How much RAM for Unraid as NAS and Plex (Docker)

[Johan501]

Hi all,

I have a simple question.
I want to buy newer hardware for my Unraid server. Only a new CPU, motherboard, DDR4 RAM and a m.2 SSD for cache.

But the question is about RAM Only.

For CPU I want to buy the i3-10100
For motherboard and SSD not sure yet.

I don't use VM's in Unraid.

But my simple question is, how much RAM do I need?

• Like 8GB?
• Or 16GB?
• Maybe buy a motherboard with 4 ram slots and 8GB (2x4GB) and later same 8GB (2x4) RAM kit?

 

On this moment I use an 3rd gen i5 with 16GB DDR3. I use Unraid only for Plex and as a NAS. (For now)

It got the hardware for free and was the only hardware I had for Unraid. So, I didn't pick exact 16GB for Unraid. I just had it.

 

Thanks in advance.
 

[Squid]

Nowadays, I think of 8GB as the absolute bare minimum for any computer (Unraid or not).  16GB I consider to be the amount necessary to actually begin to "use" the system

[Johan501]

8 minutes ago, Squid said:

Nowadays, I think of 8GB as the absolute bare minimum for any computer (Unraid or not).  16GB I consider to be the amount necessary to actually begin to "use" the system

Hi, yeah I knew that, but for Windows 10 and for gaming.

So, it 8GB the base minimum for Unraid too? For Unraid as a NAS + Plex in a Docker I mean.

[Squid]

The website lists 2G as the base.  In reality it's more like 4.  I was giving my own thoughts.  But once you add any apps, 8 becomes the base

[Johan501]

Just now, Squid said:

The website lists 2G as the base.  In reality it's more like 4.  I was giving my own thoughts.  But once you add any apps, 8 becomes the base

Okay thanks for the info.

[ConnerVT]

10 hours ago, Squid said:

Nowadays, I think of 8GB as the absolute bare minimum for any computer (Unraid or not).  16GB I consider to be the amount necessary to actually begin to "use" the system

 

^ This

 

The difference in price between 2x4GB vs 2x8GB kits is minimal.  But if when you decide to upgrade to more memory, it is better to be at 2x8GB than 4x4GB for performance reasons, and a 2x8GB kit can be more easily re-purposed if needed.  2x4GB will end up in a spare parts bin.