So I’ve been wanting to replace my Pi4 (4GB) with an Optiplex for better support (x86 architecture), more ram, and a better CPU.

I’m hoping to get something that also supports intel quick sync for hardware decoding of h265 but it isn’t a major problem if it isn’t available.

What’s the minimum CPU to go for ? Is an i5 6500 fine ? Will that draw more power than let’s say an 8500? Will an i3 6200 be fine too? What about an i5 3400?

I have no idea if I should aim for something in the i5 8x00 range vs i3/5 3x00, when it comes to power usage vs compute output.

I’m not planning on running a full plex server, as there isn’t space for my 3.5” disks, but I would like to run Immich, Seafile, Audiobookshelf etc without a sweat and without using 10+ kWh a week.

I’m located in Denmark so European prices are always an issue with both hardware and electricity 😂

An 8GB ram + i5 6500 Optiplex is about $150 used.

  • RxBrad@lemmings.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    I would say at least 7th gen Intel. Its QuickSync is one version newer than 6th gen, and QuickSync didn’t get another update until the 10th gen CPUs.

    7th through 9th gen CPUs QuickSync added h265 encoding, and 10bit h265 decoding. Also there are the all-around speed & quality improvements that come with each QuickSync generation.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Quick_Sync_Video

    • drudoo@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Thank you. I’ll probably go for a 7th gen then, when I find one in a proper price range!

      • RxBrad@lemmings.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        I’d also say that an i7 is likely overkill for your use case (despite other comments here).

        I run an i5-7500 with PhotoPrism, Plex, tDarr, and about 30 other services. The power draw barely registers on my 1000W UPS (this includes my SFF PC, external USB HDD, and 3 network switches). And my CPU rarely jumps above 20% utilization.

        • drudoo@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Yeah I was gonna aim for an i5 with 8-16GB ram. Seems like a 7500 or at least a 7th gen is what I should look for.

          • RxBrad@lemmings.worldEnglish
            3·
            1 year ago

            Definitely consider 16GB if you’re using Immich. I started with 8GB and had to upgrade. (on the bright side, 32GB DDR4 was just over $40)