Which computer brands use non standard parts in their computers (e.g. Dell)?

[rcx132]

I've been looking on eBay for a used computer to run my CCTV software which is pretty CPU hungry. I can see there are a lot of used i7 2nd-gen quad core machines for as little as £160 (wow!). Most of them are Dell or HP.

Now I know that Dell desktops/towers used to use non standard "form factor" mother boards, power supplies and possibly other parts. So I'd like to avoid Dell, preferring a computer that uses standard parts that can be easily replaced or reused in another machine later.

Are HP the same? Any other such brands to avoid?

I know those 2nd generation computers are a bit long in the tooth now, but they are low cost and still powerful. My main machine is 2nd generation and has no issues running multiple heavy programs like CAD all at the same time.

 

[130]

I would worry not too much about it and go for a Dell biscuit tin sized one for convenience and disposability / replaceability. Otherwise build your own, old parts ae cheap as chips, even if new. However, for an "appliance" you tuck away a small form factor is ideal. That said there are plenty of bespoke appliances for cheap with probably lower power demands, just add storage.

 

[aguycalledsteve]

Nearly all of the big brand PC's have proprietary kit in them. HP especially. Mobo's and PSU's are model specific.

Build one. Then you know it's going to have enough ports for Hard drives and it'll be specced to how you need it to be.

 

[Shedendman]

I agree with @aguycalledsteve build one,research one to the specs you need and go shopping,place to start would be here
https://www.ebuyer.com

 

[130]

Bear in mind leaving it on for years 24/7 that an appliance made for the job may well be a) cheap to buy b) cheaper to run

great incentive to go green long term is money

 

[500e]

Have always left my machines running on UPS, never turnn them off, have still got a 386 running DOS had it for at least 15 years the Dell Her in doors uses has been on for about 6 & my Acus for longer they get to a nice temp & sit there no thermal shock, no expansion & contraction of soldered joints, I blow the dust out about every 6 months the only thing is have good fans

 

[J1nx]

Consider hardware acceleration on the older CPU’s, may even be worth dropping to a i5 but newer. Also power consumption of a 24/7 CCTV server really adds up as mentioned above.

I use a 2nd hand HP, it is so much cheaper than a custom built machine, I could probably replace it complete for as much as one custom build with equivalent specs and parts are available on eBay.

Form factor is important, you want room for a couple of WD purples plus the ssd.

 

[130]

Not much you can do on a 386 you can't do on a 686 which is the oldest thing I keep around at the moment. Duel Slot 1 700MHz
I once had to track down the oldest slot 1 in a company and hobble it by running off the cache and down clocking to get it to run some lab equipment after the 286 died...…….

 

[gaz1]

the thing you have to be careful of with pc cctv systems is not always the hardware but its software

fair point alot of cctv pc systems dont like amd units and the cctv software seems to prefer intel over it

i have a 12 channel cctv card myself and ive never bothered with it as i went standalone dvr unit instead

also the system wants basic things running on it as its more dedicated just for the running of the cctv system than anything else

 

[knighty]

what cctv software are you running?

 

[gaz1]

im not running cctv software on pc as i have 3 dedicated dvr units instead

i have it just dont use it

Geovison DVR Card 12 channel and usb key

 

[gaz1]

i also came across this cctv forum years ago has many a programe on there that is free but also has alot of advice on pc cctv based systems

http://www.cctvforum.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=83b6f63d8268fefcbba12106f5b12928

 

[rcx132]

I did start building a machine using parts I had lying around but it didn't work out for two reasons. One is price. A used mobo is 80, processor 30, case 30, so you're already at the price of a complete system and you still have the Ram, SSD and HDD to pay for. Secondly one of the parts wasn't working, couldn't figure out which and don't want to waste time. At least with a complete system you just send the whole thing back and save time.

I'll probably just get one of the HPs then.

what cctv software are you running?

Blue Iris. Leaning a new system would be time consuming as I'm using a lot of the advanced features. I think DVRs are more basic than what Blue Iris offers.

 

[rcx132]

Bear in mind leaving it on for years 24/7 that an appliance made for the job may well be a) cheap to buy b) cheaper to run

great incentive to go green long term is money

Fair enough. I'll have a look to see how much an old server costs then.

 

[aguycalledsteve]

The standalone units are ok if money is key. I've got a swann 4 cam set up at home and I'll be honest, the GUI is rubbish and the unit is sluggish to use. But then I paid 99 quid for it so I got what I paid for. If you cheap out on the recording element don't be surprised when it doesn't do all the things you want it to.

 

[gaz1]

many stand alone dvr systems info is rubbish the search function is a pain to deal with as ive found out on the newer systems

ive got 2 16 channel dvr system and another 12 channel system yet the 16 channel is so easy to search and use makes the newer ones look crap

 

[130]

Thing is how often do you really have a security issue to investigate V long term electricity costs?
Once in a blue moon then the messing is no biggy

Most folk I know have less than 8 cameras on a cheap unit 6"x8"x2" (or something like that) and one drive fitted. As long as it covers longer than they go on hols it's sufficient

 

[aguycalledsteve]

many stand alone dvr systems info is rubbish the search function is a pain to deal with as ive found out on the newer systems

I found this out last week. SWMBO asked for footage from her DVR for an antisocial neighbour problem and I spent several hours searching for less than 20 minutes of footage because the DVR didn't have the ability to search above normal playback and dragging the time slider. Most of these Ebay/Amazon/Maplins DVR units are ARM/ATOM based so that costs can be kept low but still present some functionality.

A more powerful unit using an intel I series would be able to process the video data better and make it better to use when you need to use it in anger.

 

[armalites]

We are in looking into CCTV at the moment and from all the research I've done it would seem if you can't make someones physical features out clearly in the dark then you are wasting your time.

I've been looking a Hikvision.

 

[130]

^can be more linked to the camera resolution / quality and how much IR lighting