Hardware Specifications

The TetherBox software is compatible with Intel/AMD and ARM-based systems running Linux. This guide helps select appropriate hardware for various deployment sizes.

Quick Summary

Most TetherBox deployments need three things: a CPU with enough power for your camera count, enough RAM, and reliable storage for recordings - and an appropriate graphics processor if you require AI analytics. Here is a quick overview:

All camera capacity estimates assume the recommended per-stream settings in camera configuration. See CPU recommendations for how changing those settings affects capacity.

Popular configuration: An Intel N100-based mini PC with 8 GB RAM and a USB SSD handles up to 19 cameras. For Raspberry Pi deployments see Raspberry Pi TetherBox.

For detailed specifications, continue to the sections below.

CPU Requirements

CPU sizing drives how many cameras a TetherBox can handle. Use GeekBench 6 Multi-Core scores as the benchmark and divide by 150 to estimate 4K camera capacity (under the recommended camera configuration).

Quick reference points:

• Intel N100 (2,840 pts) → ~19 cameras - popular configuration
• Raspberry Pi 5 (1,600 pts) → ~11 cameras - space-constrained deployments
• Intel Xeon E-2336 (7,772 pts) → ~52 cameras - mid-range rack server
• Intel Core i5-14600K (16,065 pts) → ~107 cameras - high-density
• AMD Ryzen 9 9950X (21,440 pts) → ~143 cameras - large enterprise

See CPU Recommendations for the full benchmark methodology, complete CPU reference table (45+ models), per-deployment-size picker, and how camera configuration changes effective capacity.

Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi 5 handles up to 11 cameras; Raspberry Pi 4 handles up to 4. Ideal for space-constrained or low-power locations such as lamp posts, vehicles, or hidden mounts. Cooling and a suitable USB SSD (or M.2 HAT) are mandatory for reliable 24/7 recording.

See Raspberry Pi TetherBox for full guidance, optionally including the Raspberry Pi AI Hat+ / AI Hat 2 (Hailo-10H accelerator for on-device AI analytics on up to 4 cameras).

RAM Requirements

Formula: 2 GB minimum, plus ~1 GB per 4 cameras at standard analytics (≤720p). High-resolution analytics (>720p) needs roughly 1.5× more RAM.

Storage Requirements

Storage depends on resolution, motion activity, and retention period. Below are estimates for 30 days retention per camera including video recording and a 720p snapshot every 5 seconds (24/7):

Recommended Storage Hardware

Continuous 24/7 recording demands drives with sustained-write endurance: NAS or Surveillance-class HDDs (Seagate IronWolf/SkyHawk, WD Red/Purple, Toshiba N300/S300) or high-TBW SSDs (WD Red SN700, Samsung 990 Pro, Seagate IronWolf 525). Never use USB memory sticks, SD cards, or SMR drives - they fail rapidly under continuous writes. Connect external drives via USB 3.0 or better.

For specific model recommendations, TBW endurance comparisons, USB enclosure guidance, drive selection by camera count, and storage performance troubleshooting, see Storage Hardware Recommendations.

Graphics / GPU

Standard deployments: No dedicated GPU required. TetherBox uses onboard graphics or CPU for processing.

Hardware acceleration: TetherBox automatically utilises Nvidia, AMD, or Intel dedicated graphics when available.

Analytics: Out of the box, TetherBox leverages any analytics built into your Cameras or recorder. For edge analytics requirements (local AI/ML processing), please contact TetherX support to discuss GPU requirements for your specific use case.

Operating System Installation

For complete installation instructions including partitioning and configuration, see Installing Operating System.

Cloud Backup (optional)

For off-site redundancy, enable TetherX Cloud Backup to protect critical footage against theft, damage, or local disasters.

References

• CPU Monkey - Compare CPU performance across generations
• GeekBench Browser - Search specific CPU benchmarks