Media Server & NAS

[ChaosJ]

Hello again LTTians,

 

So im getting around to putting together an HTPC as well as a dedicated 2 in 1 NAS and Plex Media server in the hope of streaming some 4K content

 

I've never even thought about server hardware until yesterday and have spent the last 24 hours teaching myself as much as possible.  As of now I have figured that i need the following:
 

1. A CPU intensive system with enough juice to transcode to 4K (according to plex the CPU would ideally score around 17,000 on cpumark) - My solution is to run a dual Xeon 2680 setup or higher

2. A motherboard with dual Xeon support + ample SATA 3 or SAS ports (ideally 5 each or 8 SAS ports or something close to this split.)  The mobo would also need2 pcie x16s and 2 x8s. I have plans to add a good network card, PCIE Sata expansions, etc.

3. 5x8TB/12TB SAS drives (or SATA)

4.A recommended power supply.

 

My biggest trouble is finding the right motherboard and could really do with some help... I would 

[Jarsky]

It's worth noting that if you have a Plex Pass, then Plex can do hardware accelerated transcoding as well. 

Either using a desktop Intel CPU with Quick Sync (generally Haswell or newer), or using an Nvidia GPU - then you don't need dual high core count CPU's for transcoding. 

 

If you really want to go a dual socket, then you'd be best to go with something with the C612 chipset. Generally something from Supermicro like the X10-DRi is going to be the easiest to get hold of and most affordable. Even though CPU's are often affordable, it can be quite expensive getting a dual socket ATX/E-ATX board. 

 

[ChaosJ]

3 hours ago, Jarsky said:

It's worth noting that if you have a Plex Pass, then Plex can do hardware accelerated transcoding as well. 

Either using a desktop Intel CPU with Quick Sync (generally Haswell or newer), or using an Nvidia GPU - then you don't need dual high core count CPU's for transcoding. 

 

If you really want to go a dual socket, then you'd be best to go with something with the C612 chipset. Generally something from Supermicro like the X10-DRi is going to be the easiest to get hold of and most affordable. Even though CPU's are often affordable, it can be quite expensive getting a dual socket ATX/E-ATX board. 

 

are you sure about GPU transcoding? from what i've read Plex uses little to no GPU transcoding and they recommend a score of 17,000 cpumark for transcoding to 4k. for that basis my research, a dual xeon would be the most cost effective. 

 

I am still familiarizing myself with the chipset architecture for servers. from what i know, I would need an x79 motherboard to run a xeon e5-2680 or 2680 v2. and i belive that runs on a c602. how different is the c612?

[Jarsky]

6 minutes ago, ChaosJ said:

are you sure about GPU transcoding? from what i've read Plex uses little to no GPU transcoding and they recommend a score of 17,000 cpumark for transcoding to 4k. for that basis my research, a dual xeon would be the most cost effective. 

Yes, but theres debate as to the quality difference at high bitrate between software & hardware transcoding. 

Heres a video about it - the guys just using an old 3770K with a GTX980Ti but really you can use any card that supports hardware x264 encoding which off memory is the 750Ti or newer

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, ChaosJ said:

I am still familiarizing myself with the chipset architecture for servers. from what i know, I would need an x79 motherboard to run a xeon e5-2680 or 2680 v2. and i belive that runs on a c602. how different is the c612?

 

X79 boards are for single CPU's, you need a C602 board for dual socket LGA2011 v1 & v2 CPU's (Socket R). 

The C612 is for dual socket LGA2011-v3 CPU's (Socket R3)

[ChaosJ]

1 minute ago, Jarsky said:

 

X79 boards are for single CPU's, you need a C602 board for dual socket LGA2011 v1 & v2 CPU's (Socket R). 

The C612 is for dual socket LGA2011-v3 CPU's (Socket R3)

So, i wasw considering the v3 and v4's but the price multiplies several tiems over. a 2680 v2 costs like 300. and used is much roughly 100. so ill keep looking around and find out what works best but thanks for the great recco, really appreacite the help