Surface Pro 3 vs Synology DS1815+ for server

[GiGo 108]

It's come to my attention that when my DS1815+ tries to transcode 1080p x265 HEVC that it struggles to do this directly to my Roku Express, ie that if the NAS is doing much more than just transcoding it keeps buffering, instead of buying an upgraded Roku (only just got the Express and would seem a waste to retire it after 2 months). I have a Surface Pro 3 i7 sat in my Office doing very very little as I tend to use my Surface Pro 4 more and only use the SP3 for if I require more than one monitor and a proper mouse as it's in a dock.

Would the SP3 be better used as the Emby server rather than the DS1815+?

Just looking for a bit of input as I'm not sure if the i7 would be better for the more processor intensive tasks of transcoding. TIA.

[PenkethBoy 2068]

go online and check the passmark scores for the cpu's and compare - higher is better

also compare the single thread scores as emby server is mainly single thread although transcoding is multi thread

i suspect the i7 will be higher so better - NAS are usually low powered unless expensive high end soho versions

also the i7 is likley yo have a better igpu which you might be able to use if its a more modern model than the NAS

[GiGo 108]

Cheers for that seems the i7 should beat it hands down, will do some tests with a dumy server.

vs

[Carlo 4561]

Do you have an old desktop computer laying around?  If so dropping a recent Nvidia GPU in it would make a very good Emby Server as the GPU would handle nearly all your transcodes so the CPU would not be nearly as important. Not only would it transcode well but could do so for many simultaneous streams, even tone mapped HDR (soon coming to beta).

[GiGo 108]

6 minutes ago, cayars said:

Do you have an old desktop computer laying around?  If so dropping a recent Nvidia GPU in it would make a very good Emby Server as the GPU would handle nearly all your transcodes so the CPU would not be nearly as important. Not only would it transcode well but could do so for many simultaneous streams, even tone mapped HDR (soon coming to beta).

No unfortunatly I do not have any desktops anymore. The closet thing I have to a desktop is an i3 NUC, but I can't add a GPU you to that 

[Carlo 4561]

Depending on the NUC you can use an eGPU.
But that i3 NUC might support QuickSync which is a built in GPU on the CPU chip which might be a great upgrade.

What i3 NUC do you have?

[GiGo 108]

6 minutes ago, cayars said:

Depending on the NUC you can use an eGPU.
But that i3 NUC might support QuickSync which is a built in GPU on the CPU chip which might be a great upgrade.

What i3 NUC do you have?

I've just Googled USB GPU and it's come up with eGPU, which is a term I've never heard of until today. I didn't really want to spend any cash, but if needs must and all that.

The NUC was an ebay find about 6 years ago! Cost me a grand sum of £65 with HDD and RAM! I think this is the one I have; DC3217BY Intel Core i3 1.8GHz (3217U) I'll power it on to check shortly, I was using for torrenting, but my usb ethernet adaptor went funny and I only have a 2.4ghz wifi card in it and moving gigabytes of data was very tedious. If it will work better for transcoding then I might swap it to that and buy another gigabit usb adaptor.

EDIT: I only bought it as I knew £65 was a bagain for what it was, I realised they retailed for over £200 at the time!

Edited February 12, 2021 by GiGo

[Carlo 4561]

OK let's scrap the NUC idea as that's pretty old.  Was worth exploring however.

[GiGo 108]

Just now, cayars said:

OK let's scrap the NUC idea as that's pretty old.  Was worth exploring however.

Tis old, but twas worth the cash at the time, has served it's purpose. I'll explore the eGPU options tho assume they don't cost he earth, any recommendations you have so I can start my search?

[Carlo 4561]

Actually for the money of buying the cGPU enclosure you could probably pick up a used desktop or server that's an -7 with some free PCI slots.
You could then drop an Nvidia GPU in it.  So if spending money this would likely be the direction I'd look to.

Depending on how much you use your Emby Server and what your needs are the Surface Pro might do the job but that "platform" can be limiting compared to a desktop/tower.
You have it already so it would be worth testing as it won't cost you anything but your time.

[GiGo 108]

12 minutes ago, cayars said:

Actually for the money of buying the cGPU enclosure you could probably pick up a used desktop or server that's an -7 with some free PCI slots.
You could then drop an Nvidia GPU in it.  So if spending money this would likely be the direction I'd look to.

Depending on how much you use your Emby Server and what your needs are the Surface Pro might do the job but that "platform" can be limiting compared to a desktop/tower.
You have it already so it would be worth testing as it won't cost you anything but your time.

I'll be testing the SP3, I'm just having a few issues with it not re-booting after an update without user interaction, which is not always the best. Thanks for your input, really appreciate it.