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Frankenstein water cooled Plex server - Need help picking the missing parts

TechMeThatsSexy
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Hi, I've been watching a bunch of vids on youtube and have been reading on Plex's website, but im still a bit uncertain about what would be the right setup.

 

Use:

  • 1 user
  • 1/4k direct play to a TV connected to my computer
    (When I buy a new TV would could I connect the Plex server directly to the TV through ethernet?)
  • Some direct stream to smartphone / tablet (dont think I will be streaming much outside of my home network)

Im looking for a CPU and motherboard. Is the GPU good enough for hardware transcoding?

I would be great to be able to use my 8T external HDD since all the media is on that drive already.
Im not sure about OS, I would like to learn Linux but I know almost nothing about it, never tested it out yet.
If this server could be used for Plex, NAS & back up that would be awesome!
I will list several of the options I have to buy used CPUs (9-49 USD) at the bottom.
 

Hardware I already had:

  • HDD: WD 200 + 250 GB older SATA HDDs I have laying around. I have a 1 TB WD I havent gotten to work yet for some reason..
  • External HDD: 8TB Seagate I use for media and backups with my laptop today.
  • Cabels and 4x120mm + 5x80mm fans etc
  • Water cooling radiators 120+360mm, CPU block, pump (Need to buy tubing and thermal paste)

Hardware I bought used:

Hardware I got for free (when helping upgrading a gaming PC)

  • PC case
  • GPU: EVGA GeForece GTX 1060, 3GB GDDR5 SC GAMING,
    ACX 2.0, Single Fan, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC), 03G-P4-6162-KR
  • Kingston 2x4 GB KVR24N17S8K2/8
    DDR4 8GB (4GB 1Rx8 512M x 64-Bit x 2 pcs.) PC4-2400 CL17 288-Pin DIMM Kit
    Link to PDF: https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KVR24N17S8K2_8.pdf

 

 

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Maybe someone with extensive knowledge of CPUs can at first glance eliminate most of them. Xeon would be a good option? Can some help me pick what would be the top 3 options of these onse pls? Thank you:)
 

LGA 2011

LGA 1366

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Socket 771:

Socket 1366:

 

Socket 604:

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If you want to make use of that DDR4 RAM none of these CPU's will work. You need one that will fit any of the following sockets:

  • LGA1151
  • LGA2011-v3
  • LGA2066
  • LGA3647
  • AM4

Guides & Tutorials:

PROXMOX - Rebuilding ZFS RAID rpool After Disk Failure

Mass Deploying Customized Windows 10/11 Installs

Building a GNU/Linux Based Windows Deployment Server

GNU/Linux Installer Server: Installation & Configuration

How to: Use (i)PXE to Install Windows from a Network

Why Memorize IP's When You Can Self-Host DNS Instead?

Ventoy - The USB Multi-Boot Utility!

Introduction to PXE/iPXE Network Boot Featuring FreeBSD & Ubuntu Server

 

Don't see what you need? Check the Full List or *PM me, if I haven't made it I'll add it to the list.

*NOTE: I'll only add it to the list if the request is something I know I can do.

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17 hours ago, Windows7ge said:

If you want to make use of that DDR4 RAM none of these CPU's will work. You need one that will fit any of the following sockets:

  • LGA1151
  • LGA2011-v3
  • LGA2066
  • LGA3647
  • AM4

Thank for the reply. I would rather buy a good CPU and replace the RAM than use the 8GB ram for this project. Are any of the CPUs good and worth buying for Plex? I think I can get some DDR3 ram sticks for cheap also. Or would it be better for Plex to have better ram like DDR4 and/or ECC?

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2 minutes ago, TechMeThatsSexy said:

Thank for the reply. I would rather buy a better CPU from the list and replace the RAM. Are any of the CPUs food and worth buying for this purpose? I think I can get some DDR3 ram sticks cheap also.

I don't use PLEX myself but from what I've heard for single streams it prefers higher core clocks over more cores. If you only have one user a quad core with a higher clock would probably do you fine. Perhaps something like the LGA1150 socket.

 

I'm more into more cores over faster cores so I'm not the best person to ask about lower-end server equipment.

Guides & Tutorials:

PROXMOX - Rebuilding ZFS RAID rpool After Disk Failure

Mass Deploying Customized Windows 10/11 Installs

Building a GNU/Linux Based Windows Deployment Server

GNU/Linux Installer Server: Installation & Configuration

How to: Use (i)PXE to Install Windows from a Network

Why Memorize IP's When You Can Self-Host DNS Instead?

Ventoy - The USB Multi-Boot Utility!

Introduction to PXE/iPXE Network Boot Featuring FreeBSD & Ubuntu Server

 

Don't see what you need? Check the Full List or *PM me, if I haven't made it I'll add it to the list.

*NOTE: I'll only add it to the list if the request is something I know I can do.

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On 4/8/2020 at 7:11 AM, TechMeThatsSexy said:

Hi, I've been watching a bunch of vids on youtube and have been reading on Plex's website, but im still a bit uncertain about what would be the right setup.

 

Use:

  • 1 user
  • 1/4k direct play to a TV connected to my computer
    (When I buy a new TV would could I connect the Plex server directly to the TV through ethernet?)
  • Some direct stream to smartphone / tablet (dont think I will be streaming much outside of my home network)

Im looking for a CPU and motherboard. Is the GPU good enough for hardware transcoding?

I would be great to be able to use my 8T external HDD since all the media is on that drive already.
Im not sure about OS, I would like to learn Linux but I know almost nothing about it, never tested it out yet.
If this server could be used for Plex, NAS & back up that would be awesome!
I will list several of the options I have to buy used CPUs (9-49 USD) at the bottom.
 

Hardware I already have:

  • PC case
  • GPU: EVGA GeForece GTX 1060, 3GB GDDR5 SC GAMING,
    ACX 2.0, Single Fan, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC), 03G-P4-6162-KR
  • Kingston 2x4 GB KVR24N17S8K2/8
    8GB (4GB 1Rx8 512M x 64-Bit x 2 pcs.) PC4-2400 CL17 288-Pin DIMM Kit
    Link to PDF: https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KVR24N17S8K2_8.pdf
  • PSU: 450W Lenovo AcBel 80 Plus Bronze
  • SSD: Samsung 128 GB 2,5" SSD (CM871 Series, MZ-YLF1280, TLC SATA 6Gbps)
  • HDD: WD 200 + 250 GB older SATA HDDs I have laying around.
  • External HDD: 8TB Seagate I use for media and backups with my laptop today.

 

if you aren't expecting to transcode more than 1 or 2 streams then your current gpu would be fine and your cpu requirements would be rather low.

 

As for the TV question most smart TVs have download the plex app now so streaming directly from them would be easy.

 

Now on the cpu side you could go with a 3600 or 3700 to cut costs since you have a decent gpu to transcode with. If you weren't using it I would have recommended an Intel cpu since quick sync can do help a ton in that scenario.

 

I mean the biggest factor will be the number of transcodes... so find out what the maximum will probably be and make sure you have enough cpu and gpu resources to handle it.

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4 hours ago, AngryBeaver said:

current gpu would be fine and your cpu requirements would be rather low.

Thanks for the confirmation. That was my thought to let the GPU transcode 1 stream at the time, and cheap-out on the CPU.

4 hours ago, AngryBeaver said:

number of transcodes

Im the only one going to be using the Plex server at this time. Dont have kids yet, so I have time to upgrade that server later.

4 hours ago, AngryBeaver said:

3600 or 3700

I can get this one for $5 used; "Sempron 3600+ Manila". I it this one?

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Building a Frankenstein Sever😂 from parts I had laying around, bought a few cheap used parts and got the GPU, RAM and case for free from my cousin when I helped him upgrade his gaming PC. Can post some pictures of the progress. All the molex is for the pc fans I had for an old build several years ago.

DEC70F35-82E5-4094-9FBD-9D8B4F08403F.jpeg

4FE49DB7-17CC-49A7-A2B8-E356959EA370.jpeg

4DAD6DE4-F9F6-4FF8-B93F-01039B4309A8.jpeg

BDC2EA3C-00A5-4F9A-999A-4F35F5EB4D8D.jpeg

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On 4/8/2020 at 2:11 PM, TechMeThatsSexy said:

GPU: EVGA GeForece GTX 1060, 3GB GDDR5 SC GAMING,
ACX 2.0, Single Fan, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC), 03G-P4-6162-KR

Anyone know where it’s possible to buy a used or a new GPU block for a reasonable price? That might be the biggest Inveatment into this Plex server, then ofc some TB HDDs to expand later.

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2 hours ago, TechMeThatsSexy said:

Thanks for the confirmation. That was my thought to let the GPU transcode 1 stream at the time, and cheap-out on the CPU.

Im the only one going to be using the Plex server at this time. Dont have kids yet, so I have time to upgrade that server later.

I can get this one for $5 used; "Sempron 3600+ Manila". I it this one?

I was talking about a 3600 or 3700 ryzen. You appear to have ddr 4 ram so you are looking at probably 350 for chip and motherboard.

 

I didn't see you having one in the list

 

If you want to go even cheaper a ryzen 1600 can be found for like 100 bucks these days and you can grab a cheap 50 dollar motherboard and call it done.

 

The reason I am suggesting these newer zen amd chips is because sometimes hardware encoding messes up so it would need to be done on the cpu. Also audio is still transcoded by the cpu. So it is always nice to have more than what you need than not enough.

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Since you have DDR4 I'd just sell the GPU and use the money to get a i3 (7th gen+) or ryzen 3 (2200g/3200g) and motherboard. 

 

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11 hours ago, AngryBeaver said:

a ryzen 1600 can be found for like 100 bucks these days

Thanks, that cleared up some things. I cant find it on the largest website for selling new and used items in Norway. Do you know of a good website that sell used computer parts and ship to Europe / Scandinavia?

11 hours ago, AngryBeaver said:

newer zen amd chips is because sometimes hardware encoding messes up so it would need to be done on the cpu

Okey thanks for the tips. Have to have that in mind.

 

11 hours ago, AngryBeaver said:

audio is still transcoded by the cpu

Now I understand that I cant go really cheap on the CPU. I could change out the RAM, it depends on the CPU and motherboard combo being good enough and reasonable priced. I can buy 16 GB og DDR2 ECC for aprox. $50 or 16 GB og DDR3 ECC for $70, but is there any point of having ECC for a Plex server?

 

I just dont know

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13 hours ago, Jarsky said:

sell the GPU and use the money to get a i3

Im doing mostly "direct play" from the Plex server to the screen/TV, so that dos not use transcoding if I got it right? I would rather have a GPU so the few direct stream over the same network to one tablet will work fine now and then.

I can buy this CPU (w/ orgiginal cooler) for only $10! Should I grab it anyway for this Plex server or for a future server / learning Linux etc? https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/53422/intel-core-i3-2100-processor-3m-cache-3-10-ghz.html
 

I can also buy this CPU with motherboard used, for maten $40-50 inkludere shipping. That will good enough for my Plex use now, and the CPU can be used for something els / server in the future maybe. 
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/52214/intel-core-i7-2600k-processor-8m-cache-up-to-3-80-ghz.html

It supports Intel® Quick Sync Video

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1 hour ago, TechMeThatsSexy said:

Im doing mostly "direct play" from the Plex server to the screen/TV, so that dos not use transcoding if I got it right? I would rather have a GPU so the few direct stream over the same network to one tablet will work fine now and then.

I can buy this CPU (w/ orgiginal cooler) for only $10! Should I grab it anyway for this Plex server or for a future server / learning Linux etc? https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/53422/intel-core-i3-2100-processor-3m-cache-3-10-ghz.html
 

I can also buy this CPU with motherboard used, dont know the price yet, have to give the seller a bid. I found another seller that sells the same CPU for $65
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/52214/intel-core-i7-2600k-processor-8m-cache-up-to-3-80-ghz.html

Dont know much more than that it is a Asus motherboard for now. See photos of it here:
https://www.finn.no/bap/forsale/ad.html?finnkode=173012880

Direct stream doesn't need it either. A single transcode really isn't that hard on the CPU for the most part (as long as you aren't doing 4k->4k which you shouldn't anyways) and software encoding looks better. Hell, I used to transcode a single stream on a dual core Pentium and it was fine because it was single user.

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Laptop: Intel M-5Y10c | Intel HD Graphics | 8GB RAM | 250GB Micron SSD | Asus UX305FA

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7 hours ago, 2FA said:

Direct stream doesn't need it either. A single transcode really isn't that hard on the CPU for the most part (as long as you aren't doing 4k->4k which you shouldn't anyways) and software encoding looks better. Hell, I used to transcode a single stream on a dual core Pentium and it was fine because it was single user.

I’ll only watch 4K through direct stream, and some 1080 transcode to tablet/smartphone sometimes. Thanks for clearing up some stuff for me guys. Appreciate it. 
 

Now the last thing I’m uncertain about is what OS to use on the machine. I don’t have a Windows license and don’t know much about Linux yet. I’m a fast learner. What would you do in my case?
 

I’ll get the CPU and motherboard in the end of the month. I’ll do some more mods in the meantime and post some photos:)

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Changed the fan in the PSU. Need to make some cuts in the side panel of the cabinet to be able to close it with the 120mm radiator on the back mounted on the outside of the case 

 

447C6704-21CD-4591-9E4C-305D656CB5B2.jpeg

59B2CF73-DF1D-4471-ADA7-95C407B07004.jpeg

839FCB5A-DBF6-458D-9E5F-3134494F581D.jpeg

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4 hours ago, 2FA said:

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/52214/intel-core-i7-2600k-processor-8m-cache-up-to-3-80-ghz.html

This is the motherboard I’m looking to buy with CPU and 16GB DDR3 1333 from the same guy. I’m waiting for reply on my offer. http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/acer-ipisb-vr-rev-1-01/

 

Could I use the machine as both a Plex server and NAS, and what OS + Software would you recommend, or is it better to build a separate NAS and let the Plex server get the data from the NAS? One machine would be better I think, I guess the is the CPU, RAM, GPU combo good enough?

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14 hours ago, TechMeThatsSexy said:

Im doing mostly "direct play" from the Plex server to the screen/TV, so that dos not use transcoding if I got it right? I would rather have a GPU so the few direct stream over the same network to one tablet will work fine now and then.

I can buy this CPU (w/ orgiginal cooler) for only $10! Should I grab it anyway for this Plex server or for a future server / learning Linux etc? https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/53422/intel-core-i3-2100-processor-3m-cache-3-10-ghz.html
 

I can also buy this CPU with motherboard used, for maten $40-50 inkludere shipping. That will good enough for my Plex use now, and the CPU can be used for something els / server in the future maybe. 
https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/52214/intel-core-i7-2600k-processor-8m-cache-up-to-3-80-ghz.html

It supports Intel® Quick Sync Video

Direct Play doesnt require CPU power, and the i3 7100 or higher have the Intel HD630 iGPU which supports h265 using QuickSync for transcoding . 

Anything below the 7th Gen Intel will only do h264 (non 4K/HDR), so rather than quicksync you'd have to use a modern GPU like your GTX1060 with nvenc for transcoding h265. 

 

An i3 7100 is considerably more power efficient, considerably better performance and will do everything you need with iGPU up to 4K. 

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/Intel-i3-2100-vs-Intel-i3-7100-vs-Intel-i7-2600K/749vs2924vs868

 

 

Spoiler

Desktop: Ryzen9 5950X | ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero (Wifi) | EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW3 | 32GB (2x16GB) Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB Pro 3600Mhz | EKWB EK-AIO 360D-RGB | EKWB EK-Vardar RGB Fans | 1TB Samsung 980 Pro, 4TB Samsung 980 Pro | Corsair 5000D Airflow | Corsair HX850 Platinum PSU | Asus ROG 42" OLED PG42UQ + LG 32" 32GK850G Monitor | Roccat Vulcan TKL Pro Keyboard | Logitech G Pro X Superlight  | MicroLab Solo 7C Speakers | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 LE Headphones | TC-Helicon GoXLR | Audio-Technica AT2035 | LTT Desk Mat | XBOX-X Controller | Windows 11 Pro

 

Spoiler

Server: Fractal Design Define R6 | Ryzen 3950x | ASRock X570 Taichi | EVGA GTX1070 FTW | 64GB (4x16GB) Corsair Vengeance LPX 3000Mhz | Corsair RM850v2 PSU | Fractal S36 Triple AIO + 4 Additional Venturi 120mm Fans | 14 x 20TB Seagate Exos X22 20TB | 500GB Aorus Gen4 NVMe | 2 x 2TB Samsung 970 Evo Plus NVMe | LSI 9211-8i HBA

 

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On 4/11/2020 at 2:35 AM, Jarsky said:

GTX1060

Then ill keep the EVGA 1060 (3GB one fan) I have for for NVENC transcoding.

On 4/11/2020 at 2:35 AM, Jarsky said:

i3 7100

Would have cost my around $70 used in my area, and I just bought a cpu, motherboard and ram for the same price. Is this CPU good enough for run Plex and a VM or two? Dont need any VMs now but would like to install Unraid or something similar so that Plex and another computer can easily access the videos/files. https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/53422/intel-core-i3-2100-processor-3m-cache-3-10-ghz.html

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I won’t be using a DVD-Rom in this case so I modified the front and installed a 80mm fan and chrome grill I had from a previous build. Turned out pretty good I think:) I have another grill that I’ll probably install in the back on the PSU where I changed out the fan inside.

 

 

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61BE640B-A30B-4EEA-92D5-6ED8442AA402.jpeg

5EB647A8-6E7E-46A4-B863-D34C3257E43C.png

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Planing to mount a screen with water temp and some fan control in the front soon also. Looking water tubing to fit 6mm nozzles. Haven’t found any yet

9128EC97-8E00-45BA-9CD4-493BE49360E5.jpeg

B5E69636-D84E-4F50-BC1D-5F0A920BF12D.jpeg

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