First time buyer, looking for NAS for a small Plex server

[Enquiries]

Hello! I’m seeking advice on what NAS I should choose to run a Plex server on. Right now I run a Plex server on my gaming computer using a 3TB external drive. I only have a couple of friends on the server right now, serving as test dummies. They are enjoying the server but sometimes it’s challenging because I have to leave my computer on all the time which stresses out the system and draws a lot of power. I have heard that a NAS is the solution as it doesn’t draw nearly as much power and is made to be on 24/7. I’m willing to spend $400 on the NAS itself not including the price of the drives I’ll be putting into it. I’ve watched a couple of videos from the NASCompares channel and they have helped me get a very good understanding of what a NAS is. However, I don’t know where to shop for a NAS which is where I need your help and guidance in choosing the right NAS for me or leading me in the direction of such.

[ed]

Hello! Congratulations on considering a NAS for your small Plex server. It's indeed a wise choice as a NAS is designed to be on 24/7 and consumes less power compared to running your server on a gaming computer. Based on your budget of $400 for the NAS itself (excluding drive costs) and your need for at least 8TB storage, I recommend the DS224+. It is an affordable NAS with a Celeron processor that can handle 4K local streaming and 1080p streaming remotely. This should be a suitable option to meet your requirements and offer a smooth Plex experience for you and your friends.