Choosing the right CPU

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.19.3.2852
Player Version#:8.1.2.18135

hi guys ,

understand Plex hardware transcoding is only available with Plex Pass, I currently only use free Plex without a Plex pass.

so my question is, how powerful should my CPU actually need to be?

I have 2 options right now, either:

  1. Intel G4560 or
  2. Ryzen 5 3400G

would the Intel be more than enough to run my Plex server on OMV 4.xxx given no HW transcoding is likely to happen?

for my use case , usually streaming on local network around 2X 4k /HD streaming simultaneously, at times with some audio transcoding…

thanks in advance…

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A PMS with no transcodes can be run on a Raspberry Pi, so I don’t understand your question.
The Ryzen is the much better CPU obviously, but the G will be enough for what you ask for.

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Hi coxeroni,

thank for your response. just wanted this clarified. so there is no real benefit of using a better cpu as no transcoding happens in hardware … and as you rightly said even a raspberry pi would suffice…so from a power consumption/efficiency perspective , trust im better off using the Intel g4560 processor of the two options I have iguess…

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Well it depends as usual. If you have to transcode a TrueHD 7.1 it can be more demanding than you think. If this happens for several streams in parallel, more CPU is always better :wink:
But your Pentium G might be enough for it, can’t tell.

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in that case is it a hardware transcode where the CPU is actually used or some kind of software transcode… this is my confusion… what does Plex hardware transcode requiring Plex pass mean in this case?

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Software means it is run by the CPU, can be confusing. Hardware means video transcodes that are done by the integrated graphics unit of the Intel CPUs or via a dedicated graphics card.
The G4560 even has this integrated graphics chip so if you want to buy a Plex pass in the future you would be able to benefit from hardware transcoding (for video).

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awesome🙂 , now this gives me clarity… thanks so much for this information🙏

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also guess in this case for a software transcode (without Plex pass) ryzen is a better option?

and surely for HW transcode since Plex can leverage on Intel integrated graphics the g4560 would be the better option…

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Definetely, approx. 2.5x benchmark points.

I guess the Ryzen also has an integrated graphics unit, but it can’t be used by Plex (yet). Nobody knows if and when that changes. Speaking of today, the G4560 is the better option if you want to use hw transcoding.

1 Like
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thanks for your detailed response… :slightly_smiling_face: much appreciated

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Sure thing

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