CPU for NAS/plex server help

[cbc02009]

Hi guys,

 

I'm looking to build a mini-itx NAS soon, and am looking for processor recommendations. Unfortunately, Since Plex needs to transcode any video file with subtitles, it's going to need a relatively powerful cpu (for a NAS at least). I'm trying to keep the power low, since it will be running pretty much 24/7, so I'm currently looking at the i3-6300 (http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i3-6300+%40+3.80GHz ) and the i5-6400T (http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5-6400T+%40+2.20GHz). both have similar passmark scores, and use similar power. Is there a major difference in number of cores vs clock speed in a NAS setup?

 

Thanks!

[ScratchCat]

I wouldn't trust passmark. Do you know how long 1 movie takes with your cpu on plex?

If in doub't I would get the i5, then enable all c-states, undervolt to reduce power consumption.

Don't get the T version though as you can limit the tdp in the motherboard bios with other i5s also.

[cbc02009]

The plex guides all say ~2000 passmark score per 1080p (10mbps) simultaneous file encode. so with 5000 both me and my girlfriend could be watching different shows and it would be fine. I'm unwilling to spend more for the regular i5 for what is essentially a file server. I'll look into undervolting though! thanks!

[cbc02009]

So from what I can see undervolting only reduces TDP by about 30% best case, which on an i5 is still over 60 watts. Almost twice as much as the processors I'm looking at. Not to mention the i5 is $50+ dollars more.

 

I guess it's kind of half dozen of one, six of the other, but I'm kind of hoping someone who has scratch built a NAS can help me with this. Thanks!

[EleventHour]

any luck with figuring this out? I too am in the same boat of trying to figure out which processor to focus my build around....