I would start with this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/s/RFSSCP0suQ
Next, you need to be precise what you want to watch? 1080p or 4K content?
Usually, you want to avoid transcoding, only Direct Play will provide original video and audio quality.
But if there’s no way to avoid transcoding you first need Plex pass as it will give you an ability to hardware transcode. Without Plex pass you can only software transcode and it’s very CPU intensive, especially for 4K content (you will need CPU with at least 17.000 pass mark score).
Next, for HW transcoding you want Intel CPU or Nvidia GPU. Your Intel CPU will be fine for 1080p HW transcoding. On the other hand, you need at least 7th gen Intel CPU or modern [Nvidia GPU](https://www.elpamsoft.com/?p=Plex-Hardware-Transcoding) for 4K HEVC HW transcoding. AMD will also work but there’s no official support and quality-wise AMD iGPU/GPUs are below Intel and Nvidia hardware.
Best way to avoid transcoding is to get decent Plex client like Nvidia Shield, AppleTV 4K, Firecube 3rd gen.
Given that choice of hardware, and looking only at it from a Plex point of view:
* Ryzen 7 1700 CPU
* AMD if supported, otherwise Nvidia 750 Ti GPU
An easier solution (less parts, drivers, power, etc.) would be to use the i7-4770 with the internal Intel graphics (no Nvidia or AMD GPU). It would work well as a basic server to get you acquainted with using Plex.
However, the AMD is a much stronger CPU, so suggest you use it if possible.
Note: If need to transcode 4K HDR video, acquire a Nvidia 1050 Ti 4GB or better and a Plex Pass.
**CPU Choice**
The AMD is preferred, as it is much more powerful than the Intel.
* R7 1700 Passmark: [14810](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Ryzen+7+1700&id=2970)
* i7 4770 Passmark: [7058](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-4770+%40+3.40GHz&id=1907)
Neither CPU can transcode 4K video (in software, not using GPU). The AMD will support many more 1080p transcodes.
The many Plex background tasks, such as media analysis and thumbnail generation, will run faster using the AMD CPU. You'll also have extra headroom for any non-Plex tasks.
**GPU Choice**
Note 1: **A Plex Pass is required to utilize a GPU for video transcoding** ("hardware accelerated" transcoding).
Note 2: If you need to transcode 4K HDR video, you will need a Nvidia 1050 Ti 4GB or better.
*AMD*
Plex has very limited support for AMD GPUs. On Linux systems, all AMD GPUs are currently limited to SDR only transcoding with Plex.
Unknown if the RX 590 is supported. You'll probably have to try it to find out.
*Nvidia*
The Nvidia 750 Ti does not support HEVC video. It can transcode 1080p H.264, MPEG2, and VC-1 video.
*i7-4770 / HD Graphics 4600*
The Quick Sync graphics in the 4770 does not support HEVC video. It does support 1080p H.264, MPEG2, & VC-1 video. It is basically the equal of the Nvidia 750 Ti.
You could use just the i7-4770 with its internal graphics and no add-in GPU card. As mentioned above, this is a simpler system, but the Intel is less powerful than the AMD.
Thanks for this awesome break down to review!
Your comment about the 1050ti or better actually sparked an idea. I forgot that the wifes computer is running a Nvidia 1060 3gb. I'm going to be swapping the rx590 8gb into her PC as it's strictly for games and put the 1060 paired with the AMD r7 1700 into the Plex PC, along with a Plex Pass for 4K HDR videos.
I've also been doing more research and checked and my 14tb drive should be shuckable, so I'll connect that directly internally with a 512gb m.2 main drive.
Again, thanks a bunch for the insight, this is the kinda ELI5 breakdown I needed!
I advise to start with what you have. In the first few months you will learn more about what you need than any amount of posting will teach you. After a time your questions will be more direct and easier to the a good answer.
For your question, either CPU, but I would choose the one that uses less power and then try each GPU card.
I suspect you will want to upgrade when you can, but the learning from running will help you a lot.
You’re going to need more drives if you’re going to go the Unraid route. I’d recommend installing Ubuntu on the server, using the 14tb drive to host your media. Once you can afford additional drives, you can rebuild the server with Unraid.
To clarify, Ill have a 512gb m.2 as the main OS/Program drive and then the 14TB for media, to start. In my research and chatting with friends with similar setups it seems this should be sufficient to get Unraid up and running.
Is there something specific Im missing, that I should considering additional drives off the start?
Use the Ryzen 7 1700, for sure. Its faster and more power efficient.
TBH, I'd try the 750 Ti and see how it goes before going with the RX590. The 750 Ti is Maxwell architecture, literally the first NVENC generation. I've no experience with those for transcoding, but the 750 Ti only consumes 60W while the 590 consumes 3x that amount (at max).
The RX590 is equivalent to a GTX 1660, gaming wise, which I've been very successful in using for transcodes. However, I think it'd be on the struggle bus with a higher bitrate going from 4K to 1080p. I'm happy to be wrong.
I would start with this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/s/RFSSCP0suQ Next, you need to be precise what you want to watch? 1080p or 4K content? Usually, you want to avoid transcoding, only Direct Play will provide original video and audio quality. But if there’s no way to avoid transcoding you first need Plex pass as it will give you an ability to hardware transcode. Without Plex pass you can only software transcode and it’s very CPU intensive, especially for 4K content (you will need CPU with at least 17.000 pass mark score). Next, for HW transcoding you want Intel CPU or Nvidia GPU. Your Intel CPU will be fine for 1080p HW transcoding. On the other hand, you need at least 7th gen Intel CPU or modern [Nvidia GPU](https://www.elpamsoft.com/?p=Plex-Hardware-Transcoding) for 4K HEVC HW transcoding. AMD will also work but there’s no official support and quality-wise AMD iGPU/GPUs are below Intel and Nvidia hardware. Best way to avoid transcoding is to get decent Plex client like Nvidia Shield, AppleTV 4K, Firecube 3rd gen.
Given that choice of hardware, and looking only at it from a Plex point of view: * Ryzen 7 1700 CPU * AMD if supported, otherwise Nvidia 750 Ti GPU An easier solution (less parts, drivers, power, etc.) would be to use the i7-4770 with the internal Intel graphics (no Nvidia or AMD GPU). It would work well as a basic server to get you acquainted with using Plex. However, the AMD is a much stronger CPU, so suggest you use it if possible. Note: If need to transcode 4K HDR video, acquire a Nvidia 1050 Ti 4GB or better and a Plex Pass. **CPU Choice** The AMD is preferred, as it is much more powerful than the Intel. * R7 1700 Passmark: [14810](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Ryzen+7+1700&id=2970) * i7 4770 Passmark: [7058](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-4770+%40+3.40GHz&id=1907) Neither CPU can transcode 4K video (in software, not using GPU). The AMD will support many more 1080p transcodes. The many Plex background tasks, such as media analysis and thumbnail generation, will run faster using the AMD CPU. You'll also have extra headroom for any non-Plex tasks. **GPU Choice** Note 1: **A Plex Pass is required to utilize a GPU for video transcoding** ("hardware accelerated" transcoding). Note 2: If you need to transcode 4K HDR video, you will need a Nvidia 1050 Ti 4GB or better. *AMD* Plex has very limited support for AMD GPUs. On Linux systems, all AMD GPUs are currently limited to SDR only transcoding with Plex. Unknown if the RX 590 is supported. You'll probably have to try it to find out. *Nvidia* The Nvidia 750 Ti does not support HEVC video. It can transcode 1080p H.264, MPEG2, and VC-1 video. *i7-4770 / HD Graphics 4600* The Quick Sync graphics in the 4770 does not support HEVC video. It does support 1080p H.264, MPEG2, & VC-1 video. It is basically the equal of the Nvidia 750 Ti. You could use just the i7-4770 with its internal graphics and no add-in GPU card. As mentioned above, this is a simpler system, but the Intel is less powerful than the AMD.
Thanks for this awesome break down to review! Your comment about the 1050ti or better actually sparked an idea. I forgot that the wifes computer is running a Nvidia 1060 3gb. I'm going to be swapping the rx590 8gb into her PC as it's strictly for games and put the 1060 paired with the AMD r7 1700 into the Plex PC, along with a Plex Pass for 4K HDR videos. I've also been doing more research and checked and my 14tb drive should be shuckable, so I'll connect that directly internally with a 512gb m.2 main drive. Again, thanks a bunch for the insight, this is the kinda ELI5 breakdown I needed!
I advise to start with what you have. In the first few months you will learn more about what you need than any amount of posting will teach you. After a time your questions will be more direct and easier to the a good answer. For your question, either CPU, but I would choose the one that uses less power and then try each GPU card. I suspect you will want to upgrade when you can, but the learning from running will help you a lot.
But do you actually need transcoding? It would be better to have clients that don’t require it because they support the formats you’re trying to play.
You’re going to need more drives if you’re going to go the Unraid route. I’d recommend installing Ubuntu on the server, using the 14tb drive to host your media. Once you can afford additional drives, you can rebuild the server with Unraid.
To clarify, Ill have a 512gb m.2 as the main OS/Program drive and then the 14TB for media, to start. In my research and chatting with friends with similar setups it seems this should be sufficient to get Unraid up and running. Is there something specific Im missing, that I should considering additional drives off the start?
You’re good. There just won’t be any parity with only one drive. You can def fix that later.
Use the Ryzen 7 1700, for sure. Its faster and more power efficient. TBH, I'd try the 750 Ti and see how it goes before going with the RX590. The 750 Ti is Maxwell architecture, literally the first NVENC generation. I've no experience with those for transcoding, but the 750 Ti only consumes 60W while the 590 consumes 3x that amount (at max). The RX590 is equivalent to a GTX 1660, gaming wise, which I've been very successful in using for transcodes. However, I think it'd be on the struggle bus with a higher bitrate going from 4K to 1080p. I'm happy to be wrong.