When it comes to choosing a GPU for Plex transcoding, there are a few things to consider, such as the number of streams you plan to transcode simultaneously, the resolution of the content being transcoded, and the codec being used. In this article, we will discuss some of the best GPU options for Plex transcoding.
Firstly, let’s take a look at the system requirements for Plex transcoding. According to Plex, for each 1080p stream, a CPU with a PassMark score of 2000 is required. For 4K streams, a CPU with a PassMark score of 12000 is recommended. However, using a GPU for transcoding can offload the workload from the CPU and improve performance.
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super is an affordable GPU that can handle multiple 1080p transcodes simultaneously. It has 4GB of GDDR6 memory and 1280 CUDA cores, which make it capable of transcoding video quickly and efficiently. The GTX 1650 Super also supports Nvidia’s NVENC hardware encoding, which can provide significant performance improvements.
The GTX 1650 Super is compatible with Plex and is an excellent choice for users who plan to transcode multiple 1080p streams simultaneously. It’s also relatively affordable, with prices starting at around $200.
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a mid-range GPU that can handle multiple 1080p transcodes simultaneously, or a few 4K transcodes. It has 6GB of GDDR6 memory and 1408 CUDA cores, which make it capable of transcoding video quickly and efficiently. The GTX 1660 Super also supports Nvidia’s NVENC hardware encoding.
The GTX 1660 Super is compatible with Plex and is an excellent choice for users who plan to transcode multiple 1080p streams simultaneously or a few 4K streams. It’s also relatively affordable, with prices starting at around $250.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 is a high-end GPU that can handle multiple 4K transcodes simultaneously. It has 8GB of GDDR6 memory and 5888 CUDA cores, which make it capable of transcoding video quickly and efficiently. The RTX 3070 also supports Nvidia’s NVENC hardware encoding and is based on Nvidia’s Ampere architecture, which provides improved performance and efficiency over previous generations.
The RTX 3070 is compatible with Plex and is an excellent choice for users who plan to transcode multiple 4K streams simultaneously. However, it is also relatively expensive, with prices starting at around $500.
- AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is a high-end GPU that can handle multiple 4K transcodes simultaneously. It has 12GB of GDDR6 memory and 2560 Stream processors, which make it capable of transcoding video quickly and efficiently. The RX 6700 XT also supports AMD’s VCE hardware encoding and is based on AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, which provides improved performance and efficiency over previous generations.
The RX 6700 XT is compatible with Plex and is an excellent choice for users who plan to transcode multiple 4K streams simultaneously. However, it is also relatively expensive, with prices starting at around $700.
In conclusion, the best GPU for Plex transcoding depends on your specific needs and budget. For users who plan to transcode multiple 1080p streams simultaneously, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super or GTX 1660 Super are excellent choices.