

Then, Plex organizes your library with metadata and box art, and you can access your films, shows, and albums on any number of devices from virtually anywhere. Whereas streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu host the content, with a media server you provide the movies, TV shows, and music files. You can think of Plex like a DIY Netflix or Spotify. Check out the best NAS for Plex options, from servers to NAS boxes! What is Plex? As such, you’ll not only want a great Plex client, but you’ll need a network-attached storage (NAS) device. Although Plex has rounded out its feature set with free, legal streaming content, podcasts, and live over-the-air television, its server functionality remains at the forefront. While it’s not the only server application available, Plex is one of the most user-friendly media server programs. We’ve rounded up the best pre-built options to help you get your Plex server up and running with minimal effort.Plex is an incredibly popular media server software option. All you need to do is install the appropriate software on them. If this all sounds complicated, the good news is that there are numerous pre-built Plex Server hardware devices you can purchase.

Of course, more RAM never hurts, especially if you plan to use the computer for other tasks at the same time. As long as you have at least 2 GB of RAM, you should have no difficulty running a Plex Server.

Plex officially recommends an Intel Core i3 or faster as the minimum processor, although faster is generally recommended. It requires a lot of processing power to transcode the video as it is streamed, and even more power if you add subtitles and other additions to the video. Plex Server RequirementsĪ Plex server relies more on CPU than anything else. The key is making sure the machine is capable of handling whatever you throw at it. The best part about a Plex server is that it doesn’t require a dedicated machine to operate, but it’s often a good idea to set aside one particular Plex server hardware device to use exclusively for that purpose.
