I have been using a Late 2012 Mac Mini 2.5 GHz i5 (3210M) “Ivy bridge”, for my plex server which has been working well. I want to consolidate my plex server with my file server. The processor on my file server is way too slow though. I’m trying to spend the least money possible to just upgrade the processor on my file server.
Can you guys recommend an AMD processor that would perform the same or better to the mac mini? I need it to work with my existing AMD board/Socket. Not sure if it’s even possible to have something that performs similar.
This is the motherboard that I have now
ASRock A785GM-LE AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G Micro ATX AMD
The only processors that I see which have a passmark score on par or higher than a core i5 3210m for your socket are the 6 core thuban processors. You can get a used Phenom II X6 1035T or 1045T for cheap used on ebay. The Phenom has a passmark score over 5000 which is plenty enough for two 1080p transcode streams.
The only problem with your socket is the power consumption is extremely high for a plex server. You’re looking at 100-130watts at idle for your whole desktop. That’s about $11/month in electricity at idle paying 12cents per kwh.
The Mac mini has a 11watt at idle, which is about $1 per month for electricity. However, if you’re already using a socket AM2/AM3 processor as a file server, you’re probably already spending $11 for electricty.
Oh wow, I did not even think about the electricity! Didn’t realize it’s such a difference. I’m be spending that much even with a Sempron 2400 processor that I have on the file server now?
*also if I go through with this, will I be able to use the HSF from my Sempron? Or because it’s a different socket, will I need a new HSF? The ones for sale on ebay are typically only the processors
BTW, I just noticed when playing a 1080p file with DTS on my iphone, the video seems to be using hardware transcoding. I see Transcoding H264(hw) to H264
So the intel in the mac mini is capable of hardware transcoding, which the AMD Phenem II X6 1035t will not be able to do… So am I really comparing apples to apples? Is it possible I am getting significantly better transcoding performance from the current intel chip on the mac mini? I just don’t want to have issues by consolidating and then finding out that I can’t transcode as well as before and after spending $100 on a used AMD
guys also question:
What determines how quickly the library images load when plex is accessed by devices such as an appletv? Is it the processor speed on the plex server?
I find sometimes I have to wait a bit when quickly scrolling for images to load, but when I see other people’s demos the images appear almost instantly of the cover art… Is it the processor speed of the plex server? or the hard drive? Would getting an SSD make the difference?
