Mini PC for Plex and Media

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  freefall101 on 20/02/2024 - 10:55

  I'd setup a separate plex server somewhere in the house and just use a chromecast or apple tv or the like if noise is a concern at all. If you're using it as a plex server and a mediacentre I'd go for higher capability. The N100 works perfectly fine for a plex server (thanks to hardware transcoding) but it's still a low end machine.

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    Ryansta on 20/02/2024 - 11:13

    Its a smart TV so apps etc are fine, I mostly watch movies on the TV through plex, but if I wanted to watch on the pc I dont want it to struggle. Web browsing and youtubing are easier with keyboard mouse and adblocker on the pc.

    Would 5800h be the minimum or 5700h or 5560u? I always lean towards the high-end stuff and then mostly dont use the capacity. I was about to buy 7800x3d and then have the option for a GPU rig but Im trying to be sensible but not feel like Ive wasted $500

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      Crownie on 20/02/2024 - 11:18

      If Plex is struggling, why not just plug in a USB drive with the movies already on that drive.
      That's what I have to do for my sisters TV shows and movies when she complains that Plex is stopping/stuttering.

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        Ryansta on 20/02/2024 - 11:24

        Plex is fine, if I sign into the PC and play movies the display gets a bit stuttery…. Thats not a major concern its mostly just getting enough performance to use it without limitations but not overspend

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      freefall101 on 20/02/2024 - 12:55

      I’d look at a refurb Intel sff machine instead, no need to stick with a new beelink.

      Btw you can sideload Firefox and use a keyboard and mouse still (and ad blockers). But I get wanting windows, there’s a lot of flexibility there. Particularly when acquiring the content for your Plex server.

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  pharkurnell on 20/02/2024 - 11:03

  Rasberry Pi ?

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    Ryansta on 20/02/2024 - 11:14

    +1

    Wouldnt that be very low spec compared to the mini PCs?

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  flagsarefun on 20/02/2024 - 11:22

  +1

  Keep in mind that Intel CPUs have hardware encode/decode. A 7800X3D would be very much wasted I think. You could go slightly older with the CPU and instead use something like an Intel A380 which would get you AV1 hardware encoding, but the N100 is recommended because it is cheap but has modern Quick Sync Video. It is one reason it is a much better option than a Raspberry Pi, even the 5. The Raspberry Pi 5 has no hardware video encoding and only HEVC decoding.

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    Ryansta on 20/02/2024 - 11:26

    Would Intel variants be better for a media server and video player over the AMD options?

    The 7800X3D was going to be an ITX gaming rig in the lounge but thats 3k so Ive shelved that idea for now :)

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      flagsarefun on 20/02/2024 - 11:39

      Others will know more but my understanding is yes. If you're offloading everything to a GPU then I'm not sure…

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        Ryansta on 20/02/2024 - 11:40

        Cool thanks, I hadnt even considered the Intel options. The goal with this purchase is to just get a mini PC so GPUs are out

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  bargaino on 20/02/2024 - 12:34

  Ultra-small form factor is very popular here, aka "micro"

  e.g. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/808749

  Comes with m2 SSD, but has space for a multi-TB 2.5" drive inside. Only 18cm sq. Very quiet, quality build.

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  boomramada on 20/02/2024 - 12:49

  For Plex, just get a nvidia shield pro and massive USB HD, you don't need anything else. Set up and forget forever.

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    bargaino on 20/02/2024 - 23:09

    Nice if you want an all-in-one box, like the OP.

    But somehow I prefer keeping the backend and frontend separate. I don't want to hear the heads stepping on that massive USB HDD while I'm watching a show :-)