My Plex server is currently running on a gen 7 i7 with 32GB of RAM. It seems to really start to struggle with just one 4k transcode so Im looking to upgrade. Im torn between a full blown server like a Dell 730XD with 28 cores or like a gen 11 or newer i7 NUC. I just dont know which would be better for transcoding. I only would like to support maybe 5 streams.
I guess what it comes down to is this. Is Quicksync better than a bunch of CPU cores?
I can run it under linux or Windows. Im comfortable in both.
I would appreciate any input you guys can provide so I can make a decision.
Windows: Need Nvidia GPU for hardware accelerated 4K HDR transcoding & tonemapping
Linux: Supports both Intel Quick Sync and Nvidia.
Intel 7th Gen (Kaby Lake) or later supports 4K HDR transcoding/tonemapping using Quick Sync
Depending on OS & form factor, you might be able to add to your current server’s capabilities.
For a new server, the small form factor units running Linux are very popular. They are energy efficient and the Quick Sync graphics handles the transcoding & tonemapping. Performance improves with each generation, so a 12th will definitely outperform a 7th gen.
With hardware accelerated transcoding, the GPU does the video processing. You do not need a server level CPU (Xeon, Threadripper) with dozens of cores.
I dont have a lot of 4k content but if someone remote starts streaming it, the server tanks. Most everything I have is 1080p.
Im currently running all of my stuff on a Windows 11 Lenovo ThinkCenter (tiny) so expansion on this is not possible other the memory. No Nvidia GPU, etc.
My dilemma is that a gen 11 i7 NUC is about the same price as a dual processor Xeon server with 24 cores thats maybe 6 years old and I dont know which one would perform the best. There are pros and cons to each and Id REALLY like to go the NUC route but I need to make sure its going to handle what I need because it will be a few years before I can upgrade again.
The CPU tanks today because Windows + Quick Sync is not supported for HDR tonemapping.
You could get 4K HDR transcoding & tonemapping on your current server by running Linux.
A Gen 11 NUC would definitely be preferable over a 6 year old Xeon server.
Depending on the model, you may still have to add a GPU to the Xeon server. This adds cost, increases power requirements, and generates additional heat.
The number of cores does not mean as much when the GPU is performing the video transcoding.
The Gen 11 i7 might be more powerful than the Xeon, even with fewer cores. Check the Passmark rating for each CPU (ex: google “i7-7700 passmark”).
If the Xeon does have QuickSync, it will be several generations behind the Gen 11 NUC.
The Passmark stuff is what’s throwing me off. When I look at the benchmark for a gen 10 i7, its 10616. When I check the Xeons, its 24000 or so. I cant decide which is the better way to go, If I boil it down to just numbers, the Xeon is clearly ahead but with all the CPU trickery in the newer Intel’s, I dont know which is superior.
The leap in graphics capabilities from an older CPU to a current gen is pretty dramatic
Instead google the graphics from one gen to another
i.e. Intel UDH Graphics 630 vs Intel UDH Graphics 770 or Iris Xe
How powerful the overall chip is, is less important for transcoding unless you’re talking about something like burning subtitles which can’t be done in hardware
Also keep in mind that a consumer based Nvidia card is only rated for 2 simultaneous transcodes unless you go tinkering with some workaround driver hacks (not supported)
A 12th gen chip also has AV1 support which you may not care about now, but you will at some point in the next few years
I’ve seen some people getting fifteen to eighteen 4k transcodes on a 12th gen chip alone without any external GPU (desktop)
The Passmark rating is not as important when using hardware accelerated transcoding and tonemapping.
The GPU does the work, not the CPU.
Screenshot from my system (i5-10500T/Ubuntu 22.04), transcoding & tonemapping 4K HDR to 1080p SDR.
CPU is at 9% because the GPU is performing the heavy lifting. The CPU is transcoding audio and repackaging the stream.
