P2000 VS i9900k UHD Graphics 630 for transcoding

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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So this has been keeping me up now for 3 weeks. To simply everything, p2000 vs the uhd 630 for plex transcoding. And yes some 4k. I know I know…but its going to happen and I don’t want to turn this into that debate.

This decision is holding up everything for me, intel or ryzen?

I am not a gamer at all so I would like to use the i9900k to save myself money and the possible headache of adding a graphics card. Also I would like to take advantage of quicksync.

Does anyone here have experience with quicksync transcoding? 4k transcoding?

I guess I am asking, is there a reason I shouldn’t buy the i9900k? And instead go the ryzen route and by p2000?

This will also be used as a windows 10 desktop pc for pretty much video converting and web browsing.

If there is anyone out there with insight on this I would appreciate the help.

Thanks,
Shane

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A Plex Pass is required to use hardware accelerated streaming. Without a Plex Pass the rest of the discussion is moot.

With an Intel CPU with QuickSync, you can always add a graphics card later.

If you do use hardware accelerated streaming, then you don’t necessarily need an i9 level CPU, since Quick Sync will be transcoding the video.

See this post:

Regarding performance of Nvidia GPU, see nVidia Hardware Transcoding Calculator for Plex Estimates,

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For the cost of a p2k alone, you can buy a reasonable intel cpu/mb/other stuff, and not worry about a gpu cost or extra electricity required.

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Thank you so much for the reply and great info. I am diving into it now, I can’t be the first one with this dilemma. I do currently have a plex pass and a 24tb “rig” I’m too ashamed to mention on here. I purchased the plex pass 6ish moths ago when I added live ota tv when we cut the cord.

Can I ask you if the much lesser i5 9600k would be just as fast transcoding using quicksync as the 9900k?

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All the quick syncs of the same generation are the same performance as far as gpu transcoding. Aside perhaps, from any igpu clock speed variations.

That said, the gpu only helps video transcoding, the cpu still has to do everything else, including any audio transcoding.

The minimum is a 7000 series cpu with 600 series igpu.

You don’t really need a 9 or 10k intel just for plex and basic desktop use.

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I mentioned it because it does not show by your username.

If under a different username, then no problem, but it is the Plex Pass username that must own the Plex Server.

They both have UHD Graphics 630 (see ark.intel.com links).

The single core Passmark is close to the same (important when burning in subtitles).

Hardware Accelerated Transcoding performance would be very close.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/134896/intel-core-i5-9600k-processor-9m-cache-up-to-4-60-ghz.html

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/186605/intel-core-i9-9900k-processor-16m-cache-up-to-5-00-ghz.html

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-9600K+%40+3.70GHz&id=3337

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i9-9900K+%40+3.60GHz&id=3334

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Thank you, refreshing to hear. I tried this on another forum and I kept getting pointed to the p2000. Got my plexpass username figured out.

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Thank you sir, just got on my correct account. That is very interesting and helpful.

If i understand correctly which i may not:

The quicksync transcoding is negligible between the 2 processors mentioned. I do not have anything with subtitles, I remove them before ripping. So that leaves the audio transcoding which the 9600k is more then able to handle, especially if only a few streams going.

Right? Kinda? Lol

Thanks again

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Depends what you mean by “few,” but here’s some quick numbers:

I run Plex on a Synology DS918+ which has a Celeron J3455 CPU (Passmark 2270, HD500 graphics).

I streamed six 1080p movies, each to a different Chrome tab on my PC. Plex was transcoding AC3 to AAC for each stream. Video was direct stream. CPU utilization by Plex Media Server, including the transcoder, was ~15%. The audio for five of the movies was AC3 5.1 @ 640kbps. The sixth movie was AC3 2.0 @ 640kbps.

The single threaded Passmark of the 9600K, 2789, is higher than the multi-threaded Passmark of the Celeron in my NAS, 2270. If the Celeron CPU can handle six audio transcodes, then the 9600K CPU most certainly can.

If I read the datasheets correctly, the 9600K has the same Gen 9 graphics as the i7 in the NUC from the “25 simultaneous…” thread linked above. That will give you an idea of the video transcode capability. Ref: Technical Resources: Intel® Core™ Processors. See Datasheet, Vol 1, Section 2.4 for each processor.

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Thanks for the reply. It’s not the 1080p transcodes I’m worried about, its the 4k. If I can get 2 4k streams down to 1080p or 720p that would be great. I want to get some input on this without the “just don’t transcode 4k” reply.

I have already purchased a case, 32gb ram, psu, and a z390 taichi motherboard. I am now 100% positive I am going to purchase a 9900k because my current pc is 10 years old and the 9900k will stay un-obsolete longer lol.

One thing i do wonder about the 9900k is if the hyperthreading would help the 4k transcoding at all?

Thanks again for the reply!

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The uhd630 is a beast with transcoding. Better than the p2000.

Plex doesnt support tonemapping nor does it preserve 10 bit colors when transcoding. Unless your 4K files are SDR, the Plex transcoder will butch them so getting a powerful system for this task is a waste imo

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Thank you. Yea I know about the struggles of transcoding hdr. I have about 105 4k titles and not all of them are hdr, some are 4k cell phone videos of my cat that i am not going to make multiple versions of to avoid transcoding.

The main reason is the size. I currently have 105 4k movies and that will continue to grow. So if I had a 1080p version too I’m looking at about 100gb per title. Secondly I direct play everything on my invidia shield but my mom does not. She still has a 1080p tv with no plans to upgrade. And honestly if it transcoded to black and white I am not even sure she would notice.

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Haha. She sounds like the target demographic for Plex so you should be all set then :grin:

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Thank you, just what I wanted to hear.

Now since this thread is going again maybe someone could give a little insight if the hyper threading does anything for transcoding or converting video?

That is one thing the 9900k has that some others do not. Again I know that processor is overkill but I’m trying to future proof this as a workstation as much as I can, its not a gaming rig nor will it ever be used for that.

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I think the hyperthreading helps if you are doing several concurrent transcoding sessions where you also transcode TrueHD audio and burn image based subtitles.

I dont think it will make a difference for your cat videos at all though.

The UHD630 is a beast with 4K sources and can do like 8 of them at the same time even on an 8th gen i7

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I dont want my baby to be bothered by buffering!! Lol

Thank you, you have made me feel better about my decision. Better to have a little too much rather than not enough 20200902_185333|690x597

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