Plex server upgrades

[Donut417]

Quote

Current Plex Server

i5 3570K 

16 Gigs DDR 3

HD7950

500 gig Samsung 850 Evo 

Fractal Design R4 Case 

600 watt Corsiar PSU (Fan bearings pretty much gone) 

Ubuntu 24.04 

Looking to upgrade my Plex setup. What Id like to be able to do is run everything under Docker Compose. I want 2 Plex instances, 1 for Live TV and 1 for Ripped content. This is to keep the libraries segregated. I need a instance of Handbrake CLI (This is to convert Live TV recordings in to a much nicer file size), Automatic Ripping Machine, Sonnar, Radarr, Lidarr and Bazarr. Maybe some room to do other containers in the future. Content wise I plan on only really doing DVD and 1080p Bluray as 4K Bluray drives are kinda expensive and hard to find. I do have a portable DVD drive and a Slim DVD drive I took out of a Lenovo Prebuilt. I have a 5.25" drive as well but I think the motor was going in it. The 500 Gig SSD I can reuse, I also have a 1TB Crucial Drive as well. I have 8 Gigs of DDR 4 I took out of the Lenovo PC. I have a spare 600 Watt EVGA PSU. 

 

Currently my data sits on a 8TB hard drive thats installed in a QNAP TS451+. I intend to fit this out with more / larger drives. Would appreciate some guidance here. Not sure what size drives I should go for. I was thinking 8 to 12 TB drives but I also dont want to break the bank. 

 

Quick question I saw something to the degree of Intel Quick Sync can be shared between multiple containers. Is that true? 

 

As far as the server is concerned. I had a few ideas. 

 

1. Buy a used system on eBay with at least a 10th gen Intel CPU
   1. Ive seen some Dell OptiPlexes for $400 to $500 with 10th or 11th gen chips 
   2. When It comes to used, im not good a judging if its a good deal because frankly I generally dont buy used 
2. Buy a Mini PC 
   1. Something like a Beelink. I see them for around $400 to $600 but they have the N95, N100 or N150 chip, not sure if thats good enough
   2. But they seem to be very power efficient which would be nice. 
3. Bare bones machine.
   1. I could buy something bare bones, as I do have storage, ram, though Im not sure 8 Gigs would be enough. 

 

Budget wise. Id like to be under $1K, but I dont see that happening so Id at least be under $1500 all in. That also includes a Bluray drive. I would prefer what ever machine I do get to be semi power efficient. Thats why Im not looking at old server hardware. Michigan its fighting for first place for the highest electricity rates in the US. 

 

[Blue4130]

1 hour ago, Donut417 said:

. I want 2 Plex instances, 1 for Live TV and 1 for Ripped content. This is to keep the libraries segregated. I

You can do this with one instance though, unless I don't understand what you mean. I have movies, shows and music all segregated on different drives/locations.

[LIGISTX]

3 hours ago, Donut417 said:

Currently my data sits on a 8TB hard drive thats installed in a QNAP TS451+

Not really part of you question, but why do you have a server AND a NAS? Why wouldn’t you start building out a ZFS or unraid array on the server you are trying to put together?

[MrSimplicity]

With everything you got going on I would personally just chuck the EVGA PSU into your current system then take the money you were going to spend and buy 4 of the highest capacity drives as you can. 16TB drives can be had for about $250 USD then just pop one in, clone your current drive add the others and set one to parity. I run unraid so it's probably easier said than done but I would go that route over building a new system. It doesn't take a lot to run a server like that other than it may take time for transcodes. Though it looks like you have a dedicated GPU so you leave plenty of headroom for the CPU. As far as whatever your plan is for physical media, I know nothing about any of that.

[LIGISTX]

5 hours ago, Donut417 said:

Looking to upgrade my Plex setup. What Id like to be able to do is run everything under Docker Compose. I want 2 Plex instances, 1 for Live TV and 1 for Ripped content. This is to keep the libraries segregated. I need an instance of Handbrake CLI (This is to convert Live TV recordings in to a much nicer file size), Automatic Ripping Machine, Sonnar, Radarr, Lidarr and Bazarr. Maybe some room to do other containers in the future.

Honestly, that machine can probably do everything you listed. The CPU is definitely on the slower side, and 16 GB of RAM isn’t much, but the fact your NAS is desperate removes the NAS duty from this box. The rest, really, is just GPU load from handbrake. The CPU load from the docker containers will be next to nothing, and they don’t take up much RAM either. I run my entire plex VM, which is Ubuntu sever, on like 2GB of RAM and it’s fine. I run about a dozen containers in another VM, including those you have listed, and that VM I give 6-8 GBZ IIRC, but it doesn’t need that much…. But when you have 128GB to play with, you don’t get super picky about trying to overly restrict things. I give my plex VM 8 threads of my not very fast CPU, and the docker host I give like 4? And the CPU utilization is usually in the single digits for both of those VM’s, even when they are doing things. 
 

I would honestly just get Proxmox installed on that machine and start spinning up VM’s to host docker containers. I’d host all the containers in a single VM, but starting with Proxmox will just make adding more homelab infrastructure easier in the future. VM’s are a godsend for homelabing…. I have about a dozen of them running, with at least 2 dozen docker containers across 3 VM’s. 

[Donut417]

8 hours ago, Blue4130 said:

unless I don't understand what you mean.

I want to have DVR content in its own library. So my libraries being 

1. DVR Movies
2. DVR TV
3. Movies
4. TV
5. Anime Movies 
6. Anime TV

6 hours ago, MrSimplicity said:

16TB drives can be had for about $250

Where because Ive seen 12 TB drives upwards of $300. 

 

6 hours ago, MrSimplicity said:

Though it looks like you have a dedicated GPU so you leave plenty of headroom for the CPU. As far as whatever your plan is for physical media, I know nothing about any of that.

Fun fact. AMD GPU's especially the old ass one in my server CANT be used to transcode in Plex. I also dont think Handbrake can use it for trasncoding. So basically the dedicated GPU is usless, its only in the server because the server was an old gaming PC. 

 

6 hours ago, LIGISTX said:

Not really part of you question, but why do you have a server AND a NAS?

Original server was a gaming laptop I had laying around. The NAS was bought to give more storage space for media. 

 

6 hours ago, LIGISTX said:

Why wouldn’t you start building out a ZFS or unraid array on the server you are trying to put together?

Because I like the simplicity of an off the shelf NAS. Also I looked in to ZFS years ago and figure out I didnt want to screw around with it. It would have been expensive to implement. At that time I was dirt poor. So...... It really wasnt feasible. I still dont want to screw with it. 

 

4 hours ago, LIGISTX said:

VM’s are a godsend for homelabing…

Not really looking to start a home lab. I just need to run a few containers. 

 

4 hours ago, LIGISTX said:

The rest, really, is just GPU load from handbrake.

That is the issue. The GPU I have cant be used for Plex or Handbrake from my understanding. While I can brute force transcoding via CPU, If I have 2+ on the fly transcodes happening in Plex and Handbrake going, I dont think the machine will be too happy. Especially if I have 3,4 or 5 tanscodes happening.  While my CPU does have QuickSyc Ive heard its kinda crappy and most suggestions I see is I need a 10th gen chip. 

 

Plus I would like to maybe condense the server down to a "smaller" machine. As space I have is limited, I dont need a full ATX machine if all the storage is on a separate device. If Quick Sync can be shared with multiple containers like I have read, I dont need a separate GPU either. 

[LIGISTX]

3 hours ago, Donut417 said:

I want to have DVR content in its own library. So my libraries being 

1. DVR Movies
2. DVR TV
3. Movies
4. TV
5. Anime Movies 
6. Anime TV

You can create as many libraries as you want in plex. You create a library and point it at a folder, or set of folders. You can do exactly what you want in a single plex instance. 
 

3 hours ago, Donut417 said:

That is the issue. The GPU I have cant be used for Plex or Handbrake from my understanding. While I can brute force transcoding via CPU, If I have 2+ on the fly transcodes happening in Plex and Handbrake going, I dont think the machine will be too happy. Especially if I have 3,4 or 5 tanscodes happening.  While my CPU does have QuickSyc Ive heard its kinda crappy and most suggestions I see is I need a 10th gen chip. 

It may be worth just buying a used Nvidia or Intel arc GPU. I am not sure if it can be used across multiple containers though. 

[Donut417]

6 minutes ago, LIGISTX said:

You create a library and point it at a folder, or set of folders. You can do exactly what you want in a single plex instance.

The issue is my dad will record shit where he shouldn’t. I used to have a DVR library and the recordings never went there. Hell he recorded something to the folder that houses Stargate SG1. So I have to set it up so an idiot can use it. 
 

 

[Donut417]

11 minutes ago, LIGISTX said:

may be worth just buying a used Nvidia or Intel arc GPU. I am not sure if it can be used across multiple containers though

According to the little I looked in to it only Quick Sync was allowed to be shared. Again I’m not sure 100%. Nvidia cards need to be dedicated to a container from what I read. 
 

Plus like I mentioned I’d like to down size the server, as it’s not doing storage duties l, also I’d like to move the server to my desk to make it easy to rip media.

 

 

I do have a spare mini itx case and a 2600x laying around. I just know that neither the Intel chip or the 2600x support resizable bar. Not sure if that could be an issue. 

[AtomicGlargh]

16 minutes ago, LIGISTX said:

It may be worth just buying a used Nvidia or Intel arc GPU. I am not sure if it can be used across multiple containers though. 

This. I use Jellyfin, but like Plex ffmpeg does the encoding work. A low end Intel Arc should be able to handle the encoding. 

I've heard mixed reports of newer Intel Arc GPUs working with SR-IOV (sharing the video encoder), but I would suggest investigating it more. 

I don't think your system supports SR-IOV however.

Edited January 29 by AtomicGlargh

[AtomicGlargh]

6 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

I do have a spare mini itx case and a 2600x laying around. I just know that neither the Intel chip or the 2600x support resizable bar. Not sure if that could be an issue. 

If you're just using the encoder, rebar isn't an issue.

[Donut417]

10 hours ago, AtomicGlargh said:

This. I use Jellyfin, but like Plex ffmpeg does the encoding work. A low end Intel Arc should be able to handle the encoding. 

I've heard mixed reports of newer Intel Arc GPUs working with SR-IOV (sharing the video encoder), but I would suggest investigating it more. 

I don't think your system supports SR-IOV however.

Thanks for providing a standard to look for. Its interesting. It seems that 6 thru 9th gen used GVT-g. 11 and newer use the SR-IOV and and 10th gen Desktop uses GUT-g and Mobile doesnt really support anything as it doesnt supoort GVT-g and SR-IOV is not fully supported.  GPU wise looks like ARC Pro is whats needed to get support on their dGPU. 

 

So I might want to look at the 11th or 12th gen chip OR see what an ARC Pro costs, but Im betting a 11th gen or 12 gen Intel chip would be cheaper. 

 

Update:

I looked in to what it takes to set up SR-IOV. It seems the BIOS needs to support it, need to edit grub, need to potentially install a 3rd party driver, as possibly need a specific kernel. I also seen that it could be problematical if your restart the machine, due to how the pass thru works. So Im not sure how feasible it will be. I might consider just CPU transcoding the OTA content when being watched live. Using CPU transcoding for transcoding the recorded OTA content. Then using GPU transcoding for Automatic ripping machine. 

 

I think Id still like to upgrade to a new to me machine however. Potentially something physically smaller. 

Edited January 30 by Donut417
Update

[Donut417]

If I do buy a new or at least new to me machine what specs should I be looking for?

 

Would I be better off going with an Intel chip OR should I go for an AMD chip and a separate GPU? 

 

How much ram should I be looking for? Like I said I got some DDR4 laying around 2 4 Gig sticks but I know 8 gigs might be limited. Plus I know its not always good to Mix and Match RAM. 

 

Can anyone suggest any Hard Drives that wont break the bank. I was thinking 10 to 12 TB, as I got a 4 bay NAS. Thats 40 to 48 TB worth of drives, or 30 to 36 TB of usable storage anyway. Though Im not sure how much Im going to need. Most of my content is DVD. I do want to do 1080p Blurays. I do intend to store some documents and music on the NAS, but Music wise the library will be very limited. 

 

While I know someone suggested Proxmox, I think I would prefer just using some Linux distro. Currently use the desktop version of Ubuntu. But I could switch to the server version, which means less overhead due to no GUI. 

 

[AtomicGlargh]

From my experience Intel GPUs are well supported in regards to their media decoders.

 

In this use case mixing memory won't be an issue. You aren't playing games on it.

 

HDDs I prefer Seagate Iron Wolfs, but their price has gone up due to the AI boom.

 

Switching to the server version isn't worth the hassle. The login screen isn't eating much memory. 

[Donut417]

On 1/29/2026 at 12:05 AM, MrSimplicity said:

16TB drives can be had for about $250 USD then just pop one in, clone your current drive add the others and set one to parity

Where do you find 16 TB NAS drives for $250? 

[MrSimplicity]

8 hours ago, Donut417 said:

Where do you find 16 TB NAS drives for $250? 

Apologies, forgot to check back. I unfortunately stand corrected. When I built my server (a couple years ago) they were about $240. Then they shot up over $300 then I saw them settle around $260 when I had to replace a dead drive. I had absolutely no clue that they had surpassed over $400. However, it looks like 12TB drives are sitting at $270 now which, though less capacity, with x265 file sizes can get pretty small without losing quality. As far as your GPU goes though, you could look into a used lower end card. When I built my server I just threw a 4060 in it and called it a day and it hasn't ran into any noticeable issues. I run unraid as well which makes things super simple or at least googleable if need be.

[Donut417]

On 2/2/2026 at 1:38 AM, MrSimplicity said:

it looks like 12TB drives are sitting at $270

Both 10 TB and 12 TB drives are over $300 where I have looked. I did find one drive in that price range but the seller only had 1, I need 4.  

 

Ive looked at Amazon, Microcenter, Best buy, etc. 

[LIGISTX]

6 hours ago, Donut417 said:

Both 10 TB and 12 TB drives are over $300 where I have looked. I did find one drive in that price range but the seller only had 1, I need 4.  

 

Ive looked at Amazon, Microcenter, Best buy, etc. 

https://serverpartdeals.com/collections/manufacturer-recertified-drives

[Donut417]

32 minutes ago, LIGISTX said:

https://serverpartdeals.com/collections/manufacturer-recertified-drives

I was told not to go with used drives. 

[LIGISTX]

1 hour ago, Donut417 said:

I was told not to go with used drives. 

I wouldn’t get “used” drives either. But these are factory recertified. With a RAID setup which can withstand a few failures, I wouldn’t think twice with these. A LOT of folks have been running these recertified drives without issues. 

[Donut417]

Im still looking at my options. However I have decided to upgrade from a 2020 Intel Macbook Pro to an Ipad Air at some point in the near ish future, Tax refund was pretty nice this year. Anyway. I was considering using my Macbook Pro as my Plex server. Its a 10th gen i5 with 16 gigs of RAM. Part of the reasoning is that DTE just raised electricity rates 4%, so I was thinking since the Macbook only can draw up to 61 watts and my current Plex server idles at around 129 watts that there might be a little savings there. What considerations so I take when doing this? Should I look in to getting a laptop cooler for example? Id likely will continue to use my NAS to store the data, so that wont be an issue. 

 

On a side note, the FCC might force TV manufactures to include ATSC 3.0 tuners. If they do that, that signals the end of ATSC 1.0, which means when that happens I wont be doing live TV on my Plex server anymore, assuming DRM stays in place, that will make things much easier for me in the future. 

[MrSimplicity]

On 2/21/2026 at 8:04 AM, Donut417 said:

Macbook Pro as my Plex server

Definitely not the worst idea. You shouldn't need to worry about cooling either since it's built to work at that power and heat limit. Plex doesn't utilize as much system resources as one might think it's just that it's always running so it shouldn't honestly get that hot.