New server build - hardware acceleration for transcoding

[TonkaTuff 10]

Hi all.

I've acquired a Dell OptiPlex 9020 which I will be using for a new server build that will host my emby server instance (among other things).

The device has an Intel i7-4790 CPU, 16 GB RAM and a 1GB Radeon HD 8490 PCIe discreate graphics adapter.

I'm wondering whether keeping this discrete graphics adapter will be of any benefit for hardware accelerated transcoding (AMD AMF, if supported) or I'd do just as well to rely in Intel QuickSync with this CPU and free up the PCIe slot for other kit.

Thanks for your input.

TT

[Carlo 4561]

If it were me, I'd pull the Radeon and set it aside.
Then test Emby using Intel QuickSync which I think you'll be happier with as your main GPU.
Once satisfied you can use that card for something else if needed and of course you now have a free PCI slot.

[TonkaTuff 10]

Thanks @cayars, I appreciate your opinion. 

This is the same as I was thinking

If there're some hardware acceleration experts out there, it'll be interesting to hear their take on this one too.

[sross44 432]

Hardware acceleration just doesn't work nearly as well with AMD. To be honest the QuickSync is going to be a good times more powerful than that card and I think you'll be much happier using it!!! I use QuickSync only on my beta server and it has no problem doing 4k to 1080 tone mapping and transcoding. It's a good setup. 

[TonkaTuff 10]

Thanks guys; much appreciated.

I'll ditch the AMD card and put that PCIe slot to some other good use... NVMe or SATA ports perhaps, for my ever-growing library