Greetings!
Anyone have experience with latest CPU released last month? I’m looking to upgrade to help minimize stuttering.
Thank you,
Kelly <3
More power horse, better performance in transcoding 
Comio wrote, “More power horse, better performance in hw transcoding ;)”
Hallelujah!! Thank you. 
Hi Kelly.
I actually have one in a box right here. Just waiting for my days off to install it.
However… A previous set up was no higher than the i5-3340 you show in your signature and I never got buffering with that either.
That said I have no wireless TV based clients.
I have no media on USB drives.
Probably need as much detail on your setup as possible, the kind of media you’re trying to play? MP4, MKV, ?
High bitrate Remuxes ? or 8-15GB rips… or lower than that?
Are all your clients wireless? Obviously the Chromecasts are… But what about the Fire TV or the Windows device, and is the windows device running the web app or PMP or the windows store app?
Depending on the kind of media files you are trying to play I really don’t believe a CPU upgrade will fix anything. The exception may be if you happen to be playing HEVC files then possibly it may. If you get buffering with everything you play then its pretty certain not CPU related. More likely network… Also are the Seagates USB2 or USB3?
EDIT… Sorry I just the the other answer and need to check… Why are you transcoding…If indeed you are? If you are playing local media on a local system that isn’t something like a tablet or phone and its still transcoding then that’s a place to start. So again it comes back to type of media, type of device, type of connection of device (wired/wireless)…
I’m sorry but i couldn’t agree less with the other reply…at least not as a “blanket” statement.
Hi Hitsville. Thank you for your response. However, you are blowing my mind as some stuff you wrote seems like a foreign language, haha. I am really a simple end-user. I lack your sophistication… not for lack of trying.
First, gimme your new CPU! Seriously, if I can avoid buying new CPU, I will.
I am mostly trying to play MP4s. I use Avidemux to make mp4 remuxes. High bitrate? IDK. My resulting files are about 4.5GB and they turn out to be 730p or 1080i, if that is an answer.
First, I ripped all my DVDs (and gave away the good ones) using MKV and Handbrake. however, those files all turned out to be SD.
Now I get all my HD movies by downloading through Playon or by capturing them on my cable box through a PVR. These files end up HD. I use Movie Maker to make them mp4s.
I don’t know what HEVC files are so I probably dont have any. None of my TVs are 4K, if that is related.
Half of my clients will be wired… waiting on some ethernet cables to come today. Right now I only have one old ethernet cable that I run from my CC Ultra to my router. This is for my main living room TV where I watch the most movies. The new CC Ultra allows for ethernet . I plan to also run ethernet from my computer to router today.
I have a second living room tv that runs the second gen CC that is wireless. I “think” CC sells an ethernet adapter for that 2nd gen CC for $15. Anyway, I dont watch movies on second TV. I just use it as a screensaver to play low quality videos of fireplaces, lava lamps, and strobing disco lights. I often use both living room TVs at the same time.
My bedroom TV uses wireless Fire TV Ultra. I RARELY have both living room and bedroom TVs going at the same time. I dont know what player my Fire TV Ultra uses… but it is different player than in my living room. Alexa taught me that. I “think” a windows store app??
As to the player in my living room… I have no idea if it is web app or PMP. This has always confused me. I downloaded and I update an app through the Chrome browser.
Based on what you wrote about buffering, I likely have a network problem.
My Seagate external drives are all USB 3s and they are all properly connected through USB 3.0 ports on my laptop. (I bought some thingie for about $40 that has 7 slots for USB 3.0.)
I have over 1700 movies and over 1000 hours of TV. My world would be so happy if I could watch seamless media. <3
Thank you. THANK YOU.
-Kelly
Hitsville wrote, "Why are you transcoding…If indeed you are? If you are playing local media on a local system that isn’t something like a tablet or phone and its still transcoding then that’s a place to start. "
uh… er… I don’t know if I am transcoding. I thought Plex just transcoded everything on its own? :o I am trying to hook up two remote users if transcoding is necessary for that. Otherwise, I am playing local media on a local system (?).
I need to go hug my cat. My brain is exploding.
-kelly
I confirmed that all Chromecasts can use ethernet. Google sells an ethernet adapter for $15 that can be used for 1st and 2nd gen. I just bought one. The CC Ultra already has an ethernet port.
Hitsville wrote, “is the windows device running the web app or PMP or the windows store app?” After more research, I am definitely using web media app.
It’s probably me, but I found PMP and it sucks. I cannot cast it to my TV and the interface is not user friendly.
@UnicornWasher said:
uh… er… I don’t know if I am transcoding. I thought Plex just transcoded everything on its own? :o I am trying to hook up two remote users if transcoding is necessary for that. Otherwise, I am playing local media on a local system (?).
Plex will only transcode if/when the client needs it.
From what you say about the files its unlikely that the files would need transcoding.
Yeah sorry I havent used a chromecast for a long time. I would definitely do some more testing when the ethernet cables come. 
@HitsVille said:
@UnicornWasher said:
uh… er… I don’t know if I am transcoding. I thought Plex just transcoded everything on its own? :o I am trying to hook up two remote users if transcoding is necessary for that. Otherwise, I am playing local media on a local system (?).
Plex will only transcode if/when the client needs it.
From what you say about the files its unlikely that the files would need transcoding.
Yeah sorry I havent used a chromecast for a long time. I would definitely do some more testing when the ethernet cables come.
So far, you are turning out to be my hero. <3
I have been plucking away for nearly a year trying to get it right. I think you nailed it with network issue. I dont want to jinx it, but I have been testing the wired system and I havent had any stuttering. You likely saved me nearly $1000 too. At my wit’s end… I was so close to buying a new computer. Anyway, thank you for giving me your time and help.
Crossing fingers,
Kelly
For what it’s worth, a 8700 is complete overkill for Plex if it’s only for you and a friend or two, especially with hardware accelerated transcoding now available.
I run my system with an i5-7500, which has pretty much the same integrated graphics chip, and I can transcode 4K hevc files without issues. Or multiple 1080p files at once.
Don’t waste your money.
@KarlDag said:
For what it’s worth, a 8700 is complete overkill for Plex if it’s only for you and a friend or two, especially with hardware accelerated transcoding now available.I run my system with an i5-7500, which has pretty much the same integrated graphics chip, and I can transcode 4K hevc files without issues. Or multiple 1080p files at once.
Don’t waste your money.
Thank you, KarlDag. Sounds good. It would even be the rare occasion that there would be two 1080s running at the same time.
I run the i7-6700 which has handled 5 remote streams without breaking a sweat. And that was before Hardware Transcoding was introduced.
@KarlDag said:
For what it’s worth, a 8700 is complete overkill for Plex if it’s only for you and a friend or two, especially with hardware accelerated transcoding now available.I run my system with an i5-7500, which has pretty much the same integrated graphics chip, and I can transcode 4K hevc files without issues. Or multiple 1080p files at once.
Don’t waste your money.
This.^^^
@UnicornWasher
KarlDag sums it up perfectly.
Your system should be fine for the media you are trying to play. Any issues you are having are most likely network, client/server config or USB related. A CPU upgrade as we both mention will not help and will be a waste of money.
You mention two concurrent streams @ 1080p ? Your CPU will do it with ease… then as @AmazingRando24 mentions… Hardware transcoding changes the game completely.
But when all that is said, some if not all of your files should happily direct play.
A good place to start is to check if you have hardware decoding is enabled (for when it IS needed)
I’m UK based and its getting late here (well it is after a 12 hour shift 
) however i now have a few days off. I’m more than happy to spare some time to try to help you get this sorted. I appreciate that sometimes newer users can feel intimidated with some of the terms used or where to find certain settings so please feel free to ask and I’m sure myself or others will try to provide screenshots.
There are reasons you are having issues and its just a process of elimination to pinpoint the causes. The general rule though is firstly start with cabled (ethernet connected) clients. That way we are starting with optimal Plex preferences. So if we get stuff working via ethernet then we can move on to wifi client troubleshooting.
Hey Hitsvillle,
Thank you again for helping. Please feel free to cut and run at anytime.
I will be back here Tuesday as my ethernet adapter for my chromecast will be at my house by next Monday.
(Sadness as I had perfect viewing through ethernet on chromcast ultra for one day… and then today was a bad day.)
I will be troubleshooting stuff I can do as to eliminate potential issues.
Kelly
Hey Hitsvillle,
Thanks again for understanding. Please know I am in no hurry, so respond at your leisure. 
I am now fully wired on CC 2nd gen and CC Ultra. (forget about my wireless fire tv Ultra- I’ll save for another day…) I keep everything updated. I am 1.9.7.4441, web version 3.27.1. I’ve cast from both Chrome browser and my android Gen X. Where I cast from seems to have no effect. Using or not using other stuff that pulls on my CPU has no effect. This week I got an error, that did not alter playback, “shaka1001 network.” I analyzed all libraries and error message went away. I also run a Philips hue bridge for lights, but it is wired to my router. But for my cell phone, keyboard, and mouse, I have no other wireless devices running.
**You wrote: “A good place to start is to check if you have hardware decoding is enabled (for when it IS needed).” **_ Is this what you are talking about?_: “Automatically adjust quality (Beta)
Plex will increase or decrease quality based on connection speed. Requires latest Plex Media Server.” If so, that is checked.
When I had just Ethernet wired CC Ultra running, I was able to watch a Joy Division and Mad Max movie earlier this week, no issues. Today, same setup, I couldnt watch Joy Division (lots of action), Zulu (sorry about how that turned out for England :o ), or a drama (low action); they were all unwatchable.
Then later today, I added CC 2nd gen at the same time I played CC ultra (both wired), and they played mostly perfectly for about 45 minutes. Then they became unwatchable. Then later, I had one wired going and added a remote user. Both worked for a while.
Then later, I was able to watch Zulu perfectly on CC ultra wired for a while. Now I am watching it again and it is buffering. Buffering stopped after about 15 minutes and now everything is nearly perfect.
Everything seems to be hit or miss.
Kelly! o:)
BTW, I’ve only been testing 720p—H264 videos.
I’ve also updated all the drivers on my computer, run a full virus scan, prayed, and taken screenshots of all my web and server settings.
Man, all of that should work. Even my cheesy old AMD could handle two 1080 streams. As long as you’re hard wired with a gigabit connection between the router and the Plex Media Server box, everything else should be gravy.
Also, check Settings > Server > Transcoder and ensure “Use hardware acceleration when available” is checked. That might help speed up the process a bit.
