New hardware to introduce Emby

[rvanevery 2]

For years I’ve been running Plex and while I’ve enjoyed many features it has to offer there has always been a few frustrating topics (UI changes, performance, hardware transcoding reliability).

Plex is hosted off a Supermicro 1U server with a Xeon D-1518, 32GB DDR4 ECC, and a Quadro P2000. Storage is provided from a QNAP and everything is connected over 10gb. Overall a great system for handling a large amount of transcodes while sipping power.

I wanted to step things up a notch this time around and localize the storage, hopefully making things seem a little snappier. At the same time I want to introduce nvidia Turing architecture for the increased performance and expanded codec support.

So here’s where we’re at right now—
Supermicro 2U chassis, 24x 2.5 sata/sas bays, 12gb backplane
ASRock board with a Xeon D-1541, LSI3008 12gb sas, and 10gb sip+
128GB DDR4 ECC
Intel 900P 280GB Optane (OS)
24x 2TB Samsung 850 Pro SSDs in a mirrored config within Windows Storage spaces
Currently testing with a GTX 1660, despite it not properly fitting. If all goes well it will get replaced with a Tesla T4 (chassis requires a low profile card regardless). Considered a 1050ti and 1650 but neither offer enough memory to guarantee a large number of transcodes.

Looking for a system that will comfortably handle 20-30 transcodes if needed and not require a large amount of power to do so. Current server sees peaks in the 20s on occasion with new releases.

A consideration down the road is to virtualize Plex and Emby, add this server to my VMware cluster, and share the gpu (if it’s a T4) across both vms if I decided to retain both services.

Was hoping to come across anyone that has tested transcoding on a Tesla T4. @ @@PenkethBoy @@mastrmind11 @@horstepipe

[PhinkBig 9]

No experience on the T4, but can you speak to how the transcoding was on the 1660? Have been looking at adding one to my system since my Xeons choke on 4K content.

[rvanevery 2]

No experience on the T4, but can you speak to how the transcoding was on the 1660? Have been looking at adding one to my system since my Xeons choke on 4K content.

 

So far it has been working well--handles transcoding a little quicker than a P2000 in another system and should theoretically handle more with the extra GB of vram.

 

I don't transcode 4K content (outside of testing the capabilities of a system, which it seems to handle well), there's really no point in doing so versus keeping lower resolution copies.

 

Edited December 29, 2019 by rvanevery