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+--- Thread: m.2 (/showthread.php?tid=12128)
m.2 - Enquiries - 06-26-2025
so I have a F4-424 Pro and it has 2 m.2 i put 2 1 tb in there. i'm curious how will it benefit me? I using it for only plex.
RE: m.2 - ed - 06-27-2025
Thanks for your message! The two M.2 NVMe slots in the F4-424 Pro can definitely bring some benefits, but it depends on how you configure them.
If you’re using the NAS solely for Plex and streaming media (especially direct play, not heavy transcoding), here’s how M.2s could help:
• SSD Caching: If you set the M.2 drives as a cache (read or read/write), they can help speed up file access — especially for thumbnails, metadata, or frequently accessed media. This helps the NAS feel more responsive when browsing your Plex library.
• Dedicated App Volume: You could also create a separate storage pool on the SSDs and install Plex directly on that volume. This way, Plex’s database and metadata sit on faster storage, which can slightly improve startup, scanning, and UI responsiveness.
• Transcode Temp Directory: If you do any Plex transcoding, pointing the transcode temp folder to an NVMe drive (via the Plex settings) can reduce delays when handling on-the-fly conversions — though with the right client devices, direct play is always best.
In short, while not essential, the M.2s can give Plex a bit of a performance polish — mainly in speed of access, database responsiveness, and smoother UI interaction. If you’re not seeing any lag or slowness now, you might be fine as-is. But if your library is growing or you’re noticing sluggishness, it’s worth trying out SSD caching or using them as a dedicated app volume.