# Plex Computer Requirements

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-computer-requirements/828151>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-mac\
**Created:** [January 25, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-computer-requirements/828151 "2023-01-25T03:31:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ke7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@ke7](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ke7)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-computer-requirements/828151/1 "2023-01-25T03:31:15Z")

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Server Version#: 4.87.2  
Player Version#: Apple TV 8.13

I am running Plex exclusively on a mid-2011 Mac Mini with 3 GB RAM. For the most part this server works great and there are no skips or lags during movie playback.

However, I have noticed some lag whenever I am working with the Plex server database, such as when I am adjusting settings or creating a collection and sometimes there is a caption at the top of the browser that says the browser is using a large amount of system resources.

I checked the system activity monitor an see that CPU usage is usually very low with typically greater than 90% idle. The same monitor indicates that it is often using 2.5GB of memory. The mini has two memory slots containing one 1GB and one 2GB memory boards.

I am considering upgrading the system memory to 8GB using two 4GB memory boards which is the maximum memory this computer can use. However, I thought it prudent to post and inquire if anyone with experience might have advise.

Thanx!

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**Author:** ![anon18523487](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@anon18523487](https://forums.plex.tv/u/anon18523487)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2023, 7:04am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-computer-requirements/828151/2 "2023-01-26T07:04:04Z")

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I don’t have any specific info, but in general, it is best to use matching memory modules. When they match, the system will use both simultaneously in a swap mode. With unmatching, it uses 1 at a time, so it’s half the speed. You should see a noticeable increase in performance with the new memory just due to them being matching.

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**Author:** ![ke7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@ke7](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ke7)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 4:52am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-computer-requirements/828151/3 "2023-01-28T04:52:15Z")

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Thanx for that reply. I’ll bear that in mind while upgrading.

For now, I’d like to add some additional information to my original text. While what I reported is correct as concerns the usage stats of the CPU and RAM. A closer look at the caption at the top of the browser actually says that it is using a large amount of _ **energy** _. I also took a closer look at the system activity monitor and noticed that there is a column which lists ‘energy’ separate from CPU usage and RAM usage. So I am just wondering if this sheds any additional light on my situation.

Thanx!

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2023, 4:52am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-computer-requirements/828151/4 "2023-04-28T04:52:50Z")

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