May 8, 20242 yr I am starting to get more and more interest in my Plex server (I should stop talking about it). My server is approx 16 years old running AM2+ MOBO, just upgraded RAM to 8GB DDR2 and running a AMD Phenom X2 with no video card. I would like to upgrade to something more current. The server is just file storage and Plex, nothing else really. How would you go about building something that can satisfy multiple 4K transcodes? Say, 10 or even 20? If I were to hand out my Plex to users, I do not want them to have to go and buy special hardware (Nvidia Shield). I am no longer well versed in the world of GPUs/CPUs and how the different Intel/AMD technologies mesh together for greater efficiency, specifically for Plex and offering transcodes) Intel vs AMD (which ones? How to choose?) GPU vs no GPU (which ones and why? If GPU=yes, would any ol' cheap but current CPU be sufficient at that point?) How many streams could one get on a decent CPU without GPU, if it's 10-20 then I am happy with that. If not, then we have to go GPU. This may be a big ask because I don't know what I don't know, but I assume this isn't that hard of a recommendation to make from the hobbyists on here Edited May 11, 20242 yr by sannitig spelling
May 11, 20242 yr Author The more I read the more I see no reason for using a GPU for multiple transcodes if building a new server from scratch. Most CPUs can handle dozens of transcodes so it seems like a GPU is not worth the cost Unless we take into account that if I ever need to upgrade from say, 10-15 streams to 30 streams, then I could have started with a basic CPU and a decent GPU and when upgrade time comes I could simply swap out the GPU and keep the 5-10yrs old CPU/MOBO in tact. Edited May 11, 20242 yr by sannitig adding info
May 11, 20242 yr Intel with integrated GPU certainly seems like the right place to start - I don't run Plex but recall reading that it's the place to start in this scenario. With the right parts I think Intel has the edge on ultimate power efficiency at idle; whether your system will idle is a different question. I have a different set of requirements so haven't researched in this direction enough to point you at anything more specifically. My main server started life on an AMD 965 Black, spent a little while on an older i3 board (which is now my backup Unraid server) and landed on an AMD 5600x + X570d4u; I was looking for IPMI, ECC support, and adequate pcie lanes and sata ports...
May 11, 20242 yr On 5/10/2024 at 9:53 PM, sannitig said: Wow such empty. Bump? Well... let's see... .) Intel or AMD? Intel .) Plex? HW-Transcoding? Intel 9/10/11/12 with at least 16GB of RAM and iGPU + PlexPass That's it 👍 For the 10-20 "transcodet" Streams: The iGPU of my i7-9700 can handle 6-8x 4K to 1080p/8Mbit The CPU itself can handle 0,2x 4K-Streams 🤣 For more you need a much stronger GPU like a Nvidia Quadro or so... Edited May 11, 20242 yr by Zonediver
July 7, 20241 yr Author On 5/11/2024 at 5:35 PM, Zonediver said: Well... let's see... .) Intel or AMD? Intel .) Plex? HW-Transcoding? Intel 9/10/11/12 with at least 16GB of RAM and iGPU + PlexPass That's it 👍 For the 10-20 "transcodet" Streams: The iGPU of my i7-9700 can handle 6-8x 4K to 1080p/8Mbit The CPU itself can handle 0,2x 4K-Streams 🤣 For more you need a much stronger GPU like a Nvidia Quadro or so... Rebuilding Parts: Define 7 case Motherboard: ASRock Z690 Pro RS LGA 1700 CPU: Intel Core i3-12100 - GPU w QuickSync should handle dozens of transcodes RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 3200 Disks: 5x but mostly HGST Ultrastar 8TB (One Parity drive) & 1x WD Blue (will be upgrading/adding more) PSU: Seasonic FOCUS GX-750 10gpbs NIC 10gpbs switch 1.5gpbs fibre internet connection Average file size 5GB - 30GB No 4K, no HDR, no DoVi. Friends are a mix of Shield owners and 'who knows what they use' owners. What features/functionality I really should be implementing to ensure success as I am not a total newb, but a simply layman +1 intelligence. Concerns/thoughts I have no answers to: HDD: Can mechanical HDD handle so many people accessing the drive. Imagine if 40 people just so happen to access data that's on a single drive, can an HDD handle this? HDD: Can we mitigate this somehow? CACHE: Do I need cache NMVe? What for? How much? Can it help store files people access as in if someone is watching a series, can Plex auto load a season into cache ahead of time? RAM: Is there a way to utilize RAM for anything? Return 16GB and upgrade to 32GB? File Optimization: Store metadata on Plex app data somewhere else? Does this optimize? Edited July 8, 20241 yr by sanfark
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