I am planning an unRAID build that, among others, will be running Plex Mediaserver where transcoding will be used. My assumption is that of the plugins I'd like, this is probably the one that could be CPU intensive. The mobo is a SuperMicro X8SIL-F with 8 GB ECC RAM (repurposed)

 

In my drawer I have an i3-530 and a Xeon L3426. What doesn't go into the unRAID server will end up in my HTPC that has PVR duty, conversion of pesky MS DVR files and other stuff.

 

So, realizing that one of the computers will probably end up with more processing power than needed, which CPU would you use for the unRAID server?

 

I'd appreciate any opinion, as long as it doesn't entail buying stuff :-)

No one? 

either or should work just fine for Plex transcoding.  Obviously the beefier the CPU the easier it will be.

I am using an AMD X2 at 3Ghz and I never have any issues with transcoding and Plex. The only time I ever see much buffering is when I fast forward a 1080p movie that has just started playing. Generally I hit play, see slight loading screen while drive spins up and transcode kicks off, and then never see it again.

 

You shouldn't have any performance issues with either of those cpu's. I'm not sure how Plex handles anything greater than 2 cores, but i know from watching the process on my server that it will utilize a dual core cpu. Always see the process using 180+% cpu.

 

 

yeah either will really handle the load.  I'd suggest going with the lowest power processor, if not the lowest when trans-coding, then the lowest when idle.

Thanks - I guess I'll try out the i3 to see if it delivers good performance, then

 

 

 

I would think It would make more sence to put the i3 into the htpc.

Johnm, thanks - can I ask you to elaborate on why you would use the beefier CPU in the unRAID server and the i3 in the HTPC?

Because the HTPC will be doing less than the SERVER.

I say sell the server CPU lol. Unless you're doing some VM work I see no reason why that would go into the unRaid server... using it in the HTPC is an obvious no. Selling it and recovering some cash to buy some reasonable hardware would be the least wasteful route to take. I bet you could get $250+ for that thing. Hell I could build a completed HTPC or unRaid server with that cash haha.

Seems like there are mixed opinions on this after all. I'm afraid that I don't see why using the L3426 in the HTPC is an 'obvious' no?

 

Regarding selling the L3426, I am afraid that prices aren't that good - I've seen them used for $100-150 :-(