Intel i7-14700K (inc. iGPU) running xpenology with DSM 7.2.2-72806u4 -do I need specific drivers?

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
1

Hi there, I’m running Synology’s DSM7.2.2-72806u4 as a DS3622xs+ as an xPenology server with an i7-14700K CPU(incl iGPU) to serve several terrabytes of videos, etc, using my Plex Pass. I have an extensive collection of media ranging across 720p, 1080p….x265, etc.

My main problem is with instability of the platform and ensuring its correct configuration. I’m unsure whether the instability arises from now identified defects in the Intel 13/14 series processors, or from a misconfiguration in my particular system. My main uses of the system is to run home backups (Advanced Backup for Business and Hyper Backup) and Synology Photos (to serve local users and remote family) and Plex media Server for the same users and some friends.

My system is running on an Asus Pro WS W680-ACE IPMI m’brd with 64GB (2x32GB Micron DDR5 - 4800 UDIMMs) with the latest BIOS and Intel ME. My media is stored on 12 Seagate EXOS x16 (16TB) drives in a Synology SHR2 config with an LSI 9300-16i controller.

There is no separate video card installed in the system.

PMS is currently configured with the latest update (Version 1.42.2.10156). Transcoding settings are as follows:

Transcoder quality: Make my CPU hurt

Transcoder default throttle buffer: 120 seconds

Background transcoding x264 preset: Fast

Enable HDR tone mapping

Tonemapping Algorithm: hable

Disable video stream transcoding: not checked

Use hardware acceleration when available: checked

Use hardware-accelerated video encoding: checked

Hardware transcoding device: Auto

The GPU or other hardware device that will be used for transcoding

Maximum simultaneous CPU transcodes: Unlimited

Limit the number of simultaneous video transcode streams your server can utilize on your CPU: 2

I understand that in order for my i7-14700K cpu to utilise the iGPU, it is necessary to load the appropriate x64 drivers. I also understand that these x64 drivers are not normally loaded by Synology’s OS (because the Intel processor in the Synology DS3622XS+ does not have an iGPU). Of course the Intel i7-14700K cpu does include UHD Graphics 770. But, I believe that my system will not utilise its iGPU to do any trascoding unless the specific x64 software drivers for the iGPU are loaded/installed on the system.

My questions are:

  1. Is my understanding of the situation with regard to use of the i7-14700K iGPU correct?
  2. Is Plex Media Server unable to utilise the iGPU of the i7-14700K until such time as I can install the appropriate x64 drivers; or can the PMS software running on the server identify and make use of the iGPU in the CPU, if it exists?
  3. Is Plex Support aware of other 13/14th Gen Intel cpu systems that are plagued with instability issues (such as loss of GUI control of system resources; untimely system failure/reboot, etc, or is my particular predicament a ‘one off’.

Thanks,

Rhubarb

2

The Raptor Lake GPU should be fine provided your XPE kernel is enumerating it

Here is a XPE-DS920 machine.

If you’re familiar with SSH, you can follow along and confirm you get the same results on your machine

chuck@ds920:~$ cd /sys/module
chuck@ds920:/sys/module$ ls -la i915/
total 0
drwxr-xr-x   7 root root    0 Apr 18 13:54 .
drwxr-xr-x 217 root root    0 Apr 18 13:54 ..
-r--r--r--   1 root root 4096 Jul 16 20:12 coresize
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root    0 Apr 18 13:54 drivers
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root    0 Jul 16 20:12 holders
-r--r--r--   1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:19 initsize
-r--r--r--   1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:19 initstate
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root    0 Apr 18 13:54 notes
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root    0 Apr 18 13:54 parameters
-r--r--r--   1 root root 4096 Jul 16 20:12 refcnt
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root    0 Apr 18 13:54 sections
-r--r--r--   1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:19 taint
--w-------   1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:19 uevent
chuck@ds920:/sys/module$ ls -la i915/drivers
total 0
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 0 Apr 18 13:54 .
drwxr-xr-x 7 root root 0 Apr 18 13:54 ..
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 0 Oct  8 00:19 pci:i915 -> ../../../bus/pci/drivers/i915
chuck@ds920:/sys/module$ ls -la /dev/dri
total 0
drwxr-xr-x  3 root root             100 Apr 18 13:53 .
drwxr-xr-x 14 root root           14100 Aug 26 15:38 ..
drwxr-xr-x  2 root root              80 Apr 18 13:53 by-path
crw-------  1 root root        226,   0 Apr 18 13:54 card0
crw-rw----  1 root videodriver 226, 128 Apr 18 13:54 renderD128
chuck@ds920:/sys/module$

The final confirmation is here where you see linkage into the QSV of the CPU

chuck@ds920:/sys/module$ ls -la i915/drivers/pci:i915/
total 0
drwxr-xr-x  2 root root    0 Oct  8 00:19 .
drwxr-xr-x 20 root root    0 Apr 18 13:54 ..
lrwxrwxrwx  1 root root    0 Oct  8 00:22 0000:00:02.0 -> ../../../../devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.0
--w-------  1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:22 bind
lrwxrwxrwx  1 root root    0 Oct  8 00:22 module -> ../../../../module/i915
--w-------  1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:22 new_id
--w-------  1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:22 remove_id
--w-------  1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:22 uevent
--w-------  1 root root 4096 Oct  8 00:22 unbind
chuck@ds920:/sys/module$

0000:00:02.0 is the address inside the CPU.

Regarding using the GPU:

  1. If you found the above enumerations by DSM then the biggest hurdle is conquered
  2. PMS provides all the drives to use QSV.
  3. Your PMS DEBUG logs (captured about 1 minute after startup) will contain the GPU information and the drivers identification
3

Hi ChuckPa,

unfortunately here lies the issue.

When I SSH into my system, there are no i915/ drivers enumerated for the Raptor Lake cpu/igpu. It seems that Synology has disabled the i915 drivers for most of their desktop models

Thanks for this info: now I’ve got a clue on where to go next.