quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
I got into making videos for YouTube so I'd like to put together a workstation for audio recording and video editing. My questions are:

Since I already have a 1u rackmount server case from an unrelated project would it make sense to use that?
That form factor is fine if it works in your environment.

It's small form factor, will that make the accessories (power supply, memory, low profile cpu cooler,etc.) more expensive eliminating any cost saving of using what the case I already have?
It's possible the PS could be more expensive. They have to be smaller usually a SFF or flex.
What gets them expensive is if you need a larger one for a graphic card.
There in lies the problem of 1U > space.


Is an i5 enough or should I spring for an i7?
An I5 vs I7 is that the I7 uses HyperThreading aka more threads (#cores x 2).
If your application can benefit of multiple threads then yes go I7.


Will cramming everything into the 1u prove impractical?
Possibly if you need an advanced graphic card or other internal devices.


In other words should I just forget about the small case and get something larger?
If all you have is a 1U case then the savings is not much.
If you need to save space or mount in rack then plan your footprint accordingly.
I build a lot of ITX small form factor servers that do great for SMB clients.
Gamers on the other hand need a big box for graphics, power supplies and cooling.
FWIW, the new Intel Gen 9/10 CPUS are pretty powerful and can do a lot include the built in graphics.
Couple that with the new M2 NVme SSD drives they are really great performers.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
... Lastly, I recommend having an external backup solution. An 8TB USB drive is the value sweet spot these days I believe.

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
Hordes of machines in 1U cases do just fine and have for many years.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
Hordes of machines in 1U cases do just fine and have for many years.

sure but what I was wondering is will it be worth it to squeeze a video capable machine into a tiny case or will I end up spending more than if I just buy a new, larger case. I'd have to get very specific with a power supply and cpu cooler. I'd also have to spend loot on a PCIe extender for the video card.

quote:

Originally posted by snidera:

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:
Hordes of machines in 1U cases do just fine and have for many years.

sure but what I was wondering is will it be worth it to squeeze a video capable machine into a tiny case or will I end up spending more than if I just buy a new, larger case. I'd have to get very specific with a power supply and cpu cooler. I'd also have to spend loot on a PCIe extender for the video card.

Video card & power supply will be your limiting factor in 1U, I'd say. If you want a powerful video card, I'd say get an ATX size case & be done with it - you'll be spending enough on the GPU that a decent case won't be that big of a deal.
i5->i7 is a big jump with hyperthreading & H265 hardware encoding. For video compression (Handbrake H265 encoding) i7-7700k is almost 2x as fast as i5-6500 & i5-3something (I had them running side by side by side for 2-3 weeks smashing DVD rips ~5GB -> ~1GB)
For everything else I do, i5 is plenty, but I like the i7 for the media server (rip/encode with MakeMKV & Handbrake and/or re-encode on demand via Plex)

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
Any opinion on going with an AMD build. I've always used Intel. I've never even owned an off the shelf with an AMD.