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+--- Thread: Plex 4k transcoding servers? (/showthread.php?tid=12356)
Plex 4k transcoding servers? - Enquiries - 10-03-2025
Just wondering if you could recommend a NAS system which has an intel i3 or i5 that can handle 4k transcoding as well as having 5-6 bays?
RE: Plex 4k transcoding servers? - ed - 10-03-2025
Thanks for the question. If you specifically want a NAS that can handle proper 4K Plex transcoding, you’ll need to look for something with an Intel CPU that supports Quick Sync (i3 or i5), since most NAS units with AMD chips or entry-level Celerons struggle with 4K.
Synology and QNAP don’t currently offer many 5–6 bay desktop models with i3/i5, so the best option is usually either:
• QNAP TVS-h674 – 6 bays, available with Intel 12th Gen i3 or i5. These CPUs support Quick Sync for Plex hardware transcoding, plus you get upgradeable RAM, 2× PCIe slots for GPU or 10GbE cards, and NVMe cache. It’s one of the best “off the shelf” options for exactly this use case.
• DIY route (e.g. Jonsbo N2 or N3 case + ITX board with Intel i5-12500 or similar) – gives you 6–8 bays depending on case choice, and you can pick the exact CPU you want. This route requires more setup (TrueNAS, Unraid, or OMV), but is usually more cost-effective and flexible long term.
If you want to stick to Synology, you’ll find their 6-bay units (like DS1621+ / DS1621xs+) don’t use Quick Sync CPUs, so they aren’t really designed for Plex 4K transcoding. They work fine if you stick to direct play, but for actual hardware-accelerated transcoding QNAP or DIY is the way forward.