I need advice on choosing the right device for a Plex Server (NAS)

[kisseri93]

Hi everyone!
I’m looking for a device that would handle the following tasks:

• Running a Plex Server
• Torrent client
• Photos would be synchronized/uploaded here from an iPhone

Previously, I was considering and also using a Synology NAS, but recently my trust in them has been shaken because of the HDD-related issues.

Basically, the device will be connected to an internet connection with 1 Gbit download and 1 Gbit upload capacity (later this will change to 2/1 download/upload, in about 3 months when I switch plans).
I have several ideas in mind, and I’d like to ask for your help in nudging me toward a decision.
Among NAS options, since I’ve put Synology aside for now (no hardware transcoding), the following two manufacturers could be considered (I definitely do not want a Chinese product):

• QNAP
• Asustor

From QNAP’s lineup, the following two devices might be suitable:

• QNAP TS-453E-8G
• QNAP TS-AI642-8G

From Asustor:

• AS6704T v2
• ASUS ASUSTOR NIMBUSTOR 4 Gen2 AS5404T

Unfortunately, the QNAP TS-453E-8G is already a four-year-old device, so I’m worried it won’t be supported for much longer, and I have similar concerns about the QNAP TS-AI642-8G.

At Asustor, the AS6704T v2 was released just a few months ago and might be the sensible choice, but it comes with a weaker processor than the QNAPs.
I feel like none of them are really perfect.
If I look at the mini PC options, an ASUS NUC 14 Pro Tall with a single 2.5" HDD could serve my needs for a while, but later on I would definitely need some kind of expansion unit (NAS or DAS).
Another option could be an M4 Mac mini, but that would also require a NAS or DAS.
Building a system myself would also be possible, but with current RAM and SSD prices I might let that go—although I have a feeling that everyone will suggest this anyway.
I feel like there’s no device that really fits my needs.
I definitely do not want to buy a used machine.
What would you do? What would you choose?
The budget is around €1300–1500.

 

[degrub]

Please don't double post.

Link to other post - Well that was quick. Lost my reply as well.

Bottom line - Synology and QNAP are very close. Slightly better hardware and options from QNAP and slightly more polished UI for Synology.
Both are equal, so down to preference or hardware needs. There are many threads here discussing this.

i thought Synology had back tracked their disk policy back to what it was before their marketing debacle. Or was this something else ?

ASUStor i know nothing about.

 

[bbunge]

Check out Ugreen NAS. They cost less than other brands and supposedly selling better than Synology on Amazon.

 

[RMerlin]

Personally I run Plex Server on my QNAP TS-464. That would be the direct successor to the TS-453E. I'm quite happy with it. My Plex client is a Shield TV Pro.

Before that, I had an Asustor, but I wasn't using Plex back then. Initially I ran XBMC/Kodi on the Asustor itself. When they dropped support for it (due to codec licensing reasons), I switched to runnig it on my Shield TV, and accessing the medias on the NAS over SMB. It's only last year that I ditched Kodi and switched to Plex, as Kodi was quite buggy on my Shield, and Plex offered a few advanced features that I wanted, like their Skip Intro button.

Asustor can be an interesting alternative to QNAP, being less expensive, however their software is also a bit less polished. I'm not sure how good/up-to-date their Plex support is. In QNAP's case, Plex packages are created by Plex themselves, so you have to manually update it yourself - the QNAP store only lists a fairly old version. But it means it`s available on day 1 of any new release.

 

[Untried3868]

In QNAP's case, Plex packages are created by Plex themselves, so you have to manually update it yourself - the QNAP store only lists a fairly old version.

Same case with Synology. They offer a very old version of Plex, so you'll have update manually with the latest version directly from Plex.

Happily running my Plex server on a Synology DS920+ for a number of years without issue.