Best Plex Server for 6+ Simultaneous HD Streamers? Synology 1520+? Mac Mini M1? QNAP?

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
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Hi there. First post, so go gentle.

The current equipment:
Currently, I have a Plex Server (PMS) set up on an old 2012 Macbook Pro (2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor). I recently upgraded its memory to 16 GB. Its only job right now is acting as a Plex server. We bought it used for $250 from a friend, and it has been slow as molasses since we got it for even the most basic computing needs. The RAM boost has helped, but running only Plex I will come into the office and find that it is using nearly all 16 GB of RAM with just Plex and 1 transcode. Seems…unusual.

The issue:
I am currently in the process of planning to upgrade the server, but at a loss as to which would be the best to serve my needs. I have a $1500 total budget. I have someone donating 4 unused, unopened 8 TB Western Digital Red (not pro, not plus) NAS drives. So, if I go the NAS route, I will have to buy another drive to allow for all of my current media to be housed in addition to a little room for extra if needed. So whatever I get will have to either utilize my current externals, or will have to be likely a RAID 0 setup utilizing 5 drives or more. It will also have to allow for 6+ simultaneous HD streams. On-board GPU is probably also a necessity.

What I am considering:

  1. Synology ds1520+ (Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core 2.0 GHz processor and 8 GB RAM which is a slower processor than the current Macbook Pro I’m using and less RAM, tiny little integrated GPU from what understand, ability to expand even more with Synology DX517, two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots, but no PCIe and no 10GBe port, only 1 GBe)

  2. QNAP TS-653D (Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core 2.0 GHz processor and 8 GB RAM which is a slower processor than the current Macbook Pro I’m using and less RAM, 6 bays, no on-board GPU, 2.5 GBe ports, no M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots, but PCIe for GPU or 10GBe - but not both!)

  3. Mac Mini M1 with my current externals or a RAID 0 setup with an enclosure for the new WD drives being donated, but this would require the purchase of another drive AND the 5-bay enclosure (faster better processor than what I currently have, and configurable to the same amount of RAM, but possibly more than what I need and will wind up being more expensive)

What do you all think? Is there a solution I am missing that isn’t listed? A different server option I haven’t discovered? What do you think will best serve my needs?

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Thank you so much. I have decided to go with an Intel NUC. Now trying to decide between one with an i7-10750H Intel chip (6 cores) or one with an i9-9880H (8 cores).

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@ryeosborne

If I may augment ?

  1. The i9 will give you more CPU power for subtitles + audio
  2. The -10 will give you a better video ASIC – with one exception
  • Linux support is lagging . Debian seems to be ahead in that department.
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Thanks so much for all your help.

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I just picked up a 1520+ and tossed in a sabrent rocket 1tb in the cache slot. I was able to run 2x hd and 1x 4x at the same time with 40% cpu use and 4gb ram use and zero issues streaming.

I would say I could probably have 6x HD streams direct play running without having issues on this nas. You also need to account for the drives you’re using (7200rpm or 5400rpm) and your home network capabilities along with the streaming devices used and if they can direct play or need to transcode audio/video.

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