I have narrowed it down to two options that are working out to cost about the same:

 

1)     Ryzen 5700G + Asus Pro WS X570 – ACE

Pros:

-        Feels more like a server board (as in it doesn’t run too hot and looks like the better option to be left on 24/7)

-        PCI-E lanes are not shared (I can run two NVMEs @ 64Gbps as well as many other things)

-        Processor consumes less energy whilst idle (which it will be most of the time)

-        EEC ram support

Cons:

-        See pro’s of other board

 

2)     I7 11700k + Asrock Z590 Tachi

Pros:

-        A lot of positivity towards this board and Unraid

-        A lot of positivity towards Intel from Unraid and Plex (which I will be using, but not transcoding)

-        Comes with everything I will need so won’t have to add on 2.5 Lan ports etc

Cons:

-        See pro’s of other board      

 

 

I primarily will be using for plex but will also run a Windows VM to do audio converting and video remixing as well as other things in the future. I will be doing large transfers. I will not be installing a GPU for now as both options support onboard graphics.

 

Any thoughts on which way would be the best way to go?

If you are not transcoding then either one. I personally like ecc ram for unraid

It should be noted that the 5700G is a PCIe Gen 3 CPU and not a Gen 4.  This will only matter if you want to run Gen 4 items as they will run at Gen 3 speeds.

 

I run the 5700G on an X470 board and I absolutely love it.