Plex Media Server, Pi3 or NUC?

I just grabbed the Plex Lifetime deal. And now I need to setup a Plex Media Server.

Apparently my old NAS is no longer supported. So I'll need to run it on something else.
My use for it will be streaming to my Android TV (which I already do with Kodi), or copying content locally onto Android tablet/phone & iPhone/iPad. So I'm guessing there wouldn't much transcoding going on (since everything plays directly already).

Can I just use a Rasberry Pi 3 to run PMS? or do I really need to get something like a NUC?
If a NUC, should I just get a cheap Intel j3455 based on (barebones on ebay 20% off sale is ~$145) or should I step up to a 7100u (again barebone about $330). I'd run linux on the NUC, so I guess 4gb ram would be heaps & just a small SSD, as my NAS will still be hosting all my files.

Cheers for any advice!

Comments

  • I'd avoid the nuc and either get a raspberry pi or a compute stick. When you have to get ram, hard drives etc, might as well have just bought a cheap pc or laptop.

    Remember neither wont be able to transcode well if required. I found the compute stick was better for my needs as i could combine with other software (filezilla, extractnow etc)

    plex server uses cpu only

    • Cheers.

  • Considered the Nvidia Shield?

    • No. Can you load plex server onto it? Do you need the pro version?

      The 16gb version is $250 @ amazon

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/368860

      • Yes, you can install Plex media server onto it

        No you dont need the Pro version

        You can use the 16Gb version and expand the storage by plugging it to a hard drive and using it as internal storage. (That is how I use mine)

  • A lot of plex clients like to transcode.

    If its not OpenPHT it may transcode.

    The Android TV app will likely transcode.

    If you get an underpowered device for Plex and this happens, you will be forced to buy something new to play the videos.

    Also just so everyone is aware you only need to pay for Plex if you want mobile sync, everything else is free.

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