+- ASK NC (https://ask.nascompares.com)
+-- Forum: Q&A (https://ask.nascompares.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Before you buy Q&A (https://ask.nascompares.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=2)
+--- Thread: Upgrading from a QNAP-453E (/showthread.php?tid=12599)
Upgrading from a QNAP-453E - Enquiries - 01-04-2026
I have a QNAP TS-453E (8GB RAM, 2*16TB + 2*8TB HDDs all in one RAID5, no SSD) that's pretty much full, so I'm wondering what's the best upgrade path? Do I replace the 2*8TB HDDs with 2*16TB? Or do I look at a new enclosure?
It's primarily used as our Plex server but also holds backups of my Mac machines and photographs, hence why it's almost out of space. Adding larger HDDs seems like the obvious next step but is the TL-D800C storage enclosure a viable route? I have a few spare 4TB HDDs that I could throw in it, and depending what I store there it wouldn't need to be RAID5.
RE: Upgrading from a QNAP-453E - ed - 01-04-2026
You already have a TS-453E with 2 x 16TB and 2 x 8TB in a RAID5, and the array is running out of space. Since the NAS itself is still plenty powerful for Plex, the real question is how to expand capacity safely without wasting money.
Here are your viable upgrade paths, ranked by practicality.
Upgrade option 1
Replace the 2 x 8TB drives with 2 x 16TB
This is the most cost effective, least disruptive option.
RAID5 will rebuild twice but the system stays the same and Plex will keep working normally.
Benefits:
• cheapest way to gain capacity
• no new hardware required
• keeps everything in a single RAID volume which is easier long term
• Plex performance unchanged
After replacing both 8TB drives with 16TB, your RAID5 will become 4 x 16TB, giving roughly 48TB usable.
Upgrade option 2
Add a TL-D800C expansion unit
This works, but it is only worth doing if:
• you genuinely need a large amount of extra space beyond 48TB
• you are okay with managing a second storage pool
Since you mentioned using spare 4TB drives and possibly not using RAID5, the TL-D800C would function more as a dump for less critical data, not as a smooth extension of your main volume.
Benefits:
• cheap way to reuse disks you already have
• adds a lot of total raw storage
Downsides:
• not as fast as internal bays
• creates a separate volume
• more complexity for backups and Plex indexing
• not ideal for your primary Plex library
Upgrade option 3
Buy a new NAS
You do not need this right now.
The TS-453E is still a very capable Plex server as long as your content is direct play or lightly transcoded.
Only consider a replacement if:
• you want 6 or 8 bays
• you want 10GbE built in
• you want to move to RAID6
• you plan very large growth over the next few years
For now, upgrading drives is smarter.
My recommendation
Replace the 2 x 8TB drives with 2 x 16TB.
This is the cleanest path with the fewest headaches.
It gives you the extra space without buying hardware you may not need.
If you eventually outgrow the 4 bay, then move to a larger unit and migrate the 16TB drives into it.