If you are someone who is wishing to set up their own media server then you must look for the Best NAS for Plex. There are a lot of options available to make your own media server, Plex is an incredible choice from all of them. Selection of NAS can be challenging, because of the plethora of choices accessible in the market. We are gonna help by providing you with the most compatible top picks, let’s dive into it!
Plex is the most famous media server software because of its user-friendly media server programs. The reason for its popularity is its specifications, free plus legal content, podcasts and over the air TV. Combination of Network attached storage and Plex is the best blend of entertainment. By using NAS you can create all your favorite media at one place and can run from all your home devices.
Let’s start from our best overall product, and QNAP Turbo NAS TS-464-4G wins this battle. However, when it comes to our best budget NAS for plex we give you NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player as a great option. One of the most important things that can affect your experience is the CPU that is integrated in your chosen NAS. You can buy a NAS that is equipped with a Celeron chipset for the usage experience of your choice.
Furthermore, buy a NAS with up to 8 GB RAM and its expandability will be a plus point. For smooth video output and operate it through the screen your NAS must offer an HDMI port. If the number of HDD bays goes up to 4 then it is sufficient for a high end system, but still you can choose according to your storage need. Looking for the RAID levels is necessary because it gives data reliability, fault tolerance and in the result you get improved overall performance.
Our Recommended list of the Best NAS for Plex
- Synology 4 bay NAS DiskStation DS920+
- Asustor Lockerstor 4 AS6604T – 4 Bay NAS
- QNAP Turbo NAS TS-464-4G SAN/NAS
- NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player
- TERRAMASTER F2-221 NAS Storage 2 Bay NAS
- Dell PowerEdge T40 Server, BTX Intel Xeon E-2224G 3.5GHz
NAS Requirements For Plex
- CPU: Intel or AMD, Recommended Celeron chipset
- Memory: Min. 2 GB, Recommended 8 GB
- Connectivity: Min. 2 Gigabit ports, Recommended 2.5GbE or 10 Gigabit Ethernet
- HDD Bays: Min. 2, Recommended 4, 5
- HDMI: For video output
- Transfer Speed: Look for the high speed as much you can
- RAID Configuration: For protection
NAS VS DAS
The core purpose of NAS and DAS is to provide you storage, let’s have a look at their specs!
- Storage Type: Shared files Vs Sectors
- Data Transmission: TCP/IP, Ethernet Vs IDE/SCSI
- Access Mode: Clients/ Servers Vs Clients or servers
- Capacity(Bytes): 109 – 1012 Vs 109
- Complexity: Moderate Vs Easy
- Management Cost: Moderate Vs High
1- Synology 4 bay NAS DiskStation DS920+
Introducing best synology NAS for Plex, an excellent network-attached storage option for streamlining data management and efficiency. The Synology DS920+ comes with 3.5 and 2.5 discs that can fit in 4 bays, while M.2 SSDs can fit in 2 x M.2 slots. You need to buy an HDD or SSD separately, they are not given in the box by the manufacturer. M.2 SSDs act as a high-speed cache when coupled with Synology SSD Cache.
Comes with the technology to improve system I/O and program performance. Equipped with the Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor and 4 GB of expandable RAM provide this NAS the processing capability needed to handle demanding jobs and multitasking. For Link Aggregation and Failover, dual GbE Ethernet ports are available. Additionally, the Synology flexible storage design enables you to start small and increase storage capacity as your data expands.
To fully utilize Synology SSD Cache capabilities, DS920+ includes 2 integrated M.2 SSD slots. Without using front disc bays, add SSD cache for up to 20 times faster I/O response. To increase storage capacity, use the Synology DX517 and add five additional drives. Applications that require a lot of computer power run faster.
The new 4-core processor improves database response times, web PHP response
efficiency, and photo indexing. With the help of Synology Drive, you can synchronize all of your files across all major operating systems, like Windows, mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, and access your data from anywhere at any time. With block-level incremental backups and cross-version deduplication, multiple backup versions can be stored.
Pros:
- Tool-less drive installation
- Dual LAN ports
- Easy to install
- M.2 SSD slots
- Large app catalog
Cons:
- Lack of multi-gig LAN
- Drives not included
2- Asustor Lockerstor 4 AS6604T – 4 Bay NAS
Power users and businesses can benefit from the Intel Celeron Quad-Core 2.0 GHz that bursts up to 2.70 GHz CPU and 4 GB DDR4 RAM. Up to 36 TB of 2.5" or 3.5" SATA SSD/HDD drives are compatible with it. In total you get 18 TB x 2 and 2.5 Ethernet ports. Fast caching with 2x M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen2 SSD ports. Bringing double the performance and functionality of HDMI 2.0a with hardware-based 10bit 4K HEVC and VP9 decoding.
More than twelve backup solutions are available in the market but ASUSTOR is an all-encompassing backup solution. MyArchive external hard drives offer long-term storage while ASUSTOR Backup Plan for Windows and Time Machine for macOS makes desktop and laptop backups simple. Every NAS from ASUSTOR is created with the intention of being used around-the-clock.
The durability of ASUSTOR NAS devices has also been put through a series of demanding testing, including burn and drop tests. Sensitive components have heatsinks added to them to help the device last longer by dissipating heat. The most recent version of ADM is included with The Lockerstor to assist defend against ransomware assaults.
To effectively make snapshots to secure and quickly restore damaged data, Backup Center and Btrfs are available. Offers business-class software and hardware and works with virtual storage environments like VMware, Citrix, and Hyper-V. Provides an ideal and affordable storage solution by seamlessly integrating with current IT infrastructures thanks to support for iSCSI/IP-SAN and NFS.
Pros:
- Powerful NAS CPU
- 2x 2.5GbE LAN ports
- NVMe slots
- HDMI 2.0 output
Cons:
- No PCIe slot
- Need improvement for App selection
3- QNAP Turbo NAS TS-464-4G SAN/NAS
A portable 4-bay NAS with exceptional performance is the TS-464. Comes with capabilities to meet your multitasking needs for filing system, backup, collaboration, and video converting at an affordable price. Offers up to 66 TB as a storage and for caching you get 4 TB M.2 SSD. By configuring port tunneling with the two included 2.5GbE (2.5G/1G/100M) ports. It can achieve transfer speeds of up to 589 MB/s, making it as quick as a single-port 10GbE NAS.
Stream more video, run more services, and perform more tasks with just an Intel
quad-core chipset that is multitasking tuned. Built-in GPU for improved video transcoding enables the NAS to stream videos to mobile devices without interruption. Install a PCIe dual-port 10GbE networking card that offers up to 1,647 MB/s transmission rate to future-proof your network connection. The year 2023 is the year of 2.5GbE due to the technology growing availability on switches, motherboards, and laptops.
A single-port 10GbE NAS cannot match the speed of the 2.5GbE TS-464
NAS. Gives up to 589 MB/s transfer rates by configuring port trunking with the 2 x 2.5GbE (2.5G/1G/100M) ports to maximize network potential and improve fault tolerance. You may install the dual 10GbE network card QXG-10G2TB in the TS-464 thanks to its superior hardware architecture.
The TS-464 maximizes performance by combining 10GbE networking, a quad-core processor, and M.2 SSD caching. There are 4 x 3.5-inch 22 TB hard drives set up in RAID 5 can be installed to increase the storage capacity to up to 66 TB. A TL-D1600S QNAP memory expansion unit can be connected to add an extra.
Pros:
- Multi-gig connectivity
- Easy to install
- High transfer performance
- Generous app catalog
- A lot of I/O ports
Cons:
- Tools are required for drives installation
- Drives not included
4- NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player
Here NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player which is the best NAS for plex 4k transcoding. Compact and covert, SHIELD TV is made to blend in with your entertainment center decor and its connections. This performance is elevated by SHIELD Pro. It is exquisitely designed to be the ideal focal point of your entertainment center and is suited to the most demanding users.
Backlit, motion-activated buttons, one of which is configurable by the user. You get features such as; Voice command, Control via Bluetooth and An IR blaster for TV remote control. Even an integrated lost-remote finder a SHIELD remotely like this has never been seen before. Dolby Vision HDR with Dolby Atmos will bring your home theater to life while delivering incredibly vibrant visuals and ground-breaking audio.
Utilizing the capabilities of the NVIDIA Tegra® X1+ CPU and next-generation AI image boosting, upscale HD video in genuine to 4K for sharper, crisper graphics. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos combine for enhanced image and sound, combining two tools that filmmakers, sound mixers, and colorists utilize to produce breathtaking entertainment. Watch hundreds of movies and TV shows in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos on services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV for a more realistic viewing experience.
By using artificial intelligence and NVIDIA Tegra X1+ CPU, you can upscale video quality to 4K. Now you get the real-time enhancement in video quality to 4K that is sharper and crisper. You will get the most wanted theater experience to your multimedia screen in your home. Utilizing the power features and generation AI image boosting you have HD video with crisper graphics.
Pros:
- Impressive 4K upscaling
- Most affordable
- Blazing fast performance
- Smooth UX
- Fantastic experience of Android TV
- Useful new features
Cons:
- No USB ports
- No bundled gamepad
5- TERRAMASTER F2-221 NAS Storage 2 Bay NAS
Introducing the best plex server for 4k, a great option of NAS with the combo of 2 GB of RAM and a dual-core Apollo J3355 processor operating at 2.0GHz. Dual 1GbE LAN ports with support for Link Aggregation with 119 MB/s read and 118 MB/s write speeds on each. In order to prevent unwanted access to data, the AES hardware encryption engine encrypts shared folders and network data transmission.
Advanced Btrfs file system delivering 1,024 snapshots per shared folder and 71,680 system-wide snapshots. Up to two simultaneous 4K video streams are real-time hardware transcoded. The F2-221 is the perfect choice for home multimedia enjoyment and small office applications. Because the NAS memory is equipped with both AES hardware protection and 4K HD video transcoding.
It gives consumers the chance to set up a private cloud storage that meets their requirements for remote access. The Btrfs file system is the foundation upon which the TERRAMASTER F2-221 NAS system unit relies for improved data security, avoidance of losing data, and minimal maintenance costs. High data integrity is encouraged by using this file system, which also encourages flexibility and effectiveness in terms of data preservation and data recovery.
Every shared folder generates 1,024 snapshots thanks to optimized snapshot technology, and the entire system can generate up to 71,680 snapshots. Users can gain from adaptable, storage-saving data protection in this way. Businesses can gain from increased flexibility and effective data recovery because it happens at the document or folder level.
Pros:
- Supports 4K video transcoding
- High file-transfer performance
- Lots of I/O ports
- Includes mobile apps
Cons:
- Finicky setup procedure
- Limited apps
6- Dell PowerEdge T40 Server, BTX Intel Xeon E-2224G 3.5GHz
The stable cornerstone of your small business is indeed the Dell EMC PowerEdge T40. The on-premises, robust, and effective Dell EMC PowerEdge T40 1S tower server is an intelligent purchase that will support your expanding company. With the core features that cover typical workloads like file consolidation, storage, and sharing, the Dell EMC PowerEdge T40 is a trustworthy and effective on-site Server.
You can intelligently invest to serve your small business. Business apps like file, print, mail, and messaging work best with it. Many different sectors can make use of this server the way they wish. The 2666MT/s DDR4 memory is supported by the PowerEdge T40. This system will operate all memory at the same speed and voltage across all CPUs and channels.
You can concentrate on your business since the Dell EMC PowerEdge T40 supports your daily operations effectively. A 25% quicker data transmission rate, a faster CPU speed, and a 27% faster thermal speed 2224G processor all contribute to enhanced performance and more effective operation. With a 50% boost in on-site data storage, it offers a new way to collaborate with clients and colleagues.
With a 23% shorter design, you may place your tower more conveniently while still being able to consolidate, store, and exchange content locally. Four DDR4 DIMMs are supported by the PowerEdge T40. The socket H4 Intel Coffee Lake class CPU, with two memory channels per CPU and support for up to two DIMMs per channel, is what it is intended to support. At launch, the maximum system capacity will be 64GB.
Pros:
- Great connectivity
- 8 GB RAM
- High transfer speed
- Reliable
Cons:
- Completely DIY set up
- Large footprint
- Windows Server License is not Included
Best NAS for Plex Buying Guide
Whenever you plan to enjoy your media collection then you must search for the Best NAS for Plex. You will get the ability to make your own collection and broadcast from them. From the products recommended by ourselves you can choose QNAP Turbo NAS TS-464-4G as its overall best NAS. For a precise purchase look at the below mentioned factors!
Processor:
The first thing that you should do while buying your next NAS for Plex, is its processor. Because this determines how better quality your NAS offers, for high quality you need a powerful CPU. You can buy a NAS that is equipped with AMD or Intel processors, both deliver the best. You can go for QNAP Turbo NAS TS-464-4G, it is designed with Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 which is a quad-core processor and bursts up to 2.9GHz.
HDD Bays:
For your NAS the number of bays that is offered by is the key point of your purchase. This number varies from user to user, you can use it as per your usage. We recommend you even if you want to start with a smaller number you must look for its expandability. You can buy QNAP Turbo NAS TS-464-4G it comes with 4 bays that are great for medium to higher level set up.
HDMI:
Many NAS devices that are available in the market are designed to run headless. Although if you want to use it as a home theater then you have to look for the HDMI port. This will enable you to connect your Plex server with a TV or projector. Our recommended QNAP Turbo NAS TS-464-4G comes with a 4K HDMI for real time transcoding and gives a smooth experience.
RAM:
Along with all the factors, the RAM of your future NAS is also important to consider. If you want an average level of Plex setup then you are not bothered with RAM size. From average to high end setup you need to look for the big number, you can go for minimum 2 GB up to 8 GB. TS-464-4G is a great choice, it is designed with 8 GB RAM, still you can upgrade it to 16 GB.
Refresh Rate:
You can know the efficiency of your NAS by considering its CPU, memory and number of disc bays. But you also need to verify its performance by its supported transfer rate. If the speed of transfer will be higher that is given by ports you will acheive smoother experience. For this you can consider TS-464 that features 2 x 2.5GbE RJ45 ports for 5 Gbps bandwidth.
FAQs
IS Plex Compatible With All NAS?
Yes, almost all the NAS can be used for Plex.
Which Is Better QNAP Or Synology?
From QNAP and Synology then Synology clearly wins this battle.
Can NAS Work Without the Internet?
Yes, a NAS is able to run without a router or internet connection.
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