Hello! Upgrading from a Synology 220j. Don't like the sluggish performance. Have two 4 TB Seagate Iron Wolf (only using 1 TB currently). Would like to dramatically increase performance and have room to grow. I'm going to be backing up on USB drive in addition to the NAS. Currently putting movies/photos on NAS so expect some more space requirement - MAYBE a home camera/surveillance system. I'm a beginner and trying to understand NAS use - so wanting to stay with Synology I think. Really appreciate your help!

As there are few makers of HDDs and SSDs it seems unlikely that Synology make their own.So are they just rebranded ?Or their firmware adjusted to appear as if they are their own ?

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some advice before I upgrade my existing NAS, to get a few opinions on how others would proceed.

I currently have a supermicro 3U 16 Bay chassis, supporting E-ATX and ATX mobos, with a supermicro motherboard (X9DRD-7LN4F).  It is quite old, but I have specced it out with a full dual power supply for resiliency, low-ish (for a server, but still relatively loud) volume fans, etc.  It has dual E5-2620 V2 (CPU Mark 6250 x2 = 12500), with no QuickSync.  It has all 16 bays used (a couple SSDs for OS/VMs), though about 10 smaller disks that could be amalgamated with buying ~3 new large disks .  I have added an Nvidia GPU to do transcoding in plex.

I currently have it running Windows Server 2019, with StableBit DrivePool and snapraid to allow me to use different size disks.  I use it as a home lab, primarily running plex, but running a few various VMs for different functions that are not very intensive.

I have had it for a few years, and I have looked into what my options are, as it is very power hungry (using maybe 20% of the power of my entire home), noisy (not a huge deal, as I have it in a basement), and large.  Additionally I want to add HomeAssistant to this setup, but I am unable to pass through dongles for Zigbee, matter and Z-wave as required due to hyper-v restrictions.

Summary:
Current Specs:

• SuperMicro Chassis/Motherboard
  
• 64GB Ram
  
• Dual E5-2620 V2 (CPU Mark 6250 x2 = 12500)
  
• Windows Server 2019 with VMs for various functions
  
• SnapRAID and DrivePool to manage data
  

• Power Hungry (and loud)
  
• Unable to pass through dongles for z-wave etc. to allow home assistant use (will otherwise likely buy a mini-pc/rpi)
  
• Annoying to use containers within a Host > VM > Container setup, as opposed to directly on the host.  Not the end of the world, but adds a bit of complexity.
  

• Implement Home Assistant
  
• Likely move to UnRaid (I already own a perpetual license)
  
• Utilize a bunch more containers for various aspects, some of which are being done inside VMs now, some would be net new
  
• Replace hardware (Motherboard/CPU) with something more modern
  
• No need for GPU, as quicksync would cover transcoding
  

1. Based on my above specs, do people here think the value is in buying net new everything (besides disks, but I guess even the small disks could be replaced), or utilize the existing chassis, and fit a new (probably non-server grade) motherboard inside it?
   
2. Will I get value in upgrading to one of the recommended mobo/cpu combos with higher specs, mostly from an energy saving perspective?  This server costs me ~20USD/month in electricity to run, but I am not aware of how much is Disks and PSUs (which likely would remain) vs the other.
   

Hi!

If I want to turn my SSD (where the OS of my current NAS is installed) into a new Storage Pool/Volume, will the formatting of the SSD drive adversely affect the OS that's already installed there?

My TerraMaster F4-424 Pro NAS has been a good passive storage solution so far, even though my only Storage Volume currently is the two 4 TB HDDs. I noticed all the apps were being downloaded/installed onto the same Volume/Pool as the HDDs and wanted to get the apps moved onto my SSD instead, but I'd need to format SSD to prep it for Storage and I'm worried that will mess up the OS that's already there.

Please reply at your earliest convenience. Thanks!

This is more of a recommendation of a topic for your videos than a request for help, per se. I want to buy a prebuilt machine because they look nicer and are easier to deal with. The question of expandability is always unclear to me, however. If I could add a low profile GPU to some of these machines eg WTR MAX or Minisforum N5, they would be the ideal choice. Can I? and what pathways are there to expansion beyond Oculink (ie internal). I live in a tiny tiny flat as a lot of people do and don't want a bunch of large towers or Oculink docks

I am looking for a suitable NAS device to store and play 4K videos for my family. My main need is to store movies, personal videos and be able to stream to the TV in my house via the local network. I also want to use the NAS to back up photos from my phone and computer. I am confused between Synology and QNAP, not sure which one is more stable and easier to use for beginners? The minimum requirements are 2 hard drive bays, support 4K transcoding if needed, and good compatibility with Plex. Can anyone suggest a suitable model? Thanks in advance!

I am eager to implement a centralised backup solution in my home, however I am weighing up the cost-effectiveness of ready-to-go NAS boxes (e.g Synology, QNAP, Terramaster, etc.) or to build a DIY nas and BYO operating system to it like TrueNAS. In Australia, Amazon have Terramaster systems for as low as AU$399, however they are reviewed poorly and I am nervous about buying something that doesn't last, although the cost is appealing. On the other hand, I like the expandability of a DIY NAS and the control I can get over it. However once all of the parts of a DIY NAS are added up, it ends up costing more than a Synology system. Would it be better to buy a Terramaster system and flash my own operating system to it, buy a NUC and drive bays, or build a NAS from scratch? I'm stuck for choice..!

I have finally bought my first NAS and I decided on the new UGreen DXP 2800 2 bay. It is for my video library and my choice boiled down to the UGreen and the Synology DS224+.
I decided on the UGreen because it has superior hardware to the Synology. Software may be better on the Synolgy but I thought for streaming movies in Plex, that the hardware played a bigger part.
At £263.99 the price made it an easier choice.
I welcome your comments since I am a newbie.

Now I have to save to buy the hard disks and then I dive in.

I'm on a M4 Macbook Air so any hints are welcomed. 

Thanks to Nascompares for all your helpful advice, 

Used to have a NAS drive years ago and now no longer supported.
Back into photography and video and looking for a good backup solution to store and keep safe photos and video pre and post editing.

Also looking at music server for my wiim ultra media server

thanks

Hi, I am from US, I need a suggestion. I am using a Wifi that my landlord provides for free. I dont have physical access to it, however.

I need a NAS that can connect to that wifi router, backup my phone and PC which are also connected to that router. Also, When I am away, I want to be able to access the files (especially from an Android phone.

Please suggest a Wifi NAS that enables the above. Thanks a bunch!

Regards
Andrew