Value of Hardware Acceleration in New Build

[bpbenich 10]

I'm in the process of planning a new build. I'm going to be offloading Emby from my storage server and it's going to be strictly for transcoding, running Emby.

My questions and concerns come from hardware acceleration. For example, how would an Intel i9-9900k compare to a ThreadRipper 1920X? Could the hardware acceleration in the 9900k make up for the core count?

https://www.cpu-monkey.com/en/compare_cpu-amd_ryzen_threadripper_1920x-757-vs-intel_core_i9_9900k-890

Thoughts? @ Maybe your experience could be of some help. I know you have a 1920X.

 

Also, if I were to go with a ThreadRipper or any processor for that matter, can I add a GPU that would provide significant benefit? If so, could you recommend a couple?

 

Thanks!

Edited December 9, 2018 by bpbenich

[Luke 42077]

I think @ has some threadripper experience he may be able to comment about.

[Guest asrequested]

The first thing to remember is that software transcoding provides the highest quality as there are far more options, available. So in our case, we are pretty much only talking about video transcoding. Hardware acceleration gives you only one option....use it or not. And you have no control over how or what it does. Intel are more designed for single core processing, whereas Threadripper functions better with multi-core processing. Mine handles anything I throw at it without breaking a sweat....every time. 

 

Here's Linus talking about the i9

 

[CBers 7450]

it's going to be strictly for transcoding

Why?

 

Loads of people build super computers to run Emby for transcoding, but people never give reasons why they (think they) will be transcoding.

 

If you have remote users, then fair enough sort of, but if for your own use, why?

[Guest asrequested]

Why?

 

Loads of people build super computers to run Emby for transcoding, but people never give reasons why they (think they) will be transcoding.

 

If you have remote users, then fair enough sort of, but if for your own use, why?

 

One thing to consider, is that when I'm away from home and I want to watch something, I need to be able to transcode them as I don't know what bandwidth I'm going to have. So this way, I'm prepared for anything.

[bpbenich 10]

Why?

 

Loads of people build super computers to run Emby for transcoding, but people never give reasons why they (think they) will be transcoding.

 

If you have remote users, then fair enough sort of, but if for your own use, why?

 

 

My servers are kept at a family member's home because they own their home and have FTTH and I rent and move, so technically it's all remote. And yes, I also have 'remote users' as I share my library with a few family members, some of which have low internet speeds.

I would also rather have a kickass transcoding machine, than to store multiple qualities of a single library item. I'd also like a system powerful enough to get me into and last me through the 4k-era.

Plus, I'm not into gaming or mining, so I have the money to spend on CPUs when I don't have to buy expensive graphics cards.