Create a Plex Media Server
Plex Media Server is free software that can be installed on Windows, Macintoshes, and Linux computers as well as a docker container and on many NAS devices. The software organizes video files stored on the device and streams them to players connected or built into televisions, web browsers, and mobile devices. Its primary use organizes personally owned mainstream movies and pairs them with IMDB provided metadata to create a Netflix-like environment. With our Plex Metadata Agent installed, the media server can also organize your purchased pornographic DVDs, blu-rays, and downloads from Adult Empire and Gay Empire and pair it with metadata from this website.
The computer requirements for Plex Media Server are minimal, and can be installed onto an existing personal computer or an inexpensive credit-card sized Raspberry Pi computer. Hardware requirements increase if real-time transcoding is necessary, but avoidable by converting your files using HandBrake into a file that can take advantage of direct-play.
This guide is intended to be paired with multiple Cream Pis to create an inexpensive adult arcade. While it may be overkill for a typical home with a hard drive full of movies, it may be suitable for homes with extensive movie collections.
Hardware
Our hardware recommendations are based upon our 2023 server build with the prices we paid at the time. Hardware availability and prices are expected to fluctuate.
| Component | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Case | U-NAS NSC-810A | $249.17 |
| Power Supply | FSP Mini ITX Solution/Flex ATX 500W | $149.99 |
| Motherboard | MSI PRO B550M-VC WiFi ProSeries | $119.99 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | $130.53 |
| RAM | G.Skill RipJaws V Series 32GB | $69.99 |
| Hard Drive | Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB | $329.99 |
| NVMe | T-Force CARDEA 1TB | $52.99 |
| Flash Drive | Verbatim 32GB Store 'n' Stay Nano | $8.99 |
| Cables | CERRXIAN 90 Degree SATA Connector | $9.99 |
| OS | Unraid Plus | $89.00 |
Case
We chose the U-NAS NSC-810A case due its small size and the ability to support a micro-ATX motherboard with two PCI/PCI-E slots, but the big selling feature was its eight hot-swap-able hard drive bays. After configuration, we found most of our subsequent interactions with the computer hardware in the machines we've built is with adding additional hard drives. This case significantly speeds up those interactions.
The AUDHEID K7 8 Bay NAS Case is very similar and cheaper, but we went with the U-NAS case due to its metal case and higher build quality. The AUDHEID would work just as well but we have not tested it and it may need additional parts and not require the 90 degree SATA connector.
Power Supply
The case uses a 1U power supply which is a form factor traditionally found in rack mounted hardware. U-NAS sells a 350-watt power supply that is 80% efficient for $109.99, but we found a 500-watt power supply with 90% efficiency for $149.99.
Motherboard
With eight SATA III ports this inexpensive motherboard is a perfect match for the eight bay case. We also appreciate the two M.2 slots for speedy NVMe storage devices. We would have loved an Intel motherboard to allow HandBrake to take advantage of its Quicksync feature but for us that is a nice to have feature and not a requirement.
Processor
Beyond initial setup, we will not have a keyboard, mouse, or monitor plugged into this computer and we're more than content with the motherboard's onboard graphics for any BIOS configuration changes. However, to use the onboard graphics, the processor needs to have a G which stand for graphics at the end of its product id. We found the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G met that requirement and had a good balance between performance and price.
The processor and the stock cooler that arrives with it was able to fit in the case. While we were initially uncomfortable with how close the fan is to the top of the case, we didn't have any overheating issues. Someone did modify the case to add vent holes for their CPU fan but we found that to be unnecessary. We're unsure if a beefier processor with its cooling would be able to fit inside the case.
RAM
The motherboard supports up to four 32GB sticks of RAM for a total of 128GB. We like the idea of buying 32GB RAM in sticks to allow future upgrades that can progressively take advantage of the maximum capacity. We started with one stick or RAM but ended up being a second one given the cheap price and the ability to take advantage of AMD Ryzen's dual-channel that allows for quicker processing.
These inexpensive RAM sticks also take advantage of the motherboard's top speeds that can be achieved without overclocking.
Hard Drive
Vibrations are detrimental to hard drives, but hard drives also spin which causes vibrations of their own. Special classes of hard drives are required when multiple hard drives operating in close proximity to each other. Our selection allows up to 24 of these hard drives to operate in close proximity exceeding the amount the case can fit. This selection also has an excellent storage capacity and a great cost per terabyte ratio.
You will need a minimum of one hard drive to store your files but we recommend two, one for storage and one for parity which is a type of backup. The operating system allows an unlimited amount of storage drives and up to two parity drives which provide protection for all of the storage drives. Each hard drive you insert for storage will increase your storage capacity by 20TB whereas hard drives inserted for parity do not change your storage capacity. Each parity drive must be equal to or greater than the capacity of each storage drive, which is a non-issue if you just by the same product multiple times.
With the case, you can easily add more hard drives as capacity or data protection needs increase.
NVMe
Hard drives are great for providing large amounts of storage capacity and a great choice for movie files, but we like having the super fast NVMe boards for system files like Plex Media Server software itself, and the storage of the movie's metadata that it generates.
We have one but the motherboard can support up to two.
Flash Drive
Unlike most operating systems, Unraid is installed on a flash drive and loaded into RAM when booted. Their requirement is between 1GB to 32GB. We focused on a reliable vendor with a small form factor flash drive that supports USB 3.2 speeds.
Cables
All cables are provided by the case, power supply, and other components. However, two of the dual SATA ports on the motherboard will not be accessible in the small case without a 90 degree connector. The two pack connector in the products list worked perfectly in the case.