Need x265 encoding CPU recommendations...

Gerr · November 8, 2018

I just brought up my Plex server recently, so it's now time to start transferring my large Blu-Ray library to it. Like most people, I'll use MakeMKV to rip the movie, but then use Handbrake to encode it down to an acceptable size. I want to use the newer x265, but my server hardware can't handle it, E3-1271v3, so need to rely one one of my two gaming rigs for that. One is a 7700K@5.0Ghz and the other is a 6700K@4.6Ghz. Neither are very fast at x265 encoding, so would like to replace one of them with a better x265 encoding CPU while maintaining decent gaming performance at 1440p. I don't mind a slight loss in FPS, just nothing major.

I was originally thinking a Ryzen 7 2700x, but read that Ryzens are not as good at x265 encoding as Intel CPU's. Some graphs I have looked at put the 2700X at around the same as an 8700K in x265 encoding while others place it farther behind. I would love a 9700K & Z390 mobo, but that's above my price range as I really don't want to spend more then $500 on a CPU/mobo combo and that would likely cost me $600, pending I can even find it available. A 2700X/X470 combo would cost me around $450 and a 8700K/Z370 combo would max me out around $500.

Are those my best options, or are there other options? Might a 2700/B450 or 8700/H370 combo be nearly as good for cheaper? What about one of those combo's replace my current server cpu/mobo, but that would mean buying DDR4 RAM too as my server uses DDR3-ECC. Looking for advice as the Black Friday deals are spinning up and I want to jump on some if I can.

LukeSavenije · November 8, 2018

I would love to recommend a 1920x here. but I think you should wait or see a great deal on black friday or cyber monday. otherwise you should wait for 7nm ryzen