Use a PCIe expansion card to add extra slots.
Use a PCIe expansion card to add extra slots.
I built this NAS three years ago when I was still learning. It features a motherboard with just one PCIe slot. I use it mainly for media storage and run Plex Media Server on it. The operating system is TrueNAS Core, and I really enjoy the setup. After upgrading my internet speed to 10Gbps, I added a 10GbE card and everything improved. Now I’m considering upgrading to a GPU because my current Intel Core i5 struggles with transcoding. I’m not sure which one to choose since the AV1 revolution is changing things. I’m open to budget options and need help figuring out how to expand the single PCIe slot—maybe a riser or something similar? Thanks!
You need server gear with the ability to split connections, but your current setup likely lacks that. Check if you have a USB 10Gbps port—if yes, consider using a dongle for around $30 instead of spending about $200 on a bifurcation riser.
TrueNAS Core doesn't allow GPU passthrough. Unless you planned to switch to TrueNAS Scale or Proxmox together, this isn't possible. TrueNAS Scale needs a dedicated GPU on the OS to route through a VM, so unless you have an iGPU in Proxmox, you'll need one. If you do have an iGPU, you can use a Docker container and route the GPU internally without needing an external one. A riser exists, but it only works with certain motherboards—check your model before choosing.
You're looking for a way to run your iGPU through the Plex media server on FreeBSD. It sounds like you're aiming for high performance with 4K transcoding. You might need to consider using a Docker container to bridge the gap, especially since TrueNAS Core doesn't natively support iGPU integration. Let me know if you'd like guidance on setting that up!
What processor do you possess? Intel Kaby Lake or updated models should work. Otherwise, a second GPU is necessary. In theory, you can route the iGPU alone, but TrueNAS Core doesn’t allow this. It doesn’t support hardware bridging or Docker natively—only virtualization via jailers. It’s suitable for specific tasks, but for general use, consider Scale or Proxmox with virtualized TrueNAS (functioning well in a VM). For routing the iGPU, an independent virtual machine is possible, though challenging. If you have an Intel iGPU, Docker’s GPU sharing option is recommended through the TrueNAS Scale interface.
You're using an Intel Core I5 11400, that's fine. There seems to be a way to move from TrueNAS Core to TrueNAS Scale without switching. I'm checking for instructions on transferring your 5 jails to Docker containers or similar setups. Also, I saw suggestions about using hardware passthrough on Core IS—looking into that. I'll start with the Core-to-Core guide from the article and then explore the passthrough options.