NAS for Plex storage

[Enquiries]

I have been running a Plex server for years but with my libraries becoming mostly 4k now I wanted to upgrade my storage. I like have a PC for the server with a video card doing the transcoding. But I want to optimize my storage as much as possible. Currently I just have 4-5 random 8-12TB drives in the PC. I have 1-2 internal users and 2-3 remote users simultaneously streaming for much of the day.

With $500-800, what would you recommend for improvements?

[ed]

Thanks for reaching out! With your setup and budget, optimizing your storage for 4K Plex streaming while keeping things efficient is definitely possible. Here's what I’d recommend:

Dedicated NAS for Storage
Consider moving your random 8-12TB drives into a dedicated NAS with support for at least 4-5 bays. A model like the QNAP TS-464 or Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (AS6704T) could fit within your budget. These provide good storage management with RAID options for redundancy and reliability.

RAID Configuration
Set up your drives in RAID 5 or RAID 6 for a balance of capacity, speed, and data protection. If you don’t already have identical drives, you could start with new ones and gradually phase out the older drives.

Direct Connection to PC
Since you’re using a PC for the Plex server, you could connect the NAS directly to the PC over a 2.5GbE or 5GbE network for faster access speeds. If your motherboard or switch doesn’t support these, consider adding a compatible network adapter.

Optimizing for Plex
For simultaneous 4K streams, make sure the drives in your NAS are rated for heavy workloads (e.g., Seagate IronWolf Pro or WD Red Plus). This will ensure smooth data flow to your server.

Your current PC with GPU transcoding is perfect for handling the load, so a reliable NAS for storage and data safety should round out your setup nicely.