Windows 4k Media server. Recommend sprecs

[chipbreak]

I have a second computer that I run all the time, let's call this PC server.

The server is running Windows 10, and for specs it currently has:

-a 4th gen i7

-16gb ram

-1x wd 2tb red 5400HD

-1x 256gb SSD boot drive

I use this PC for 2 things. Running a 4k media server which is accessible from any tv and PC. i also use the server as a network storage for my computers. (Future plan is to set the PC up as an ftp server using filezilla, aswell so I can access my files from anywhere with my laptop)

 

I've only had 1 problem so far a couple 4k movies have had to buffer mid watch. Every PC and tv are wired direct ethernet to a network switch. Im not sure what the bottle neck in this set up is?

 

Come black Friday my goals are to add 2x 1tb SSDs in raid 1. This will be for file storage.

4x 2tb raid10 WD reds for movie storage.

 

I also have an SSD that has windows on it putting me at 7 sata cables. I will need to run a raid card. What do you guys recommend. Don't need anything fancy, but might want to upgrade the raid 10 thou. 

 

Just some knowledge questions:

- when streaming a movie on a tv from the server, does the tv process the video or does the server process the video first.

 

Thanks in advance, I know I asked alot of questions.

[lieder1987]

What media server are you using as a back-end?

[Donut417]

53 minutes ago, chipbreak said:

I've only had 1 problem so far a couple 4k movies have had to buffer mid watch. Every PC and tv are wired direct ethernet to a network switch. Im not sure what the bottle neck in this set up is?

Your CPU can’t transcode 4K. So if your media is not in the correct format for the device being streamed to. Then the server has to Transcode. Going off of Plex and it’s 4K guide, you should never be transcoding 4K, it takes toooooo much power to do it. 

[chipbreak]

1 hour ago, lieder1987 said:

What media server are you using as a back-end?

The folder/HD is shared on the network.

In order to access the HD via another PC. I enter the directory folder location. (//Desktop-******/folder name)

[chipbreak]

5 minutes ago, chipbreak said:

The folder/HD is shared on the network.

In order to access the HD via another PC. I enter the directory folder location. (//Desktop-******/folder name)

Tv/media device have can see the PC over the network and access the folder with movies

 

[Donut417]

8 hours ago, chipbreak said:

've only had 1 problem so far a couple 4k movies have had to buffer mid watch. Every PC and tv are wired direct ethernet to a network switch. Im not sure what the bottle neck in this set up is?

While your not using Plex. I also seen on the Plex forums that a 4K movie at full quality can use over 100 Mbps on the network in some cases. I wonder if your bottle necked at your TV's? Most TV's I have seen have 100 Mbps Ethernet. Does the same issue happen on any of your PC's?