Reading bunch of topics here. Not even sure if this is something I need, but here it goes. I just started using Plex, and I see that CPU would be working pretty hard. Currently just onee stream, but could be 3.
I hope Mini-R is not going to be a bottleneck. Thas is if I install graphics card for transcoding.
I see many different suggestions, but my question basically boils down to:
Which card will work with Plex
AND
Fit into Mini-R PCI slot and case.
Hey @katit
You’re limited to half-height PCIe cards in the Mini R - I’d suggest an Intel ARC A310 which comes in that size format, and they’re supported from 24.04.2 onwards.
NVIDIA has some options in that size like the Quadro P400/T400 but they don’t have quite the same encoding prowess.
If A310 is better - so be it. I am OK with anything budget-wise. New system - ready for the best… But since I don’t know anything about those, few questions:
I read quite a few posts about sparkle fans. They keep ramping up and down which could be a bit irritating. I do not have the card myself though.
Perhaps an asrock challenger could be better but I do not have that card too.
Again, I have only “theoretical” knowledge, but…
What if I am not limited to card which is 1/2 depth with connectors?
I can put anything with riser cable. What that would be?
I guess I need to make sure this card doesn’t require power, right?
Longer cards (I put a Tesla P4 in mine) do require you to route the SATA and SFF-SAS cables around the rear end of the card - longer PCBs blocks off an (unused) fan header.
A double-wide low-profile card will fit as well - a flexible riser cable could also work, but you’ll have to find a way to keep the card from contacting the case itself and you’re well into the “on your own” territory for mounting it. You’re also correct in that there isn’t any supplemental PCIe power available in the chassis, so it has to be a slot-powered card.
Do you have Mini-R as well? I assume you re-used same cables or needed different ones?
Did you suggest A310 based card because it is more powerful vs Tesla P4?
For me if there was “here: This exact card fits and works in Mini-R” - I would go with it 
After reading more on this, looks like this one might work great, but again, fan issues? Will it fit?
Or maybe even better this one?
Yes, I have a Mini R, and the same cables had enough slack for the card - although I had to unbundle them to fit around the aftermarket squirrel-cage cooler at the back.
I suggested the A310 because it’s a more modern card with lower overall power consumption, and it doesn’t need an external blower cooler rigged up (to the same fan header that’s blocked by the card itself)
The A380 ELF will not fit as it’s a full-height, double-width card. You’d have to rig up some manner of right-angle riser or flexible PCIe cable extension.
The ASRock low-profile A380 is a half-height double-width card and should fit:
That said the Intel A-series has the same media engine across the board.
Reading more on this. “ELF” is low profile but 100mm, from what I found, half-depth is really 69mm which this ASRock is.
However, seems like all A310/380 cards discontinued now? Is there anything better today? If so, what is it?
I found one ASRock on ebay and thats it.
A310 on newegg:
https://www.newegg.com/p/3C6-037X-00051
The only other option is A310 ECO (cheaper) which also seem to be low profile and should work, but bad reputation?
No support for Battlemage yet.
Stop overthinking and get your half-height Alchemist A310 while you can…
What’s the point of getting a bigger and higher power A380 when a single-slot single-fan A310 will transcode just the same?
Can you point to good one for sale in US? Sorry
The sparkle a310 eco has gone in and out of stock on amazon before, so if you’re interested it may just be better to wait and see.
My personal experience with that card is that the fan speed does fluctuate rapidly. Firmware updates do help somewhat but don’t completely solve the issue. If your nas is tucked away then of course the noise won’t matter much but for me it was a problem.
Some more information about the firmware is in this reddit thread: Sparkle A310 ECO Firmware Update Released
This one seem to be readily avail on ebay, from Japan, but looks like it won’t work for me as I need half-height. They have “ECO” version which should work, but I don’t really want those anymore. Noise IS a concern.
Looking at only 2 ASRock variants I found. One (380) on ebay and another (310) on NewEgg. Waiting for pro responses from @etorix and @HoneyBadger on specific sources if they know of any.
From what I read up to now, 380 will do couple extra simutaneous encodings. Not that it makes huge difference, but prices for what I found identical. Power use at idle seem to be only 2W difference in tests, so…
Apologies, I meant the Eco, and I sympathize with the noise concern. The asrocks are probably your best bets if you can find one. Last time I saw them in stock on Amazon was late March.
A310 are still readily available in Europe.
I know nothing about US shops (and the possible tariff-induced chaos there…)
I don’t believe there should be any difference in compatibility between the A310 and A380, other than the potential of a couple extra encodes due to the extra 2GB of VRAM on the A380. The dual-slot A380 is likely to run quieter + cooler though because of the additional heatsink mass.
Ended up getting ASRock A310 new from Amazon seller. We will not have more than 1-2 transcodes, should work just fine.
Not related, response from @ETechBuy which was flagged, is that AI bot?
Yes, combined with bad/incomplete information, likely because of said LLM:
I’m using an A380, which is overkill for transcoding, but you will be happy with the A310. Low power cards in small packaging, decent linux support, and av1 acceleration for a low price.
I briefly looked the other day and noticed these cards have all but disappeared in the US. I’ve never really seen anyone talk about them outside of ‘what gpu for plex/jellyfin’ circles, but I guess they’re old now. I paid $120 for my A380 new a year ago.
Yeah, Battlemage is the new hotness off the Intel fab lines but nothing exists save for the B570/B580, and the xe driver that it requires isn’t quite fully baked yet unfortunately - it needs a newer kernel than we have available as an LTS choice.
