1 RU Server Recommendations

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Hi All,

I currently have my Plex server running on an Intel i5-2400 @ 3.10GHz with an NVIDIA GeForce GT1030, 16GB Ram, and running on Windows 10. My media is stored on a NAS and I mount NFS shares. On the player side, I have a couple samsung TV’s and some iPad’s with generally no more that 2 concurrent streams. Overall things work pretty good. I also use the PC for gaming.

I’m changing the layout of my office, and I’m planning on moving all my equipment into a 20 RU rack. I’d like to setup a dedicated server for Plex running on Linux in a 1 RU server case. I’d like to have hardware acceleration for transcoding and be able to support the same amount of clients mentioned above.

I’d hoping to get some advice on hardware specs for a fairly low cost build that can handle what I’m looking for.

Appreciate your help!

2

Use an Intel desktop CPU of a recent generation. Avoid Intel “server” CPU’s and AMD, because they currently don’t provide hardware transcoding for Plex.
Then you won’t be needing an additional GPU and can achieve a low-ish power design.

3

I’m not well versed in the different Intel lineup these days. Any specific recommendations?

4

Sorry, no. If you see one on offer, just look up which code name (e.g. “Kaby Lake”) it is.
Then compare its hardware transcoding feature set using this table: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Quick_Sync_Video#Hardware_decoding_and_encoding
Rule of thumb: the newer the better

It can’t hurt to look up the passmark rating of the CPU as well: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-2400+%40+3.10GHz&id=793
Compare both the overall CPU Mark as well as the “single thread rating”.
You want to prefer the CPU with the higher “single thread rating”, if you have to decide between two models with similar overall CPU Mark.

If you want to perform HDR to SDR conversion, you need additional computing power. Not everything of this can be done in hardware transcoding.
So if you have HDR videos and want to watch those in acceptable quality on non-HDR client devices, go for a more powerful CPU.

5

Thanks for the links. I think I’m going to go with:

  • i3-9100 CPU
  • 16GB ram
  • 256GB SSD (that I already have)
  • ASUS H310 motherboard
  • iStar 1RU server case
  • mini-ITX 300W power supply

Hoping I can get do the build for ~$350. This should give me hardware transcoding and enough CPU to handle the occasional item that can’t use hardware.

6

One thing to consider is that rackmount cases are frequently louder, and sometimes MUCH louder, than desktop/tower form factor.

Air can’t flow passively through them, and small fans have to spin fast to move air.

1RU systems are usually much louder again than 2RU systems, too. Some of them make a gross “Hair Dryer” noise.

I’m not familiar with the iStar products. And an i3-9100 isn’t all that hot, so YMMV. Just wanted to mention it. :slight_smile:

7

This CPU is on the low end of the range. You might be able to get by though, if you avoid transcoding HDR content and the lossless DTS and Dolby formats

https://support.plex.tv/articles/201774043-what-kind-of-cpu-do-i-need-for-my-server/

8

I’m been trying to do a bunch of research, and I’ve seen several people say they are using the G4900’s with great success as it supports the hardware acceleration. I thought bumping up to the i3 would give me a little more horsepower than a celeron. You think I need something even bigger than that i3 if I’m using hardware acceleration?

9

It all depends on your media, as I explained above. 4K HDR to SDR transcoding
or Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA transcoding
require a lot of raw CPU horse power and there is no hardware transcoder which can help with that.

Your cpu-to-be has only 6700 passmark points. I recommend you to aim for something with about 10.000 points or more. (one of the top Core i5 models should do it)

10

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