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+--- Thread: New JF Server Build (/t-new-jf-server-build)
New JF Server Build - KodiUser1138 - 2025-03-06
I've been planning to build a proper dedicated Jellyfin Server machine for awhile, considering different options for both the server and storage sides. I don't have a specific budget because everything is so fluid and I'm in CAD but I'm not opposed to used equipment. My build concept is for rack mounting and generally headless deployment (learning the fancy IT words). I am uncertain what hardware specs would be best, not Mad Max overkill but will handle my expected requirements with little issue. Once I have that sort of baseline I can determine budget and build. Here is what I am looking for suggestion/information about.
System:
Windows based as that is what I know and can implement easiest. When time permits I can look to other possible options.
Handling full 4K UHD Blu-ray rips, lossless spacial audio, with up to 4 active remote users requiring transcode and 4 local clients
Server:
3-4U rack case (on rails)
Intel based ATX MB (1+ M.2, dual/10Gbps Ethernet, USB 3 etc.)
Intel CPU?
64+ GB RAM?
Intel ARC GPU?
M.2 SSD for system
2.5" SSD for "extra" media (movie trailers, posters etc.)
2.5" SSD for transfer/cache/transcode
600W+ PSU
HBA PCI-E card
Assorted cabeling
Storage:
4U rack mount case (on rails)
3D Print vertical drive caddy trays for storage up to 46 3.5" HDD
Collection of HDDs
2 24-port SAS Expanders on PCI-E power risers
1000W+ PSU
FANS! (with controller)
Assorted cabeling
I have been designing the storage case for awhile, looking at various options. Basically trying to build a 45 Drives style case in a 25" deep case that is essentially just a JBOD disk shelf. No RAID required so drives work independently and can remain sleeping 99% of the time. Not here to debate that issue, it's my preference. Back-up is a near duplicate build off-site.
Welcome all suggestions and information. Want to build a good system, easy to work with and useable for a good decade all things working well. MY current JF sever is running on a multi-purpose 13 years old machine with NAS/clients for storage.
RE: New JF Server Build - TheDreadPirate - 2025-03-07
Case: Silverstone makes a few standard ATX rail mounted cases. @Venson purchased one (or more) of them and he seems happy with them.
https://www.silverstonetek.com/en/product/server-nas/?filter=4U_chassis
CPU/Mobo: If I were to rebuild my system knowing I'd be getting an Arc GPU (I initially didn't) I would have gotten an AMD CPU. Better performance on lower end CPUs and better performance per watt. Not that I'm running into any CPU performance issues. Not even close. Even with all turboing disabled. Really, other applications you run on this system will dictate what CPU you need and how many cores it should have. Both Intel and AMD board vendors have models with 10G NICs.
RAM: Similar to the above, the other applications you run on this system will determine how much RAM you ultimately need. 16GB is more than enough if you only run Jellyfin. I run 3 Jellyfin instances on my server (main, test, unstable), and 15 other Docker containers, AND an 8GB RAM disk for transcodes and I still have some to spare with 32GB of RAM.
GPU: If this will only be used for trancoding, Intel. Whether that be Arc or Battlemage. Battlemage appears to have much lower idle power usage when ASPM is supported on the motherboard.
RE: New JF Server Build - KodiUser1138 - 2025-03-07
At what point in the generation cycles are you are max Q and beyond just becomes redundant power? Speaking CPU and GPU. Like a new 5090 would be utterly insane and pointless, so what's the current line of hitting the limit when mazing out but regular day-to-day will fly. As mentioned this would be almost exclusively a JF server and maintinaing the storage.
Case isn't a huge concern as there are plenty of options. Just becomes GPU dependant (and cooling since I want quite, not jet engines.
CPU I lean Intel because I have 2 AMD processors and hate them both. Sooooo many issues. I gues that could be generation related and they are both over 12 years old now but still, recency bias.
As I'd be mostly looking at older equipment it will come down to availability on the secondary market as well, so just looking for the optimal range. Admittedly I don't follow CPU generations super close so don't really correlate what gen AMD are similar to Intel.
RE: New JF Server Build - TheDreadPirate - 2025-03-07
For Intel GPUs, Arc GPUs all have the exact same media engines. And the same number of them. AFAIK, that applies to Battlemage as well. Meaning you will get identical transcoding performance regardless of the model. However, tone mapping utilizes VRAM and VRAM usage will be the limiting factor before other factors limit tone mapping performance. I've seen mixed numbers, but 4-6GB of VRAM would be more than enough for a worst case scenario where all 8 of your users need a tone mapped transcode. So an A310 or A380 would be sufficient. Battlemage doesn't have an equivalent low end model yet.
For Nvidia GPUs, the various models do have differing NVENC encoders. But you will run into the driver restriction of 8 simultaneous transcodes before you run out of performance.
https://developer.nvidia.com/video-encode-and-decode-gpu-support-matrix-new
There is a "patch" you can install to remove that restriction, but that requires you NOT update the Nvidia drivers right away as it lags behind.
The issue then becomes cost. Nvidia GPUs, especially current gen models, are very expensive if you are only using them for transcoding. Intel GPUs can be had for A LOT less and perform just as well.
Regarding problems with AMD CPUs. Ryzen CPUs starting with the 3000 series and newer are pretty much problem free. 1000 and 2000 definitely had some issues. 400 series boards, and newer, are also equally problem free.
Newer Intel CPUs, 13th gen and newer, have issues with cooking their own transistors.
In regards to power: for GPUs keep in mind that the encoders are separate from the actual graphics portion of the GPU. Same die, different block of transistors. 100% transcoding load on the encoder does not draw the same amount of power it would if it were a 100% graphics load. Not even close.
For CPU power usage: even with multiple audio transcodes, my CPU stays almost exclusively in its lowest power state (800Mhz). So pretty close to idle power usage.
If I were to pick the parts for this, I'd probably getting something like a Ryzen 5600X (6c/12t), an X570 motherboard with 10GbE (several ASRock, Asus, and Gigabyte boards with 10GbE), 32GB of RAM, and an Arc A380. Enough RAM for Jellyfin, with head room if you decide to do more with the server. The 5600X is old enough that they should but cheap and plentiful on the 2nd hand market, new enough that boards are still readily available, and new enough that Windows 11, and the server equivalent, is officially supported. The 5000 series Ryzen CPU were also a massive leap forward for Ryzen. Both for performance and efficiency, handily beating Intel's offerings at the time.
The Intel equivalent would be Alderlake (12th gen).
FWIW, I have a Ryzen 5900X in my desktop and have had zero issues with it. I had a 1700X and 2700X prior and both had weird issues that required some sub-optimal BIOS config changes that prevent them from going into lower power states for stability reasons. Which I have not had to do with my 5900X.
RE: New JF Server Build - KodiUser1138 - 2025-03-07
Would the advantage of going Intel CPU vs AMD be for the IGPU in the event the seperate GPU goes down?
RE: New JF Server Build - TheDreadPirate - 2025-03-07
Hypothetically, yes. Keeping in mind the difference in codec support. Newer AMD CPUs, and AMD APUs, also have an iGPU with encoders, but AMD encoders in those are not great compared to Intel's iGPUs.
RE: New JF Server Build - KodiUser1138 - 2025-03-07
I've done some quick looking and put together a system like this. Not 100% set on any of the interchangable parts, just getting an idea of what I'm looking at.
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/mTDnNz
RE: New JF Server Build - TheDreadPirate - 2025-03-07
The 5900X is definitely overkill if this will only run Jellyfin with the Arc GPU handling video transcoding. If you were doing software transcoding, that's a different story.
The 5600X, probably even the 5500, is more than enough.
But up to you.
RE: New JF Server Build - KodiUser1138 - 2025-03-07
I was looking at the pricing and it seemed the newer stuff was cheaper. This is just a "wish list" to keep track of things for the moment anyways but pappretiate the tips.