WooperDeeDoo

I'm aware that posting this on the Unraid forums may bring a slightly biased set of responses but i'm ok with that. I have a new server build nearing completion to replace my Synology NAS. Hardware: - ASUS WS C246 PRO LGA1151 ATX Workstation Motherboard - Intel i5-9400 - Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x 16GB) DDR4 CL16 2666MHz Memory - LSI 9201-16i HBA - Supermicro SC933T-R760B 15 Disc Hot Swap Chassis - Collection of mixed size WD Reds (3x10TB + 5x6TB) - Samsung 970 Evo Plus M.2 NVME 500GB SSD - Samsung 850 Evo Sata 500GB SSD Intended Use: - Plex server with the ability to grow in both storage and number of transcodes into the future (can add a GPU in future) - Sonarr, Radarr, Sab, Deluge media automation and aggregation - File storage (large landscape photography raw file backup) - Potential future addition of surveillance The Software Question: Coming from Synology and their hybrid raid system I have grown accustomed to being able to expand my array at my leisure with any size drive I like (as long as it's smaller than the parody drive/s) so naturally I land here with Unraid due to the ease of use that comes with the array management. I am also pretty familiar with Ubuntu, it fits almost all of my requirements outside of the array management. So that brings me to a crossroad in how to set up the software portion of my build. Do I: 1. Linux w/Unraid Array - Get the best of both worlds. Set up Unraid, create a Ubuntu VM. Use Unraid to manage my array and Ubuntu to install all my required applications? Positives: Can keep my mismatched discs, get the best of both worlds software wise, can have all of my applications installed on one OS for easy integration and cross communication Negatives: May be the most resource heavy? 2. Go full Ubuntu - Go to Ubuntu and just gradually grow a raid 5 or 6 array Positives: One OS, Can run full headless, least resource intensive? Negatives: Cost of replacing already owned discs, will use more power to keep all discs spinning all the time in raid? 3. Go full Unraid - Be a man, learn how to use dockers for all my programs and have them speak to each other on Unraid itself. Positives: One OS, Mismatched discs are ok, flexible array management and growth, Unraid sleep for power saving on an only randomly accessed server. Negatives: Fiddling and learning sucks initially, Sometimes communications breakdowns between dockers may mean more management required? This will be my first foray outside of a largely ease of use ecosystem in Synology so learning isnt a bad thing. I have a little experience with an Unraid trial, some Ubuntu experience but very little with VM's or Dockers so a little daunting at the moment. And although it seems I've answered my own question above, it would be great to have some light shed on how I can best utilize my hardware for my use case. Much appreciated.

The main thing that jumps out at me from your list when it comes to use case concerns are your transcode requirements. Even though Ryzen CPU's provide exceptional value for money on the compute side of things with extra cores and higher passmark scores, the one thing that they are lacking are the addition of the discrete graphics that appear on the majority of Intel consumer chips. This means that the CPU will only be offloading the files for transcode to your GPU, as it can't actually transcode them itself. The next issue in this chain is that consumer Nvidia graphics cards are throttled to just two transcodes via the drivers meaning that the setup you have listed will never be able to transcode more than two streams at a time. I'm actually in a similar position to you with a new build that I was considering the Ryzen route due to cost for performance. Then I started weighing the cost for performance as a plex server when pairing a CPU with a GPU to be able to transcode on Ryzen what just a CPU with built in discrete graphics could handle on its own from Intel so definitely look into that. For example: Plex state that you need approximately a 2000 passmark score per transcode required of a CPU. So for your use-case specifically, you could potentially scrap the GPU completely and go for something like an i3-9100 (passmark of 8624) which has Intel 630 graphics built in. This should handle your 2-4 transcodes, has the same TDP but will have a lower idle power usage than the Ryzen and save you the GPU entirely.

New Member, Who Dis? New build thread. Hello Unraid forums. I'm a long time Synology user who is looking at my first foray into both building my own server and into the world of server OS platforms. *Current Setup* I'm currently running a Synology DS918+ with a 5 disc expansion unit that is primarily utilised primarily as a media server (plex, sonarr, radarr, sab, deluge) and a backup location for my photography files. I run a collection a WD red drives for the storage and a Samsung SSD for the Synology OS and Plex metadata files to keep the library snappy. *Current Use-Case* Up until recently the above hardware has been sufficient, as I primarily direct stream for a number of home users via my Plexpass setup and the little celeron in the synology unit chugs away happily while consuming next to no power at all. To save myself cpu headway (and my disgustingly slow Australian internet connection) transcoding streams for my friends, I tend to just update hard-drives with media for them manually. It also has plenty of power to keep the searching and libraries downloading and up to date as it goes. *Expansion Plans/Requirements* I'm moving into a new house very soon and will actually have access to some decent broadband speeds and alot more space which I'd like to use to house a rack and a new server build that will be able to: - Transcode for up to 10 users via Plexpass to save me the manual process of updating HD's for my friends media. - Run all my existing media server applications (plex, sonarr, radarr, sab, deluge) - Still backup a copy of my photography files - Potentially grow into the use of some home surveillance for the new house - Keep to a relatively sensible power draw for an always on solution - Easy storage expansion over time - Ability to add a GPU in future for hardware transcoding (P1000, P2000) - Ability to possibly add 10GBE in future *Proposed Build Options & Setup* Ok so this is the part where I could use a little advice. I currently own the following hardware: - Array Drives - Will be kept and transferred WD Reds from my Synology NAS - Case - Supermicro SC933T-R760B - 3U server chassis with 15 hot swappable bays, 760w triple redundant power supplies (3x 380w). The backplane for this case is a simple pass through so drive size won't matter. I've also already swapped out all of the jet engines for Noctua PWM fans to bring the operating volume down. - Samsung 850EVO Sata SSD - 2x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 250GB NVMe M.2 drives And I'm currently debating a motherboard, cpu combination: - Intel - ASUS WS C246 PRO LGA1151 ATX Workstation Motherboard with an Intel Core i3 9100 Quad Core at $634AUD - AMD - MSI MEG X570 Unify Motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 at $758 The reason that I have chosen these two CPU's are the power figures associated. Both 65w TDP chips with low/ish power draw. The reason for both boards is the expandability options with at least 3x PCIe x16 slots for a GPU, pass through raid card (to handle the drives) and potentially a 10GBE nic down the line. Now while I realise that with the AMD system I would have to get myself a GPU immediately due to lack of built in... is there a better option from the two? Is there a better option i'm not considering (within this sort of price range)? Or am I an idiot and getting it all completely wrong? P.S apologies for the long post, but I read the guidelines first and tried to include as much context as possible.