Mini PC Server Question

[TheDreadPirate]

Hello!

I'm putting together my first Jellyfin server with a WD Elements 16 TB external drive and a Beelink Mini S12 PC with an N95 for a lower power consumption and Intel Quick Sync support. 

My main question is whether or not it makes sense to use Windows 11 (pro, pre-installed on the PC) versus installing Ubuntu server or another lightweight distro. I'm not really worried about which OS is *easier* to use, but I am wondering which OS would be more efficient and have a lower power draw. I thought it'd be a no-brainer to use Ubuntu Server, but after doing some searching it seems it might not matter, or Windows might actually perform better on some Mini PCs? 

Anyone have any input on this, or experience hosting on a NUC / Mini PC?

100% Linux.  I have an older mini Intel build (Asrock J4205-ITX) but is in the same performance/power class as the N95.  I ran Jellyfin on Windows 10 Pro for a bit, but even direct streaming (no transcoding) consumed a lot of CPU time due to Windows Defender inspecting files being read from disk.  Transcoding straight up wasn't usable.

Switching to Ubuntu server, everything is so much quicker and more responsive in Jellyfin.  Almost no CPU usage during direct streams, lightning quick transcoding.