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Security Cameras & Surveillance
Security Cameras & Surveillance
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Build the System, Not Just the Cameras
Build the System, Not Just the Cameras
A reliable surveillance system takes more than choosing cameras with the highest resolution. Cameras, networking, PoE, storage, recording hardware, software, and bandwidth all need to work together.
The teKky Bench explores cameras, PoE equipment, surveillance storage, recording systems, and purpose-built hardware with a focus on how everything performs as a complete system.
Resolution matters, but so do camera count, frame rate, retention time, storage capacity, bandwidth, processing requirements, PoE needs, and environmental conditions.
The goal is simple: choose the right cameras, build the supporting infrastructure around them, and create a surveillance system that's reliable when you need it.
Let’s Build the Right Surveillance System for the Job
Let’s Build the Right Surveillance System for the Job
Product recommendations may change as technology, pricing, availability, and security camera systems evolve.
**information cross referenced using www.ieee.org/ieee-standards www.nist.gov/networking www.ietf.org/process/rfcs www.onvif.org
Recording & Storage
Recording & Storage
Keep the Video That Matters
Keep the Video That Matters
A security camera is only useful if the system can reliably record and retain the footage you need. Recording hardware and storage should be sized around camera count, resolution, frame rate, compression, recording schedule, and retention requirements.
The teKky Bench explores NVRs, surveillance hard drives, storage solutions, and other recording equipment designed for continuous camera workloads.
The goal is simple: record reliably, keep the footage you need, and choose storage built for the workload.
Complete Your Surveillance System
Complete Your Surveillance System
How to Choose Storage for Security Cameras
How to Choose Storage for Security Cameras
Not sure how much storage your security camera system needs? I put together this guide to help break down storage capacity, bitrate, recording modes, retention, drive types, and the factors that determine how much space your cameras actually use.
The_teKky_Bench_Storage_Guide_v27.pdf
**information cross referenced using www.ieee.org/ieee-standards www.nist.gov/networking www.ietf.org/process/rfcs www.onvif.org
**information cross referenced using www.ieee.org/ieee-standards www.nist.gov/networking www.ietf.org/process/rfcs www.onvif.org
Surveillance Computers
Surveillance Computers
Build for the Camera Workload
Build for the Camera Workload
A surveillance computer has very different requirements from a typical office PC. Processing, memory, hardware decoding, storage, networking, and expansion all need to support the camera system it's managing.
The teKky Bench explores surveillance PCs and the hardware needed to reliably manage, display, and record multiple cameras.
The right configuration depends on factors such as camera count, resolution, recording workload, storage retention, network traffic, software requirements, and future expansion.
The goal is simple: build for the camera workload, provide enough room to grow, and create a surveillance computer that can reliably record when it matters.
Why This Build Works for Surveillance — Integrated Graphics
Why This Build Works for Surveillance — Integrated Graphics
A surveillance PC does not always need a dedicated graphics card. For systems where the surveillance software can operate effectively with integrated graphics, the Ryzen 7 5700G provides both 8-core processing power and built-in Radeon graphics in a single processor.
This configuration keeps the build simpler while still providing the processing, memory, storage, networking, cooling, and expansion capacity needed for many multi-camera surveillance workloads.
Built Around the Workload
Built Around the Workload
The goal isn't to install a graphics card simply because the system displays video. It's to match the hardware to what the surveillance software and camera workload actually require.
Using integrated graphics can reduce hardware cost, power consumption, heat, and system complexity while eliminating an additional component that may not be necessary.
Camera count, resolution, frame rate, codec, recording software, retention requirements, and the number of simultaneous live views should always be considered before choosing between integrated and dedicated graphics.
Why I Chose These Components
Why I Chose These Components
8-Core Ryzen Processor with Integrated Graphics
The AMD Ryzen 7 5700G provides 8 cores and 16 threads along with integrated Radeon graphics. This gives the system strong general processing capability while allowing it to display video without requiring a separate graphics card.
For surveillance software that supports this type of configuration, the 5700G can handle camera management, recording services, background processes, and live viewing while keeping the build straightforward.
32GB of Memory
32GB of RAM provides comfortable headroom for surveillance software, multiple live camera views, Windows, and background applications without unnecessarily overbuilding the system.
Integrated Radeon Graphics
The processor's built-in Radeon graphics handles normal display output and can eliminate the need for a dedicated GPU in surveillance systems that don't require extensive GPU acceleration.
This makes the integrated-graphics build particularly attractive when the primary workload is recording and managing cameras rather than displaying a very large number of high-resolution streams simultaneously.
Separate NVMe System Drive
The 500GB NVMe SSD is intended for Windows, surveillance software, applications, and system files, keeping the operating system separate from the primary video-storage drive.
16TB Enterprise Hard Drive
The large-capacity enterprise HDD provides substantial space for recorded footage and is designed for high-capacity, continuous storage workloads.
Actual retention will depend on camera count, resolution, bitrate, frame rate, compression codec, recording schedule, and retention requirements.
Quality B550 Motherboard
The B550 platform provides a solid foundation with 2.5Gb Ethernet, PCIe expansion, M.2 storage support, SATA connectivity, USB connectivity, and room for future upgrades.
It also leaves PCIe expansion available if you decide later that the surveillance workload would benefit from adding a dedicated graphics card or other hardware.
Cooling & Power Headroom
A capable cooling system and quality power supply provide the thermal and electrical headroom needed for extended operation and future hardware expansion.
Because this configuration doesn't include a dedicated graphics card, overall power consumption and heat output can also be lower than the discrete-GPU version.
Integrated Graphics or Dedicated Graphics?
Integrated Graphics or Dedicated Graphics?
Integrated Graphics — Ryzen 7 5700G
Good choice for systems focused primarily on recording, camera management, and a moderate number of simultaneous live views.
Benefits include:
Lower overall build cost
Lower power consumption
Less heat
Fewer components
No separate GPU required
Ability to add a dedicated GPU later
Dedicated Graphics — Ryzen 7 5700X + RTX 3050
Better suited when the system needs to display many high-resolution camera streams simultaneously, use GPU-assisted decoding, or run surveillance software that specifically benefits from GPU acceleration.
Build Note
Build Note
This configuration is intended as a practical starting point. Integrated graphics performance and hardware-accelerated video decoding depend on the surveillance software, codec, camera configuration, and number of simultaneous streams.
For larger deployments or heavy multi-monitor/live-view workloads, a dedicated GPU may still be the better choice.
Why This Build Works for Surveillance — Dedicated Graphics
Why This Build Works for Surveillance — Dedicated Graphics
A surveillance PC can benefit from dedicated graphics when it needs to display multiple camera streams, decode high-resolution video, support multiple monitors, and handle demanding live-view workloads.
This build combines the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 8-core processor with an MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X OC 6GB graphics card, separating CPU and graphics workloads while providing additional performance for surveillance software that supports GPU acceleration.
Built Around the Workload
Built Around the Workload
The goal isn't to build a gaming PC — it's to provide the right hardware for a more demanding surveillance workload.
The Ryzen 7 5700X handles surveillance software, recording services, Windows, and background processes, while the RTX 3050 provides dedicated graphics resources for video decoding, multiple live camera views, and display output when supported by the surveillance software.
This makes the dedicated-GPU configuration a good option for systems that need to monitor more cameras simultaneously or display multiple high-resolution streams.
Camera count, resolution, frame rate, codec, recording software, retention requirements, and the number of simultaneous live views should always be considered before choosing a final configuration.
Why I Chose These Components
Why I Chose These Components
8-Core Ryzen 7 5700X Processor
The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X provides 8 cores and 16 threads, giving the system plenty of processing capacity for surveillance software, recording services, multiple camera streams, Windows, and background applications.
Unlike the 5700G, the 5700X does not include integrated graphics, which makes it a natural fit for this build since we're pairing it with a dedicated graphics card.
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Graphics
The dedicated RTX 3050 provides its own GPU processing resources and 6GB of GDDR6 video memory rather than relying on system memory for graphics.
For surveillance applications that support GPU acceleration, the RTX 3050 can help with hardware-accelerated video decoding and displaying multiple high-resolution camera streams, reducing some of the video-processing workload placed on the CPU.
It also provides additional flexibility for multi-monitor surveillance workstations and larger live-view layouts.
32GB of Memory
32GB of RAM provides comfortable headroom for surveillance software, multiple live camera views, Windows, and background applications without unnecessarily overbuilding the system.
Because the RTX 3050 has its own dedicated video memory, the GPU does not need to reserve a portion of system RAM for its primary graphics memory.
Separate NVMe System Drive
The 500GB NVMe SSD is intended for Windows, surveillance software, applications, and system files, keeping the operating system separate from the primary video-storage drive.
16TB Enterprise Hard Drive
The large-capacity enterprise HDD provides substantial space for recorded footage and is designed for high-capacity, continuous storage workloads.
Actual retention will depend on camera count, resolution, bitrate, frame rate, compression codec, recording schedule, and retention requirements.
Quality B550 Motherboard
The B550 platform provides a solid foundation with 2.5Gb Ethernet, PCIe expansion, M.2 storage support, SATA connectivity, USB connectivity, and room for future upgrades.
The PCIe expansion slot provides the connection needed for the dedicated RTX 3050 while still allowing the system to support additional storage and expansion options.
Cooling & Power Headroom
A capable cooling system and 750W 80+ Gold power supply provide thermal and power headroom for the Ryzen processor, dedicated graphics card, storage drives, and future hardware expansion.
This provides additional capacity without requiring the power supply to operate near its maximum output during normal surveillance workloads.
Why Choose the Dedicated Graphics Build?
Why Choose the Dedicated Graphics Build?
The Ryzen 7 5700X + RTX 3050 configuration is intended for more demanding surveillance workloads where additional graphics capability may be beneficial.
It's a good option when you expect to:
Display many camera streams simultaneously
Monitor higher-resolution cameras
Use multiple displays
Use surveillance software that supports GPU-accelerated video decoding
Run larger or more demanding live-view layouts
Keep CPU resources available for recording and background services
Build Note
Build Note
A dedicated GPU isn't required for every surveillance PC. Whether the RTX 3050 provides a meaningful advantage depends on the surveillance software, codec, camera count, resolution, and number of simultaneous live streams being displayed.
For lighter recording and monitoring workloads, the Ryzen 7 5700G integrated-graphics build may be sufficient. For heavier live-view and multi-monitor workloads, the Ryzen 7 5700X + RTX 3050 build provides additional graphics capability and headroom.
**information cross referenced using www.ieee.org/ieee-standards www.nist.gov/networking www.ietf.org/process/rfcs www.onvif.org
Security Camera Tools
Security Camera Tools
Useful Tools for Planning & Troubleshooting
Useful Tools for Planning & Troubleshooting
A few useful tools and resources can make it easier to plan storage, test camera streams, verify compatibility, and troubleshoot surveillance systems. Click on the Link Below to Learn More.
Tools & Resources
Tools & Resources
Third-party tools are provided for convenience. The teKky Bench is not affiliated with or endorsed by these services.
ONVIF
Check standards, profiles, and product conformance for compatible IP-based security products. ONVIF says its conformant-products database is the authoritative source for determining whether a product is officially ONVIF conformant.
www.onvif.org
VLC Media Player
Test and troubleshoot supported network video streams and video files. VLC officially supports various streaming protocols and is free/open source.
www.videolan.org/vlc
Seagate Surveillance Storage Calculator
Estimate surveillance storage requirements using camera count, resolution, frame rate, recording hours, retention period, compression, and other variables.
www.seagate.com/video-storage-calculator
SanDisk Surveillance Storage Calculator
Estimate required storage using camera count, retention period, recording hours, codec, resolution, quality, scene activity, and frame rate.
www.sandisk.com/en-us/tools/surveillance-capacity-calculator
Find the Right Surveillance System for the Job
Find the Right Surveillance System for the Job
You just need the right cameras for your environment.
You just need the right resolution for the detail you need.
You just need enough storage for your recording and retention requirements.
You just need a network and recording system that can handle the workload.
And you shouldn't have to overspend to get it.
You just need a surveillance system built around what you actually need.
That's The teKky Bench approach.
Technology. Training. Gear That Makes Sense.
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Stay in Touch
Thanks for visiting The teKky Bench at www.thetekkybench.com.
Thanks for visiting The teKky Bench.
I'm always working on something new around The Bench, whether it's another guide, product review, comparison, quick-reference resource, or something I've learned through technology and training that I think is worth sharing.
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