01-24-2025, 01:20 PM
You're already on the right track with your NAS search, and it sounds like you have a solid understanding of your needs and limitations. Based on your use case, here's some feedback on the options you're considering and a few additional thoughts:
What you need:
Plex server – You're not interested in transcoding, but you want a stable and reliable NAS to stream content (via Direct Play) on your network.
Budget – Keeping the cost for the NAS itself under $500 is a good target, and you're also looking to budget for a UPS.
4-bay NAS with 8TB drives – Great for expandability.
2.5 GbE support – Future-proofing with 2.5GbE will be helpful when you upgrade your router and network.
NAS Options:
Here’s a breakdown of the NAS models you mentioned:
Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $500
Pros: Good price for the specs. 8GB RAM (expandable), decent N95 CPU for your needs (no transcoding required). Two 2.5GbE ports offer solid network speeds.
Cons: Terramaster's software ecosystem is not as polished as Synology or QNAP, but it is still functional for most basic NAS tasks. The design may be a bit bulkier and less refined compared to competitors.
Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4GB DDR4, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $529
Pros: Solid build quality, excellent software with Asustor's ADM OS. The N5105 CPU is very capable for file-serving and Plex streaming (even if you do a little transcoding in the future). 2.5GbE support is a nice touch.
Cons: 4GB of RAM could be limiting in the long term if you plan to expand the NAS's functionality (though it should suffice for your needs now). Might be slightly above your budget after factoring in the UPS.
Terramaster F4-424 Pro (N305, 16GB DDR5, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $552
Pros: Great price for 16GB RAM and a solid 2.5GbE setup. This one’s more future-proof if you plan to run more demanding services or virtual machines in the future.
Cons: The N305 CPU is a bit underpowered compared to others. It's good for basic file serving, but if you're planning any CPU-intensive tasks, it may not perform as well as the N5105 in the Asustor.
QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $557
Pros: The QNAP software suite (QTS) is top-notch, offering a wide range of features and apps. 2.5GbE ports, and decent N5095 or N5105 CPU for your needs. QNAP is a great choice for a more polished, user-friendly experience with good future expandability.
Cons: Slightly over budget after considering the UPS. QNAP tends to be more expensive for the specs, though you’re getting reliable, polished software.
Recommendations:
Best overall for your budget and needs:
Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU): At $500, this is a solid option if you're looking for something budget-friendly that will do the job well for Plex streaming without transcoding. The RAM is upgradable, and the 2.5GbE support future-proofs your setup. The only drawback is Terramaster's software, but for a simple Plex setup, it should work just fine.
Future-proof with more RAM (if budget allows):
Terramaster F4-424 Pro (N305, 16GB DDR5): If you plan to expand your NAS's role in the future (virtual machines, more complex use cases), this would be a solid choice. The 16GB RAM and 2.5GbE ports are great, but the CPU is a bit weaker than the others for more demanding tasks. Still, for a Plex server, it’ll do fine.
Best software experience:
Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4GB DDR4): Asustor offers a very solid and polished software experience with their ADM OS, and the N5105 CPU will handle Plex streaming smoothly. However, if you plan to expand the NAS's role in the future, you might run into limitations with the 4GB RAM. Still, a great choice for simple, hassle-free use with good software support.
Best software and polished experience for long-term growth:
QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105): If you’re willing to stretch your budget a little, the QNAP TS-464 is an excellent all-around NAS with top-notch software, expandability, and 2.5GbE ports. It's a good pick if you prefer a seamless, well-supported experience.
To lower the price:
Look for deals or promotions: If you’re only buying from Amazon, try checking if any of these models have a coupon or temporary price drop. You could also consider buying a refurbished unit if the condition is good, as this can lower the price significantly.
Conclusion:
If you want the best combination of performance, value, and ease of use, I would recommend starting with the Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU). It will meet your Plex server needs, has future-proofing with 2.5GbE, and keeps your budget in check.
What you need:
Plex server – You're not interested in transcoding, but you want a stable and reliable NAS to stream content (via Direct Play) on your network.
Budget – Keeping the cost for the NAS itself under $500 is a good target, and you're also looking to budget for a UPS.
4-bay NAS with 8TB drives – Great for expandability.
2.5 GbE support – Future-proofing with 2.5GbE will be helpful when you upgrade your router and network.
NAS Options:
Here’s a breakdown of the NAS models you mentioned:
Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $500
Pros: Good price for the specs. 8GB RAM (expandable), decent N95 CPU for your needs (no transcoding required). Two 2.5GbE ports offer solid network speeds.
Cons: Terramaster's software ecosystem is not as polished as Synology or QNAP, but it is still functional for most basic NAS tasks. The design may be a bit bulkier and less refined compared to competitors.
Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4GB DDR4, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $529
Pros: Solid build quality, excellent software with Asustor's ADM OS. The N5105 CPU is very capable for file-serving and Plex streaming (even if you do a little transcoding in the future). 2.5GbE support is a nice touch.
Cons: 4GB of RAM could be limiting in the long term if you plan to expand the NAS's functionality (though it should suffice for your needs now). Might be slightly above your budget after factoring in the UPS.
Terramaster F4-424 Pro (N305, 16GB DDR5, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $552
Pros: Great price for 16GB RAM and a solid 2.5GbE setup. This one’s more future-proof if you plan to run more demanding services or virtual machines in the future.
Cons: The N305 CPU is a bit underpowered compared to others. It's good for basic file serving, but if you're planning any CPU-intensive tasks, it may not perform as well as the N5105 in the Asustor.
QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $557
Pros: The QNAP software suite (QTS) is top-notch, offering a wide range of features and apps. 2.5GbE ports, and decent N5095 or N5105 CPU for your needs. QNAP is a great choice for a more polished, user-friendly experience with good future expandability.
Cons: Slightly over budget after considering the UPS. QNAP tends to be more expensive for the specs, though you’re getting reliable, polished software.
Recommendations:
Best overall for your budget and needs:
Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU): At $500, this is a solid option if you're looking for something budget-friendly that will do the job well for Plex streaming without transcoding. The RAM is upgradable, and the 2.5GbE support future-proofs your setup. The only drawback is Terramaster's software, but for a simple Plex setup, it should work just fine.
Future-proof with more RAM (if budget allows):
Terramaster F4-424 Pro (N305, 16GB DDR5): If you plan to expand your NAS's role in the future (virtual machines, more complex use cases), this would be a solid choice. The 16GB RAM and 2.5GbE ports are great, but the CPU is a bit weaker than the others for more demanding tasks. Still, for a Plex server, it’ll do fine.
Best software experience:
Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4GB DDR4): Asustor offers a very solid and polished software experience with their ADM OS, and the N5105 CPU will handle Plex streaming smoothly. However, if you plan to expand the NAS's role in the future, you might run into limitations with the 4GB RAM. Still, a great choice for simple, hassle-free use with good software support.
Best software and polished experience for long-term growth:
QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105): If you’re willing to stretch your budget a little, the QNAP TS-464 is an excellent all-around NAS with top-notch software, expandability, and 2.5GbE ports. It's a good pick if you prefer a seamless, well-supported experience.
To lower the price:
Look for deals or promotions: If you’re only buying from Amazon, try checking if any of these models have a coupon or temporary price drop. You could also consider buying a refurbished unit if the condition is good, as this can lower the price significantly.
Conclusion:
If you want the best combination of performance, value, and ease of use, I would recommend starting with the Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU). It will meet your Plex server needs, has future-proofing with 2.5GbE, and keeps your budget in check.