Hardware selection guide

docs/general/administration/hardware-acceleration/amd.md

@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ There are two different methods that can be used on Windows and/or Linux. Pros a
 
 ## Select GPU Hardware
 
+For beginners, please refer to the [Hardware Selection Guide](/docs/general/administration/hardware-selection) for tips on selecting hardware. For expert users, please continue reading this section.
+
 :::caution
 
 Most AMD dGPUs come with video encoders but be careful with certain models -  RX 6400/6500 series don't have video encoders.

docs/general/administration/hardware-acceleration/index.md

@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ The supported and validated video [hardware acceleration (HWA)](https://trac.ffm
 :::caution
 
 While hardware acceleration is supported on Raspberry Pi hardware, it is recommended that Jellyfin NOT be hosted on Raspberry Pis or other SBCs. Many hardware acceleration features are not supported and will fallback to software. In addition, they are generally too slow to provide a good experience when transcoding is needed. Please consider getting a more powerful system to host Jellyfin.
-We recommend getting a system with an Intel 7th gen or above Core series CPU.
+
+Please refer to the [Hardware Selection Guide](/docs/general/administration/hardware-selection) for more info on selecting hardware.
 
 :::
 

docs/general/administration/hardware-acceleration/intel.md

@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ The `Prefer OS native DXVA or VA-API hardware decoders` feature toggles between
 
 ## Select GPU Hardware
 
+For beginners, please refer to the [Hardware Selection Guide](/docs/general/administration/hardware-selection) for tips on selecting hardware. For expert users, please continue reading this section.
+
 :::caution
 
 Do not use models of Intel processors ending with "F" - those do not have an integrated GPU.

docs/general/administration/hardware-acceleration/nvidia.md

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ The `Enable enhanced NVDEC decoder` feature toggles between the newer NVDEC and
 
 ## Select GPU Hardware
 
+For beginners, please refer to the [Hardware Selection Guide](/docs/general/administration/hardware-selection) for tips on selecting hardware. For expert users, please continue reading this section.
+
 :::caution
 
 Most NVIDIA GPUs come with NVENC/NVDEC support but **some low-end and mobile models (e.g. GT1030 and MX450)** are exceptions.

docs/general/administration/hardware-selection.md

@@ -0,0 +1,188 @@
+---
+uid: admin-hardware-selection
+title: Hardware Selection
+---
+
+# Selecting Appropriate Hardware
+
+This page covers what you need to know in order to select appropriate hardware for a Jellyfin server and take full advantage of its features (e. g. hardware acceleration).
+
+## TL;DR
+
+For a Jellyfin server, the following is recommended:
+
+### Normal Server
+
+- CPU (With dGPU): Intel Core i5-2300, AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or better. (Geekbench 6 Multicore 1500 or better)
+- CPU (Without dGPU): Intel Pentium G4560, Intel Core i3-7100 or better. (Intel 7th gen or newer Pentium or better)
+- RAM: 8GB or more
+- Storage: 60GB SSD storage for Jellyfin files and transcoding cache.
+- Graphics: Intel HD 6xx (7th gen integrated graphics) or newer, Nvidia GTX 16 / RTX 20 series or newer (excluding GTX 1650). Intel recommended over Nvidia, AMD and Apple Silicon not recommended.
+
+:::tip Upgrading an Existing System
+
+Intel ARC GPUs are recommended when upgrading an existing system to be used as a Jellyfin server. In cases where Intel ARC is not feasible, Nvidia graphics is recommended. Please select an appropriate GPU according to the recommended specs above.
+
+:::
+
+:::tip Fully Utilizing Intel-based Macs
+
+It is recommended that Intel-based macs be used with Windows or Linux installed to host Jellyfin. Many hardware acceleration features aren't available on MacOS due to the custom [jellyfin-ffmpeg](https://github.com/jellyfin/jellyfin-ffmpeg) fork not being available.
+
+:::
+
+### Low Power Applications
+
+For low power applications, Intel 12th gen or newer Atom CPUs with integrated graphics are recommended. It is also recommended that [Low Power Encoding](/docs/general/administration/hardware-acceleration/intel/#low-power-encoding) be setup.
+
+## Detailed Guide
+
+### CPU
+
+The CPU will be responsible for many tasks, notably:
+
+- Transcoding Audio
+- Decoding video in unsupported codecs
+
+Audio codecs are very lightweight and most CPUs should be able to handle them without issues. Video in unsupported codecs are usually older formats that are easier to decode. Assuming hardware acceleration is properly configured, any modern CPU with 4 threads should be able to handle the workload.
+
+:::caution
+
+Newer codecs can also require software decoding if there are no available hardware decoders. High bitrate HEVC content such as commonly found in 4k HDR can be very demanding even on modern CPUs. Please considering adding a modern GPU with 10bit HEVC decoding support. HDR to SDR tone-mapping is also currently not available without hardware acceleration.
+
+:::
+
+#### Integrated Graphics
+
+Integrated graphics can be useful for transcoding video. Please refer to [the GPU section](/docs/general/administration/hardware-selection#graphics-cards-gpus) for a guide.
+
+#### Resizable BAR
+
+[Resizable Bar (ReBAR)](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000090831/graphics.html) is a PCI Express feature that optimizes access to PCIe devices. This feature requires support from both the platform and the device. Intel 10th gen or above and AMD Ryzen 3000 Series or above have support for this feature.
+
+When using Intel ARC Graphics, Resizable BAR is recommended. Disabling it will result in a 10% reduction in transcoding performance. However, given how fast the media engine on Intel ARC is, this will not be a problem for the vast majority of users.
+
+### System Memory (RAM)
+
+As a general rule of thumb, at least 8GB is recommended, though significantly smaller amounts may work.
+
+:::tip Integrated Graphics
+
+When using Integrated graphics, the integrated graphics processer usually uses a part of system memory as video memory. It is recommended that a dual channel configuration be used and additional capacity be installed.
+
+:::
+
+### Graphics Cards (GPUs)
+
+With modern systems, the media engines are usually located on the GPUs. Therefore, the available hardware acceleration options are determined by the choice of GPU.
+
+Encoder Quality: Intel > Nvidia > AMD > Apple
+
+Intel graphics is recommended over Nvidia graphics because of the quality. AMD or Apple Silicon are not recommended since they produce poor quality H.264 and H.265(HEVC) output.
+
+:::note A Note on AMD AV1 Encoders
+
+With AV1, AMD has significantly improved the quality of their encoders. However, Jellyfin currently (as of 10.8.10) does NOT support transcoding to AV1. Even after Jellyfin adds support for transcoding to AV1, transcoding to H.264 or H.265(HEVC) is still more likely due to AV1 being in the early stages of adoption.
+
+:::
+
+A list of common codecs can be found [here](/docs/general/clients/codec-support/)
+
+The following is a list of codecs Jellyfin supports transocding to:
+
+- H.264 (Most common transcode target)
+- H.265 (Limited supported by clients)
+
+:::note AV1 Support
+
+Jellyfin currently (as of 10.8.10) does NOT support transcoding to AV1 as a target. However, this might change in the future. Source content in AV1 will transcode to other codecs normally if needed.
+
+:::
+
+For decoding support, the more codecs the better. However, there are only a few codecs that media is commonly available in, as listed above.
+
+#### Intel Graphics
+
+Please refer to [this table](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Quick_Sync_Video#Hardware_decoding_and_encoding) for supported codecs.
+
+:::caution F series CPUs
+
+Intel CPUs with a model description that ends with F don't have integrated graphics. These are intended to be used with a dedicated graphics card.
+
+:::
+
+:::note Intel 12th Gen, 13th Gen and ARC Support
+
+If you are planning to use Linux with Intel 12/13th Gen integrated graphics or ARC, these GPUs only work on Linux Kernel 6.2 or newer. Please check your distribution to make sure it has a supported Linux Kernel version. It is also recommended that `jellyfin-ffmpeg6` be installed instead of the default `jellyfin-ffmpeg5` on these hardware platforms.
+
+:::
+
+#### Nvidia Graphics
+
+Please refer to [this table](https://developer.nvidia.com/video-encode-and-decode-gpu-support-matrix-new) for supported codecs.
+
+:::caution Low End Cards
+
+Certain low end cards (e.g. GT 1030) don't have encoding hardware. Please be careful when choosing a GPU.
+
+:::
+
+#### AMD Graphics
+
+Please refer to [this article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Coding_Engine) for supported codecs.
+
+:::caution Low End Cards
+
+Certain low end cards (e.g. RX 6400, RX 6500) don't have encoding hardware. Please be careful when choosing a GPU.
+
+:::
+
+:::caution Integrated Graphics
+
+Many AMD CPUs don't have integrated graphics. These are intended to be used with a dedicated graphics card.
+
+For Ryzen 1000 ~ 5000 Series, desktop CPUs with a model description that ends with G have integrated graphics while other desktop CPUs do NOT. For Ryzen 7000 Series, desktop CPUs with a model description that ends with F do NOT have integrated graphics while others do.
+
+Please check the product page of your CPU for more info.
+
+:::
+
+#### Apple Silicon
+
+Supported codecs are listed below:
+
+| Codec       | M1 | M1 Pro | M2 | M2 Pro |
+|-------------|----|--------|----|--------|
+| H.264 8bit  | ✅  | ✅      | ✅  | ✅      |
+| H.264 10bit | 🔶  | 🔶      | 🔶  | 🔶      |
+| H.265 8bit  | ✅  | ✅      | ✅  | ✅      |
+| H.265 10bit | ✅  | ✅      | ✅  | ✅      |
+| VP9 8bit    | 🔶  | 🔶      | 🔶  | 🔶      |
+| VP9 10bit   | 🔶  | 🔶      | 🔶  | 🔶      |
+| AV1         | ❌  | ❌      | ❌  | ❌      |
+
+Refer to the Pro column for Max and Ultra SOCs.
+
+✅ = Supported, 🔶 = Decode Only, ❌ = Not Supported.
+
+:::caution
+
+Many hardware acceleration features are not available on macOS for Jellyfin, as the custom [jellyfin-ffmpeg](https://github.com/jellyfin/jellyfin-ffmpeg) fork isn't available for macOS. No Apple Silicon media engine drivers exist for other operating systems currently. You will NOT be able to use hardware acceleration if you are running [Asahi Linux](https://asahilinux.org/).
+
+:::
+
+### Storage
+
+There are two general types of storage that can be used on a Jellyfin server. Media libraries and Jellyfin files require different performance characteristics.
+
+#### Media Storage
+
+Anything with higher sequential access speed than bitrate of media will work. This storage can be a network share or a cloud storage service mounted on the Jellyfin host if desired.
+
+#### Jellyfin Files
+
+Jellyfin files will see lots of random access, therefore SSDs are recommended for Jellyfin files. AVOID mechanical drives that use [SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingled_magnetic_recording) as they will result in a VERY poor experience.
+
+### Networking
+
+Networking is for connecting your Jellyfin server to other devices. It is recommended that the server be connected to the internet via Ethernet cables. Wi-Fi or Powerline solutions are NOT recommended.

docs/general/installation/index.mdx

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ Even though there are builds available online for these platforms, they are unof
 [TrueNAS SCALE](https://www.truenas.com/truenas-scale/) is based on Linux and therefore officially supported. Please install the Jellyfin app from its app repository. This app is not officially maintained by the Jellyfin team, therefore please use the TrueNAS support channels for help first.
 :::
 
+For info on selecting hardware for a Jellyfin server, please refer to the [Hardware Selection Guide](/docs/general/administration/hardware-selection)
+
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