312 vs 212: which CPU has more power and does better transcoding

[netghiro]

As by subject.

Please now that the new 212 and 214 models are out, sporting a quad core (ARM Cortex A15 1.4GHz CPU) does anyone knows if they are more powerful than the 31x series (312, 314 sporting an Atom D2700 CPU)?

I'm interested in transcoding performance but not only.

I couldn't find any comparison on the Internet.
Many thanks

[mdgm-ntgr]

The 212 is better for transcoding. Transcoding will use all four cores.

The 312 has a higher clock speed, but is dual core. For tasks that only use one core I think the 312 may be faster. The 312 also supports a larger range of apps.

[BrianL2]

Hi netghiro,

You may also check each products datasheet for more information.

RN210 Series

RN300 Series

Kind regards,

BrianL
NETGEAR Community Team

[StephenB]

The data sheets aren't enough to compare the two CPUs.  I also couldn't find any CPU benchmarks of the RN214 processor.  

Though I suspect that mdgm is correct in saying

-a single core of the atom in the RN312 is probably faster than than a single core in the RN212 ARM

-but when all 4 cores of the RN212 are engaged, it is likely faster than the 2 cores of the RN312.

[netghiro]

thanks all!
Which apps won't run on the ARM one?
My basic needs would be a BitTorrent client, CrashPlan backup app and Plex server.

Cheers

[BrianL2]

Hi netghiro,

Apps are classified if its for ARM or x86 on the NETGEAR apps page

Hope this helps!

Kind regards,

BrianL
NETGEAR Community Team

[mdgm-ntgr]

Crashplan would have to be installed via SSH if you want to use that. There are some tips available on the Community from other users who are using that.

[StephenB]

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@mdgm wrote:

Crashplan would have to be installed via SSH if you want to use that. There are some tips available on the Community from other users who are using that.

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If you want to run crashplan I suggest the RN312 over the RN212.  One reason is that crashplan can be a memory hog, and the RN212 memory is soldered on the system board and can't be upgraded.

BTW, you can mount the NAS volume(s) on a PC (windows or MAC) and use crashplan on the PC to back up the network drives.  That is easier to set up than installing crashplan on the NAS (especially if you are not familar with linux).