I am looking for a new HTPC build that will also serve (then solely serve when my new high end PC comes) as a Plex Media Server.
At first it will be connected to my 4K TV and direct play 720/1080/4K through Kodi (and PlexKodiConnect) while sometimes streaming media files to another localy connected device (720/1080p direct play, 4K transcoding), never more than 2 client at a time (one in directplay, one with slight transcoding for exemple).
It may also for times to times stream files over the internet with some transcoding, also never more than 2 client at a time (one local/direcplay, one over the internet for exemple).
Anyway there will never be over two transcode at the same time.
Secondly, when my new High End PC comes, it will then become a simple headless Plex Media Server and nothing else, not even connected to the TV anymore. Then it may handle a maximum of 3 client at a time, but not often (chances are extremely low that 3 devices stream 4K content with heavy transcoding at the same time)
So I am looking for a cheap build with low power consumption as it will stay on all the time.
I’ve tought about the following:
Case: BitFenix Prodigy M (lots of space for extra HDD ~89.95€)
Power Supply: FSP Hyper M 500 (Semi-Modular ~59.95€)
Processor: AMD FX 8320 Black Edition (3.5 GHz ~137.95€)
Motherboard: ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 (Micro-ATX ~56.95€)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8 Go DDR3 1600 MHz CL11 (~61,75€)
Craphic Card: MSI GEFORCE GTX 1050 TI AERO ITX 4G OC (~157.96€)
SSD: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120 Go (OS and PlexMediaServer ~62.95€)
HDD: Toshiba P300 2 To (For starters ~73.95€)
That makes a total of 638.46€, which is not that cheap… Do you think I could make it less expensive?
Inexpensive i7 laptops can be gotten with SSD inside.
This is what I have done.
Not only is it relatively inexpensive, It’s Smaller, Cooler, Quieter, lower electric costs than any tower type box.
@jjrjr1 said:
Inexpensive i7 laptops can be gotten with SSD inside.
This is what I have done.
Not only is it relatively inexpensive, It’s Smaller, Cooler, Quieter, lower electric costs than any tower type box.
Yes, but what about 4K transcoding on two places at the same time, 4K external resolution on HDMI and how reach massive storage capacities? My external 2 Tb drive is already full, I got two more 3"1/2 1Tb drives also full… I just want a small SSD for Windows and PMS
Well I have 100tb of disk all connected USB3
With respect to transcoding 4K all I can say is DON’T.
You are not gonna find any affordable machine to transcode 4K.
Encode your 4K as MP4 / h.265 / AC3… and your 4K will direct play hardly using any CPU.
My i7 has a passmark of around 8K. I can transcode around 4-6 simultaneous 1080p or less concurrently and 4K direct streams with no problem.
The reason for an SSD in the laptop is to provide a FAST disk for Transcoding temp files.
By 4K I mean H.265 HEVC 4K Content, in my library I have some and it will (I think) transcode anyway to 1080p/low end devices, right ? Especially it comes over the internet, even with optic fiber (which I have)…
Indeed, do you have any suggestions about an i7 + SSD laptop bellow 650€?
I’m also curious, how did you plug 100Tb of disk in USB3?
@moukrea
I have dozens of 4K content.
Just do not allow users outside your local network access to 4K content (Or non 4k devices on your local network).
Create 1080p h.264 / mp4 / ac3 or aac for the non 4K clients.
Believe me you prolly will not wanna spent the money for a 25k passmark CPU just to transcode 4K.
Besides, why create 4K just to transcode… Makes no sense!!
I keep all my 4K in one library and no remote users have access to that library.
If I am accessing it from a non-4K device I know better that to try and watch 4K.
Again… encode 4k as mp4 / H.265 / AC3 it will direct play on local devices.
Wow that’s impressive, I didn’t know there was such kind of enclosures… That’s a really interesting news for me!
So no need for a beefy computer I won’t get close enough to the power required to transcode 4K !
So I have another question… Would Plex be able to directplay 4K to a 1080p screen ? I know that won’t change a thing on the screen, but maybe rather than transcoding/create a separate library or a 1080p file of the 4K movie… Could it just directplay it over local network?
I ask that just because I’m able (barely, my i7 laptop is really weak) to play 4K content on it despite the fact it displays 1080p only… I’m not much used to transcoding stuff
Wow that’s impressive, I didn’t know there was such kind of enclosures… That’s a really interesting news for me!
So no need for a beefy computer I won’t get close enough to the power required to transcode 4K !
So I have another question… Would Plex be able to directplay 4K to a 1080p screen ? I know that won’t change a thing on the screen, but maybe rather than transcoding/create a separate library or a 1080p file of the 4K movie… Could it just directplay it over local network?
I ask that just because I’m able (barely, my i7 laptop is really weak) to play 4K content on it despite the fact it displays 1080p only… I’m not much used to transcoding stuff
Thanks, you’re really helpful!
If the client supports 4K playback, then it will not require transcoding. Otherwise it will be transcoded.
What @kegobeer-plex said.
Just ensure your 4K content is encoded as I suggested or it WILL transcode anyway… (mp4 / h.265 / ac3)
Additionally if you encode your 1080p as mp4/h.264 / ac3, it will also direct play to most devices
Would this be enough to play 4K content in directplay on two client at the same time?
Or directplay 4K on one client while transcoding 1080p over the internet to another client (max. 2)?
@moukrea
It just occurred to me that Part of your HDD quantity question might be how do you get 30 HDDs on line when windows only supports 24 drive letters.
If that is what you were wondering, the answer is when you configure the new drive you can mount it to a folder in an existing drive… No Need for drive letter that way.
So for me I have a drive such as X:
Then as I add a new drive I create a folder on drive X: and mount the new drive there.
Example:
Drive X: named Movies
inside drive X: folder Movies 1
That folder I can add movie file to directly
When drive X: gets full I get a new HDD
Create a new folder on drive X:" call it Movies 2
Mount the new drive to that folder.
Now I have 2 HDDs using the same drive letter…
For the PC CPU figure 2k passmark for each transcoded 1080p 8-10mbps stream you anticipate.
If you encode your media to direct play, that greatly reduces the CPU power needed…
If your 4K is encoded to direct play, and does direct play, you could probably run 5 4K movies while transcoding a couple 1080p files using the above formula.
Be sure you pay attention to bandwidth if you are expecting remote users as they are more likely to need transcoding than media played to local network clients.
In my case most all remote uses transcode as I limit remote bandwidth to 3mbps (720p resolution) per stream so I can get as many remote users possible on my 20meg upload pipe. Therefore almost all my 1080p transcode to remote users and also some of my 480p as well.
Most of my 1080p is at 5-6mbps
My 4K is around 15-18mbps.
480p around 2-5mbps
Those figures seem to work pretty well for me and the picture is awesome.
Wow that mean I can make my server for really cheap, I’m impressed!
Just gotta get USB3 enclosures when I run low on storage but I guess an Intel Core i3-6100 @3.7Ghz will be enough especially with its low power consumption, no need for a graphic card (integrated graphics, which anyway doesn’t really matter as it’ll be an headless server) which makes my build at around 460€
As for the curious, here’s the build:
Case: BitFenix Prodigy M (89.90 €)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W (49.80 €)
Processor: Intel Core i3-6100 (3.7 GHz - 134.90 €)
Motherboard: Gigabyte H110M-S2V (54.90 €)
Memory: DDR4 Crucial, 8 Go, 2133 MHz, CAS 16 (67.80 €)
SSD: Kingston Now V300, 120 Go, SATA III (Windows and PlexMediaServer - 59.90 €)
Craphic Card: None, it’s just a media server (and play files on Chromecast/SmartTV/HTPC/Laptop/Smartphones)
HDD: None for starters, I’ll use my existing ones (External USB3.0 2Tb + Two Internal 1Tb)
Which makes a total of 457.20 €
If I didn’t plan to build a beefy gaming PC and was too short on storage, I would also add:
Graphic card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile, 4 Go (172.90 €)
HDD: Seagate IronWolf, 8 To (263.01 €)
Which makes the build suddenly pretty expensive, but anyway a day will come when we’ll all have to buy more storage!
@jjrjr1 Do you think this build will be enough? Thanks a billion for all the help, you made my day!
That CPU has a passmark of 5.5k.
Should easily support 2 1080p transcodes and a few 4K (or 1080p) direct play streams concurrently.
Just don’t go crazy with bit rates LOL.
Always create your media to direct play where possible, particularly for devices on your local network (Usually mp4 / H.264 (1080p or less) h.265 (for 4K) / AC3 2 or 5.1 channel). You should get great performance. Better if your C: drive is a 256gig SSD. (Meta data can take ALOT of space and you want best database and transcoding performance as your library grows)
If possible I would consider future proof with a higher passmark I7 but not necessary if your streaming requirements are limited.
I routinely have 3-4 remote users accessing my PMS while I can have 2 local devices running. My box does just fine with room to spare.
Have fun and glad to help
Cheers
John
Note… Something to consider… Plex is working on Hardware transcoding and should be coming available soon. It requires the Intel Graphics support. Might consider adding a mother board with Intel Advanced Graphics then when Hardware Transcoding becomes available, you will instantly get a boost in the transcoding department.
For exact details on Hardware transcoding, check the forums for latest info… (For me was another advantage of using a cheap I7 laptop as it already has compatible Intel graphics on board)
And BTW LOL you will find as you go on HDD will rapidly become your LARGEST expense.
I have 5000 movies,
30000 Tv shows,
80000 music tracks.
And grows every day as I add about 10 titles daily.
Takes a lot of HDD LOL
Do you think h265 is useless for 1080p? If it’s the case… I may have to encode again a massive part of my library haha
So for an optimal Plex use, I may go for the following:
480p: 2/5Mbps (H264 - AC3)
720p: 4/5Mbps (H264 - AC3)
1080p: 5/6Mpbs (H264 - AC3)
4K: 15/18Mbps (H265 - AC3)
I really thought h265 made a difference in 1080p, but maybe it’s just placebo effect!
Hardware transcoding… That’s interesting! The Core i3 I’ve planned to get integrates an Intel HD Graphics 530, the motherboard uses it so I guess it’s good to go!
No do not encode h.265 for 1080p as most clients will not support that codec at 1080p and Plex will transcode. (and as we mentioned it takes ALOT of horsepower to transcode h.265)
Your encoding looks good an should perform well.
It is exactly how I process encodes…
H.265 will not add quality to your 1080p media… just make it smaller in file size.
But your 1080p and less clients will not support h.265 and plex will transcode.
I am not even sure a 4K TV will play 1080p using h.265.
Yup if that mother board supports the Intel Graphics you are ready for HW transcoding…
Good to know! My phone and laptop perform h265 pretty well, but never tried directly on TV, so for better compatibility I’ll go as you said with h264 from now
Just a slight question about it, which software do you usually use for encoding? I use Handbrake as it’s a really easy one, but maybe there’s better around !
Oh and also, which bitrate would you recomend for 5.1 AC3 and 2.0 AC3?
I’ll do my magic formula for all my library according to it (presets), guess my server will spend lots of time reencoding pretty much everything!
