Which CPU for Plex Server?

[hbsterling]

What is a rough estimate of a passmark score for a Plex media server that I would maybe have 2-3 transcoding 4k streams at a time with subtitles? I also am assuming go Intel since they support Plex hardware acceleration? 

[Jarsky]

https://support.plex.tv/articles/201774043-what-kind-of-cpu-do-i-need-for-my-server/

 

4K HDR (50Mbps, 10-bit HEVC) file: 17000 PassMark score (being transcoded to 10Mbps 1080p)

 

A Ryzen 9 has a passmark of 32000. 

Have you considered using a Intel CPU with QuickSync or using an Nvidia GPU for NVENC hardware acceleration? 

[hbsterling]

5 hours ago, Jarsky said:

https://support.plex.tv/articles/201774043-what-kind-of-cpu-do-i-need-for-my-server/

 

4K HDR (50Mbps, 10-bit HEVC) file: 17000 PassMark score (being transcoded to 10Mbps 1080p)

 

A Ryzen 9 has a passmark of 32000. 

Have you considered using a Intel CPU with QuickSync or using an Nvidia GPU for NVENC hardware acceleration? 

I was thinking an Intel CPU with QuickSync

[bionicgeekgrrl]

IIRC NVENC and QuickSync mainly boost h.264 rather than h.265, so starting with 264 content will be a likely better option for transcoding (some nvidia cards can do 265, but not many iirc).

 

The other option of course is to make optimised versions so transcoding is negated to some extent, but at the expense of storage space.

[tankyx]

15 minutes ago, bionicgeekgrrl said:

IIRC NVENC and QuickSync mainly boost h.264 rather than h.265, so starting with 264 content will be a likely better option for transcoding (some nvidia cards can do 265, but not many iirc).

 

The other option of course is to make optimised versions so transcoding is negated to some extent, but at the expense of storage space.

Anything from the GTX1050ti will support NVENC HEVC encoding : https://developer.nvidia.com/video-encode-decode-gpu-support-matrix
 

For Intel, you will have to get a Intel 6xxx or newer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Quick_Sync_Video