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+--- Thread: Help selecting a NAS for Home Applications (/showthread.php?tid=11396)
Help selecting a NAS for Home Applications - Enquiries - 11-13-2024
I just bought a new DELL XPS desktop PC using Windows 11 and MS 365. I want a NAS for the following uses:
1. Back up PC 1Tb hard drive using RDrive software. This is in addition to the 1 Tb backup that Microsoft provides with MS365. RDrive takes a bit by bit image of your drive which allows one to rebuild the machine and install all of the apps.
2. I eventually want to get 8 security cameras and would like to use the NAS as a DVR for the cameras
3. I want to get more storage for saving home video's of the kids, etc.
I am looking at the QNAP 462 and QNAP 464. I have two new WD RED PRO 4 Tb drives and two new Crucial MX500 1Tb SDD's in my old PC. I would like to use the WD 4Tb as RAID 1 NAS back up storage. I may or may not use the Crucial SDD's or buy say 10 Tb drives(?) for a RAID 1 NAS storage.
Is there any advantage of the QNAP 464 over the QNAP 462 for my application? I won't ever be using a Virtual machine or PLEX stuff. Should I look for a different NAS?
RE: Help selecting a NAS for Home Applications - ed - 11-15-2024
Thank you for sharing your requirements. Both the QNAP TS-462 and TS-464 are excellent choices for your needs, but here’s a detailed breakdown of how they compare and which might be a better fit for your setup.
QNAP TS-462 vs. TS-464
Key Differences:
Processor:
TS-462: Intel Celeron N4505 (dual-core).
TS-464: Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 (quad-core).
Advantage: The TS-464 has a more powerful processor, which can handle more demanding workloads, such as hosting multiple cameras for surveillance or faster data transfers.
Memory:
Both models come with 2GB DDR4 RAM, upgradeable to 16GB.
The TS-464 can better utilize additional RAM for tasks like video streaming and running multiple simultaneous applications.
Performance:
TS-462 is sufficient for basic NAS tasks like backups, file storage, and light camera workloads.
TS-464’s extra cores make it better suited for handling 8+ security cameras or future-proofing for more intensive applications.
Your Use Case:
For backups, both models are more than capable of handling RDrive image backups and storage tasks.
For 8 security cameras, the TS-464’s extra processing power will provide smoother performance, especially if running real-time recording and playback.
For home videos and storage, either model will suffice.
Other Considerations
Your Drives:
Your WD RED PRO 4TB drives are perfect for setting up RAID 1. This will give you 4TB of usable storage with redundancy.
Your Crucial MX500 SSDs could be used as cache to accelerate read/write speeds or as separate storage pools for frequently accessed data.
If you need more storage, you could eventually upgrade to 10TB drives for RAID 1 to expand capacity.
Surveillance:
Both models support QNAP’s QVR Pro, which is great for managing security cameras. The TS-464’s stronger CPU will handle 8 cameras better, especially if you use high-resolution video streams.
Alternative Options
If you’re open to exploring alternatives, consider these options:
Synology DS423+
A reliable 4-bay NAS with Synology’s easy-to-use DSM software.
Excellent for backups and file storage. It supports up to 30 IP cameras with Surveillance Station.
Slightly less powerful than the TS-464 but ideal for a home-focused NAS setup.
QNAP TS-453E
Another 4-bay NAS with a mid-tier processor, balancing performance and cost.
Includes QVR Pro for surveillance and RAID storage capabilities.
Recommendation
If you’re set on QNAP, the TS-464 is worth the slight price difference for better performance and future-proofing. It’s particularly beneficial for handling 8 security cameras and allows for more headroom as your storage and application needs grow.
However, if cost is a major concern and you’re confident you won’t use additional advanced features, the TS-462 will still meet your current requirements.