Choice of NAS

[Enquiries]

Hi,

Currently, I have around 8TB of data spread across various external HDDs. To centralise it and make it easily accessible from multiple devices, I am looking for the right NAS solution. I have been reading your site for some time, but the question remains what my first NAS should be.

First, here is an overview of the needs:
- Media server (Plex or Jellyfin) for films and series (and music)
- Hardware transcoding for out-of-home streaming to mobile devices
- Free private cloud service
- Good mobile apps for photo backups/synchronisation
- Home surveillance system (in the future)
- Good protection (VPN, anti-malware, etc.)

Next, a few questions:
- Does 12 TB of storage seem sufficient to start with?
- Would you recommend a 2-bay or 4-bay NAS?
- Should I buy SSDs for the OS and software? If so, how many MB/TB and 1 or 2 units?

Finally, my budget for this is at a maximum of €1,200. If I can meet my requirements with a smaller budget, that's always better

Thank you in advance.

[ed]

For storage, starting with around twelve terabytes is absolutely fine given that you currently have eight. What matters more is the flexibility to expand later. This is why I strongly advise going for a four bay NAS. A two bay unit locks you into mirror storage from day one, while a four bay lets you begin with two drives and grow later without wiping anything. It also gives you better performance with larger media libraries and indexing, and it positions you better for surveillance in the future.

You do not need SSDs for the operating system because every modern NAS runs its OS on internal flash. SSDs can be useful for caching or for running apps and containers more quickly. If you want them, one or two NVMe drives of around half a terabyte to a terabyte each is ideal. A mirrored pair is the safest option, but not mandatory.

For hardware transcoding out of the home, the simplest and most reliable option is an Intel based NAS with Quick Sync. This handles Plex or Jellyfin conversions smoothly without stressing the CPU. Some QNAP models also allow adding a small GPU if you ever need more power.

With your budget, here is what makes the most sense. If you want the easiest setup, the best mobile apps, and something that just quietly works in the background, take the Synology DS425 Plus. It’s a very comfortable first NAS that will meet every need on your list. If you want more raw performance for Plex and the ability to upgrade things later, the QNAP TS 464 or TS 474 are stronger machines and give you more tuning options. If value matters most, the TerraMaster F4 424 gives you excellent hardware power per euro while still supporting everything you want to run.