QNAP 451+?

[bdub]

I'm currently looking at a 4 bay NAS. My current NAS is a 2TB MyBookLive. I'm looking to expand the features set and am mostly considering a QNAP 453 Pro (or the recently announced 453 mini). The 463 is also tempting, although I'm unsure about the AMD CPU.

However, looking at B&H's site, I see reference to a QNAP 451+ (which seems to be unannounced).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1184489-REG/qnap_ts_451_2g_us_ts_451_4_bay_2gb_personal.html

This is obviously separate from the current 451:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1068279-REG/qnap_ts_451_us_ts_451_4_bay_personal_cloud.html

Does anyone have any insight into this (potential) new offering?

 

[bdub]

Here's another online store sighting: http://www.pccanada.com/viewitem.asp?id=360210

 

[L&LD]

Seems like B&H is optimistic about what it can sell.

https://www.qnap.com/i/uk/product/contrast.php?cp[]=172&cp[]=149

the 463 does have some expanded capabilities (double the ram and 10GBe options with two less built in 1GBe ports).

If you're looking to buy today, the 453 Pro is an easy recommendation. The mini? Just an upright 'normal' NAS that I wouldn't consider to be honest (you can't really be in need of that much extra desk space).

The only other thing I can offer for you to consider is if 4 bays will realistically last you for the next few years and if 6 bays or more may be a better purchase today. Even at the 'cost' of starting off with only two drives and adding more as needed.

What are your latest purchase dates? What is your intended use for the expanded feature set of a true NAS? How much important data do you have that needs to be handled with the new NAS, immediately? And, keep in mind that you can continue to keep a backup of the important data on the old external hdd too.

 

[bdub]

Here my intended usage, sorted by priority (roughly).

Primary:
Backup device (TimeMachine and Windows Backup - although I may use Crashplan on the clients. Having the data be available from anywhere (some directories) would be nice too).
Off-site replication - I plan to pay for a CrashPlan sub for my off site. Although Amazon Glacier isn't too badly priced either.

Secondary:
Plex Media Server - mostly for my house, but I do like the option of doing transcoding if needed.
Virtualization - This is why I'm looking at quad core. I like the flexibility. I'm also very excited about QNAP's upcoming Docker support.
Encryption - The ability to full encrypt directories or volumes would be nice.

Data:
My plan is to get either 4x 3TB WD Red or 4x 4TB WD Red and run RAID 5. My current storage requirements are probably only 2 to 3TB, so 9TB to 12TB usable I figured would last at least a few years, although with available storage I'm probably more likely to store more.

Purchase dates:
Flexible. If I could find a good sale (ie, $89 for a 4TB Red like a few months ago), I'd be ready to pull the trigger now.

 

[L&LD]

Keep in mind that actual capacity will be closer to 8TB and less than 11TB after formatting.

I'm sure you'll find more stores for the (for now, fictional) 451+, but I doubt it will offer more than the 453 or the 463 offers today and at a better price / performance point.

If you're ready to pull the trigger today, then buy the parts as sales and specials appear at the prices you can live with.

 

[bdub]

What's the processor difference between the J1900 (453 pro) and the G series AMD (463)? Also, thats the same processor in the 5 bay 563? Should an AMD processor be under considered?

 

[bdub]

I think I'm leaning (now) towards the 463. Looks like there's mixed opinions of AMD vs Intel. Based on Passmark, it looks like the AMD does have an edge (which makes sense, given the higher TDP).
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=2291&cmp[]=2131

Any reason (updates, package availability, heat, etc) that I shouldn't go forward with an AMD based NAS?

 

[L&LD]

I think I'm leaning (now) towards the 463. Looks like there's mixed opinions of AMD vs Intel. Based on Passmark, it looks like the AMD does have an edge (which makes sense, given the higher TDP).
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=2291&cmp[]=2131

Any reason (updates, package availability, heat, etc) that I shouldn't go forward with an AMD based NAS?

Yes, see if the results shown here will affect your usage expectations.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/qnap-tvs-863-8-bay-nas,4225.html

See specifically single client vs. multi client smb performance.

 

[sfx2000]

I think I'm leaning (now) towards the 463. Looks like there's mixed opinions of AMD vs Intel. Based on Passmark, it looks like the AMD does have an edge (which makes sense, given the higher TDP).
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=2291&cmp[]=2131

Any reason (updates, package availability, heat, etc) that I shouldn't go forward with an AMD based NAS?

Well - compared to the J1900, the AMD runs a bit warmer... Performance for most activities should be about the same - some tasks faster/some slower...

The AMD does have a faster GPU compared to the GEN7 Graphics on the J1900/J1800 family (silvermont 22nm), so... in QVPC mode, might see some benefit, but for general NAS purposes, it's a wash - they're both "small" x86-64 cores as opposed to "big" cores like the Haswell based i3/i5/i7...

The one upside I see on the x63 series is a chance to drop in 10GiG Ethernet, but for most, this is little value added...

The downside to the AMD perhaps, is that in the QTS app store, you might miss apps that have been optimized for the Intel chips (both Big and Small).

 

[bdub]

NAS Ordered.

I went with the 453 Pro and 4x 3TB WD Reds.

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[bdub]

BTW - looks like the 251+ and 451+ have been announced:

https://www.qnap.com/i/useng/product/model.php?II=196
https://www.qnap.com/i/useng/product/model.php?II=195

It looks to actually use the same processor as the 453, but is obviously geared towards home users. I still feel good about my purchase (will be here on Monday).

 

[sfx2000]

BTW - looks like the 251+ and 451+ have been announced:

https://www.qnap.com/i/useng/product/model.php?II=196
https://www.qnap.com/i/useng/product/model.php?II=195

It looks to actually use the same processor as the 453, but is obviously geared towards home users. I still feel good about my purchase (will be here on Monday).

Probably just a CPU bump from J1800 to J1900 - otherwise maybe a bump to Braswell from Baytrail.

Cool...

I think you'll be happy with the 453Pro - not just CPU, but better cooling and a much better power supply...

 

[awraynor]

NAS Ordered.

I went with the 453 Pro and 4x 3TB WD Reds.

Thanks for everyone's input!

Any updates? I'm considering the same exact models and Plex is very important to me.