QNAP TVS h674/874?

[xcmviper]

I've been on the fence about getting a NAS for the past 5 years. I think I'm finally going to bite the bullet and eyeing the QNAP TVS-h674/874/t. Since this came out in 2023, what are the odds we see an update this or next year? Seems low.

Also, I haven't done an exhaustive search of the qnap hardware catalog (it's vast) but I want to be able to easily transcode 4K video for Plex, manage a photo/ home video library for my household, backup PCs, as well as run dockers, and maybe 1-2 VM on the NAS. It seemed the 874 or thunderbolt version would absolutely fit the requirements. I could not currently take advantage of thunderbolt, so I might forgo that version.  Would the i5/i7 version be enough? From seeing nascompares videos it seems like the flagship intel i9 version can definitely handle what I need at a significant premium. Budget for NAS is <3K USD, ideally under $2.5K including ram upgrades, if needed and no drives. Am I overspec'ing? Is there something lower end that can handle what I'm looking to do with additional savings?  Thanks!

[ed]

The QNAP TVS-h674 or h874 models released in 2023 are still very capable NAS units for your needs. Given that these models just came out, it’s unlikely we’ll see an update or refresh this year or next, so buying now makes sense if you want solid future-proofing.

For your use case—4K Plex transcoding, managing photos and home videos, backups, running dockers, and a couple of VMs—the Intel i5 or i7 versions of the TVS-h874 should be sufficient. The i9 version is definitely more powerful and handles heavier workloads with ease, but it comes at a significant price premium.

If your budget is under $2,500 including RAM upgrades (but excluding drives), the i5 or i7 variants are a good sweet spot. They will easily manage simultaneous Plex streams, including 4K transcoding, and support container and VM workloads for home and light business use.

You’re probably not overspec’ing with the i5/i7—these CPUs are quite capable—but if you want to save some money and your transcoding needs are moderate (e.g., fewer simultaneous streams or mostly direct play), you could consider some of QNAP’s mid-range AMD-based models or Intel J4125 based NAS units. However, those may struggle with multiple 4K transcodes and VMs.

One thing to note: when moving to NAS models newer than 2025, you might run into drive compatibility or firmware issues that require using Synology drives or hack scripts for third-party drives, but that’s more common with Synology units than QNAP.

Overall, the TVS-h874 i5 or i7 hits a nice balance of power and price for your Plex, VM, and general storage needs.