Adding video card for transcoding. GPU passthrough on Jails?

[thepixelgeek]

I'm thinking about adding a GeForce GT 710 2GB x8, low profile, graphics card to do hardware transcoding for Plex. Good, bad?

Will Supermicro recognize appropriate drivers, etc?
Will this physically fit? Says the card is "low profile".
Will my 1050W PSU be enough?

Perhaps there's a better card for the duty?

I currently have an IBM M1015 controller occupying x8 CPU slot 7. The card will go in slot 6.

 

[John Doe]

what you need to check:

1. Does freenas support plex jail and passed through graphic card? (as per my "old" knowledge it was not possible, might be different with 11.1 or higher
2. does your CPU has enough PCIe lanes? check supermicros board manual, it tells you how much lanes are occupied for chipset etc. add the lanes from your controller + the ones from the videocard. should be less or equal to cpu lanes. I assume it should be ok.
3. google for freebsd support of that video card (driver)

a point what I would consider:

- this card is almost 6 years old. not too sure if it is smart to use such an old card. Power consumption/ performance is probably not so good.


on ebay you will find plenty cheap amd cards.

- usually amd cards are better supported due to amds driver policy, compared to nvida
- difference between low profile and standard is the width/height of your case. standard atx tower case has standard profile, low profile is usually for 1U server. very often you can change the mounting of the low profile mounting to standard.
-physically the card should fit on the motherboard (pcie slot is suitable)
-if i am correct, for hardware transcoding you need plex pass subscription
- regarding PSU: check all your datasheets of your components, summarize the watts and multiply it by 1,25. this number should be equal or lower than what your PSU can deliver.

 

[thepixelgeek]

what you need to check:

1. Does freenas support plex jail and passed through graphic card? (as per my "old" knowledge it was not possible, might be different with 11.1 or higher

Bummer, I'm assuming no due to lack of google search results.

does your CPU has enough PCIe lanes? check supermicros board manual, it tells you how much lanes are occupied for chipset etc. add the lanes from your controller + the ones from the videocard. should be less or equal to cpu lanes. I assume it should be ok.

CPU shows 16 lanes.

usually amd cards are better supported due to amds driver policy, compared to nvida

Good to know, thank you!

if i am correct, for hardware transcoding you need plex pass subscription

Already purchased.

- regarding PSU: check all your datasheets of your components, summarize the watts and multiply it by 1,25. this number should be equal or lower than what your PSU can deliver.

The system is currently 100w idle. I forget what the total system draw times 1.25 was, but I'll double-check that.