Hi there
I have 3 older desktop computers just standing and collecting dust. I would like to bring up one of them to life again and run a 24/7 plex server with ability to transcode 1080p (just me)
I have the following CPUs:
Intel Core i7 860 2,8 GHz 8 MB
Intel Xeon X3430 2.4GHZ
Intel Pentium E5500 / 2.8 GHz
Any recommendations what to go with? As it will be running 24/7 the highest wish would be to save costs in the longer run.
The i7 has the same power consumption as the Xeon, but has more transcoding power.
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-860+%40+2.80GHz&id=6
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+X3430+%40+2.40GHz&id=1287
The Pentium is a low-spec cpu and should not be used in a Plex server.
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Pentium+E5500+%40+2.80GHz&id=1100
see https://support.plex.tv/articles/201774043-what-kind-of-cpu-do-i-need-for-my-server/
With the above linked knowledge base article in mind, none of these cpus is an ideal contender for a Plex server.
If you want to use all Plex features and don’t want to carefully prepare and pre-transcode all your files, you need a powerful and up-to-date cpu from the top shelf.
Thank you!
I know that the CPUs are not the newest but I just want to make a simple server running 24/7 where I can stream directly to my TV with the ability to stream outside to my phone or any accessible source. 1080p is enough and I will be the only one streaming.
From what I can see, a passmark over 2000 would do the job. i7 scores 5000 and Xeon 3300. The question is what CPU is most economical? Both have a TDP of 95W but how do they both behave when on IDLE? It’s hard to find any information about that.
I have the option to buy new compontents which will be quite pricy or just use one of the old deskops for free. The choice is simple 
Only if you avoid videos with the HEVC video codec.
One might assume that “home stuff” like the i7 is better suited. But I know this cpu model and it is a power hog. The Xeon and the i7 will probably not be very different when it comes to power saving.
Just to keep in mind: a modern Core i5 CPU has a TDP of 65W and roughly 4 times the computing power. And it will be less power-consuming as well.
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