Best Plex NAS For Me?

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
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1

Hi,

I need some recommendations. I need to switch off my Plex Cloud to a new alternative. I am leaning towards a NAS.

Some details:
I have gigabit internet
1 GB upload
1 GB download
I am in need of a NAS that can transcode 1080p

What is the most affordable NAS that has good transcoding abilities?

3

Thanks for all the information.

Leaning towards the DS718+

Any recommendations on a NAS that includes the storage?

What are your thoughts on the WD My Cloud Mirror ?

Appreciate your help.

4

So will this be all I need?

DS718+ NAS: https://smile.amazon.com/Synology-Bay-DiskStation-DS718-Diskless/dp/B075MZTQBT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536933504&sr=8-1&keywords=DS718

SSD: https://smile.amazon.com/Red-4TB-Hard-Disk-Drive/dp/B008JJLZ7G/ref=pd_bxgy_147_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00EHBERSE&pd_rd_r=5865940f-b826-11e8-a07a-dda09ccf66a1&pd_rd_w=mrV2b&pd_rd_wg=RZPhr&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=G11CR16WVBPTNWNGF529&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&refRID=G11CR16WVBPTNWNGF529&th=1

6

I assume you mean 1Gb and NOT 1GB Upload/Download (which would require 10Gb NW connections).

For QNAP, you would be looking at the TS-x53Be series which would be similar to the Synology.

The step-up model from there would be the TVS-951x line. Both the x53Be & 951x support 1080p as well as some 4K playback (varies by model).

All models would require PlexPass to support HW Transcoding for 1080p capability.

As for storage, for 1Gb (100MB) throughput, NAS Rated HDD’s will handle that just fine. You don’t need anything fancier.

7

What is your thoughts on the DS718+ NAS?

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Essentially equivalent to QNAP’s TS-253Be.

From a Plex perspective, they both will have basically the same performance in terms of HW Transcoding capability.

You can get into religious wars regarding Synology vs. QNAP.

I have used both, and prefer QNAP myself for a couple reasons. They tend to have beefier and newer HW support than Synology. They also are running based on newer Linux kernel versions (4.2.8 for most x86/x64 models) than Synology.

Synology has generally had the cleaner SW interface/apps in the past, but QNAP has closed a lot of that gap.

I have seen some real-world tests showing QNAP in some cases having substantial performance advantage in their actual NAS usage (see https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRs0nFZsx4--aUQ0QjzR7cA).

So I tend to land on the general concept that SW can always be changed/improved (especially with NAS models now supporting Docker & VM’s), but HW you are stuck with until your next NAS upgrade.

So where possible I would tend to lean toward bigger/beefier NAS model than you may think you need, as it is a lot cheaper to grow into it vs. outgrowing a smaller one quicker and then having the cost of a 2nd NAS.

1 Like
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Do you recommend these?

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B014JESKRW/ref=ice_ac_b_dpb_twi_col_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1537837215&sr=1-1&keywords=2x4gb

10

Generally the smaller NAS models like the x53Be series use SO-DIMM’s (not full size). According to QNAP specs, they use 2 x DDR3L SODIMM slots (must be matched pairs for dual dimms).

I would verify the speed of the existing DIMMs, but you are probably looking at say DDR3L SO-DIMMS in the 1600 Mhz clock range. I have generally used Kingston HyperX family dimms in all of my QNAP’s.

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