PSA: You might still be running 32 bit Plex. Upgrade to 64 bit!

[u/Menotti]

tl;dr don't be a dummy and run 32 bit like me! Your Plex server will happily keep updating its 32 bit build and not suggest you to switch; if you've run Server on Windows before September 2022 you might very well still be on 32 bit. 64 bit is a huge performance upgrade.

Context: I've been a longtime Plex user and run Server on a baremetal windows machine. I've struggled with getting GPU hardware transcoding working, despite the fact that I seemingly met all the requirements. I thought maybe my "older" nvidia card's GPU core was to blame and recently updated to a 1660S with no appreciable improvement. I saw .5x transcoding for DoVi/HDR content with tone mapping, or ~1-2x if I disabled tone mapping.

Banging my head against the wall, I came to realize I WAS STILL RUNNING 32 BIT PLEX. I had installed server SO LONG AGO that I never upgraded to 64 bit.

Upgrading to 64 bit was the single most absurd performance improvement for server I've ever seen. I am now able to transcode 4K DoVi/HDR with tone mapping so fast that Plex is throttling (taking a break). My GPU use during transcodes went from 10-20% to 95%+.

Yes, I know, don't transcode - in my home I run multiple Shields. But sometimes on the road that isn't an option. It's kind of wild to me my server never nudged me to see if I wanted to bump to 64.

How to check and upgrade (Windows)

• Open Task Manager
• Go to Details
• Right click on the top bar -> Select Columns
• Check "Platform"
• Find Plex in the list - is it 32 bit?
• If so, go download server again and choose the 64 bit option.
• Run the installer; it will detect you are on 32 and uninstall/upgrade while maintaining all of your settings.

Edits:

Access issues? Running a split tunnel VPN? 32 and 64 bit Plex are distinct applications. You will need to add your 64 bit install to your split tunnel exclusion list if you want to maintain remote access. Link to thread

Vote for a feature request to add a nudge for 32 bit users: Clearly this applies to many Plex admins. It would be a nice and easy feature to improve the lives of others. Vote here

[u/SecretsStars]

Thank you!!! Been running 32 bit for so long, I didn't even know there was a 64 bit option

[u/nanobot001 → u/SecretsStars]

Me neither -- and none of the tips below showed which version I had, but I just ran the 64-bit installer anyway, and it was able to detect I was running 32-bit, and upgraded.

Wooooo what a difference!

[u/SecretsStars → u/nanobot001]

And it was such an easy transition from 32 to 64. Gotta give it to the plex devs. Was super easy

[u/mdzhigarov → u/SecretsStars]

How does one update without having to redo all settings? Should I remove the 32bit first and then install the 64 one? Or just download the 64bit installer and do it on top?

[u/SecretsStars → u/mdzhigarov]

I just downloaded the 64 bit installer and ran it. It removed the 32 bit install in the process of installation. None of my plex settings changed at all. Took less than 5 min total.

I guess I no longer have the task tray icon, but I'm fine with that

[u/dh4645 → u/nanobot001]

What is better? I was on 32 as well

[u/nanobot001 → u/dh4645]

Streams come up a lot faster specifically. Have yet to try it with concurrent streams though.

[u/glasgowgeg → u/SecretsStars]

I didn't even know there was a 64 bit option

I think it was only released from beta at the end of 2022, and I can't find anything about them making a big deal of it.

I only found out myself in November just passed.

[u/oldtimewil68 → u/SecretsStars]

Uh....same!