What M2 Mac mini is enough (specs)

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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I’m migrating from a 9 year old Mac mini running high sierra to a new m2 mini and need some advice on the specs.

Usage: I watch 4k hdr at home from Mkvs only one tv at a time. I share my Plex with friends and have 4k’s tagged off limits. So no transcoding there. The only transcoding happens when my bitrate is too high for my friends and it needs to be stepped on. Although it be nice to get rid of my 1080 versions and have it handle the 4ks and transcode them on the fly if it’s up to the task.

So how much is too much with the server. Currently it runs on an old intel i7 with ssd boot and 16gb or ram.

So I was looking at the various incarnations of m2 minis and wondered if 16gb is enough (only running pms and transmission) and how many GPUs could I possibly need. These new Mac’s are so light years beyond what I have currently that I feel maxing one out would be a waste since it’s only being used as a pms.

Anyone out there with a similar use case that can shed some light on this?

Thanks in advance.

Soltion (resolved): 8 bought a mid level mini with 24GB ram and built in 2TB ssd. I think this we’ll be more than enough to run Plex headless as I’m not using it for much else.

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I have roughly the same question. I’m thinking about migrating from a Windows machine to a Mac Mini and would like to know the specs I’d need.

Usage: 1 or 2 video streams at a time (no 4k). I use audio streaming as well but I imagine that doesn’t make a difference.

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If it’s any consolation my very old Mac mini handles what you’re doing. Meaning I don’t think you need a high spec one but hopefully someone here will clarify further.

1 Like
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Just to add to what has already been said here… There is at least one limitation on the M-chip Mac server implementations. Please see here. M2 Pro - Sonic Analysis … when will this be supported? - Plex Media Server - Plex Forum

Mike K

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Thank you. I checked out the post. I understand now the one limitation. However I was looking for peoples opinions or experience using which mini specs.

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Thanks Mike! The Sonic Analysis issue - that’s good to know. I listen to a lot of music on Plex Amp but I don’t know that I’ve ever used Sonic Analysis. Maybe I should check it out…

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so can anyone share their actual experience with the M2 based Mac-mini’s ? I’m currently running a NAS (Netgear ReadyNas) but have been considering migration to a M2 MacMini while keeping the files on the NAS and mapping a drive. Wondering if a high speed (gigabit) network connection is sufficient paired with a fast M2 to enable multi stream (2 or 3 simultaneous) 4k transcodes…

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There are probably many users (as I am) using a M1 Mac Mini and it works fine, and since a M2 Mini has even more processing power, its safe to assume that it will work fine…

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Thank you. I pulled the trigger on an m2 and been very happy with it.

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Good to hear.

I had been using a 2012 MacMini 16GB RAM 256GB SSD for about 7 years running 24/7 without a hiccup. Only downside was transcoding from 4K. A big no no.

However, I now have a M1 Mini with 8GB RAM 256GB SSD. Again running 24/7. I can now transcode, so far, 3 streams from 4K without the M1 breaking a sweat. I got rid of all my 1080p versions of movies (that I had 4K of as well) and just use the 4K versions. Transcodes as needed without any issues.

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