I want the best performance possible for plex media server and cant decide. I currently use an Asus PC with Nvidia 970 video card and ASUS RT AC 802.11ac dual band router and works great. But would like to switch server and storage to a device other than my pc. Any thoughts?
Upgrading to a new router (looking at Netgear Nighthawk x10) use NAS or USB HD for best performance?
I vote USB… Faster I Think
I think you might be right but it is somewhat confusing. I read on the plex faq that transcoding is limited to 480p if I use the x10 nighthawk. I want to be able to watch 4k movies so I don’t know. I also have thought about an NVidia shield for the server. Or maybe all of the above. But I don’t want to get all three if there is overlap or if performance is degraded.
Sorry Failed to ask if an NAS such as NAS Ready 214 from netgear might be a good option.
Plex plays 4K just fine.
However I recommend only locally and to 4k devices that will direct play.
Transcoding 4k will bring your server to it’s knees
I recommend a PC as your server.
When you say locally, do mean directly connected or through my router. Sorry but it is very confusing for me. If you had a Nighthawk x10 router, the pc stated above, a netgear NASReady 214 and the PC was in one room and the TV was in another, how would you set it up for maximum performance?
Or if there is a better NAS what would you recommend?
Sorry forgot to mention I am considering purchasing an Nvidia shield also.
also forgot to mention that my goal is to play up to 4k res movies and pc games which is why I am considering the NVidia shield. but again, I don’t really want to have a pc in my living room. so with all of the options I have provided, what do you think is the best setup?
For best performance with minimal headache and expandability I would recommend
i7 Windows PC with SSD for main drive. (Dedicated only to Plex)
Your Nitehawk router
HDDs
Put them all together in a closet or table near your router or modem
You should be able to pick up a box like that for around $500.
I use a laptop since it sort of has it’s own UPS built in… and uses lower power than a tower… LOL
Hook your HDDs to your PC, Install PMS (and Log the server in to Plex.tv), attach the PC to the router via LAN cable.
I recommend setting your PC to use a Static IP (If you will be setting up remote access)
You will now be able to access Plex via LAN (Cat 6) or WiFi
It really can be that simple.
Hope that helps
PS.
You could de-commission your current pc and make it the PMS server. Then splurge and buy a new main PC for all your other work… You would have a brand new working PC and a competent Plex Server… That’s what I’ve done LOL
Thanks for your help. The modem and router will be close to the TV and the PC will be in another room (about 30 ft away) so I would need to use the router speed if I used the pc as PMS. That’s where it gets confusing.
Thats the setup I have right now and it works great with my pc and Asus router but I am upgrading to 4k UHD tv and am not sure if it will be fast enough for 4k content. Plus I am looking at NVidia shield to tie in my pc games as well. Sorry if I am being a pain, but just don’t want to buy unnecessary parts.
or suffer performance issues
Especially if there might be overlap in these items
So maybe the better question is, what’s the best setup for PMS if your PC is in one room and your TV and internet modem are on the other side of the house? And you want to watch 4k movies and play modern PC games on your UHD TV and you can get the best devices available, how would you set it up?
personally, I would want my network equipments to be as stable and reliable as possible.
considering netgear is not known for stable/reliable, I won’t put PLEX onto a netgear server.
PLEX can sometimes be demanding, and you don’t want your entire network to be slowed down because of it.
There are 2 other discussions currently on this board about what to use as a PMS.
Check those out and put it all together - Then narrow it down and ask for an opinion on your short list
So do you think NVidia shield using USB hdd as pms and storage would be a good option or maybe just use a good router from my pc?
Only reason I am looking at the NAS or router from netgear is that Plex seems to be endorsing them
It’s all quite confusing
