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+--- Thread: Used PC for media server (/t-used-pc-for-media-server)
Used PC for media server - roughnecknine0 - 2025-03-04
Hi All,
I started with Jellyfin a few short weeks ago and have already decided I'd like to build a dedicated media server. I'm currently running Jellyfin & Tailscale on my personal Windows PC and I think I'd like to move those to an Unraid machine.
Currently I only have 1-2 concurrent viewers watching 1080p with Direct Play but once I have nicer TV's I'd like to move to higher resolutions. I'm also considering opening up to some family and friends so maybe as high as 5 concurrent viewers with higher resolutions at some point in the future. The idea of self hosting other services interests me but the main use will be for Jellyfin.
Unfortunately I don't have any old PC's lying around so I will be looking to buy a new-to-me used PC. I last built my PC about 6-7 years ago so I have some familiarity with hardware but really don't know much. My thoughts/considerations on what I think I'm looking for:
- Non F-type Intel CPU to take advantage of QuickSync
- SFF (as opposed to Micro) to have additional RAM/PCI slots
PC's I'm looking at:
- $55 - Dell Optiplex 5050 - I5-7600 @ 2.5 GHz - 8GB RAM - 256GB SSD
- $60 - HP Elitedesk G2 - I7-6700 @ 3.4 GHz - 8GB RAM- 256GB SSD
- $70 - HP Elitedesk G2 - I7-6700 @ 3.4 GHz - 24GB RAM - 256GB SSD
- $80 - Dell Optiplex 3070 - I5-9500 @ 3.0 GHz- 8GB RAM - 500 GB unknown
- $100 - HP Elitedesk G2 - I7-6700 @ 3.4 GHz - 32GB RAM -256GB SSD
Questions
- Jellyfin documentation mentions avoiding 7th-10th gen Intel CPU due to toolkit deprecation. Should I avoid? If so that will limit the used market and increase costs quite a bit.
- Does HDD vs SDD for storage matter for my uses?
- What else am I not considering? What other recommendations/thoughts do you have?
Thank you in advance!
RE: Used PC for media server - bitmap - 2025-03-05
As long as you're not transcoding, you can easily get away with a used SFF machine (I'd recommend as recent generation as you can afford). It's once you start transcoding that you may run into issues. And the issue there is you never know what clients folks are using unless you can get your hands on them (e.g., "Roku" or "Android" is not enough information). Focus on keeping media compatible with clients and you can use that $80 option as a stopgap until you start to experience issues and hopefully you'll be in a better place to get a better rig.
ETA: I would recommend avoiding talk of media acquisition software, even in passing. Media acquisition is a dark grey topic, so we ask that folks avoid it altogether.
RE: Used PC for media server - roughnecknine0 - 2025-03-05
Hey bitmap, thanks so much for the reply.
I would like the ability to handle transcoding, especially as you mention when you can’t control the clients.
I can certainly afford more powerful hardware but I want to avoid overbuying for performance I won’t need or use. I’ve seen setups on the extreme high & low end but I don’t know what’s realistic/practical.
Could you explain why you recommend getting something as recent as I can afford?
Also, is there a reason why you specifically mentioned the $80 machine? I was leaning towards the $70 due to the RAM but I’m not as knowledgeable.
Thanks for the heads up on acquisition; I should have known better and have edited my post.
RE: Used PC for media server - thunderb0lt - 2025-03-05
If budget is a priority, the $70 HP Elitedesk G2 (i7-6700, 24GB RAM) is a great choice. However, for a more future-proof system, consider investing in an 11th-gen or newer CPU.
RE: Used PC for media server - roughnecknine0 - 2025-03-05
(2025-03-05, 09:57 AM)thunderb0lt Wrote: If budget is a priority, the $70 HP Elitedesk G2 (i7-6700, 24GB RAM) is a great choice. However, for a more future-proof system, consider investing in an 11th-gen or newer CPU.
Thanks thunderb0lt. The systems listed are local to me and seemed to be the best value. However I hopped on ebay and it looks like 12th gen systems can be had for ~$200. A few questions:
- What should my hardware priority be? Newest CPU? Then most RAM?
- Any thoughts on how to compare value between an older gen at under $100 and a newer gen closer to or over $200?
Ultimately I'm going to be looking at a lot of different systems and want to know what to prioritize and the best way to ascertain value and what is the best deal for me.
ETA: If I go the ebay route, here is what $200 out the door gets me
$200 - HP Slim - i3-12100 @ 3.3GHz w/ 730 UHD - 8 GB RAM - 256 GB NVMe
ETA: I think the above machine only has 1 SATA port which probably isn't ideal
RE: Used PC for media server - TheDreadPirate - 2025-03-05
If I had to choose, I'd get one of the Dell Optiplexes you listed. I'm leaning towards the 5050 since it appears to have a SSD. "500GB" on the 7040 tells me it is a HDD for the system drive. And having a SSD for the OS and Jellyfin appdir is very important. 7th gen and newer Intel CPUs/iGPUs support 10-bit HEVC decoding, so you can handle one or two 4K HDR to SDR conversions. And you can add a dedicated GPU later to handle additional streams. When talking about 1080P SDR source videos, any of them are sufficient for several simultaneous transcodes.
In regards to our recommendation to get 11th gen Intel and newer has to do with Intel deprecating support for older CPUs for their OpenCL package, which is used for HDR to SDR conversion.
However, if plan on using Linux, and installing directly on Linux without Docker, Intel has provided a "legacy CPU" OpenCL package. If you do want to use Docker, you can use the linuxserver Docker image which lets you specify which OpenCL package to install. Which our Docker image cannot do (yet).
RE: Used PC for media server - roughnecknine0 - 2025-03-05
Thanks so much for the reply, I very much appreciate it.
Can I ask why you recommend the Optiplexes specifically? I was thinking the Elitedesk with the i7-6700 & 24GB RAM was the best value but maybe I'm missing something? I had the same thought regarding the probably HDD in the 3070 but I actually just confirmed with the buyer that it is in fact a 512GB SSD.
Would your rec be the 3070 now knowing it's an SSD? How important is RAM? Would it be worth the $25 to upgrade to 16GB?
That's great to know about the legacy CPU OpenCL package. I have no idea what that is or does but I do plan to run Linux so noted that I am still good with an older CPU.
RE: Used PC for media server - TheDreadPirate - 2025-03-05
6th gen Intel CPUs do not support 10-bit HEVC decoding, which is required for tone mapping. All of the HP systems you listed have 6th gen CPUs. The additional RAM does not benefit Jellyfin. In my experience, 2-3GB is the most RAM that Jellyfin uses for my 8 users. Usually 3-5 simultaneously. For your user count, 8GB is probably plenty.
Since the 3070 does have a SSD, the extra $30 is may be worth it for 2 more cores. Having said that, I haven't felt that the 4 cores in my 12100 has been a limitation. I'd choose whichever has the bigger case to accommodate a dedicated GPU down the line.
RE: Used PC for media server - roughnecknine0 - 2025-03-05
Thanks so much! That all makes a lot of sense and I really appreciate the responses. I think I'll go with the 3070 but it's good to know I need a 7th gen at the bare minimum.