当您准备放弃流媒体服务并建立自己的家庭多媒体服务器(multimedia server)时，您有很多选择。如果您不精通技术，投资预建机器是一个不错的选择，但您可以以同等成本构建自己的Plex媒体服务器，让任何预建选项都感到羞耻。
如果您想购买单个组件并自己构建Plex媒体服务器，您只需要正确的部件。请记住，此构建是为性能而不是成本而设计的。构建可能有点贵，但它的表现令人钦佩。
Plex在(Plex)CPU上的强度比任何其他组件都高。您的CPU要求将根据您要流式传输的内容类型、用户数量、Plex的确切版本和其他变量而有所不同。
Plex建议至少使用Intel Core i3 或更快(Intel Core i3 or faster)，但如果多人同时流式传输，请寻找具有稳定多核性能的CPU 。
我们推荐AMD Ryzen 5 3600。价格刚刚超过 170 美元，它有 6 个或 12 个内核，基本频率为 3.8 GHz，加速速度(boost speed)为 4.4 GHz——所有这些都是(GHz—all)为了 65W 的热设计点(design point)或TDP。Plex可以利用每个核心，但如果您一次只转码一个视频，它可以使用所有核心更快地完成该过程。
Plex(Plex doesn)根本不使用太多RAM。对于普通用户来说，2GB 绰绰有余。当然，在现代世界中，2GB 的RAM实在是太少了。与其将其保留在 2GB，不如投资 8GB 的 RAM。但是，请(Make)确保您选择的RAM与您的CPU兼容。
为此，我们推荐 Corsair Vengeance。只需 40 美元即可购买单个 8GB 记忆棒，并且与Ryzen 5 3600 没有兼容性问题。
尽管由于存储成本低而倾向于使用HDD ，但(HDD)Plex在(Plex)SSD上运行效果最好。您的整个图书馆不必一次全部访问。只要您有USB 3.0(USB 3.0)端口，您始终可以使用外部驱动器访问某些媒体。
如果没有SSD ，您在尝试在(SSD)Plex 软件(Plex software)中导航菜单时会遇到延迟。不幸的是，您也不能在SSD(SSDs)上吝啬。在存储方面，您需要一个不会失败或损坏数据的可靠品牌。
如果您想要连接SATA的驱动器， HP S700是一个不错的选择，512GB 容量起价 78 美元。但是请记住，它的SATA 连接(SATA connection)意味着它不会像更现代的连接类型那样快。
如果您想要NVMe SSD，那么 Western Digital Black SN750是您的最佳选择。它价格更高，250GB 驱动器起价 64 美元，但它直接连接到主板，让您可以更快地访问所有您喜爱的电影和电视节目。
就像存储一样，您不想吝啬您的电源(power supply)。廉价的电源(power supply)将您的媒体服务器变成了定时炸弹(time bomb)。您还需要购买模块化电源(power supply)。尽管这在很大程度上取决于个人喜好，但模块化电源更易于使用，从而为您的构建提供更大的灵活性。
我们推荐EVGA 600W 80 Plus电源(Power Supply)。只需 60 美元，您就可以得到一个同时符合ATX 12V和EPS 12V标准的(EPS 12V)PSU ，并配有智能自动风扇(auto fan)，可以在不影响性能的情况下保持温度凉爽。它有足够的能力来维持Plex媒体服务器的运行。
等一下，你可能会说。现在是 2020 年——需要光驱(disc drive)吗？如果您要将物理媒体转换为数字媒体，那绝对是。由于这么多人拥有大量的物理图书馆，特别是如果您刚刚进入Plex 世界(Plex world)，那么磁盘驱动器(disc drive)是必要的。
我们推荐LG Super Multi Blu-Ray Disc Rewriter。它售价 66 美元，可放入PC 机箱(PC case)顶部的可能空置托架中。您可以使用它将蓝光光盘和 DVD(Blu-Ray discs and DVDs)翻录成数字格式。
Thermtake Versa(Thermtake Versa)是一款“游戏”机箱，但这意味着它具有大量气流——非常适合您可能连续运行数小时的服务器。最多有 6 个 2.5 英寸的托架可将驱动器装入其中，并有足够的空间供您使用。
如果您不熟悉 PC 构建，您会喜欢这个空间。如果您是组装 PC 的老手，那么您会欣赏这款机箱提供的灵活性。这不是最有吸引力的选择（如果您想对您的Plex媒体服务器进行 RGB 升级，这也不是一个很好的选择。）
机箱上有多个 I/O 端口和一个预装的 120mm 风扇。结合CPU 风扇(CPU fan)，这应该足以让您的组件保持凉爽。
其他组件(Other Components)
这些是构建 Plex 媒体服务器时要记住的主要组件，但其他组件并不那么重要。比如主板。虽然重要，但只要它与您的CPU 和 RAM(CPU and RAM)兼容，就很难出错。您想投资的任何其他内部粉丝也是如此。
一般来说，Plex最适用于Windows操作系统，尽管它与包括macOS 和 Linux(macOS and Linux)在内的其他系统具有广泛的兼容性。
此构建的总成本将花费您大约 400 美元，但它的性能将优于任何相同价格的预构建。如果您想尝试构建自己的Plex媒体服务器，请使用本文作为指南。您不必逐个匹配它，但在选择自己的零件时请牢记要求。
6 Best Hardware Components to Use in a Plex Media Server
When yoυ are ready to ditch yоur streaming services and build your own in-home multimediа server, yоu havе a lot of оptions. Investing in a prebuilt machine is a goоd option if you aren’t tech-savvy, but for an equivalent cost you can build your own Plex media serνer that puts anу pre-built option to shame.
If you want to buy the individual components and build a Plex media server yourself, you just need the right parts. Keep in mind that this build is designed for performance, not cost. The build may be a bit pricey, but it will perform admirably.
Plex is more intense on the CPU than any other component. Your CPU requirements will vary depending on the kind of content you want to stream, the number of users, the exact version of Plex, and other variables.
Plex recommends a minimum of an Intel Core i3 or faster, but if multiple people will stream at the same time, look for a CPU with solid multi-core performance.
We recommend the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. At just over $170, it has 6 or 12 cores, a base frequency of 3.8 GHz, and a boost speed of 4.4 GHz—all for a thermal design point, or TDP, of 65W. Plex can utilize every core, but if you are only transcoding one video at a time, it can use all of the cores to complete the process much faster.
Plex doesn’t use much RAM at all. For the average user, 2GB is more than enough. Of course, in the modern world, 2GB of RAM is just pitiful. Rather than leaving it at 2GB, invest in 8GB of RAM. Make sure the RAM you choose is compatible with your CPU, however.
For that, we recommend Corsair Vengeance. A single 8GB stick can be purchased for just $40 and will work with no compatibility issues with the Ryzen 5 3600.
Even though it can be tempting to lean toward an HDD due to the low cost of storage, Plex operates best on an SSD. Your entire library doesn’t have to be accessible all at once. You can always use an external drive to access some media, provided you have a USB 3.0 port.
Without an SSD, you run into lag while trying to navigate menus within the Plex software. Unfortunately, you can’t skimp on SSDs, either. When it comes to storage, you want a reliable brand that won’t fail or corrupt your data.
The HP S700 is a solid choice if you want a SATA connected drive, with 512GB capacities available from $78. Keep in mind that its SATA connection means it won’t be as fast as more modern connection types, however.
If you want an NVMe SSD, then the Western Digital Black SN750 is your best bet. It’s pricier, with 250GB drives starting at $64, but it ties in directly to the motherboard and gives you much faster access to all of your favorite movies and TV shows.
Just like with storage, you do not want to skimp on your power supply. A cheap power supply turns your media server into a time bomb. You will also want to invest in a modular power supply. Although it is largely a matter of personal preference, modular power supplies are easier to work with to allow for more flexibility in your build.
We recommend the EVGA 600W 80 Plus Power Supply. For just $60, you get a PSU that is both ATX 12V and EPS 12V compliant and has an intelligent auto fan to keep your temperatures cool without compromising performance. It has more than enough power to keep a Plex media server going.
Wait a minute, you might say. It’s 2020—is a disc drive necessary? If you’re going to transfer physical media to digital, it absolutely is. Since so many people have massive physical libraries, especially if you are just entering the Plex world, a disc drive is necessary.
We recommend the LG Super Multi Blu-Ray Disc Rewriter. It’s $66 and fits in the likely-empty bay at the top of your PC case. You can use it to rip Blu-Ray discs and DVDs to a digital format.
The Thermtake Versa is a “gaming” chassis, but all that means is that it has a lot of airflow—perfect for a server you may have running for hours on end. There are up to six 2.5” bays for stuffing drives into and plenty of space to work in.
If you’re new to PC building, you will appreciate the space. If you’re an old hand at building a PC, then you’ll appreciate the flexibility this case offers. It’s not the most attractive option out there (and not a great choice if you want to RGB-up your Plex media server.)
There are multiple I/O ports along the case and a single, pre-installed 120mm fan. Combined with the CPU fan, this should be more than enough to keep your components cool.
Other Components
These are the main components to keep in mind while you build your Plex media server, but others are not so critical. For example, the motherboard. While important, as long as it is compatible with your CPU and RAM, it’s hard to go wrong. The same goes for any other internal fans you want to invest in.
In general, Plex works best with Windows operating systems, although it has a broad range of compatibility with other systems including macOS and Linux.
The total cost of this build will run you around $400, but it will perform better than any prebuilt of the same price. If you want to try building your own Plex media server, use this article as a guide. You don’t have to match it part for part, but keep the requirements in mind as you choose your own parts.
