?

Or I can keep looking for something with HDMI inputs.

This looks like a good one: Dell Optiplex 9020 PC Desktop i7-4790 3.6GHz 8GB 500GB HDD Windows 10 Pro | eBay

 

[fenderman]

Than you @bp2008 this looks like a reasonable unit and it has a one year warranty.

My concern is that it has no HDMI ports...I want to connect the tower to 1-2 HDMI inputs i.e. monitors

I presume there are USB TO HDM adaptors...do they work ok?

Or I can keep looking for something with HDMI inputs.

never use usb to hdmi....just buy an Display port to hdmi cable or adapter...easy.,,i would suggest a tower model so you have a bit more room.

 

[jockovonred]

Which would be better?

HP Elitedesk 800 G1 SFF i7 4770 3.4GHz 16GB RAM 500GB HDD Windows 10 Pro
or
Dell Optiplex 9020 PC Desktop i7-4790 3.6GHz 8GB 500GB HDD Windows 10 Pro

(Referencing above links)

Main difference I see is one has more memory. Is more memory better for blue iris or the slightly faster CPU?

Anyone?

 

[jockovonred]

Which would be better?

Is more memory better for blue iris or the slightly faster CPU?

 

[looney2ns]

Is more memory better for blue iris or the slightly faster CPU?

Blue iris and CPU consumption as it relates to memory usage