Max WolfJan 8, 2023
Adam Conover
Home Plex server update / Q: I have decided affirmatively to go the Mac Mini route. My preference is to make use of old hardware, so I'm eyeing the 2014 i5 with an SSD, which OWC i selling for < $200. Will this be enough horsepower to run Plex and occasionally transcode? I plan to only store 1080p media, and I'd like to give access to a few friends so they can enjoy my collection. Will the i5 do the job or should I just get an M1 Mini now so I don't outgrow it too soon? https://eshop.macsales.com/configure-my-mac/UAEG2FS3XX2XXXA
Configure your own Apple Mac mini (2014) at OWC

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Jan 8, 2023 at 8:25pmWeb
Show threadky.*+Jan 8, 2023
@adamconover ADAM WHY
just spring for a cheap linux PC so you're not locked in by Apple's esoteric laws on no Nvidia

You can buy a prebuild and install some easy-to-use linux software like Kubuntu or POP!_OS
Show threadwtlJan 8, 2023
@adamconover I have a 2012 mac mini with an i5 and an SSD I use for that and I don't have much luck going past 720p unfortunately. It's possible a 2014 model would fair better though.
Show threadKepler Sticka-JonesJan 8, 2023
@adamconover Both should do the job well. Always a big advocate of future proofing as much as possible, and with Apple phasing out support for Intel in the coming years I'd go with the M1 Mac if I were setting up a Mac server
Show threadKepler Sticka-JonesJan 8, 2023
@adamconover Alternatively, if you go with the Intel Mac mini you would be able to install a Linux server distro on it when Apple stops supporting the Intel version of macOS
Show threadグレェ「grey」Jan 11, 2023
@keplersj Asahi Linux and OpenBSD already have been running on Apple Silicon for years now, so don't feel burdened by Intel if you want an alternative OS. @adamconover
Show threadKepler Sticka-JonesJan 11, 2023
@byterhymer @adamconover absolutely agree, was just offering Linux on the Intel machine to extend the lifetime of an already decent machine for the job. Asahi is incredible, but I don't believe it's ready for hosting a Plex server right now. Hardware decoding would need to mature more than the early implementation that has been merged into the kernel
Show threadBen SandofskyJan 8, 2023

@adamconover I’d rather have a lower power consumption device running 24/7.

I ran a 2012 mini as a Plex server, and it got surprisingly annoying as it got older. It almost felt like Apple should have cut off MacOS updates a year or two before they did.

Show threadAdam ConoverJan 8, 2023
@sandofsky According to Apple, this model of i5 Mac Mini has power consumption almost as low as an M1: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201897 (compare first entry and third entry)
Mac mini power consumption and thermal output (BTU) information

Learn about the power consumption and thermal output of Mac mini computers.

Apple Support
Show threadBen SandofskyJan 8, 2023

@adamconover Wow. First time seeing this breakdown! Idle levels look really good, which is where it should hang once it's just serving content.

As far as transcoding, a gotcha is going to be ventilation. I kept my mini inside a console below the TV with ok air flow, and I could very much hear the fans kick in during heavy lifting.

It's just surprising whenever I hear one of my M1 Macs' fans.

Show threadMega “Byte” Matt Jan 8, 2023
@adamconover that Mac mini will last you many years, still. No need to upgrade, unless you plan on doing work on it. For server stuff (like this) you will not notice a difference over the network. 4K HDR stuff should work fine as well, since that cpu supports those displays.
Tip: try to use Ethernet rather than WiFi. That’s a big performance gain you can get for free.
Show threadAdam ConoverJan 8, 2023
@megamatt Okay, I'm going to trust you on this! I'm definitely going to use Wifi. And yes, I'm hopeful that I'll have to transcode very little, since I'll be using standard file formats.
Show threadMega “Byte” Matt Jan 8, 2023
@adamconover video standards (and support for them) has come a long way since DivX (jeez, remember that?).
Show threadDimerHunton :toucan:Jan 9, 2023
@megamatt @adamconover Chiming in that I bought a 2012 MacMini solely for Infuse (not Plex, but similar), I have it connected via Ethernet and it serves me 4K content without any issues.
Show threadMega “Byte” Matt Jan 9, 2023
@dimerhunton @adamconover ah neat, I use Infuse too! I run a small share from a Pi, and that does any format I want it to. And Ethernet is just so great, but you’ll only really appreciate it when your WiFi turns spotty. Even though the speed/latency alone is like 2x faster.
Show threadAdam ConoverJan 9, 2023
@dimerhunton @megamatt Awesome. Okay, thank you! I'm going to try the 2014 first though. It's just a lot more fun to truly repurpose old tech than to buy anything made in the last two years...
Show threadInkyracingJan 9, 2023

@adamconover Question 1, Yes;
Question 2: That's an "if you want to", not a "you should" or "you need to".

Back to the last thread, transcoding is rare. And i5 mac mini can direct stream to as many clients as you have upstream bandwidth to send to.

Show threadMichael TyznikJan 9, 2023
@adamconover I'd be wary of buying a 9 year old apple product, you still want something that Apple will support with software updates and that model will stop getting updates soon.
Show threadJohn LagomarsinoJan 9, 2023
@adamconover it’ll be enough, but how sure are you that you’ll be at 1080p for the foreseeable future? 4K crept up on me pretty quickly and there’s more of it in my collection now than I anticipated.
Show threadRonnie ColvinJan 9, 2023
@adamconover It’ll do it but I’d go with a used M1 mini instead if at all possible. I almost did the same as you’re thinking but I needed storage as well so I went with a Synology NAS that could also be a Plex server at the same time. Been great for over a year now 👍
Show threadLiberty and Justice For AllJan 9, 2023
@adamconover I ran locally on a raspberry pi. i5 should have plenty of horse power.
Show threadグレェ「grey」Jan 11, 2023

@adamconover I would recommend avoiding an Intel based Mac at this point.

It will be EOL for Apple support soon if it isn't already.

However, yes that vintage can probably do 1080p?

I was even able to do 1080p with OSXBMC (what later became known as Plex) on a 1st gen core solo Mac Mini I upgraded with a core2duo. Though, barely.

There are unofficial Apple Silicon builds of Kodi already, which is a good sign. The only Intel based Mac Apple still sells is the Mac Pro & I doubt that will last.

Show threadCurtisFeb 6, 2023
@adamconover I’m running my server pretty well flawlessly on a Mac mini server 2010 with a Core2Duo and its Nvidia GeForce M card on High Sierra. The mini you’re talking about likely blows mine out of the water so I suspect you will be happy. I do run primarily on Ethernet because my model only has 802.11n support.