PCIe options

[Enquiries]

TS-453Be, bought 2019 never initialized. Already upgraded RAM to 8g, 4x WD Red 8 T drives

Two "Gigabit" ethernet ports, info sez upgradable for 10g, but does not specify if I can just upgrade to 2.5G. Is there a specific recommended PCIe card I need for 453Be?
Need PCIe adapter for USB slots as well or not?

Also, would like to add MVMe card for cacheing; is there a specific PCIe card I need for 453Be?

Budget not an issue, just want the right expansions the first time before initializing.

[ed]

It’s great that you’re looking to maximize the capabilities of your QNAP TS-453Be before getting started. Let’s go over the PCIe upgrade options for your NAS, so you can make sure it’s set up perfectly.

1. Ethernet Upgrade:
Current Setup: Your TS-453Be comes with two Gigabit Ethernet ports. For faster network speeds, you have a few upgrade options:

Upgrading to 2.5G or 10G Ethernet: Yes, you can upgrade to either 2.5G or 10G Ethernet using a compatible PCIe network card. For 2.5GbE or 5GbE, the upgrade is more straightforward and less costly than 10GbE, and it still offers a significant speed boost over standard Gigabit Ethernet.

Recommended PCIe Cards:

QNAP QXG-2G1T-I225: This is a 2.5GbE PCIe card that fits well with the TS-453Be. It’s a good balance between price and performance, providing faster speeds without the need for 10GbE infrastructure.
QNAP QXG-10G1T: If you prefer to go all-in for the highest speed, this is a 10GbE card. It requires CAT6a cabling and a 10GbE switch to take full advantage of its capabilities, so keep that in mind when considering your network setup.
2. NVMe SSD Caching:
The TS-453Be supports SSD caching, which can significantly improve performance, especially for read/write-intensive applications. You can install an NVMe SSD for caching using a PCIe adapter.

Recommended PCIe Card for NVMe SSD Caching:

QNAP QM2-2S-220A or QM2-2P-384: These cards are designed specifically for QNAP NAS units and provide support for M.2 SSDs. The QM2-2S-220A supports two SATA M.2 SSDs, while the QM2-2P-384 supports two NVMe PCIe M.2 SSDs, offering better performance. Choose based on your speed requirements and budget.
These cards allow you to set up SSD caching, improving access times for frequently accessed data and overall NAS performance.

3. USB Port Upgrade:
USB Expansion via PCIe: The TS-453Be has a good number of USB 3.0 ports, so a PCIe adapter for additional USB ports may not be necessary unless you have specific needs. If you do need more ports or faster ports (like USB 3.1 Gen 2), you could consider a USB expansion card.

Recommended USB Expansion PCIe Card:

QNAP USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Expansion Card: This card can provide faster USB speeds, which might be useful for external backups or other high-speed USB needs.
Installation and Initialization Tips:
Before initializing the NAS, ensure all hardware expansions are properly installed and recognized by the NAS. QNAP’s QTS operating system will guide you through setting up storage, network, and caching configurations once all hardware is in place.

[eflectionundies]

For your QNAP TS-453Be, here are the recommended expansion options based on your needs:

1. Ethernet upgrade: Use QNAP QXG-2G1T-I225 for 2.5G or QXG-10G1T for 10G.
2. USB adapter: Not needed unless extra USB ports are required.
3. NVMe caching: Use QNAP QM2-2P-344A or QM2-2P-384 for dual NVMe SSD caching.

These expansions should cover your upgrade needs effectively, allowing you to maximize performance before you initialize your NAS.