Should i switch from Windows storage spaces plex media server to unraid?

I currently have a windows 10 server rack with 10 drives ranging from 6tb 8tb and 12 tb drives 

my question is what are the benefits of switching the entire server over to unraid?

i am happy with the plex sever apart from annoying windows updates that shut down the server periodically and it isn't the quickest sometimes at finding particular content.

its an intel i5 with 64gb ram as i use the extra ram for transcoding

i understand the os runs on a usb flash drive

im assuming also that i will have to back up my content and put all the files back after reformatting the drives in the pool?

im am a total newbie when it comes to the technical jargon but i got it all running and its been doing fine for 2 years+ the way it is

thanks to all in advance

thecolortech

Edited January 28, 20251 yr by thecolortech
wanted to put more info in

FOMO is not a reason to switch.

If you're happy with your current solution, then there is no reason to switch.

If there are short-comings with your current solution, then maybe spell out what you don't like about your current solution and people here can offer feedback on how well Unraid addresses those.

Edited January 29, 20251 yr by whipdancer

The windows updates are an issue at times as mentioned and windows insisting it needs apps i never asked for that bog down the os

im just wondering if unraid is more efficient as a plex server than windows based ?

thank you

21 hours ago, thecolortech said:

1. Should i switch from Windows storage spaces plex media server to unraid?

...

2. my question is what are the benefits of switching the entire server over to unraid?

...

3. i understand the os runs on a usb flash drive

 

1. Yes

 

2. You're not running Windows.
The benefits of which cannot be overstated. I'd be here all night writing about what Unraid offers, but you can get a glimpse simply by browsing the website and reading everything that's new in Unraid 7.

 

3. No.
It runs from RAM. It's loaded from USB when you start the machine or reboot.

 

 

Edited January 29, 20251 yr by Espressomatic

21 hours ago, thecolortech said:

i understand the os runs on a usb flash drive

 

unraid is running completely in RAM after booting.

The USB-Flash is only for boot.

Edited January 29, 20251 yr by Zonediver

It's been 10 months, I'm curious to hear what you decided to do.

I've long wondered about this same thing.

I currently run a Plex Server on Windows Storage Spaces, and back it up on an Unraid server.

Those windows updates ARE ANNOYING! I also find UNRAID to be a LOT more stable than Windows (11). I just installed a new drive in my unraid, and noticed it had been up 256 days. I would never get near that on Windows....So why haven't I switched? Well I find that Windows storage spaces transfers files faster than unraid, and that makes a big difference when moving around 4K movies these days. Another reason I have kept the Plex server on Storage Spaces is how I manage my pools/storage spaces. I have a different drives / storage space for different Plex libraries. Music, Movies, Currently Airing TV Shows, Completed TV Shows, etc. When one of those get full (usually the completed shows) I can easily just increase it with storage spaces. Is there a more efficient way to do this? Yes, but I like my system for organizational reasons.

Still, despite those advantages (due to my personal setup)....I still often wonder if I should just switch it over to unraid every time windows crashes, or forces an update reboot.

Anyway @thecolortech I hope you read this reply, and let me know what you did. I'm curious to what you decided, and why.

1 hour ago, JupiterAscending said:

different drives / storage space for different Plex libraries. Music, Movies, Currently Airing TV Shows, Completed TV Shows, etc. When one of those get full (usually the completed shows) I can easily just increase it

You can do all this with Unraid.

23 hours ago, trurl said:

You can do all this with Unraid.

Sure can!.......It's just not as simple/convenient, nor as fast....I'm actually quite happy with how Windows runs the Plex server.....EXCEPT for the updates/ and occasional reboots.😟