Hi guys,
I finally decided to upgrade my DS212+.
It’s still running well and Plex Media Server was running fine, until a certain update of the DSM.
I want Plex again, but I can’t find the DS218+ or the DS718+ in NAS Compatibility Guide.
The specs of both NAS’s tell me it can run Plex, and certain topics on the forum say the same.
But before we “hand over the money”, I would like to be sure Plex would run.
The media player is a Mac Mini 2010 (upgraded with SSD & 3 GB Ram).
Any advice?
Additional questions:
Both units have the ApolloLake CPU. The DS718+ has the stronger of the two (J3455 vs J3355).
If you take a few and search around the Synology forum, you’ll find some current performance results from other users with that same model who also asked the same question you are now.
My recommendation is go with the DS718+ . You may not need it today but next week that could all change 
@ChuckPA said:
Both units have the ApolloLake CPU. The DS718+ has the stronger of the two (J3455 vs J3355).If you take a few and search around the Synology forum, you’ll find some current performance results from other users with that same model who also asked the same question you are now.
My recommendation is go with the DS718+ . You may not need it today but next week that could all change
Hi ChuckPA, thanks for the answer.
So I guess both machines will run Plex Media Server without any problem.
I will look further in the forum for my other questions!
Yes, both will run, both will do HW transcode… Both are good because they’re ApolloLake class.
If you can’t find what you need, you know where to find me
@ChuckPA Thanks & will do!
@ChuckPA said:
Yes, both will run, both will do HW transcode… Both are good because they’re ApolloLake class.
Could you clarify- the DS418 play has the Apollo Lake CPU too- (Intel Celeron J3355) but it doesn’t support HW transcoding? Haven’t been able to select/enable it in the Server/Transcoder settings.
nevermind. Installed the x64 version, HW transcoding now shows up. Thanks!
Rule of thumb for all
##Synology does not install the 64 bit version through Package Center
Install the 64 bit version (DSM 6+) from http://downloads.plex.tv
McRaemus, be aware that you need PlexPass to enable hardware acceleration
https://support.plex.tv/articles/115002178853-using-hardware-accelerated-streaming/
As a 718+ user one thing I’d suggest is planning a RAM upgrade to a decent dual channel kit. I went strait to 16GB but I use my 718 for more than just Plex and File storage, I think @ChuckPA has said 4GB should be considered the minimum you’d want to try to use plex with but I don’t want to put words in his mouth. I noticed a significant performance bump going from 2gb to 16gb of ram.
You rang? >:)
Yes, I did say 4GB is a better minimum.
I also went with a matched pair (kit) in my Synology which bumped it to 8GB (processor supports 16GB).
This RAM https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KQCU3WM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 is compatible with the Atom C2538 CPU and what is used in my DS1815+ now. I also saw a significant speed when dual channel mode enabled.
For those who don’t know what dual channel mode is; Two (dual) DIMMS work together and transfer 128 bits of memory with one memory operation instead of the usual 64 bits. The CPU and memory as twice fast aka. twice as efficient per memory operation.
Dual-channel architecture DDR/DDR2/DDR3 SDRAM describes a motherboard technology that effectively doubles data throughput from RAM to the memory controller. Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a total bandwidth of 128-bits, to move data from RAM to the CPU.
The benefit is more data is moved in to / out of the CPU per clock cycle resulting in less wasted time
Make absolutely certain the memory is 100% compatible and optimal for your machine. The memory vendors (Kingston, and Corsair are great for this) will help you select the right product for your CPU.
I use Kingston in the NAS and Corsair Vengenance RAM in the computer.
Matched-Pair RAM are two modules which are nearly identical . The manufacturer has tested them and determined they are functionally identical (size and timing parameters). If the CPU’s memory controller does not see identical size and timing as well, it will treat them as distinct chips and slow the entire system down to the speed of the SLOWEST one.
Good starting point to learn more https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-channel_memory_architecture
@ChuckPA said:
You rang? >:)Yes, I did say 4GB is a better minimum.
I also went with a matched pair (kit) in my Synology which bumped it to 8GB (processor supports 16GB).
This RAM Amazon.com is compatible with the Atom C2538 CPU and what is used in my DS1815+ now. I also saw a significant speed when dual channel mode enabled.
For those who don’t know what dual channel mode is; Two (dual) DIMMS work together and transfer 128 bits of memory with one memory operation instead of the usual 64 bits. The CPU and memory as twice fast aka. twice as efficient per memory operation.
Dual-channel architecture DDR/DDR2/DDR3 SDRAM describes a motherboard technology that effectively doubles data throughput from RAM to the memory controller. Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a total bandwidth of 128-bits, to move data from RAM to the CPU.The benefit is more data is moved in to / out of the CPU per clock cycle resulting in less wasted time
Where can i find a memory upgrade kit for my DS414?
Let’s go through the steps
A Get the CPU:
https://www.synology.com/en-us/knowledgebase/DSM/tutorial/General/What_kind_of_CPU_does_my_NAS_have
Marvell Armada XP MV78230
B Get the processor specs https://www.marvell.com/embedded-processors/armada-xp/assets/HW_MV78230_OS.PDF
C. Dig out the memory specs (page 7)
High-bandwidth DDR3-1600 memory interface
(32-bit SDRAM with ECC option)
DDR3 SDRAM Controller
• 32-bit interface with an ECC option
• DDR3 up to 800 MHz (DDR3-1600)
• Clock ratio of 1:N and 2:N between the DDR
SDRAM and the CPU core, respectively
• SSTL 1.8/1.5V/1.35 I/Os
• Auto calibration of I/Os output impedance
• Supports four SDRAM ranks
• Supports all DDR devices densities up to 4 Gb
• Supports all DIMM configurations (registered and
unbuffered, x8, or x16 SDRAM devices)
• DDR3 write and read leveling DIMM support
• DDR3 address mirroring support
• Supports DDR3 BL8
• Supports 2T and 3T modes to enable
high-frequency operation even under heavy load
configuration
• Supports SDRAM bank interleaving
• Supports up to 32 open pages
• Supports up to 128-byte burst per single memory
access
D Stop here
The best result possible is same-spec memory because each module is already a 64 bit module.
@ChuckPA thank you for all the information.
My new DS718+ is now running 2 weeks.
All movies run flawlessly with Plex: Mac Mini, iPhone & Apple TV.
Note: I’m not a binge-watcher, just enjoying a movie now and then, no 4K, just full-HD with 5.1 surround.
So at the moment, no hardware acceleration nor RAM-upgrade needed.
Now I have to figure out how to get the Media Player working optimally.
I still use the old Home Theater app, because it works good with a Harmony remote on the Mac Mini.
Thanks!
Basically, does not having link aggregation hurt me?
Need some advice. Trying to decide between 218+ and 718+. Seems quad-core processor and link aggregation are the main advantages of the DS718+. Just found out that my new 2600 router doesn’t support link aggregation (that sucks). Given that, what would the throughput speeds be (read/write speeds?) of the 718+ without LAG. Specs say 220mbps with link; guessing without they would be similar to the 218+, correct?
I would start out using it as backup device to laptop and desktop, then itunes server, 2-3 cameras, and, of course, a plex server to top it off. Given those parameters, would the 218+ be good enough. Don’t want to pay the dough if the better processor is still going to be held up by the lack of link aggregation (thus same speeds as 218+).
@“drhoskisson@gmail.com” said:
Basically, does not having link aggregation hurt me?Need some advice. Trying to decide between 218+ and 718+. Seems quad-core processor and link aggregation are the main advantages of the DS718+. Just found out that my new 2600 router doesn’t support link aggregation (that sucks). Given that, what would the throughput speeds be (read/write speeds?) of the 718+ without LAG. Specs say 220mbps with link; guessing without they would be similar to the 218+, correct?
I would start out using it as backup device to laptop and desktop, then itunes server, 2-3 cameras, and, of course, a plex server to top it off. Given those parameters, would the 218+ be good enough. Don’t want to pay the dough if the better processor is still going to be held up by the lack of link aggregation (thus same speeds as 218+).
To augment:
Gigabit = 1000 Mbps
LAG (802.11ad LACP) of two ethernet legs = 2000 Mbps.
2000 Mbps raw capability will provide about 180 M Bytes/sec of throughput. == 1.8 Gigabits of video/sec. Assuming 4K HEVC HDR @ 100 Mbps/sec, two legs of ethernet in LACP can easily support 18 concurrent playback sessions. This would grossly exceed the capability of the NAS first
I use link aggregation on a “dumb” switch. Syno let you create a link with load balancing. This doesn’t require a manageable switch. It’s been working flawlessly. However, I did not take the time to try loading the link. In my network, a single gigbit link would be enough. But since I can linked both interfaces, why not.
So when you say that a manageable switch with LAG is required, do you think that LAG will be a lot more efficient than the load balancing?
