Upgrading from DS918+ for Better Speed, Storage, and Photo/Video Editing Performance

[Pexy]

I’m currently using a Synology DS918+ since around 2018, and it’s been a solid performer for me. I have x4 6TB Red drives configured in SHR, but I’m beginning to run out of space. As a photographer who has also been diving more into video work, both space and performance are becoming critical factors for me. While I don’t work directly off the NAS for editing (I use an external SSD plugged into my MacBook Pro via a Caldigit Thunderbolt 3), I would love the option to do so. I shoot with Sony files that are about 40MB each, and my photo edits often include multi-layered images that can get quite large. I’d likely work with proxy files for 4K video content, but being able to edit both photos in Capture One and Photoshop and videos in DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut Pro directly from the NAS would be ideal.
Right now, my DS918+ is connected to my Verizon G3100 router (which doesn’t support link aggregation), and it’s plugged into my Caldigit 3 with gigabit Ethernet. I know that for significantly faster performance, especially for editing large photo files or working with 4K videos, I’d need to consider upgrading my network infrastructure as well. I’m open to upgrading my router or buying a switch that supports link aggregation or higher speeds, as I want to ensure the NAS upgrade can perform at its full potential.
In addition to editing, I also run a small Plex server at home, primarily for streaming a few shows and movies locally. The idea of streaming 4K or 1080p content remotely is appealing, though it's not my primary focus. I’m also looking for a cloud storage backup solution from my NAS and the ability to easily share photos and video edits with clients.
I’ve been considering upgrading to the DS923+ or the DS1522+, but I’m also open to other NAS options like QNAP or similar. I’m very familiar with DSM and comfortable with it, but I’d appreciate any recommendations or advice from those who’ve experienced a similar workflow. If you’ve made similar upgrades, I’d love to hear about the improvements you’ve seen in both performance and overall setup.
Thanks in advance for your input!

[ed]

It sounds like you're outgrowing your DS918+ and need a more powerful setup for your photography and video editing workflows. Given that you're working with large photo files, multi-layered edits, and 4K video proxies, a NAS upgrade that focuses on speed, storage, and editing performance would definitely make a significant difference. Let's dive into the options:

1. Network Upgrade
Since you're currently using gigabit Ethernet, it's good to consider a faster network setup to ensure that your NAS can deliver the performance you need for editing directly off it. Upgrading to 2.5GbE, 5GbE, or 10GbE will significantly improve file transfer speeds. You’ll need a compatible NAS with faster networking (like the DS923+ or DS1522+), along with a router or switch that supports link aggregation or higher speeds.

If you're working with 4K video or large photo files, 2.5GbE or 5GbE might be a sweet spot. 10GbE would be ideal for the fastest speeds, but it’s often more expensive and might be overkill unless you’re transferring very large files regularly or working with high-res 6K/8K video.
Link aggregation is another option if your current router doesn’t support higher speeds. A multi-port 2.5GbE or 5GbE switch, paired with the right adapters, could improve speed significantly.
2. NAS Upgrade
Given your current workflow, the DS923+ or DS1522+ could both be solid upgrades. Here’s how they stack up:

DS923+: This model has an AMD Ryzen CPU (more power for multi-threaded workloads) and supports M.2 NVMe slots for SSD cache, which can accelerate read/write speeds. It's a great option if you want to increase your NAS performance and handle high-resolution video or large photo files. You can also expand storage easily with the available expansion units.

DS1522+: This one has a similar feature set but with more bays (5 bays), allowing you to grow your storage over time. If you need more space and flexibility, this is a great choice. It also has the option for SSD caching, which can boost performance when accessing large files, especially useful for your video work.

Both models support BTRFS for better data protection and handling of large, multi-layered files like those in Photoshop or Capture One.

3. Photo/Video Editing Performance
For photo editing, especially with large multi-layered images in software like Photoshop, having fast storage is key. SSD caching or SSDs in your NAS for frequently accessed files can provide a noticeable performance boost. As for video editing, proxy files work well, but having the ability to edit 4K footage directly from the NAS will benefit from faster networking (at least 2.5GbE) and a powerful NAS with good cache support.

If you're editing directly on the NAS, using an NVMe SSD cache (available in models like the DS923+) will help significantly speed up the workflow.
You can also configure your NAS to store large files on HDDs (for better value), while SSDs handle caching and frequently accessed files for quick edits.
4. Plex and Cloud Storage
Plex: Streaming 4K content locally is feasible, but for remote streaming, you’ll want a higher-speed internet connection and the ability to transcode on the NAS. The DS923+ and DS1522+ can handle Plex quite well for local streaming, but if remote streaming is a priority, you might need to consider upgrading your internet speed or offloading transcoding to a dedicated device.

Cloud Backup: Both Synology and QNAP support cloud backup solutions. For Synology, C2 Storage is the native cloud option, but you can also use third-party providers like Backblaze or Amazon S3. Ensure you set up an automated backup routine so your files are safely backed up in the cloud.

5. Alternative NAS Options (QNAP)
If you're open to QNAP, their TS-464 or TS-453D models with Intel CPUs might be worth considering. These models are well-suited for video editing workflows and also support SSD caching, 2.5GbE/5GbE ports, and have powerful CPUs. The QNAP interface is also user-friendly, though DSM tends to have a more polished experience for media management.