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Hello, I'm looking to replace my Synology 918+ with a newer model, preferably with 2.5G or 10G network speeds to match my HDDs. I plan to purchase 20TB or 22TB drives. Currently, I use my 20TB for all backups, Plex, and would like to host books. I have a separate 20TB for Blu-ray rips and another 20TB for retro gaming, which I'd like to centralize. I'm considering either two QNAP/ASUSTOR units with n5105 processors, an ASUSTOR Lockerstore Gen 3, or other potential solutions. Ideally, I'd like to run a modded Minecraft server using Crafty or Pterodactyl, and handle 4K Plex transcoding of my Blu-ray rips.
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Given your need for high-capacity storage (120TB+), 2.5G/10G networking, Plex 4K transcoding, and running a Minecraft server, you’ll want a powerful NAS with a solid CPU and good expansion options. Here are my top recommendations:
Best NAS Options
1. QNAP TVS-h874 (Best Performance & Future-Proofing)
Intel 12th Gen i5/i7 – Strong Plex 4K transcoding and VM/Docker performance.
2.5GbE built-in, PCIe slots for 10GbE upgrade.
ZFS (QuTS Hero) for better data integrity & snapshots.
Can run Crafty/Pterodactyl in Virtualization Station or Containers.
2. ASUSTOR Lockerstor 8 Gen3 (AS6808T)
Intel N5105 – Good but weaker for 4K Plex transcoding (best for direct play).
2x 2.5GbE ports (aggregated for 5GbE).
Good price-to-performance ratio but no ZFS.
Can run a Minecraft server in Docker but not as powerful as QNAP.
3. QNAP TS-873A (AMD Ryzen)
Ryzen V1500B (Better for VMs & Docker, weaker for Plex 4K transcoding).
2x 2.5GbE, PCIe for 10GbE.
ZFS support with QuTS Hero.
Storage Considerations
For 120TB, go for Seagate IronWolf Pro 20TB or Exos 22TB.
Use RAID-6 or ZFS RAID-Z2 for redundancy.
SSD cache is optional but can help with frequent access files.
Final Thoughts
If you want the best performance, QNAP TVS-h874 with an Intel i5/i7 CPU is your best bet.
If you want a cheaper option with good network speeds, ASUSTOR AS6808T is solid but has limited transcoding power.
If you prefer AMD & VMs over Plex transcoding, QNAP TS-873A is another good choice.
Since you need a lot of HDDs, the LockerStor 8 Gen3 is more budget-friendly, but if you plan on serious 4K Plex transcoding, go for QNAP TVS-h874.
