Reddit mentions of Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 8GB 2400MHz CL15 SODIMM Memory Module

Answering two posts in one (novel...sorry this grew so long but at least you know I really took time to think and share).

About your question re: using Linux and Plex Media Player. No, I don’t actually do it that way. I use the NUC/Linux Mint OS to run my Plex Media Server (not Plex Media Player - I’m sure you know they are two different programs). With Plex being “serving” my content so that it’s available anytime/anywhere, I then use a streaming media box to run the Plex app (or client) which then accesses those files. This is a MUCH easier UI/layout because it was designed from the ground up to be used with a TV and remote (where a computer interface isn’t). With the dropping price of such media boxes (even 4K/HDR capable w/ the latest Dolby decoding) we find it highly preferable and more fluid. The other great thing is that multiple Plex clients (streaming media boxes/smartphones/tablets, etc) can access that content at one time.

So, answering the second post about setting up the system for your parents and how you were thinking of using the NUC:
Hmm. I didn’t know that’s what you were looking for. I thought that the NUC was going to be running your Plex Server. What is currently running your Plex Server? If you‘re wanting a plug-n-play type setup for your parents, I’m not sure that how you described using the NUC is going to be it (whether it’s Windows, Linux, or whatever).

If you really want your Plex server on the same device as your Plex player, maybe looking into something like a Mac Mini (one of the older versions would work fine from eBay, doesn’t have to be the newest). I’ve not run Plex server/Plex Media Player on a Mac myself but I’ve heard it might work well. It’s an alternative to Windows that you could check out. This isn’t actually what I’d do if I were setting it up for my family (or non-techie friends) but there certainly isn’t anything wrong with it. Everyone has different needs.

Given what you’ve said, if it were me, I’d try a few different things before going that direction. (These aren’t in any particular order...).

1. You could try a different type of streaming media box. For parents (well or anyone, really) I’d highly recommend a Roku box. It’s dead easy which belies all the advanced tech underneath which supports all the latest 4K/HDR/7.1 surround sound (as long as you get one of the higher end boxes/sticks) and they are reasonably priced. With the constantly improving Roku channel w/free (ad supported) TV/news/movies, it’s great. It also has YouTube which a lot of people enjoy having the full TV interface (we use it daily). You could buy from someplace with a decent return policy and if it doesn’t improve things, you could move on to other options whether you keep it and try other things or return it). I’d look at either the Streaming Stick+ or the Ultra. Both have sales from time to time.
   Streaming Stick+: https://www.roku.com/products/streaming-stick-plus
   Ultra: https://www.roku.com/products/roku-ultra
   
   
2. Upgrade your Plex Server box. I don’t know what you have that’s running your Plex server but this is another option. If you currently have a computer running it, you might be able to use a couple of things from that with a NUC kit. Here’s what I mean. We had a probably 8 year old laptop running our Plex server till last year. We paid $498 for a top notch NUC w/ the latest Core i7 (as of Sept last year - 8i7BEH kit) including Iris graphics. I took the SSD out of the laptop and put it in the NUC when it arrived. I also had to buy an 8gb memory stick (they are half now what they were then, so you’re looking at $37 give or take). Took maybe 10-15 minutes and I was able to reuse the 2.5 ‘ SSD. Our NUC has been running all evening for the last 6+ hours playing HD video (either HEVC/x265 10bit or H.264) and I was wondering with your statement about heat, how ours was doing. I went over and felt it and it was cool - not just not warm, but actually cool to the touch. I would suggest, if you’re happy w/ the i5 (which should be fine, especially since the newer chips all support HEVC decoding natively), consider the 8i7BEH barebones kit from SimplyNUC. I’m not affiliated w/ them in any way but I heard great things about them before I purchased last year and they were great. I highly recommend and I’ve actually bought from them. Currently, they have that kit for $418. If you have any DDR4 memory in your current machine, you could reuse it (but if it’s from 2013, it’s likely DDR3) and if you have an SSD in it (either standard 2.5” or an M.2 form factor) you could move it over. If not, you could pickup a Crucial 500gb M.2 SSD for $64 (you can save $15 if you want to go w/ 250gb but I think the 500gb is a worth the $15 extra) and an 8GB stick of Patriot Viper Steel Memory (some of the highest rated that I’ve found) or the Patriot Viper Performance. The NUC comes w/ everything else built in (WiFI AC, Bluetooth 5, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.0a w/4K/60hz, 5 USB 3.1 ports (4 USB-A, one USB-C Thunderbolt 3), 7.1 surround sound, consumer IR receiver, VESA mounting kit, power cord, and more. Literally, the only two things you need to get this going are the SSD and memory. I only mention this because I’d never purchased a barebones system before and wasn’t sure if the power cord and all were included - and the are. Even the VESA mount is included (for wall/TV mounting). A USB flash drive (8gb or so) will help to be able to install the OS whether Win or Linux. Definitely get the tall/high kit (this model number) as it will support standard 2.5” SSD or HDD. This means you could have the M.2 SSD above and later on, add another couple of terabytes of storage via a 2.5” HDD, which is a lot of versatility in tiny footprint. I have the 2.5” running my OS but may get an M.2 at some point (if I didn’t already have the SSD from the laptop, I would for sure have done the M.2, esp w/the price decreases of late). This would give you a brand new Intel NUC box for around $522 (give or take) with a great warranty (most AmEx, Citi/Costco, and other similar cards will add 2 more years to the Intel 3 year for a total of 5 years, w/o any extra charge). This sets you up with a lot of possibilities.
   
   NUC Kit: https://simplynuc.com/8i5beh-shop/
   NUC 8i5BEH Detailed Product Brochure: https://simplynuc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/SimplyNUCProductBrief-NUC8i5BEH.pdf
   SSD: https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX500-250GB-2280SS-Internal/dp/B077SQ8J1V/
   Memory: https://www.amazon.com/Patriot-2400MHz-SODIMM-Memory-Module/dp/B07QLPPHG7/
   https://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Performance-PC4-19200-2400MHZ-PV48G240C5S/dp/B01KBKHK56/
   
   
3. You could use Linux Mint/Plex Server to give a rock solid server. You could try the Apple TV and see if this solves the issue.
   
   
4. You could try the Roku with the NUC and still be a lot cheaper than many of the Newegg options you mentioned looking at (for $800+).
   
   
5. If none of these solve the issues, you could install Windows and have them use it w/Plex Media Player. The specs say that it supports IR remotes.
   
   I honestly think that some mix of the NUC w/a streaming box will be the easiest for your parents. I’ve done a LOT of tech support and setups for my in-laws all the way into their 80s and lots of other non-techie people. Believe me, you want simple (to avoid those phone call right as you’ve started your own movie because they can’t get something figured out!). Nothing will be as simple as a streaming media box w/ a rock solid Plex server. If you don’t like Roku for some reason, you could consider Amazon’s FireTV, or Nvidia Shield. Nvidia Shield is the best of the Android TV boxes and many love it for a Plex client. I think the UI is little more complex and less friendly than Roku and for your needs, I don’t see much benefit given than Roku supports HDR/4K UHD/7.1 surround, etc. FireTV is generally a good value because they continue to push their Amazon content /ads first. If you have Prime, it can be a good option but Roku is much more content agnostic and they have every streaming app there is (Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, PBS, CBSNews, ABCNews, Bloomberg, AcornTV, BritBox, the free Roku channel, and literally hundreds/thousands more). I think they offer more free TV than any (because CBS and ABC news channels are totally free news streaming all the time, same with many others from cooking, tech, news, YouTube, etc). If they have cable too (we don’t any more) you can also use the cable login channels. We have all the boxes I mentioned above (except for the Apple TV, which I’d still like to try sometime) and Roku is our favorite.
   
   I know this is a lot but I hope it helps. Depending on how soon you want to purchase, there may be a similar 9th Gen barebones kit released relatively soon. I don’t know what pricing that might have but if it’s worth it to you, you could do a little research. I think the 8th gen listed above came out between mid-Sept and Nov last year. But it’s a good deal, even if you just want to go with it. I hope in all this you can figure out something that will work. I’ve you have more questions about any of this, let me know and I’ll try to help. :)