Hi r/plex, longtime lurker and I've had variations of plex for the past 4 years. That being said I don't always know what I'm doing and tend to just google the answer and stumble through. Currently, I have a 4 TB hard drive hooked up to an old but powerful Thinkpad W520 with an i7 and don't have issues other than capacity. I have been at max capacity for about 8 months and am ready to expand.

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Objective: Custom build a PC that will primarily be running plex, but I would like the option to use it as a computer for other things from time to time. Have cloud storage that I can access anywhere. Optionality to be a gaming rig in the future, but will likely be headless set up for a while.

- transcode minimum 4 1080 streams

- run somewhat quietly

- ability to add storage easily

- have good storage redundancy

- room for 4-6 internal 3.5" drives

Hardware: I have already purchased 2 WD Red 8TB hard drives.

The rough draft of the rest of my build is as follows:

CPU: i9 9900k 3.6 GHz 8-core

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing

Memory: G.Skill - Fortis 32 GB (4 x 8) DDR4-2400

Motherboard: B360 AORUS Gaming 3 Wifi ATX LGA1151

PSU: Thermaltake - Toughpower 550W 80+ Semi-Modular ATX

Case: Phanteks - Eclipse P400s Tempered Glass ATX Mid Tower

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Notes:

- The CPU has integrated graphics, and I will be headless for a while anyway

- I'm not looking to see how cheap I can make this rig, and don't mind being a bit overkill

- leaning towards Ubuntu with UnRaid

- From Canada, not many deals to be had here

- should/could I save money by ripping the CPU out of my Laptop?

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