Remote Desktop PC

[Hardware4455]

I am looking to build a affordable PC mainly for the below usage

- host remote app, ms office suite and internet explorer “only” websites running javascript (clients are running OSX). Basically a windows PC to make use of to run RDP for OSX clients.

- host as a file server to enable all the OSX, iPad to obtain file from a centralised place. Also enable file sharing between devices with SMB.

- network stream for tv to watch media

What kind of specifications would be recommended based on the above usage.

 

[SkyShroud]

Ryzen 3 3200G
Arock B450M Pro4
At least 8gb ram
At least SSD for windows, 128gb will do, 256gb if you got more things to install
HDD for file, go raid if you want backup

Go 3400G just incase you wanna multi tasks everything in one go

 

[Hardware4455]

Ryzen 3 3200G
Arock B450M Pro4
At least 8gb ram
At least SSD for windows, 128gb will do, 256gb if you got more things to install
HDD for file, go raid if you want backup

Go 3400G just incase you wanna multi tasks everything in one go

Thanks for the reply.

I was wondering if I should push up the RAM to 16GB or would 8GB be more than sufficient as nobody would be using the machine locally.

Most of the time it would be hosting MS office remote apps and perhaps another family member streaming media through it via SMB

I do not have any important files to store. Mainly just for casual use and throw files which can be obtained easily online. I guess a SATA 1TB 7200RPM HDD would be sufficient?

 

[HelloSensation]

Thanks for the reply.

I was wondering if I should push up the RAM to 16GB or would 8GB be more than sufficient as nobody would be using the machine locally.

Most of the time it would be hosting MS office remote apps and perhaps another family member streaming media through it via SMB

I do not have any important files to store. Mainly just for casual use and throw files which can be obtained easily online. I guess a SATA 1TB 7200RPM HDD would be sufficient?

There is no reason to go above 8GB for this kind of use case. Might even be able to get away with 4GB if usage is light enough.

Should be focusing on the network link quality between the remote PC and the client machine. And don't even try to use RDP over WiFi.

For the record, Windows 10 Home does not allow remote desktop.

 

[Bumiputera]

There is no reason to go above 8GB for this kind of use case. Might even be able to get away with 4GB if usage is light enough.

Should be focusing on the network link quality between the remote PC and the client machine. And don't even try to use RDP over WiFi.

For the record, Windows 10 Home does not allow remote desktop.

There is third party Remote Desktop app like team viewer n chrome Remote Desktop.

Rdp is acceptable in most case unless you are trying to play game in the remote app or use bandwidth intense apps on the background......

 

[HelloSensation]

There is third party Remote Desktop app like team viewer n chrome Remote Desktop.

Rdp is acceptable in most case unless you are trying to play game in the remote app or use bandwidth intense apps on the background......

That's ridiculous. RDP is a standard high-performance remote access protocol that has been integrated into all Windows products since its introduction. The goal here is to have an ultralightweight remote computer, and installing RAM gobblers such as Chrome or TeamViewer with their proprietary remote access protocols is exactly what should be shunned.

RDP even has the added benefit of being performant in low-bandwidth links. Try establishing a remote desktop connection with Chrome's or TeamViewer's proprietary protocols under a 10/100mbps link and enjoy the $h!+ performance while Windows RDP zips along just dandy. That alone fully justifies the price of Windows 10 Pro for use as a remote desktop.

 

[Hardware4455]

There is no reason to go above 8GB for this kind of use case. Might even be able to get away with 4GB if usage is light enough.

Should be focusing on the network link quality between the remote PC and the client machine. And don't even try to use RDP over WiFi.

For the record, Windows 10 Home does not allow remote desktop.

Bandwidth wise the host is connected via gigabit ethernet while guest are on 5GHZ wifi. I have tested the connection around the house. It should be sufficient for non too demanding tasks

 

[jamminjames]

RemotePC is one of the best low-frills remote-access apps, offering identical features on PCs and Macs, fast performance, and a minimal, but intuitive, interface. Easiest to use.

 

[Hardware4455]

There is third party Remote Desktop app like team viewer n chrome Remote Desktop.

Rdp is acceptable in most case unless you are trying to play game in the remote app or use bandwidth intense apps on the background......

The main purpose is to provide members in the house hold to access remote apps easily from their laptop just like how it is installed locally. Leh chey to install office on every single piece of laptop

I don't think team viewer has this kind of ability.

In the future maybe move towards 1 powerful host in the house hold and all guest machines are barebones with gigabit connection

 

[HelloSensation]

The main purpose is to provide members in the house hold to access remote apps easily from their laptop just like how it is installed locally. Leh chey to install office on every single piece of laptop

I don't think team viewer has this kind of ability.

In the future maybe move towards 1 powerful host in the house hold and all guest machines are barebones with gigabit connection

So...what's the goal here? Concurrent dedicated access and sessions to the remote computer by many users? Then any standard version of Windows won't be enough: RDP only allows a single remote session. If someone else tries to come in, the first user will be kicked out.

TeamViewer allows multiple users to access concurrently, but they all share a single user-session.

The only legit way to do so is Windows 10 Server + RDS CA licenses.

 

[Hardware4455]

Tried this setup on my old laptop 3rd gen i7 to host.

Performance is terrible and not stable.

Looks like for this to happen. A server OS and server grade hardware would be required.

Although there are ways to bypass the Windows 10 RDP user limit.

 

[HelloSensation]

Tried this setup on my old laptop 3rd gen i7 to host.

Performance is terrible and not stable.

Looks like for this to happen. A server OS and server grade hardware would be required.

Although there are ways to bypass the Windows 10 RDP user limit.

Already tell you not to use WiFi. $h1+ communication mode is $h1+ regardless of 5ghz and 80211ac nonsense.

100mbps copper connection between client and remote host is more than enough for good RDP performance. Nothing to do with hardware specs.

Speaking from actual experience.

 

[Hardware4455]

Already tell you not to use WiFi. $h1+ communication mode is $h1+ regardless of 5ghz and 80211ac nonsense.

100mbps copper connection between client and remote host is more than enough for good RDP performance. Nothing to do with hardware specs.

Speaking from actual experience.

Yea. Thanks.

Too bad the host only has 100mbps ethernet but using wired connection everything seems to be stable. In additional I moved everything to Server OS with multiple users RDP in at the same time.

The only slow things now is file transfer speed. Which I believe can be solved by a gigabit connection

 

[Hardware4455]

Anything to look out for to build a server for this kind of requirement. Example like no driver support for windows server?

 

[Mclairs83]

get RDS and Office proplus in order for u to have multiple sessions concurrently.

else what you can do the cheapest way is install esxi/hyper-v server free. den clone multiple VM in a single hypervisor.

vpn into your network and RDP to their respective VM to work.

 

[Hardware4455]

Any ideas if liquid cooling solution will be good for this type of usage

As I am seeking it to be quiet as well

Today I have tried the following on a i7 old laptop acting as a server. Trying on this before I invest into a new rig.

Old i7 laptop hosting the following item

1) 2TV streaming full HD movie at the same time using SMB
2) basic office work running in the background
3) downloading a 26gb file from internet

I did not experience any lag

 

[Hardware4455]

WARRANTY (DESKTOP) : 3 Years Parts Warranty (1st Year ONSITE)
CPU OPTIONS (Vision Mini) : AMD RYZEN 5 3400G AM4 | 4.2 GHZ | Includes VEGA 11 Graphics | 4 Cores, 8 Threads
Random Access Memory (Vision Mini) : 16GB (8GB X 2) 2666MHZ (Dual Channel)
THERMAL COMPOUND : Stock Thermal Compound
PRIMARY SOLID STATE DRIVE : 256GB PCIE NVME SSD
HARD DRIVE (Slim Notebook and SFF PC) : 1TB HDD

All inclusive for $750 with aftershock. Would it be a good deal?

 

[SkyShroud]

Good deal is subjective.

Personally, I do DIY to have the flexibility to selectively upgrade parts as needed
People that usually go prebuild is for convenience.