New Machine Setup - Seeking Suggestions! (Hardware, Config, Settings)

[HainsMedia]

I’m currently running Plex on a Synology 218+, but decided I needed to do a dedicated build to really get the best experience as my use and volume grow (especially with the increased 4K content). I currently don’t have more than 2-3 streams at a time, but I do plan to share my library with more users and expand the amount of content available, so I want to build for the future.

I’ve built desktop PCs in the past but have a limited knowledge of advanced networking and network settings, and have not really used any operating system outside of Windows (other than the Synology DSM, and I’m still pretty noob on that). This build would basically be dedicated to PMS, although having some basic network filesharing would be nice as well.

So I’m considering these options on the new build, with my top choices on each topic, was hoping for some suggestions or opinions from the community.

*O/S: Windows 10, FreeNAS, or something else? (Leaning towards Windows just out of familiarity, but if there’s a better OS for Plex that doesn’t have a steep learning curve, I’m open to it).

*CPU/GPU: Was planning on a Ryzen 5 3600 / RX 580 8GB combo, seems to be a reasonable combo for performance and price. I do get the sense that the majority of Plex users/commentators prefer the Intel/Nvidia combo, so if there’s something comparable I’m open to it. I also don’t know if that combo is overkill for a dedicated media server, but I don’t want any hardware bottlenecks so I’m willing to overbuild slightly.

*Transcoding: RAM disk, SSD, or HDD? I have enough system memory (64GB) to allocate a good size RAM disk, but I’ve read mixed reviews on using it and whether it’s worth it. I could alternatively dedicate an SSD or HDD for transcoding use, to keep that workload away from my storage and OS drives. What size would be advised if going the SSD/HDD route?

*Drive Configuration: My plan was to run the O/S off of an NVME drive, use a 2nd NVME drive for the Plex db/cache, and then have a 6 HDD RAID6 array for the media storage. Is there an alternative recommended? My MOBO allows for 2 NVME (the newer faster PCIe 4.0 spec), and 8 SATA III ports, so I have a lot of configuration options.

The reason I mentioned FreeNAS is that I had seen many people comment it was a fairly easy solution for network file sharing, was an easy to use file system to manage the storage arrays, and could also run Plex well, and exclusively web-interface (like the Synology). But again I know very little about that operating systems, so I’m not looking to get in over my head.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and input!

[HainsMedia]

Thank you for the input! Regarding filesharing, just looking to have easy access to raw files across my network (PCs and Laptops, not necessarily mobile devices). I could play around with creating a Windows share, I know it’s not too difficult, just haven’t bothered to yet. I’m totally fine with not going down the Linux/FreeNAS path if there’s not added benefit.

Regarding the CPU, I’m not opposed to Intel as I’ve used both, just curious as to what drives the Intel preference for Plex? By comparison, the Ryzen 5 3600 (passmark 17800, $172 on newegg) seems like the better option compared to the i5-9600 (passmark 10895, $245 on newegg). Is there something that the Intel processors do better than AMD with regard to Plex? Similar question regarding the GTX 1050ti vs RX 580, which are very similar price points and the benchmarks seem much better on the RX 580 (https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-1050-Ti-vs-AMD-RX-580/3649vs3923). Not arguing just truly curious about the preference given the benchmarks.

When you say any cheap SSD for Plex and transcoder, would you recommend running the library db and transcoding on the same drive, or should the transcoding be isolated? On some forums it seemed to indicate the heavy I/O load from transcoding can shorten a drive’s lifespan, is it best practice to isolate that from the other db files?

Thanks again for the recommendations!

[TeknoJunky]

if you get an intel cpu with QUICKSYNC (intel gpu 600 series or higher), then you don’t really need a separate gpu.

if you want to go with AMD cpu, then you will need an nvidia gpu.

if your intention is to get into (or already have) 4k content, then please read entire thread @ Plex, 4k, transcoding, and you

finally, you probably can’t go wrong with going ‘super sized’ @ FreeBSD Enterprise 1 PB Storage

[DJ-Crispby]

For transcoding, I’ve found that using a RAM disk (vs. the NVME I was using before, am now using 16 of 32GB of RAM in my installation) provided little improvement, but it DOES prevent some decay of the SSD due to writes. All SSD/NVME’s have a rated endurance and transcoding is unlikely to single-handedly move enough data to cause death unless you’ve got some real couch potatoes in the mix. I enjoy knowing that the potential exists the server runs faster as a result of DDR4 throughput (NVME can be pretty stellar, though). That said, the time this should’ve paid the most dividends (when converting files for syncing) didn’t; Plex is still putting temp files on my boot drive even though I’ve specified another transcoder temp folder elsewhere. This isn’t the case for normal playback, just conversions.

Since you already have 64GB of RAM, I would take the money you’d spend on the second NVME and get a better video card. If you weren’t thinking of getting a P2000, I would upgrade from whatever NVidia you had your heart set on and pick up a used P2000 instead, which will give you incredible performance quietly, without a need for a large power supply, and without you having to fudge drivers so you can unlock the number of simultaneous transcodes.

Windows seems to be the most supported OS for Plex and best for part time enthusiasts.

I have everything being backed up to Backblaze so I’m not even running RAID for my media drives.

Get yourself a nice stable power supply that’s somewhere in the neighborhood of 650W with high efficiency and a lot of sata connections so it isn’t breaking a sweat.

For your NVME drive you DO get, as at least for me, writes can’t be avoided altogether, get at least a 500GB drive so you get high endurance and higher throughput speeds. Lower capacities often result in lower numbers for both. I use a 500GB Samsung Evo 970 Pro (rated for 600TBW). Try and avoid QLC technology no matter who you use if you can see it in specs. Everybody is getting better at longevity now, fortunately.

I also used an Antec Three Hundred Two case as it has six 3.5mm bays and is super easy to work on, with excellent airflow and is well priced.