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Gigabyte GB-BXi3H-4010 - fast enough for Plex Media Server?

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Hi,

I'm thinking about building a small customac using a Gigabyte GB-BXi3H-4010 as a base with 8Gb RAM and 120Gb SSD to use as a small plex media server box.

I was planning on connecting a couple of Internal HDD's to the USB 3 ports (using an enclosure) and streaming HD (blu-ray rips), DVD Rips and Music from it.

Would this little box be capable enough of doing that, or would I be better off buying a base model Mac Mini?

Cheers
Stewart
 
This question belongs to Plex forums.

But here my answer: Plex only uses the CPU and you need roughly a CPU with a score of at least 2000 points on Passmark to handle a single 1080p 10 Mbps transcode. Looks like the Gigabyte has a i3-4010U which scores at 2452 points. It should be fairly sufficient in 99% cases. But you might have stuttering if you want to transcode very high bitrate video such as raw BD RIP.

Sources:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/ar...kind-of-CPU-do-I-need-for-my-Server-computer-
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i3-4010U+@+1.70GHz
 
This question belongs to Plex forums.

But here my answer: Plex only uses the CPU and you need roughly a CPU with a score of at least 2000 points on Passmark to handle a single 1080p 10 Mbps transcode. Looks like the Gigabyte has a i3-4010U which scores at 2452 points. It should be fairly sufficient in 99% cases. But you might have stuttering if you want to transcode very high bitrate video such as raw BD RIP.

Sources:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/ar...kind-of-CPU-do-I-need-for-my-Server-computer-
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i3-4010U+@+1.70GHz

Ah ok, sorry about that. I might get the next model up and see how that performs.

Another question, will Yosemite run on it?
 
No problem.

Please look at http://www.tonymacx86.com/buying-advice/129030-customac-nano-prebuilt-micro-pc.html and http://www.tonymacx86.com/mavericks...uide-gigabyte-brix-brix-pro-using-clover.html for compatibility/guides issues.

Note: "Nevertheless, both users and reviewers of these systems have complained about fan noise and heat generation." so your Brix will probably be really noisy when transcoding. You should consider building a CustoMac Mini instead.

Hmm, the Brix will be housed in a different room from the TV etc, so noise shouldn't be much of a problem, but it looks like it may be just slightly more expensive for a CustoMac Mini for a much more powerful computer.

Question regarding this, can I choose any Mini Itx case and have it work?

Cheers
Stewart
 
The case is not an electronic part, it has not effect on the build compatibility with OSX. However what you want is a well cooled case, especially when running frequently a CPU intensive task like Plex transcoding. You should go with the Customac mini deluxe case + psu. I would also recommend you to toss the intel cpu fan and choose with an aftermarket one, like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. It will keep your build fresh, efficient and dead silent.
 
I had Plex server running on some truly terrible hardware in the past. ANYTHING new will be able to do 1080P. You may not get it to do multiple transcodes though.

The bigger question is if this is going to be a client/server combo as a one off thing or just a server streaming to multiple locations in the house. Also transcoding is what kills the box. For most in home setups you never transcode and it just streams so you should be fine either way.

Mark
 
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