HP N40L isn't gutsy enough, what do?

[LifelineIT]

That says it. I have an HP N40L I've been using for about 2 years. It's maxxed out on memory. It's running Server 08R2, very reliably. It runs a murmur server, a ventrillo server, sabnzbd+, sickbeard, uTorrent, Plex, my surveillance software, and generally operates as a big fat file dump (client backups, etc.)

The problem is that the Turion chip isn't gutsy enough to reliably transcode HD video with Plex, and that's a big issue for us. I also use XBMC, but that's not what we're looking at right now.

I looked at upgrading the guts, but everything I can see tells me that it's a proprietary form factor that may be compatible with MicroATX or or MiniITX.

Anyone know if it's any common form factor? Or...should I just sell it and buy/build something new? Or should I try running something other than Server (I have no need for server) and see if it does better? Open to any and all suggestions.

 

[Simmy]

Running something other than the Server OS would be the quickest/cheapest option to try, but the N40L really is underpowered. If it was me, I would sell it and buy a new beefier server.

You wouldn't be able to upgrade it anyway as you can't fit a rear I/O plate. From memory, it is also smaller than even a MiniITX board. You would also be limited by space for a cooler and a beefier power supply.

I recently upgraded from an N40L for similar reasons to you. I went with a Fractal Node 304 which takes a standard ATX PSU and MiniITX setup. It can also house 6 x 3.5" drives which was ideal for a HTPC/Media Server

 

[LifelineIT]

Thanks for this. Not what I was hoping to hear .

I'm taking back a machine I gave to my mom a year ago because she doesn't use it, it may be as gutsy as an i5 (I don't remember, I took it as trade for services.) I might try it before I start buying anything. I could also serve from my bench rig, I just don't really want to leave this thing running 24/7.

 

[Markverhyden]

Basically that is an appliance which mean is has limited capacity/capability by design. In fact it looks a lot like the WD DX4000 I have. That is running Storage Server '08. While I can install anything I want I have intentionally not installed much. Basically OO and Wireshark.

You could try W7 but my guess is the issue is all of the services you are running. The machine you got from your mom will probably work out very well.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

maybe put plex on a dedicated device. The NL40 server....dunno why they ever came out with those, I've seen clock radios with more power. Have had to work on a few (actually...replaced them after we managed to stop laughing at it)...but yeah, for encoding, a much more powerful box if you're looking to combine a ton of services on the same box, or...a dedicated box for the media stuff.

 

[SpaceSquad]

maybe put plex on a dedicated device.

This.

Plex can be really resource-heavy. And on that little Turion with all that other stuff...don't know how it was ever usable.

 

[LifelineIT]

Thanks all. Plex was really an afterthought, to be honest.

It's been a good machine for quite a while, I suppose I'll lean on this other machine when I pick it up tomorrow.