6 Best Hardware Components to Use in a Plex Media Server.
When you’re ready to ditch streaming services and create your own home media server, you have many options. If you’re not tech savvy, getting a ready-made car is a good option, but for a similar price, you can build your own Plex media server that turns any pre-built option into an insult.
If you want to buy the individual components and build a Plex media server yourself, you just need the right parts. Keep in mind that this build is rated for performance, not cost. The build can be a little expensive, but it will work great.
CPU ( AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Plex is more CPU-intensive than any other component. Your processor requirements will depend on the type of content you want to stream, the number of users, the exact version of Plex, and other variables.
Plex recommends at least an Intel Core i3 or better, but if multiple people will be streaming at the same time, look for a CPU with good multi-core performance.
We recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. At just over $ 170, it has 6 or 12 cores, 3.8 GHz base clock and 4.4 GHz overclocking speed — all for a TDP or TDP of 65W. Plex can use each core, but if you only transcode one video at a time, it can use all cores to complete the process much faster.
RAM ( Corsair Vengeance 8 GB
Plex doesn’t use much RAM at all. For the average user, 2GB is more than enough. Of course, in the modern world, 2 GB of RAM is a shame. Instead of leaving 2GB, invest in 8GB of RAM. However, make sure the RAM you choose is compatible with your processor.
For this we recommend the Corsair Vengeance. A single 8GB memory card can be purchased for as little as $ 40 and will work seamlessly with Ryzen 5 3600 compatibility.
Storage ( HP S700 | WD Black SN750
While it might be tempting to lean towards a hard drive due to the low cost of storage, Plex works best on an SSD. It is not necessary that your entire library be available at once. You can always use an external drive to access some media if you have a USB 3.0 port.
Without an SSD, you will experience lag when trying to navigate menus in Plex software. Unfortunately, you can’t save on SSDs either. When it comes to storage, you need a trusted brand that won’t crash or mess up your data.
The HP S700 is a good choice if you want a drive with a SATA connection, 512GB available from $ 78. Keep in mind, however, that its SATA connection means it won’t be as fast as more modern connection types.
If you are looking for an NVMe SSD, then Western Digital Black SN750 is your best bet. It’s more expensive, with 250GB drives from $ 64, but connects directly to the motherboard and provides much faster access to all your favorite movies and TV shows.
PSU ( EVGA 600W 80 Plus
As with storage, you don’t want to skimp on the PSU. A cheap power supply turns your media server into a ticking time bomb. You will also want to purchase a modular power supply. While this is largely a matter of personal preference, modular PSUs are easier to work with, allowing for more flexibility in your build.
We recommend the EVGA 600W 80 Plus PSU. For just $ 60, you get an ATX 12V and EPS 12V compliant PSU with an intelligent auto fan to keep temperatures low without sacrificing performance. Its power is more than enough to power the Plex media server.
Drive ( LG Super Multi Blu-Ray Disc Rewriter
Wait, you might say. 2020 – do you need a floppy drive? If you are going to convert physical media to digital, then that’s for sure. Since many people have huge physical libraries, especially if you’re just getting started with the world of Plex, a floppy drive is essential.
We recommend LG Super Multi Blu-ray Disc Rewriter. It costs $ 66 and fits in a nearly empty compartment at the top of your PC case. You can use it to rip Blu-ray and DVD discs to digital format.
Bag ( Thermaltake Versa H22
The Thermtake Versa is a ‘gaming’ chassis, but that only means it has a lot of airflow, perfect for a server you can use for hours. Provides up to six 2.5-inch drive bays and plenty of room to work.
If you’re new to PC building, you’ll appreciate the space. If you’re a seasoned PC builder, you will appreciate the flexibility this case offers. This is not the most attractive option (and not the best choice if you want to customize the RGB lighting of your Plex media server).
There are several I / O ports along the chassis and one pre-installed 120mm fan. Combined with a CPU fan, this should be more than enough to keep your components cool.
Other components
These are the main components to keep in mind when building a Plex media server, but others are not so important. For example, a motherboard. This is important, but if it’s compatible with your CPU and RAM, it’s hard to go wrong. It’s the same with any other internal fan base you want to invest in.
Overall, Plex works best with Windows operating systems, although it has a wide range of compatibility with other systems, including macOS and Linux.
The total cost of this build will set you back about $ 400, but it will perform better than any build of the same price. If you’d like to try building your own Plex media server, use this article as a guide. You do not need to select parts individually, but keep the requirements in mind when choosing your own parts.
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