thanks for sharing, i was hoping for more specifics to experiment with; i have a powershell script i’m running that does the same thing:

    try {
        ffmpeg -y -hwaccel nvdec -i "$input" `
            -map 0:v? -map 0:a? -map 0:s? `
            -c:v h264_nvenc -preset slow -rc vbr -cq 21 -b:v 0 `
            -pix_fmt yuv420p `
            -c:a aac -b:a 160k `
            @subtitleArgs `
            "$temp"

        if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0 -and (Test-Path $temp)) {
            $encoded = $true
        }
        else {
            throw "GPU encode failed"
        }
    }
    catch {
        Write-Warning "GPU failed -> CPU fallback"
        Add-Content $logFile "GPU failed, CPU fallback: $input"
        $gpuFallbackCount++

        ffmpeg -y -i "$input" `
            -map 0:v? -map 0:a? -map 0:s? `
            -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 20 `
            -pix_fmt yuv420p `
            -c:a aac -b:a 160k `
            @subtitleArgs `
            "$temp"

        if ($LASTEXITCODE -eq 0 -and (Test-Path $temp)) {
            $encoded = $true
        }
    }

cool gaming rig, too! you also know the SFF pains 🤣😂

I just built a new rig and was soooo close to going mITX, but I just didn’t want to deal with the cramped build space. And the selection of MoBo’s was abysmal compared to ATX and mATX.

I still always get a bit jelly when I see people do it, as they are clean AF. Good on you!

And as others have said: you’re taking the criticism on the chin like a champ. It’s fun to experiment with weird things and you found something that works for you. That’s all that matters.

Enjoy the weekend!