# Transcoding with GPU **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussions\ **Created:** [August 11, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318 "2019-08-11T00:12:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aesposit0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@aesposit0](https://forums.plex.tv/u/aesposit0)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/1 "2019-08-11T00:12:57Z")
Hi everyone. I enabled the GPU transcoding and when playing multiple movies I still see cpu at 99% and GPU not even being touched. I am attempting to play 4k hdr remux files btw quite large. Any suggestions? Specs below. UserBenchmarks: Game 103%, Desk 77%, Work 68% CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K - 70.4% GPU: Nvidia GTX 1080 - 125.2% SSD: Kingston HyperX Predator AHCI PCIe M.2 480GB - 121.2% HDD: Seagate Barracuda 8TB (2017) - 85.2% HDD: Seagate Archive HDD 8TB (2015) - 59.2% RAM: Corsair Dominator DDR4 2400 C14 4x8GB - 105.1% MBD: Asus X99-A ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/2 "2019-08-11T00:19:37Z")
as far as I am aware, the “Hardware Transcoding” feature only works on Intel chips that support graphics on them. It will not use a GPU connected to a PCI-E slot. You can use it when transcoding using Handbrake and other encoders, but not Plex as far as I know. Plex has never touched my GPU while transcoding… ---
**Author:** ![TeknoJunky](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/teknojunky/32/165055_2.png) [@TeknoJunky](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TeknoJunky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/3 "2019-08-11T00:23:42Z")
@aesposit0 what operating system? linux hardware decoding is not currently supported, so you won’t get gpu help for decoding 4k material. @JasonNalley this is false, plex does fully support nvidia gpu’s on windows, and it supports nvidia encode on linux (not decode on linux). you both might find some useful info @ [Plex, 4k, transcoding, and you - aka the rules of 4k - a FAQ](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-4k-transcoding-and-you-aka-the-rules-of-4k-a-faq/378203) all that to say, hardware transcoding is not without issues, so if are using a supported os/gpu, then you post the exact setup and full details along with logs and any helpful screenshots. also, searching the forum for others with the same problem, may also help you save time with a known issue and/or solution. ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/4 "2019-08-11T00:29:41Z")
I think the problem is the searching. I’ve read multiple posts saying it’s only possible with NVIDIA chips with embedded graphics… As I said, I have it set to use Hardware Acceleration, and it’s never once touched my GPU while transcoding… So I have no idea why it wouldn’t work otherwise… I just assumed the people replying with “It only works with Intel chips with embedded graphics” were correct, as I do not have an Intel Chip with Embedded graphics, I am on a Ryzen machine… so… ---
**Author:** ![TeknoJunky](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/teknojunky/32/165055_2.png) [@TeknoJunky](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TeknoJunky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:32am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/5 "2019-08-11T00:32:35Z")
I cannot recall seeing any posts or threads that indicate or prove that embedded nvidia chips are the only ones that work. I have in fact been using nvidia gpu’s (pcie) for year+ on linux (currently) and windows (previously). the official info is always @ [https://support.plex.tv/articles](https://support.plex.tv/articles) specifically @ [https://support.plex.tv/articles/115002178853-using-hardware-accelerated-streaming/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/115002178853-using-hardware-accelerated-streaming/) has the hardware requirements. ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/6 "2019-08-11T00:34:48Z")
Ahah! So here’s the culprit: Plex uses Intel Quick Sync Video for decoding and encoding, which is available in all recent Intel Core processors as well as some other Intel processors (such as some Xeon, Atom, or Celeron models). So while it doesn’t need to be a chip with Embedded graphics, it DOES need to be a modern Intel Chip, which I don’t have… If I read that correctly ---
**Author:** ![Achilles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/achilles/32/16864_2.png) [@Achilles](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Achilles)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/7 "2019-08-11T00:36:31Z")
Intel QSV ASIC was introduced alongside the iGPU by Intel with the 2nd Generation Sandy Bridge Core CPUs. ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:38am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/8 "2019-08-11T00:38:46Z")
Thanks for the clarification, and that may be where the misinformation or at the very least my misreading of the information may have come from. I have an AMD chip, so it doesn’t work for me at all… That being said, I don’t really need it, I am able to transcode what I need to, and most of my library direct plays for most people with them making smart audio choices 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Achilles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/achilles/32/16864_2.png) [@Achilles](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Achilles)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:41am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/9 "2019-08-11T00:41:57Z")
Ubuntu 18.04.2 LTS using 6th Gen QSV on 7th Gen Core Kaby Lake ```auto libva info: VA-API version 1.1.0 libva info: va_getDriverName() returns 0 libva info: Trying to open /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/dri/i965_drv_video.so libva info: Found init function __vaDriverInit_1_1 libva info: va_openDriver() returns 0 vainfo: VA-API version: 1.1 (libva 2.1.0) vainfo: Driver version: Intel i965 driver for Intel(R) Kaby Lake - 2.1.0 vainfo: Supported profile and entrypoints VAProfileMPEG2Simple : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileMPEG2Simple : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileMPEG2Main : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileMPEG2Main : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileH264ConstrainedBaseline: VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileH264ConstrainedBaseline: VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileH264ConstrainedBaseline: VAEntrypointEncSliceLP VAProfileH264Main : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileH264Main : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileH264Main : VAEntrypointEncSliceLP VAProfileH264High : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileH264High : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileH264High : VAEntrypointEncSliceLP VAProfileH264MultiviewHigh : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileH264MultiviewHigh : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileH264StereoHigh : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileH264StereoHigh : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileVC1Simple : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileVC1Main : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileVC1Advanced : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileNone : VAEntrypointVideoProc VAProfileJPEGBaseline : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileJPEGBaseline : VAEntrypointEncPicture VAProfileVP8Version0_3 : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileVP8Version0_3 : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileHEVCMain : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileHEVCMain : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileHEVCMain10 : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileHEVCMain10 : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileVP9Profile0 : VAEntrypointVLD VAProfileVP9Profile0 : VAEntrypointEncSlice VAProfileVP9Profile2 : VAEntrypointVLD ``` ```auto tail -f /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application\ Support/Plex\ Media\ Server/Logs/Plex\ Media\ Server.log | grep TPU Aug 10, 2019 17:38:10.246 [0x7fe5bb7fe700] DEBUG - TPU: hardware transcoding: using hardware decode accelerator vaapi Aug 10, 2019 17:38:10.246 [0x7fe5bb7fe700] DEBUG - TPU: hardware transcoding: zero-copy support present Aug 10, 2019 17:38:10.246 [0x7fe5bb7fe700] DEBUG - TPU: hardware transcoding: using zero-copy transcoding Aug 10, 2019 17:38:10.246 [0x7fe5bb7fe700] DEBUG - TPU: hardware transcoding: final decoder: vaapi, final encoder: vaapi ``` ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/1/a/1a0ccb87be630e80b84c0992a42bcc81880febd2.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/8/9/895632eecf788c04d57c1ce87b5ec79f176d783c.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/3/6/36a75d7aa3719fafd3216a55e4a64eeac60eb5cd.png) ---
**Author:** ![TeknoJunky](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/teknojunky/32/165055_2.png) [@TeknoJunky](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TeknoJunky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/10 "2019-08-11T00:42:41Z")
Intel is the generally the ‘embedded’ gpu, inside most of the modern intel cpu’s. Each generation usually improves upon the other, so older cpus have lesser capable gpu, and newer gpus have more capable and powerful gpus. As far as I am aware, your amd cpu should be irrelevant if you have a supported nvidia gpu. Neither of you have said what OS you have, which does make a difference in support and various known problems. Do please take the time to read the FAQ link I posted above, it will help you understand transcoding especially involving 4k. ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:48am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/11 "2019-08-11T00:48:08Z")
I have read your post before TeknoJunky, and it’s very informative. I am on Windows 10. According to the page you linked (not your article). It requires an Intel Core or later processor from Intel, as it uses Intel Quick Sync Video. This is not a feature in an AMD CPU. Even when you click the “Look up your processor” link next to it, it brings you to Intels site with no mention of AMD chips at all. So, it’s a hinderance. I transcode files using Handbrake and MCEBuddy with Hardware acceleration all the time, so it’s definitely not limited in that regard. But for Plex, since they’re using Nvidia Quick Sync, it seems to be limited to Intel CPU’s only… ---
**Author:** ![aesposit0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@aesposit0](https://forums.plex.tv/u/aesposit0)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 12:09pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/12 "2019-08-11T12:09:51Z")
Sorry guys little over my head. Youre saying GPU aren’t supported but I see new plex builds that say to install a NVida P2000 card? ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/13 "2019-08-11T17:05:32Z")
We’ve got it narrowed down… You CAN GPU transcode, as long as your CPU is an Intel processor that supports it… Which yours is… ---
**Author:** ![TeknoJunky](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/teknojunky/32/165055_2.png) [@TeknoJunky](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TeknoJunky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/14 "2019-08-11T17:27:21Z")
You can gpu transcode with - new enough intel cpu with a intel igpu Windows and Linux - new enough nvidia gpu with any intel or amd cpu Windows decode/encode Linux encode only (currently) ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/15 "2019-08-11T17:35:57Z")
> [@TeknoJunky](#): > > new enough nvidia gpu with any intel or a amd cpu This is directly counter to the official page that you posted earlier where it explicitly says one of the requirements is an _ **Intel CPU** _ supporting _ **Quick Sync Video** _. My AMD CPU Is a Ryzen 2700X (Last gen since Ryzen 3 just came out), it does not allow Plex to use GPU to transcode (GTX 1070Ti), using Windows 10. So I’d be very curious to know How you know that this is possible on AMD CPU’s, and what I am missing to allow mine to take advantage of it, if it is indeed possible… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/c/0/c09f34690657acdcd96ba05962bc73b82b7278a5.png) ---
**Author:** ![TeknoJunky](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/teknojunky/32/165055_2.png) [@TeknoJunky](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TeknoJunky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/16 "2019-08-11T17:42:32Z")
> [@Using Hardware-Accelerated Streaming, Dose it REQURE an Intel CPU if you have a compatible Nvida GPU](https://forums.plex.tv/t/using-hardware-accelerated-streaming-dose-it-requre-an-intel-cpu-if-you-have-a-compatible-nvida-gpu/208797/10): > > If using a discrete GPU the CPU can be AMD or Intel. ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/17 "2019-08-11T17:43:38Z")
That’s for motherboard with Embedded Graphics, no? ---
**Author:** ![TeknoJunky](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/teknojunky/32/165055_2.png) [@TeknoJunky](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TeknoJunky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/18 "2019-08-11T17:45:27Z")
If you have an AMD cpu, and an nvidia GPU, you should be able to enable hardware transcoding. If it does not work for you, then you need to post a new thread, with ALL your system details, plex versions, clients and server, which os is involved. There should be NO reason that your nvidia gpu doesn’t work with an amd cpu. ---
**Author:** ![JasonNalley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jasonnalley/32/24210_2.png) [@JasonNalley](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JasonNalley)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/19 "2019-08-11T17:56:27Z")
Thanks, I will figure it out on this side since I know it’s possible… ---
**Author:** ![TeknoJunky](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/teknojunky/32/165055_2.png) [@TeknoJunky](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TeknoJunky)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318/20 "2019-08-11T18:02:53Z")
if your amd cpu/motherboard has an integrated ‘apu/gpu/video’ card, you might try disabling that in the bios. some additional tips, @ [Plex Web](https://app.plex.tv/desktop) \> settings \> console, you can watch the logs and filter for specific things. I suggest setting the filter for MDE: and then trying to play a video that transcodes, the MDE: lines should tell you why plex transcoded, and the lines before/after mde should tell about the hardware transcoding detection and if/why it is failing. some other words to check filtering - MDE: - TPU: - ffmpeg - codec - decoder - encoder - hardware [Next page](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-with-gpu/444318.md?page=2)