It was unnecessarily complex to accommodate their cloud infrastructure setup.

Please elaborate how you needed to “accommodate their cloud infrastructure setup”.

When I set my server up years ago all I did was log in on the web interface. Literally as simple as any other service.

I set Plex up as an inexperienced selfhoster in 2020 and it was easy.

You can also test if multiple monitors is having an effect.

Using sleep mode is a good idea anyways, regardless of idle draw.