I am Richard and a happy Plex user for many years, but I want a new NAS, currently i use an old synology (DS1512+) but want to do more with it (such as virtualization of my windows server, and fase out my other power-hungry windows servers).
And i found two qnap-nas system the TVS-1282 with a Intel I7 or the TS-1277 with a AMD ryzen 1700 , both will have 32gb of memory
The NAS will be used for 2 virtual windows servers but they don’t do much and will be idle for the most 99% of time, Plex is the main application.
So the CPU choice is mainly for Plex, but i cant find anything wat is best for PLEX.
I know the Intel I7 has a video build in and can theoretic can hardware transcoding and the AMD does not, but there is place for a PCI video card in the nas for that if it is supported in plex on a qnap.
of course the investment in these system is for the next 5 years or more, and now i use a maximum of 1080p but 4k is on the corner for new tv’s and other players.
I opted for the TVS-1282, i7, 32GB. To it, I added 1TB M.2 SATA SSD (soon to be 2x 1TB)
I use it for:
Customer support and QA/Engineering support of all the Linux distros Plex supports (virtualization station) with the common VMs on the SSD
My personal PMS server is on the M.2 as well (data on the main HD array)
the i7-6700 does a great job with 4K 8 bit . As Intel perfects the updates to libva, 10 bit (HDR) will be more readily realized and enjoyed as well
I am a purist in that I rip the disks and perform no data reduction (handbrake). The 6700 plays the same file on my TVs, ipad & ipad pro, and cell phones.
The biggest ‘workout’ the CPU gets is when converting audio. Hardware video transcoding uses 3-4% (4K->2K) of the CPU but audio takes up to 25%.
Just an update :
The new NAS i bought is the tvs1282 but with an i3 in stead of an i7 and just 8 gigs of memory (its about 1000 euro’s cheaper).
I have the correct I7 laying around and doing the swap/upgrade myself.
For memory i wait for the prices to drop , they are ridiculously expensive, currently i am more willing to spend the money in new disk’s.
If interested i will make/post some pictures during the whole upgrade, if all components are in.
Today i have upgraded my qnap nas, here are some pictures of the journey
In the future is the plan to upgrade the memory but i waiting for a price drop or i can buy them second hand for cheap.
I bought a 10gig sfp+ network card of ebay (40 euro’s)
plugged it in (unfortunately it was a full size bracket and not a low one )
And also bought a extra fan of ebay (this is only the standaard one, had no picture taken of the second one, but is the same one)
Because the system is open, i put in an extra m.2 drive (just in case).
Removing the old CPU (was an I3).
The new CPU .
Cleaning the headsink with rubbing alcahol.
The new CPU in it’s new place.
And put i all back together.
Boot i all up, and yes the 10gig sfp+ card works perfectly.
An overal picture of the system on my workbench.
and a screenshot of a working qnap nas with an I7 and 10gig networking.
Today i have upgraded my qnap nas, here are some pictures of the journey
In the future is the plan to upgrade the memory but i waiting for a price drop or i can buy them second hand for cheap.
I bought a 10gig sfp+ network card of ebay (40 euro’s)
plugged it in (unfortunately it was a full size bracket and not a low one )
And also bought a extra fan of ebay (this is only the standaard one, had no picture taken of the second one, but is the same one)
Because the system is open, i put in an extra m.2 drive (just in case).
Removing the old CPU (was an I3).
The new CPU .
Cleaning the headsink with rubbing alcahol.
The new CPU in it’s new place.
And put i all back together.
Boot i all up, and yes the 10gig sfp+ card works perfectly.
An overal picture of the system on my workbench.
and a screenshot of a working qnap nas with an I7 and 10gig networking.
Jörg,
The space in there is REALLY tight. Air cooling works very well. QNAP designed for air cooling and did a great job imho.
I would not recommend trying to tie in water cooling with everything already present AND the fans needed for the HDs.
If you want to drill holes in the box, that’s another matter.
I am Richard and a happy Plex user for many years, but I want a new NAS, currently i use an old synology (DS1512+) but want to do more with it (such as virtualization of my windows server, and fase out my other power-hungry windows servers).
And i found two qnap-nas system the TVS-1282 with a Intel I7 or the TS-1277 with a AMD ryzen 1700 , both will have 32gb of memory
The NAS will be used for 2 virtual windows servers but they don’t do much and will be idle for the most 99% of time, Plex is the main application.
So the CPU choice is mainly for Plex, but i cant find anything wat is best for PLEX.
I know the Intel I7 has a video build in and can theoretic can hardware transcoding and the AMD does not, but there is place for a PCI video card in the nas for that if it is supported in plex on a qnap.
of course the investment in these system is for the next 5 years or more, and now i use a maximum of 1080p but 4k is on the corner for new tv’s and other players.
What choice to make Intel or AMD ?
Thanx for the answers.
The way I read this is there was not a real answer as no one spoke of or has the AMD!
I am about to buy either the Qnap TVS-1282-i7 or Qnap TS-1277-1700.
The cpu passmarks are 13753 (AMD) vs 10068 (6700 I7)
So a substantial 30+% higher for the AMD!
Per QNAP:
The 450W PS is strongly recommended if you’re going to max out all the slots. As it comes, it’s good for the M.2 SSD and all 12 drives. If you plan on putting in a power-hungry card (GPU) there are two ways: I have all 12 slots used, one M.2, and USB 3.1 in one PCI-E slot.
Buy with it already installed
Buy the power supply from QNAP (QNAP store) and install yourself.
If I add a GPU, I’m going to upgrade the PS without blinking . Don’t starve the system, stuff burns out when under voltaged
PS: There are QNAP suppliers who sell the PS in the QNAP box complete with all the proper part numbers on it. I’ve not checked into their reputability
For plex the max that i have tested, was 5 streams , 2 where transcoding 2 direct and one music stream, the cpu did’t once come above 30%, so there is plenty of resources to spare.
The graphics card in the Intel cpu (hardware transcoding) take a great portion of the power that the AMD does not have, and in this case (for plex) is the cpu passmark not always better but software support of the correct cpu hardware functions.
Currently i have 12x3.5" with wd-red’s , 3 x sd wd blue , 2 x M.2 disk and a 10gb sfp+ network card in the system , the total amount of power uses with a router and a switch is about 230 watt’s (1 amp on 232v) so said my UPS.
My conclusion is, is it just for disk’s i think the 450 watt power supply is overkill.
Personally I cannot recommend enough the tvs1282 with an intel cpu.
p.s. install the ssd’s at the first thing so the first datapool is on ssd’s (in a raid configuration) that is were the application default will install, and the databases of Plex are on this first pool automatically and is supper fast
The 1280 with intel does both SW and HW transcoding in Plex.
The 1277 with AMD does SW transcoding but will/can do HW transcoding with certain Nvidia cards.
Am I right?
If so I will get the 1277 (cos it’s faster and newer) and if it has transcoding issues I will buy the appropriate card.
Where I am the 1277 (16g) is $300 cheaper than the 450W 32g version 1280
So if a video card is required i still save a bit
The TVS-1282 has an i7-6700 and SkyLake GPU. Intel QSV (Quick Sync Video) is built and what’s supported at this time. The TVS-1282T3 has the i7-7700 already onboard
The TVS-1277 with external GPU is unknown. @MwC_Trexx can you offer advice here? You taught me about QNAP on this one.
If you’re going to run more than PMS on it, and if you’re like me, YOU WILL, you’ll want the 32 GB. It’s cheaper to let QNAP put it in now than aftermarket (prices are insane)
The 450W supply from QNAP is $50-60 more than the B&H price I showed you and known correct + warranted by QNAP
I saw somewhere where a KabyLake (i7-7700) was dropped into the TVS-1282. This needs to be verified with QNAP but here is from Intel https://communities.intel.com/thread/109963
Bottom line… “This is still a pay to play game” No cheating it.
That’s the cost of 64 GB. I told you it was insane. For me to upgrade to 64GB it’s $1200 USD
You’re right, there is no 32GB option. Drats.
Ask QNAP directly. I talk to them all the time (as customer and Plex). If 32GB can be loaded, they’ll know how / what spec RAM you need. You can price from there. 8GB DIMMS are a lot cheaper than 16GB DIMMS (the unit has 4 slots)
If you can’t, you’ll have to be careful then. Don’t run 50,000 docker containers at once
