Question Advice needed: Energy-efficient home server for media streaming, Docker & light gaming

[isabasu]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to set up my first home server and would appreciate some hardware recommendations. Here's what I'm planning to do with it:

Primary uses:
- Media server for 4K streaming
- Docker host for various self-hosted services (like a local recipe website, home assistant, etc.)
- Light game server hosting for playing with friends
- General tinkering and learning

Key requirements:
- Energy efficiency is important since it'll be running 24/7
- Needs to handle 4K transcoding (so I assume a decent GPU is required?)
- Enough CPU power and RAM to comfortably run multiple Docker containers
- Relatively quiet operation since it'll be in my home

Budget: up to 1800 USD, preferribly cheaper

I'm open to both pre-built systems and building something myself. I've looked at some NAS solutions but I'm not sure if they'd be powerful enough for my use case.

Some specific questions:
1. Would a modern iGPU be sufficient for 4K transcoding, or do I need a dedicated GPU?
2. What's a good balance between power and energy efficiency for my needs?
3. Any specific CPU/motherboard combinations you'd recommend?
4. How much RAM would you suggest for comfortable Docker usage?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!