The Main Question
I am looking into updating/upgrading my home media server using some old hardware from my main PC, and I would like some advice on Operating Systems. I have used Windows 10 for the life of this server, and I do not know if that would be the best choice for the future.
My main use case is a Plex Media Server with Remote Access and Hardware Acceleration, but I would also like to self-host a few items, including NextCloud and possibly Bitwarden. I have looked into TrueNAS CORE a bit, but I am uncertain how it would handle these Plex features. Regarding Remote Access, Plex says that it requires
64-bit Ubuntu (16.04 or later) or 64-bit Fedora (26 or later) distributions
and that
Compatible FreeBSD servers require Plex Media Server 1.13.9 or newer
Plex also says that other distributions may work with hardware acceleration, but they are not officially supported. They give a list of supported NAS devices, but they do not mention installing TrueNAS on your own hardware.
My experience with Linux kernel OS’s is relatively limited. I had to use Ubuntu for university, and I have used ZorinOS and Raspbian/Raspberry Pi OS at various points. I am familiar with the terminal, but I am by no means an expert.
A Few Lists
Why am I considering moving from Windows 10?
- Tired of unstoppable automatic updates causing unexpected downtime
- Interested in potentially less resource-hungry OS’s
- Would like to use an OS more suited for a home media server, if possible
What is my current hardware?
- HP Compaq Elite 8300 SFF
- CPU: Intel Core i5-3470
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 500 GB OS Drive, 6 TB Seagate External (STKP6000400)
What is my planned hardware?
- Motherboard: MSI B250M PRO-VD Micro ATX
- CPU: Intel Pentium G4560
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4-2133 (only have 2 RAM slots)
- Storage: 500 GB OS Drive, 1 TB Internal, maybe the old 500 GB Internal, 6 TB Seagate External
- Still need a case and a power supply
- I will either purchase new ones for my main PC and use those for this, or I will purchase new ones for this purpose.
- As a note, my current main PC case can fit 3 internal hard drives.
A couple of random points
- The Pentium G4560 has a slightly lower benchmark than the i5-3470. However, it is 5 years newer. Both CPU’s support Intel Quick Sync Video. Would the newer G4560 still perform better for Plex despite having slightly lower benchmarks, or would it ultimately be a wash?
- I feel like using the 6 TB Seagate as an Internal drive would allow it access to a more reliable power supply and a faster data connection. Do any of you have experience shucking this model? Would it even be worth it, with the access to a USB 3.1 port that I would have with the planned hardware? A quick search tells me that it may be SMR, but I am already using it as my primary media drive so I am not certain if this would affect shucking any.
- I would very much like a more automated method of backing up specific folders on the 6 TB drive to either the internal drives or my two 2 TB Seagate external drives that I use for backups. On your suggested OS, do you have a preferred software/script for this?
Open media vault is the distribution I would use. No gui install at all. Everything can be managed in a web browser on another computer.
You will have more than enough ram for plex. Or jellyfin if you ever decide to give it a try. I run both. Plex has the advantage of being really simple for external access.
Use docker for the install and run plex in a container. Its easier than you would think. Lookup plex install docker or docker compose. Open media vault supports containers now. There are videos that can show you how.
As for the cpu. The biggest benefit is likely power savings. I upgraded recently from an old cpu to a newer one recently and went from 60 watts to 10, AND passive cooling which means it’s near silent.
I hadn’t even considered the potential power savings. That is a good point. And it sounds like I will be using Docker a lot. I will look into Open Media Vault. Thank you for the suggestion.