PLEX GPU & PSU requirements/suggestions?

[No Monitor]

So long story short I received a free SC5400LX server with obviously outdated internals.  Both hot-swap PSU's were DOA and who knows about everything else so I ripped everything out, cleaned, and plopped in my old Rampage III Formula motherboard, i7-970 CPU, Corsair H100i, 6GB OCZ RAM (lol,) and to get things up and running a 2TB WD red NAS drive that already has Windows on it.
 

I am hoping to use this server as general storage and a PLEX streaming device.  I have never run a PLEX server before, however I am hoping that the previously listed hardware will be acceptable for encoding.  

 

The i7-970 obviously has no integrated graphics so I will need to invest in a GPU of some sort.   I guess I am looking for suggestions on GPU's then suggestions on a PSU for this system.  I will be running up to 8 SATA drives (or devices) with this setup.

 

 

[tikker]

A GPU is only needed of if you plan on using hardware accelerated transcoding. Will you be streaming outside your home? If not you'll be better off making sure content is stored in a format that the devices can Direct Play or Direct Stream such that no transcoding is needed in the first place.

[Godlygamer23]

27 minutes ago, tikker said:

A GPU is only needed of if you plan on using hardware accelerated transcoding.

You kinda also need it to operate the machine as well, at least during initial setup, depending on the OS chosen.

[OddOod]

I'd say as long as it boots with no GPU, you don't need one. 
For PSU I'd figure out if you can get a standard atx that will fit, if not, you only need a couple hundred watts to run that thing so just find something reliable

 

TIL 3 channel memory

[OddOod]

2 minutes ago, Godlygamer23 said:

depending on the OS chosen.

OS appears to be windows. 
Any old GPU will work for initial config. 

[No Monitor]

Thank you both for your input.  

I am more than willing to go the route of no GPU at all (if it could even get past POST without one) if there is an OS I could easily configure remotely.

 

I have no server experience at all and I have a feeling I will need to get some sort of GPU for at least basic output to get all of the software set up.

 

Based on the hardware I listed, assuming a GPU is installed, what tier of PSU would you recommend?  (I realize this is an open ended question.)

[OddOod]

20 minutes ago, No Monitor said:

hardware I listed, assuming a GPU is installed, what tier of PSU would you recommend

Honestly, you can get away with a lot just using 1650 or 1060 and you'd still only need a 500W psu. 

 

 

21 minutes ago, No Monitor said:

an OS I could easily configure remotely.

Unraid is bog simple with few downsides aside from the USB stick dying

[Blue4130]

11 hours ago, OddOod said:

Honestly, you can get away with a lot just using 1650 or 1060 and you'd still only need a 500W psu. 

For just setting up the OS? I wouldn't even go that new or high end. Use whatever $20 card you can find.

[No Monitor]

On 1/23/2023 at 1:54 AM, Blue4130 said:

For just setting up the OS? I wouldn't even go that new or high end. Use whatever $20 card you can find.

Thank you all for your input.

 

I picked up an EVGA GTX 770 4GB SC on Ebay and a Corsair TX650 PSU on Facebook marketplace.

 

Once the GPU comes in the mail and I pick up a few other little bits and pieces I should be up and running!