Yesterday, 09:49 AM
Thanks for the message! If your main use is Plex with remote access and some transcoding, and you want to reuse your 4x6TB WD Red drives, you’ve got a few good options under £500 that will offer a big step up from the PR4100 in terms of performance and longevity.
Your main priorities are:
• A CPU with Intel Quick Sync for Plex hardware transcoding
• At least 4 drive bays (to re-use all your current drives)
• Good Docker/remote access support
• A system that will be supported and upgradable for years
Here are two of the best options:
⸻
1. Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (AS6704T)
• Intel Celeron N5105 with Quick Sync
• 4 Bays + 2x M.2 NVMe slots for SSD cache (optional)
• 4GB RAM (upgradeable)
• 2.5GbE networking
• Excellent Plex support including hardware transcoding
• Supports Docker for other apps
• Fully compatible with your WD Red drives
Around £450–480 depending on the retailer. One of the best value picks for Plex users right now.
⸻
2. QNAP TS-464
• Same Intel N5105 CPU with Quick Sync
• 4 Bays, 2x M.2 slots, 2.5GbE
• 4GB RAM (upgradeable to 16GB)
• Excellent Plex performance and QNAP’s Hybrid Backup/Snapshot tools
Slightly more expensive (~£500–520), but better software features if you’re happy to dig into QNAP’s UI.
⸻
Avoid:
• ARM-based NAS like Synology DS423 or DS420j – no hardware transcoding
• NAS with Realtek CPUs – limited Docker/Plex power
• Cheap/unknown brands – not worth the risk for long-term use
⸻
If you want to spend even less and don’t mind a DIY route, something like the AOOSTAR WTR Pro or WTR Max with TrueNAS or UnRAID is very powerful, but requires more setup knowledge and doesn’t come with a traditional NAS OS.
Your main priorities are:
• A CPU with Intel Quick Sync for Plex hardware transcoding
• At least 4 drive bays (to re-use all your current drives)
• Good Docker/remote access support
• A system that will be supported and upgradable for years
Here are two of the best options:
⸻
1. Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (AS6704T)
• Intel Celeron N5105 with Quick Sync
• 4 Bays + 2x M.2 NVMe slots for SSD cache (optional)
• 4GB RAM (upgradeable)
• 2.5GbE networking
• Excellent Plex support including hardware transcoding
• Supports Docker for other apps
• Fully compatible with your WD Red drives
Around £450–480 depending on the retailer. One of the best value picks for Plex users right now.
⸻
2. QNAP TS-464
• Same Intel N5105 CPU with Quick Sync
• 4 Bays, 2x M.2 slots, 2.5GbE
• 4GB RAM (upgradeable to 16GB)
• Excellent Plex performance and QNAP’s Hybrid Backup/Snapshot tools
Slightly more expensive (~£500–520), but better software features if you’re happy to dig into QNAP’s UI.
⸻
Avoid:
• ARM-based NAS like Synology DS423 or DS420j – no hardware transcoding
• NAS with Realtek CPUs – limited Docker/Plex power
• Cheap/unknown brands – not worth the risk for long-term use
⸻
If you want to spend even less and don’t mind a DIY route, something like the AOOSTAR WTR Pro or WTR Max with TrueNAS or UnRAID is very powerful, but requires more setup knowledge and doesn’t come with a traditional NAS OS.