Having the best GPU for plex transcoding (Amazon) is very important to get the best performance with your Plex media server. Choosing a powerful graphics card is important because the transcoder is used to convert the media stream into a format that can be played back by your Plex media server.
At a Glance:
It uses your CPU to transcode by default, so you want a powerful CPU. However, it is possible to get the transcoding done by your GPU, which will take some of the load off your CPU. In this article, we will take a look at different graphics cards.
No doubt, Plex is a great media player by itself. It stores all your media in a centralized location and makes them available on all your devices. However, it would help if you still had high-end hardware to transcode media on the fly. This article will find the best GPU for h.265 plex transcoding to get the best Plex experience.
- Quick Shopping Tips
- Best GPU for Plex Transcoding
- Our Recommendations for Top 10 Best GPU for Plex Transcoding
- ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX GPU
- PNY NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 GPU
- Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 GPU
- PNY NVIDIA Quadro P2200 GPU
- EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GPU
- EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU
- NVIDIA Titan RTX Graphics Card
- ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 GPU
- NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 Ti Founders Edition GPU
- ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU
- Summary of Top 10 Best GPU For Plex Transcoding
- Final Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Shopping Tips
TDP
There are many types of graphics cards to choose from. If you’re shopping for one, one key thing to look at is the TDP. If you want to run your graphics on high settings, you’ll need a higher TDP. Remember, if you’re planning on overclocking your graphics, you’ll need a higher TDP to handle the changes.
Memory
The amount of memory and power will determine how well the card will run games and handle high-resolution textures. Higher quality cards are better for gaming, but you need to consider your budget. So, if you’re looking to do graphic design work, you’ll most likely need a card with a lot of memory.
Clock Speed
Clock speed refers to how a graphics card runs and processes data. The faster the clock speed, the faster the graphics card can process and render high-definition images. So, it’s also important to look at the card’s clock speed.
Power Connectors
When buying a graphics card, you must consider what power connector it requires. Many graphics cards can run on either an 8-pin power connector or a 6-pin, but some can only run on one.
Ports
It’s important to check for ports when buying a graphics card. Specifically, look for the ports you plan on using. If you’re interested in upgrading your graphics card in the future, it’s best to get one that has plenty of ports to accommodate multiple monitors and other peripherals.
Compatibility
Compatibility is also important to consider when you’re looking to build a new computer. You have to make sure that the brand and model of your motherboard and graphics card are compatible with each other. You also have to make sure that the card is compatible with your operating system.
Best GPU for Plex Transcoding
Choosing the best GPU for plex transcoding is the most crucial part of a solid machine. Here we have listed GPUs that are perfect for transcoding.
Our Recommendations for Top 10 Best GPU for Plex Transcoding
Award | Design | Graphics Cards | Retailer |
---|---|---|---|
Best Picked GPU for Plex Transcoding | Best Pick | Check Price | |
Best Staff Picked GPU for Plex Transcoding | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
Best Budget-Friendly GPU for Plex Coding | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
Best NVIDIA Mosaic Technology GPU for Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best Pascal Graphics Processor GPU for Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best RT Cores GPU for plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best Fast Clock Speed GPU For Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Great VR Technology GPU For Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best Incredible Ray Tracing GPU For Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best Turing Architecture GPU For Plex Transcoding | Check Price |
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX GPU
Best PickBrand: | ZOTAC |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 |
Video Output Interface: | DisplayPort, HDMI |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR5 |
The new GeForce GTX series from Zotac Gaming is the most advanced, high-performance PC gaming GPU on the planet. It is built with an ultra-fast Fin FET manufacturing process. It delivers unbeatable performance and innovative new gaming technologies to meet the needs of the latest displays, including VR and ultra-high-resolution.
Experience a new level of gaming with ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660. Powered by the all-new NVIDIA Turing architecture, it blazes past performance limits as it crushes your enemies and puts them in their place. To enhance your gameplay, even more, this best GPU for plex transcoding is fully compatible with popular titles such as PUBG or Fortnite. Plus, you can do plex transcoding with NVIDIA Shadow Play Highlights. Don’t miss out on this great graphics card.
It delivers up to 3x the performance of previous-generation GPUs while kicking out up to 40% less power. ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 is also designed to play classic and modern games at 1080p at 60 fps. With new cooling technologies and breakthrough gaming technologies like NVIDIA Ansel, the list of world records that can be broken grows longer every day.
This powerful graphics card comes with up to 10GE of memory bandwidth to handle the latest AAA games. Its dual-slot design means it’ll fit 99% of systems. And with 8.5-inch dual fan cooling, this GPU is super compact at only 170 mm long. With its compact design, this graphics card will fit 99% of systems on the market. It’s also a great upgrade for your current gaming PC!
Pros
- Small profile
- Quiet
- Looks great
- Overclocks nicely
- Good Temperatures
- Performs great at 1080p
Cons
- Fans feel flimsy
- Load times are a bit low
- Gets bit hot
PNY NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 GPU
Staff PickBrand: | PNY |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 |
Video Output Interface: | DisplayPort |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR6 |
NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 is the next generation of professional graphics. Built from the ground up for creators, it fuses ray tracing, video editing, and rendering in one powerful tool. The advanced RT Cores accelerate ray tracing and artificial intelligence inferencing for spectacular real-time visualization and rendering.
The NVIDIA Quadro, the best GPU for plex transcoding, is the world’s first ray-tracing GPU. It’s designed for professionals who create amazing images, impeccable videos, stunning design concepts, and detailed architectural plans. The introduction of RT Core technology in the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 Series GPUs offers 5x faster ray-tracing performance than previous generations – up to 10 GigaRays per second.
The NVIDIA Quadro RTX 6000, powered by the NVIDIA Turing architecture and loaded with revolutionary features, sets a whole new level for professional creative tools. It is equipped with 3072 CUDA Cores, 384 Tensor Cores, and 48 RT Cores. It also supports the new Virtual Link standard to power next-generation VR headsets through a single USB Type-C connector and cable from the host PC.
The NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 is the world’s most powerful workstation graphics card. It is perfect for professionals using applications in engineering, manufacturing, media and entertainment, sciences, and technical fields.
Pros
- Handles 3d render works
- Can support the load of two monitors
- VR headsets
- Smooth working
- Faster Ray tracing
- Good Overclocking
Cons
- Bit Expensive
- Noisy
Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 GPU
Budget PickBrand: | Gigabyte |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR5 |
Graphics Ram Size: | 4 GB |
Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 is a powerful, modern graphics card that delivers seamless gaming experiences at all resolutions, from 1080P to 1440P or even 4K in the latest games. It’s fast, power-efficient, and supports the latest DirectX 12 features. It’s also whisper-quiet with advanced cooling thanks to its low-profile design. The best part – the ultra-low price!
It’s loaded with all of NVIDIA’s latest groundbreaking gaming technologies. This powerful graphics card is your ticket to becoming immersed in the latest games using DirectX 12 features, as well as experiencing ultra-smooth, tear-free spectating of your friends’ games. Moreover, the card size is ATX, making it compatible with all cases.
The GeForce GTX, the best GPU for plex transcoding, is a true contender. It delivers incredible speed, and NVIDIA Pascal—the most advanced GPU architecture ever created—for amazing gaming experiences. NVIDIA’s new GeForce GTX 1050 is the perfect upgrade to advanced gaming. The innovative Cooler Boost 4 gives the card superior cooling performance and system stability even if you game for hours.
Powered by NVIDIA Pascal-the most advanced GPU architecture ever created, the GeForce GTX 1050 delivers up to 3X faster performance than previous-generation cards. Combined with our latest gaming technologies, these new GPUs bring you amazing gaming experiences that will make your mobile games look and play their best.
Pros
- Runs cool
- Easy to install
- Low profile
- No compatibility
- Performs well
- No cables required
Cons
- RGB Light issues
- The card has no VGA connector
- Overclocking issues
PNY NVIDIA Quadro P2200 GPU
Brand: | PNY |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA Quadro P2200 |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR5X |
Graphics Ram Size: | 5 GB |
This powerful NVIDIA Quadro graphics card is designed for the next generation of professional workstations and is the best GPU for h.265 plex transcoding. With 1280 CUDA Cores, 5GB of GDDR5X memory, and a massive 256-bit memory interface, it has the horsepower to drive the most demanding visual effects and GPU-accelerated applications. The P2200 also features an all-new display engine that drives up to four 5K resolution displays natively with 30-bit color and HDR tone mapping, or multiple displays through a single output using NVIDIA Mosaic technology.
It is Compatible with NVIDIA CUDA, NVIDIA view, and Mosaic and is ideal for 3D Design and FHD video editing, and medical imaging systems (ultrasound). NVIDIA Quadro P2200 delivers up to 2.7 TFLOPS of peak single-precision floating-point performance. It has ultra-fast GDDR5X memory with ECC protection for reliable operation and improved transparency in graphics, VDI, and VR environments.
It also supports the latest APIs, including DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, and Vulkan 1.0. The Quadro P2200, the best GPU for plex transcoding, is a perfect fit for professional workstations that rely on advanced graphics and compute applications such as Autodesk AutoCAD, 3ds Max, and Revit. The card also supports GPU-accelerated features in many popular applications such as Adobe Photoshop CC, Autodesk Maya, and Sony Vegas Pro.
The Quadra P2200 is a great fit for entry-level workstations and mainstream PCs. It is a good upgrade for integrated graphics users or previous-generation discrete GPUs, such as the NVIDIA Quadro K620. The P2200 video card delivers up to 2x faster performance than the K620 and 4x faster than the K420. Moreover, it comes with a SATA 6Gb/s interface, up to 6x faster than SATA 3Gb/s. So, you will get an incredible data transfer speed.
Pros
- Effective memory
- Good heat sink
- Ideal power consumption
- Quiet
- Fast and smooth
- Good overclocking
Cons
- No manual
- No driver
- Expensive
EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GPU
Brand: | EVGA |
Series: | 08G-P4-6276-KR |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR5 |
The EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 featuring EVGA ACX 3.0 cooling has arrived. This new graphics card features NVIDIA’s new “Pascal” graphics processor, the most advanced gaming GPU ever created. This breakthrough GPU delivers industry-leading performance, innovative new gaming technologies, and immersive next-gen VR.
EVGA is committed to building the fastest and most powerful graphics cards. The EVGA GeForce GTX, the best GPU for plex transcoding, is loaded with innovative new gaming technologies, delivering the fastest performance and best power efficiency. It results in better graphics performance and lowers power consumption than previous generations.
This graphics card delivers incredible performance, power efficiency, and plex transcoding experiences with state-of-the-art new technologies. The FTW edition of the card is factory overclocked to 1797 MHz, further increasing with manual overclocking. The EVGA GeForce GTX graphics cards are crafted for perfection to pursue the ultimate graphics experience for enthusiasts.
In conclusion, through EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW, you get a powerful card that takes on today’s most challenging plex transcoding at perfect 1080p, with the latest gear to help power your experience. Quieter, more efficient operation guaranteed.
Pros
- Amazing for this price
- Stays cool
- Good overclocking
- Runs great at 1080p
- Power-efficient
- FTW Features
Cons
- Fans are slightly louder
- Certain builds may have noisy pumps
- Need space for hoses and radiator
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU
Brand: | EVGA |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR6 |
Graphics Ram Size: | 8 GB |
NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2070 is the next generation of graphics cards, powered by the Turing architecture. It is everything you need to dominate your plex transcoding. Get real-time ray tracing for groundbreaking levels of realism and performance. Featuring 8GB GDDR6 of ultra-fast video memory, the EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 gives you the horsepower needed to drive today’s most demanding games.
The best GPU for plex transcoding, EVGA GeForce RTX, is powered by the Turing GPU architecture and the all-new RTX platform. It features up to 6X the performance of previous-generation graphics cards and brings the power of real-time ray tracing and AI to games. The new RT Cores, combined with a cache of 36 Tensor Cores, means your CPU has more processing power than ever before.
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 Founders Edition is built with the highest-grade materials and the best factory overclocks. This revolutionary graphics card brings enhanced features and performance to your transcoding experience crank up your settings, run the most demanding games at max FPS, and enjoy smooth, stutter-free work with NVIDIA’s groundbreaking 10 series graphics cards.
Get your hands on the revolutionary new GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card and experience unprecedented performance, power efficiency, and gaming experiences.
Pros
- Awesome cooler
- Nice VRM Heatsink
- ACX Fan is a nice touch
- Factory overclocked
- No crashes
- RTX feature
Cons
- No backplate
- Has some coil whine
- Overpriced
NVIDIA Titan RTX Graphics Card
Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics Coprocessor: | TITAN RTX |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR6 |
Graphics Ram Size: | 24 GB |
The NVIDIA Titan RTX is one of the best graphics cards for plex transcoding. It has 24GB of GDDR6 memory, making it great for handling large media files. The Titan RTX also has a lot of CUDA cores, which makes it perfect for encoding video. Additionally, the Titan RTX has a Tensor Core engine, which can be used to accelerate machine learning tasks.
Additionally, it has Tensor Cores and a Deep Learning Boost Exponent. The Titan RTX also has two NVLink connectors, 2x DP 1.4 and 2x HDMI 2.0b ports with HDR support. The NVIDIA Titan RTX is a high-end card for encoding, and the benchmarks show that it is one of the best in the market. Furthermore, the memory clock speed of the card is fast, while the core clock is a bit lower than other cards on the market.
Pros
- Fast Clock Speed
- Nvidia Turing Technology
- Durable
- Great compatibility
Cons
- Bit expensive
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 GPU
Brand: | ZOTAC |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 |
Video Output Interface: | DisplayPort, HDMI |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR6 |
The GeForce GTX 1660 is ZOTAC’s latest mid-range graphics card marketed as great for plex transcoding. Out of the box, the card has a base clock of 1530 MHz and a boost clock of 1785 MHz. It also comes with 6GB of GDDR5 memory running at 8Gbps.
The GeForce GTX 1660 is about 10% faster than the GeForce GTX 1060, making it a good choice for plex transcoding or other general-purpose tasks. The card also performs well in games, with most titles running at over 60 FPS on medium settings. Moreover, its VR technology provides a good experience.
The GTX 1660 is ZOTAC’s latest entry into the mid-range GPU market. It is based on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture and delivers good performance for the price. The GTX 1660 is an excellent choice for plex transcoding, as it can handle most encoding tasks easily. The card also has a low power demand, making it a good choice for builds with limited power supplies.
Overall, the ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 is excellent for a mid-range graphics card.
Pros
- Easy to Install
- The fan is super quiet
- Fast
- Overclocks pretty good
Cons
- Lack of Ray tracing
NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 Ti Founders Edition GPU
Brand: | NVIDIA |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti |
Video Output Interface: | DisplayPort, HDMI |
Graphics Processor Manufacturer: | NVIDIA |
Graphics RAM Type: | GDDR6 |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Founders Edition is the best GPU for Plexcoding. RTX 2080 Ti Founders Edition provides any GPU’s best performance and features on the market. It has 11GB of GDDR6 memory, 4352 CUDA cores, and a boost clock of 1635 MHz.
This card supports DirectX 12 API with feature level 12_1, OpenGL 4.5, and Vulkan 1.1. Its incredible ray tracing technology can accelerate transcoding and HDR video. It is also more energy-efficient than Nvidia’s previous flagship, the RTX 2080 Ti.
Furthermore, its elegant design and compact dimensions make it a perfect choice for anyone. The RTX 2080 Ti Founders Edition is ideal for gamers who want the best gaming experience and media professionals who need the best performance for video editing and streaming.
Pros
- Great Design
- Noise-free
- Easy to install
- Incredible ray tracing
- Energy Efficient
Cons
- Drivers may cause issues
ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPU
Brand: | Asus |
Graphics Coprocessor: | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 |
Video Output Interface: | DisplayPort, HDMI |
Chipset Brand: | NVIDIA |
Series: | TUF-RTX3080-O10G-V2-GAMING |
Are you looking for the best graphics processor for video encoding? Then the ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX might be precisely what you need. It has excellent performance and is perfect for plex transcoding. This graphics card is based on the new Turing architecture from NVIDIA and has been specifically designed for gamers.
It offers up to 6x the performance of previous-generation cards and is perfect for 4K gaming and multimedia editing. The ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX also features ray tracing technology, which provides realistic lighting effects and shadows in games.
It makes your gameplay more immersive than ever before. In addition, this graphics card comes with a special edition cooler that helps keep your system cool even during intense gaming sessions. So if you’re looking for a reliable graphics card, the ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX is worth considering.
Pros
- Great Quality
- Solid performance
- Reliable card
- RGB Lighting
Cons
- None
Summary of Top 10 Best GPU For Plex Transcoding
Award | Design | Graphics Cards | Retailer |
---|---|---|---|
Best Picked GPU for Plex Transcoding | Best Pick | Check Price | |
Best Staff Picked GPU for Plex Transcoding | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
Best Budget-Friendly GPU for Plex Coding | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
Best NVIDIA Mosaic Technology GPU for Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best Pascal Graphics Processor GPU for Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best RT Cores GPU for plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best Fast Clock Speed GPU For Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Great VR Technology GPU For Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best Incredible Ray Tracing GPU For Plex Transcoding | Check Price | ||
Best Turing Architecture GPU For Plex Transcoding | Check Price |
Final Verdict
A good GPU should have the computing power and memory to transcode your media files for streaming on all of your devices. A GPU that handles heavy games is essential if you are a gamer. Here we have listed some of the best GPU for plex transcoding that you can buy. For quick decision, here are our top 3 picks of best GPU for 10 transcodes in plex.
- ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX is our best pick as it gives you the advanced and powerful performance to enjoy your plex transcoding.
- You should choose PNY NVIDIA Quadro RTX 500 if you are looking for the best video card that provides you with great features. It’s our staff pick and the best graphics card with great ray tracing.
- Get a low-profile Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 with great features if you look for the best bang for buck gpu for plex transcoding.
If you are a gamer searching for streaming your games on Plex, these GPUs should be enough for high-quality transcoding videos.
If you are looking for the best GPU, please check this article: Best GPU For i7 6700k.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Plex benefit from a GPU?
It certainly does; the GPU is vital for smooth playback of your content. It depends on the quality of the GPU and the computer’s specs that it is connected to. Typically, a high-end GPU will deliver a better picture than a low-end one.
Does Plex use CPU or GPU for transcoding?
It depends on the type of transcoding you are doing. CPU transcoding is best for Mobile devices that have limited processing power. GPU transcoding is best for Desktop devices. It is recommended that you check the processor required for each type of transcoding and use the one your device is capable of.
Do you need a GPU for Plex transcoding?
Well, No, you don’t need a GPU to use Plex’s transcoding feature, but it will speed up the transcoding process significantly. CPUs are pretty fast and can transcode video files at a good speed, but they aren’t nearly as fast as a GPU.
What GPU is good for Plex?
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX is a great GPU for plex with throttle performance of NVIDIA Pascal.
Does Plex convert HDR to SDR?
No. Plex only converts Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) video to High Dynamic Range (HDR). Plex Media Server is compatible with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG.