Hi Guys,

I'm building my server around these parts. Please tell me if I'm on the right track, according to the Docker containers I list below that I plan to install. I had the Case, MB, PSU, and CPU lying around.

1. MB - Asus Prime B450m-a ii

2. CPU - AMD Ryzen 3 3200G

3. RAM - G.SKILL RipjawsV Series DDR4 - 32GB

4. Storage - 2X Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Internal Hard Drive

5. Parity - 8TB Seagate IronWolf NAS Internal Hard Drive

6. Cache - Crucial 500GB SSD, M.2

7. PSU - Corsair TX 650

These are the Docker Containers I plan to run. My question is this. Will I need more RAM? I'm not big on VM's but might try one or two in the future. This will be my first build.

Nextcloud, Immich, Jellyfin, Vaultwarden, Audiobookshelf, Home Assistant, Calibre, qBittorrent, Nginx Proxy Manager and Paperless-ngx. I'm sure there will be more. I also plan to backup my security cams to this server.

Will it work? Yes. Will you be happy with it? My guess is no.

The 3200G is very under powered by today's standards. 4 cores on a Zen+ CPU is not going to handle multiple processes running at once. Don't get me wrong, I love the 1st gen Ryzen processors (I work where they are made. Zen+ is a slight improvement over the original Ryzen 1xxxx). My first Unraid server was built on a 1500X I had lying around after updating my desktop. But it took me less than a year to decide I needed to upgrade.

I'm not an expert of Jellyfin. but pretty certain that you won't be able to use the 3200G to do transcoding. Which will push the 3200G to its limit. Add torrenting, the other dockers and "I'm sure there will be more" you will be more than maxed out.

The memory, drives and PSU are fine for a mostly docker server. If you do go with VMs, more memory and cores are generally needed, especially if you will be doing more than just installing and playing around to see what they are.

If doing this on a small budget, I'd recommend getting your hands on a second hand Intel processor and motherboard. The Intel iGPU have QuickSync, which all of the popular media servers easily can transcode with, off loading the task from the CPU cores.

On 12/9/2025 at 6:20 PM, ConnerVT said:

Will it work? Yes. Will you be happy with it? My guess is no.

The 3200G is very under powered by today's standards. 4 cores on a Zen+ CPU is not going to handle multiple processes running at once. Don't get me wrong, I love the 1st gen Ryzen processors (I work where they are made. Zen+ is a slight improvement over the original Ryzen 1xxxx). My first Unraid server was built on a 1500X I had lying around after updating my desktop. But it took me less than a year to decide I needed to upgrade.

I'm not an expert of Jellyfin. but pretty certain that you won't be able to use the 3200G to do transcoding. Which will push the 3200G to its limit. Add torrenting, the other dockers and "I'm sure there will be more" you will be more than maxed out.

The memory, drives and PSU are fine for a mostly docker server. If you do go with VMs, more memory and cores are generally needed, especially if you will be doing more than just installing and playing around to see what they are.

If doing this on a small budget, I'd recommend getting your hands on a second hand Intel processor and motherboard. The Intel iGPU have QuickSync, which all of the popular media servers easily can transcode with, off loading the task from the CPU cores.

Appreciate your response. How has the Ryzen 7 5700G + MSI B-550-A Pro combination been working for you? Have you been happy with it?

The 5700G has been a solid workhorse. It runs my main server that has 20 Docker containers which are always running (and 5 more that are tools I can spin up as needed). There are two smaller VM which also run all the time, with 3 other VMs that I start up at times (Win11 and Linux). I have never seen it overwhelmed/full maxed out, even when having a number of applications hit it at once.

The server has 64GB of DDR4, but could easily run with 32GB. I bought more than needed, as DDR4 manufacturing was being shut down and correctly predicted the crazy price increases of all memory that we see now.

I only use the iGPU of the 5700G for a PiKVM I have connected to that server. For Plex transcoding I use a Quadro P400 which has done a great job the past few years, even with a couple of remote users watching video. I will likely replace it soon with an A400, only due to Nvidia likely to drop driver support for the P400 sometime in the upcoming year.

11 hours ago, ConnerVT said:

The 5700G has been a solid workhorse. It runs my main server that has 20 Docker containers which are always running (and 5 more that are tools I can spin up as needed). There are two smaller VM which also run all the time, with 3 other VMs that I start up at times (Win11 and Linux). I have never seen it overwhelmed/full maxed out, even when having a number of applications hit it at once.

The server has 64GB of DDR4, but could easily run with 32GB. I bought more than needed, as DDR4 manufacturing was being shut down and correctly predicted the crazy price increases of all memory that we see now.

I only use the iGPU of the 5700G for a PiKVM I have connected to that server. For Plex transcoding I use a Quadro P400 which has done a great job the past few years, even with a couple of remote users watching video. I will likely replace it soon with an A400, only due to Nvidia likely to drop driver support for the P400 sometime in the upcoming year.

After lots of research and your recommendation, I decided to go with the Ryzen 7 5700G + MSI B-550-A Pro combo. Did you use the CPU stock fan?

I've used stock AMD coolers in a a number of Ryzen builds. For "free" stock coolers, they are generally fine. Since the first Wraith Spire cooler that was bundled with the 1500X, AMD has definitely cheapened them some.

I have a Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE in the main server (as well as my 5800X desktop). A bit overkill, but allows for lower fan speeds and noise. An excellent inexpensive CPU cooler. The 5600GT in the second server has a low profile Noctura as I had one on hand and unused.

4 hours ago, ConnerVT said:

I've used stock AMD coolers in a a number of Ryzen builds. For "free" stock coolers, they are generally fine. Since the first Wraith Spire cooler that was bundled with the 1500X, AMD has definitely cheapened them some.

I have a Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE in the main server (as well as my 5800X desktop). A bit overkill, but allows for lower fan speeds and noise. An excellent inexpensive CPU cooler. The 5600GT in the second server has a low profile Noctura as I had one on hand and unused.

4 hours ago, ConnerVT said:

I've used stock AMD coolers in a a number of Ryzen builds. For "free" stock coolers, they are generally fine. Since the first Wraith Spire cooler that was bundled with the 1500X, AMD has definitely cheapened them some.

I have a Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE in the main server (as well as my 5800X desktop). A bit overkill, but allows for lower fan speeds and noise. An excellent inexpensive CPU cooler. The 5600GT in the second server has a low profile Noctura as I had one on hand and unused.

Just now, HollowOak said:

  6 hours ago, ConnerVT said:

I've used stock AMD coolers in a a number of Ryzen builds. For "free" stock coolers, they are generally fine. Since the first Wraith Spire cooler that was bundled with the 1500X, AMD has definitely cheapened them some.

  6 hours ago, ConnerVT said:

I've used stock AMD coolers in a a number of Ryzen builds. For "free" stock coolers, they are generally fine. Since the first Wraith Spire cooler that was bundled with the 1500X, AMD has definitely cheapened them some.

Got it. Thanks