Converting an i7-8700K PC into a Plex Media Server
In this article, we will cover the process of converting an i7-8700K PC into a Plex Media Server. We will discuss the key concepts involved, including hardware and software requirements, as well as provide step-by-step instructions for installation and configuration. The article will be at least 800 words long and will include subtitles using H2, H3, etc. for easy reading.
Hardware Requirements
When it comes to building a Plex Media Server, the hardware you choose will play a significant role in the performance of the server. In this section, we will discuss the minimum and recommended hardware requirements for a Plex Media Server running on an i7-8700K PC.
Minimum Requirements:
- Intel i7-8700K processor
- 512GB SSD for the operating system and apps
- 8TB HDD for storing media files
Recommended Requirements:
- Intel i7-8700K processor or higher
- 1TB SSD for the operating system and apps
- 16TB HDD for storing media files or more, depending on the size of your media library
- 16GB or more of RAM
- A dedicated network card for better network performance
Software Requirements
In addition to the hardware requirements, there are also some software requirements that need to be met to run a Plex Media Server. The following is a list of the minimum and recommended software requirements:
Minimum Requirements:
- Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04 or higher, Windows 10 or higher, or macOS High Sierra or higher
- Plex Media Server software: the latest stable version
Recommended Requirements:
- Operating System: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or higher
- Plex Media Server software: the latest stable version
Installation and Configuration
In this section, we will provide step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring the Plex Media Server on an i7-8700K PC. We will cover the following topics:
- Installing the operating system
- Installing the Plex Media Server software
- Setting up the media library
- Configuring the server settings
Installing the Operating System
For this article, we will be using Ubuntu 20.04 LTS as the operating system. To install Ubuntu, you will need to download the ISO image from the official Ubuntu website and create a bootable USB drive using a tool such as Rufus.
Once you have created the bootable USB drive, insert it into your i7-8700K PC and boot from it. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu, making sure to select the "Install Ubuntu" option and configure the disk partitioning as needed.
Installing the Plex Media Server Software
After installing the operating system, you will need to install the Plex Media Server software. To do this, open