Intel Nuc vs RPi2 vs SFF Box for PMS

K

KOPITE

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
6,651
Reaction score
363
Location
Mother City
Hey Gents

Which of these would be a perfect setup to use as a Plex Media Server and a download box.

Must be:

Least expensive
Small to hide away
Least noise as possible
Minimum power as it will be on 24/7
Maybe upgradeable in future
Easy to manage ito OS win/android/Linux/Ubuntu/etc

I actually have a RPi2 but find it difficult to get it to work as I am struggling to get PMS working on the bloody thing. An Intel nuc celeron goes for about R1800 with drive and ram installed. I also can get a Small form factor Lenovo Core i5 650 3.2 GHz dual core for about R1500.

Which of these do you guys think would be best ito of above.
 
Personally, I would go for the Small Factor PC.

- Standard components
- Easily upgradable
- More processing power (future proof)
- Choice of OS
- More versatile
 
Another vote for the SFF PC. That's what I run - it's fast, it just works (Windows 7), and VLC automagicly plays every format you can throw at it.

I'm running a PicoPSU (fanless) because the stock PSU sounded like a 30 year old diesel. I'm also running the stock Intel fan and heatsink (basically silent), and no case fan.
 
KOPITE said:
Hey Gents

Which of these would be a perfect setup to use as a Plex Media Server and a download box.

Must be:

Least expensive
Small to hide away
Least noise as possible
Minimum power as it will be on 24/7
Maybe upgradeable in future
Easy to manage ito OS win/android/Linux/Ubuntu/etc

I actually have a RPi2 but find it difficult to get it to work as I am struggling to get PMS working on the bloody thing. An Intel nuc celeron goes for about R1800 with drive and ram installed. I also can get a Small form factor Lenovo Core i5 650 3.2 GHz dual core for about R1500.

Which of these do you guys think would be best ito of above.
Click to expand...

Where are you picking up the lenovo from?
 
no NUC nor Lenovo at that price.
Bare NUC is barely under 2k anyways... and the lenovo is 2.5k at esquire, but it is not the i5 its a j something..
 
So I got the Lenovo mini i5.

Gonna use it for Plex media server and a download box. I'm not so clued up on what is the best OS for my usage. Can anyone advise me which windows is the best for an htpc or is there something else I could load on it besides windows.
 
I'm going to jump in before someone says Ubuntu or something of that nature, save yourself the hassle and install any Windows you have, 7, 8.1 or 10. I am waiting for a motherboard and RAM to arrive tomorrow or next week for my new server and I am going to install Windows 10 on it.

I am going to install Plex and everything again to be fully automated from scratch so if by next week you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
 
Soul Assassin said:
I'm going to jump in before someone says Ubuntu or something of that nature, save yourself the hassle and install any Windows you have, 7, 8.1 or 10. I am waiting for a motherboard and RAM to arrive tomorrow or next week for my new server and I am going to install Windows 10 on it.

I am going to install Plex and everything again to be fully automated from scratch so if by next week you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Click to expand...

Thanks for tip man. Do you have any tips on how to automate things, like couch potatoes, torrents, etc. I think I still have a nbz account.
 
KOPITE said:
So I got the Lenovo mini i5.

Gonna use it for Plex media server and a download box. I'm not so clued up on what is the best OS for my usage. Can anyone advise me which windows is the best for an htpc or is there something else I could load on it besides windows.
Click to expand...

Good choice. Use whatever OS you're comfortable with, all the apps you want will run just fine on most OSes. I'm a linux man myself, but if you're not then it would just be frustrating (like me trying to use Windows).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X