Budget NAS upgrade

[C345]

Hi unraid community!

 

Today I run a NAS based on an ASRock N3150. As a pure data storage, it worked without any problems. Now that more and more Docker containers are added and I also use the NAS as a PLEX server and want to display two streams in 4K, the performance is going to be a problem. In the future, I would also like to also run a VM on the NAS. I have therefore started to research and have bought a few parts already, but still have questions for you guys.

 

I already own the following parts:

- Motherboard: EMX-C246P ITX (https://m.avalue.com.tw/products/Industrial-%26-Embedded-Motherboard/Mini-ITX/Mini-ITX/EMX-C246P_2752#showarea)

- PSU: Seasonic Prime Fanless PX-500

- RAM: 2x Kingston Server Premier SO-DIMM 16GB, DDR4-2400, CL17-17-17 with ECC --> 32GB

- HDD: 1x 8TB HGST Deskstar NAS, 2x WD Red WD100EFAX 10TB,  1x 16TB Toshiba Enterprise MG08ACA16TE

- CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15

- Case: Fractal Design Node 804

- Fans: Arctic P14

 

What I'm still missing is the CPU. Here I am wavering between the i3 8100 and 8350k. 
I want to run the system quite power efficient and I like the idea of being able to undervolt and underclock the 8350k.
Both are on par in terms of price.
How would you decide?

 

Do you have any other comments on this build? I think the iGPU should be enough to run two 4k streams smoothly and therefore opted against a dedicated GPU.

Edited March 9, 2022 by C345

[Lolight]

On 3/9/2022 at 4:45 PM, C345 said:

What I'm still missing is the CPU. Here I am wavering between the i3 8100 and 8350k. 

I want to run the system quite power efficient and I like the idea of being able to undervolt and underclock the 8350k.
 

I think the iGPU should be enough to run two 4k streams smoothly and therefore opted against a dedicated GPU.

IMO undervolting and underckocking is not worth the trouble considering minuscule (if any) savings at the expense of introducing a huge potential for system instability.

If power efficiency is a big priority then go with the i3 8100.

What's your plan for streaming?

In a direct play scenario you're all set.

If transcoding then you have to mention your setup.

Edited March 11, 2022 by Lolight

[C345]

Hello and thanks for your reply!

Then the i3 8100 sounds like the better deal to me. Even if it is only minimally cheaper.

 

What do you exactly mean by "mention your setup"?

 

Regarding streaming, today I use a NAS as a Plex server, and in the household I never need more than two streams in parallel.
I don't have a Plex Pass at the moment, but I would be willing to buy one. However, not possible at the moment.
Most of my video files are in h.264 format and that plays fine. It becomes problematic when I try to play very large files (>15GB) or files in h.265 format. Then the picture freezes every 5-10 seconds. I never access my NAS from outside my network via the internet.

I simply hope for better performance from the upgrade from N3150 to i3 8100. Is this the way to go?

Edited March 15, 2022 by C345

[Lolight]

On 3/15/2022 at 3:23 PM, C345 said:

It becomes problematic when I try to play very large files (>15GB) or files in h.265 format. Then the picture freezes every 5-10 seconds. I never access my NAS from outside my network via the internet.

I simply hope for better performance from the upgrade from N3150 to i3 8100. Is this the way to go?

Since your TVs are on the same network then the best option would be Direct Play.

You'll need to get media boxes for each of your TVs.

Then you wouldn't need to worry about any transcoding on your server.

You'll be able to play any commonly formatted 4k movies in full resolution without any bottlenecks.

And you won't need to spend much extra money by doing that.

There are many kinds of media boxes out there.

The most well known (and factory supported) is the Nvidia Shield. But it's not cheap.

I use much cheaper boxes that are supported by an online community of volunteers.

For their intended purpose the cheap boxes work just as well and some even better than the Shield.

If you're interested I'll recommend what I'm familiar with.

If you're not familiar with the term of Direct Play here's a quick breakdown:

https://support.plex.tv/articles/200430303-streaming-overview/

Edited March 16, 2022 by Lolight

[C345]

Now I understand what was meant. Thanks for the link.

One of my TVs already has Nvidia Shield connected. But this is the TV I use less often.

The main TV is a Samsung QE65Q900R and there I have the Plex app installed. This probably requires transcoding and does not allow Direct Play.

What alternative to Shield do you use? Is this based on a Raspberry Pi? I have a few of those at home as well. 

I might be able to get away with this cheaper than upgrading my server.

[Lolight]

19 hours ago, C345 said:

What alternative to Shield do you use? Is this based on a Raspberry Pi? I have a few of those at home as well.

No I don't use those, though heard that it's possible to use Raspberry Pi4's with Kodi and Plex-Plugin, but not without significant problems.

I'd assume it's not even worth the trouble.

The absolute best alternative to the Shield would be the Odroid N2+ (Odroid C4 close second) running on Coreelec: https://coreelec.org/

Not many have heard of those units and have no idea to where even find them.

Those products are normally sold as bare bone boards without an outer case, power supply or remote included but those parts can be added during the checkout.

Depending on where you are in the world, you should be able to locate the local(ish) resellers carrying Odroid products, especially if you're in the U.S. or Europe or you can buy straight from the manufacturer's site if in Asia - the factory is located in So. Korea.

e.g. the American reseller - https://ameridroid.com/products/odroid-n2-plus?_pos=1&_sid=4bdce95dd&_ss=r

The factory site - https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-n2-with-2gbyte-ram-2/

If you decide to purchase the N2+, then I'd suggest adding an eMMC module to make the unit unbrickable,  and an eMMC reader to simplify Coreelec installation, both parts are usually available at the same sites selling the main unit.

The process of installing Coreelec is as straight-forward as with any other simple software, just requires a little bit of extra learning up front.

The Coreelec community is helpful with guides and member's advise.

Once done with the initial software installation you'll get yourself a player that is often preferred to the Shield.

Another, much cheaper version would be the X96 Air - comes as a complete unit, no need for extras. But...

It has an inferior cooling design and will run hot without extra cooling mods.

https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/best-device-for-coreelec-in-2022/14348/144

 

 

Edited March 18, 2022 by Lolight