Administrator Marc Posted November 23, 2016 Administrator Share Posted November 23, 2016 I've been running Plex Server from a small Zotac Z Box for some time and it's been flawless serving to Apple TVs around the house, along with iPads. I do want something with a little more power however. As I run a AV rack, I was thinking a 1U rack mount solution, but it's seems hard to find affordable i5 CPU rackmount PCs? Anyone have any ideas for a 1U rackmount computer with enough grunt (and quiet) for Plex Server? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky500 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) How about a 2U rackmount server? Grays from time to time have !U & 2U rackmount servers for sale. eg. http://www.graysonline.com/lot/0001-2159928/computers-and-it-equipment/dell-precision-r7910-rack-2u-workstation http://www.graysonline.com/sale/2506646/computers-it-equipment/big-brand-servers-networking-inc-dell-cisco-more Edited November 23, 2016 by rocky500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted November 23, 2016 Author Administrator Share Posted November 23, 2016 I did look at that exact one on Grays this morning @rocky500 . 2U would be OK, but I don't know about servers and their CPUs. How does that compare to i5 or i7 processors? Servers typically in my experience also aren't built to be quiet which is a necessity for the location of this one. I don't know how audible the fans in something like that would be (I note it's got an 1100w power supply). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky500 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Some of Server ones are fast but I think can be noisy. They seem to have a lot fans in them. Mainly put into rooms where noise is not such a big factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky500 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) Edited November 23, 2016 by rocky500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted November 23, 2016 Author Administrator Share Posted November 23, 2016 LOL that's a big no! My rack is right behind me in my office. I couldn't stand hearing that whirring all day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChupaChups Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Used optional? Plenty of I U servers out there: Dell: http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.X1+u+dell+server.TRS0&_nkw=1+u+dell+server&_sacat=0 Hp: http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.X1+u+hp+server.TRS0&_nkw=1+u+hp+server&_sacat=0 Assumption is that the server would be in some sort of wiring closet with ventilation. Otherwise fan noise. I ran my Plex server on Qnap with an i7, nice and quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rmpfyf Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I use a 1U for my firewall/router duties It'll mostly come down to what it runs for a power supply - very few industrial units are designed to be quiet! Guess you could probably use a thin-ITX motherboard in such a thing and route a laptop brick out of it. That'd be quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted November 24, 2016 Author Administrator Share Posted November 24, 2016 Used is no problem. Except I don't know what I'm buying. I need at least i5 or i7 equivalent power and don't want jet engine noise. This is where it's going which as you can see, in a quiet office the rack is only 2m away. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky500 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 (edited) You could always look at a desktop PC and it could go on top of the Rack under the Dell Printer? Or even to the side. eg. http://www.graysonline.com/lot/0005-2159909/computers-and-it-equipment/dell-vostro-3250-small-form-factor-desktop?spr=true Edited November 24, 2016 by rocky500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted November 24, 2016 Author Administrator Share Posted November 24, 2016 3 minutes ago, rocky500 said: You could always look at a desktop PC and it could go on top of the Rack under the Dell Printer? eg. http://www.graysonline.com/lot/0005-2159909/computers-and-it-equipment/dell-vostro-3250-small-form-factor-desktop?spr=true I think that's what I've been leaning towards. You wouldn't think it so difficult to find rackmount PCs though to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky500 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 (edited) I think most rackmount PCs have lots of small fans that can run at very high speeds to keep it all cool in tight spots. Hence Jet engine. While the desktops are designed to be close to the person, so hopefully very quiet. Edited November 24, 2016 by rocky500 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChupaChups Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Do you have an existing storage solution? Or are you looking to have Plex server with storage within? Options if you have pre-existing storage eg. NAS. - Get yourself a Nuc with i7 with wired Ethernet, point your storage to NAS. If looking at all in one, a small form factor PC with onboard storage. My mate has a similar setup to yours - the cabinet with rack. But he got his mounted on a wall in his workshop, out of sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted November 24, 2016 Author Administrator Share Posted November 24, 2016 Yeah I already use a rackmount Synology for NAS. I think NUC i7 is the way to go, small, quiet and grunt. Funnily enough, that was the original intention. Just seems silly having a rack and not being able to rack mount the components. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChupaChups Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 You probably researched this: Intel very own Skull Canyon If you like your NUC on steroid : Hp Z2 mini And here: Hp Z2 @ Tom's Hardware 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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