I started with Plex several years ago when I built a FreeNAS machine. Plex operates in a jail, which is similar to a virtual machine, except that instead of dedicated CPU cores and dedicated RAM from the primary system, it borrows as needed. My FreeNAS hardware includes an Intel Xeon CPU (E3-1225 v3 @ 3.20GHz 4 Cores 4 Threads), 16 GB of RAM and two hard drive arrays providing for around 20TB of data. I allow my siblings access to my Plex and I have several set-top-boxes plus my iPhone or iPad for watching content. I also have several HDHomerun receivers. I have noticed that my FreeNAS has reported that I have pegged my CPU at 100% for a while. As the new commercial removal portion does not work in the FreeBSD environment of my FreeNAS machine, I tried to create a virtual machine, that allowed me to use the Linux-based version of PMS, but that took even more resources. I am now thinking that I need to build a separate stand-alone server for PMS. I want to build a system that is going to be able to record several shows at a time, transcode several streams at a time and still perform the commercial removal without breaking a sweat. I have just learned of a local guy that recycles servers from businesses and has several to chose from, plus will mix and match components as needed for my needs at relatively low costs. He has many with 3-4-year-old Intel Xeon processors, some with multiple CPUs on the motherboard. Many of the motherboards offer up to 16 DIMM slots for memory. He sells 2 GB DIMMs for $7, 4 GB DIMMs for ~$14 and so on, so memory should be relatively cheap. I am wanting a system that will hardly break a sweat for possibly 4 users simultaneously transcoding a stream and possibly recording 4 events on TV simultaneously. For that scenario, how much CPU power and memory would be adequate?
You’ll want a CPU with a Passmark score of 2,000 for each 1080p stream you plan on simultaneously supporting. You’ll also want to aim at a CPU which supports QuickSync, which will allow you to enable Hardware Acceleration, and aid in the multi-stream environment.
@AmazingRando24 said:
You’ll want a CPU with a Passmark score of 2,000 for each 1080p stream you plan on simultaneously supporting. You’ll also want to aim at a CPU which supports QuickSync, which will allow you to enable Hardware Acceleration, and aid in the multi-stream environment.
While that is true, mostly, it should state: "You’ll want a CPU with a Passmark score of 2,000 for each 1080p transcoded stream you plan on simultaneously supporting. "
A server can support a LOT more simultaneous streams (limited by your network and/or upload speed) if the source can be direct played or if only the audio needs transcoding.
If you are really wanting to support a large number of streams you will be best served by getting your media in a format that will direct play on all the clients you plan to support.
@Elijah_Baley, Eloquently stated sir. Roku nut.
That had me looking at my current system. My current CPU is listed as having an average CPU PassMark of 7186 or 2026 per thread, of which there are four; it also includes Quick Sync capabilities. They server recycler guy stated he had machines with several options of CPUs. Of his options, there are two that I’m thinking about but neither of them mentions Quick Sync capable. They are the E5-1650 v2 and the E5-2660 ES. The E5-1650 has a combined average PassMark score of 12651 or 1974 per thread. The E5-2660 has a PassMark score of 18,351 combined average or 1474 per thread. Any thoughts on which? Also, how much RAM will I likely need?
@Elijah_Baley said:
A server can support a LOT more simultaneous streams (limited by your network and/or upload speed) if the source can be direct played or if only the audio needs transcoding.
When it comes to network speed, I have a synchronous gigabit Internet connection, if I’m sharing outside of the home. My internal network is gigabit as well, obviously… it would be a waste not to be. My current server has a link-aggregated connection with the switch, made up of two gigabit NICs. If I build this new pieced together system, I will also likely use link-aggregation to connect, to ensure each machine is not combatting another for bandwidth. The data will flow from my existing NAS to the new Plex server, then that new Plex will need to stream it to whichever client(s) are demanding it. I think the link aggregation is probably overkill, as I see that a BluRay stream is usually around 35 Mbps, which is a tiny fraction of 1 Gbps, but the only added cost is the time and additional 3-foot patch cables; I have plenty of switch ports.
“Where does he get these wonderful toys?”
The chipsets you mention have horsepower beyond my single i7, which scores at just over 10,000. Honestly, I was happy with it before they enabled Hardware Acceleration, and I’m even happier now. It really does take a ton of work off the processor, so if you’re only talking peanuts between a biggo processor, and a slightly lesser one that has QuickSync, I’d aim for the QS version. Just my two bits.
Plex doesn’t need much in the way of RAM. You can get by with surprisingly very little. Maybe 8gb minimum with 16gb if you’re feeling frisky. I think my first server ran with 4gb without an issue.
@AmazingRando24 said:
“Where does he get these wonderful toys?”
Honestly, I was happy with it before they enabled Hardware Acceleration, and I’m even happier now. It really does take a ton of work off the processor, so if you’re only talking peanuts between a biggo processor, and a slightly lesser one that has QuickSync, I’d aim for the QS version. Just my two bits.
The most valuable two bits ever posted on this forum. 
@RonRN18
I sometimes have at 5 or 6 simultaneous transcodes happening at peak times. On my previous beefy Haswell without hardware acceleration it would be an epic fail. With my Kaby Lake i7 7770K with those transcodes I get peaks at maybe 20-25% and I do mean peaks, mostly the CPU is pretty idle.
As i like to tinker and test (beyond real life needs) 4 x 4K transcodes never ever takes the CPU above 50% with H/A. Personally for me it has had a huge effect and I would probably say its the biggest single thing that has happened to Plex since I started using it way back.
Would the server benefit from a Nvidia Quadro? Will Plex use the CUDA for hardware decoding?
