Small Form Factor Plex Server

[welly321]

Hi All,
I am planning to move my plex server from my main PC to a small form factor PC. The main features I am looking for are space for two 3.5inch hard drives and Wired ethernet. I'll use integrated graphics and most likely run the entire device headless once its setup. Does anyone have some ideas for a good SFF case and power supply that can fit two 3.5inch hard drives? Some of them that support GPUs should be able to fit the hard drives, right? Also, what do you all recommend for a mobo/cpu combo for this use case? I will be using Linux.

 

[neatfeatguy]

If you're not using much else for the computer, you don't need high end specs for a Plex server.

I would suggest having some sort of GPU that supports the hardware transcoding for Plex. I found a list here that shows hardware (GPU) support and it also lists what GPUs support H265. Certainly this isn't needed, but just a suggestion.

As for a CPU, I have an i5-4460 running her and it does just fine. So you don't need anything new or expensive.
HDDs are WD Reds that are 5400RPM. I've ran 5 different shows streaming to 5 different devices with this hardware and they all ran just fine without any hitches.

I can't comment on a case, I have mine setup (it was used as a secondary gaming computer at one point) in a Cooler Master HAF XB Evo case. It's a good case, but certainly too big for what you're looking for.

 

[newtekie1]

What do you consider SFF? I'd use something like a Fractal Design Nano S. But that isn't exactly a tiny case, it's actually a little on the big side for a mITX case. But takes a regular ATX PSU, can fit 120mm tower coolers, can take a dual slot graphics card, and has a ton of room for drives and stuff and doesn't cram all the parts in so airflow is killed.

As for CPU/Motherboard, get something from Intel so you can use Quick Sync for hardware acceleration. Other than that, it just becomes a matter of how much you want to spend and how you plan to use the server. If you don't plan on overclocking you can pick up an AsRock B560M-ITX for around $100 and slap in whatever CPU you want.