Question Mini PC for Plex Server

[sacob]

Hello hello!

I'm planning to upgrade my RP4 setup to a mini pc for plex server. i'll keep using some sort of linux OS to keep the setup similar to the current one. I want something with a nvme and a 2.5 hdd drives and 2.5gbe eth. i'm the only one using it so it's noe likely to be transcoding more than one stream at a time.

i'm looking at these models:

1. Minisforum UM690
2. Minisforum UM773 Lite
3. Minisforum TH50

The 1st one is probably to expensive for what i need.
the 3rd one is intel with and older chip and from what i understand is a safer bet for plex transcoding on linux. but it consume more power and it's using soldered ram. it also has the advangage of supporting 2 2.5 ssd
2nd sounds like the better option for me

What's your expert opinion?

thanks

 

[jojesa]

The TH50 will handle Plex without issues.

I have a $200 Mini PC with a Celeron N5105 and has no problem handling 3 users locally, since Plex Media Player does not requires transcoding.

It does get taxed only when there is remote access from two or more users.
Transcoding kicks in because the network speed might not support full quality.

 

[sacob]

using my RP4 setup i get the eventual "cpu not powerfull enough" error message on some clients. Tha's why i want something with some transcoding capabilities

 

[punkncat]

Those all seem prohibitively expensive for just running a Plex server. You could readily build a small form rig for a portion of that here in the US. Not familiar with European market, so take with a grain of salt.

Personally, would look for a 4th gen plus or perhaps a 1st or 1+ gen Ryzen (used) build to make this happen. I will comment that my own experience with trying to run a Plex system on the Athon AM4 platform was a miserable failure. Just the same, an R3 1200 based system would be right up to the task.

I am running Plex on my "HTPC" gaming/video consumption build and even with only 16GB of RAM does fine running it while I goof off viewing media or playing games. (nvrmind that it is based on 11600K=overkill)

 

[sacob]

that formfactor comes with a price tag for sure. i also want something more recent to try and keep the power consumption lower

to give you an exemple, here in portugal were i live an Asus TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 V2 10GB GDDR6X OC Edition LHR still costs 850€ in a reputable store.

 

[punkncat]

Yes, I appreciate your mentioning it. I have read various posts here that indicate prices in the whole region tend to be very high and that the used market isn't as value driven as here.

 

[sacob]

yes, when i hear some price drop for GPUs in the US i think it's a better money investment to go there to visit the place and bring one in return 😀

 

[sacob]

I've decided to go with the Minisforum UM773 Lite. instead of using linux for the server i'll try to do everything in windows. the PC will be placed near my living room tv and it might be able to do some light gamming there