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silent synology - Enquiries - 01-08-2025
Hello, I'm choosing a NAS for home use, primarily for photo backup and movie streaming (Full HD, occasionally 4K). The main criterion is that the NAS should be quiet (especially at night, when it's not in use) and have low power consumption. I would also appreciate advice regarding recommended hard drives. I was planning to use 4 x WD Red Plus 12TB in RAID5. I prefer the Synology brand. I’m hesitating between the DS423+, DS923+, and DS1522+ (I'm concerned the DS1522+ might be too noisy). I’m not in a hurry to buy, does it make sense to wait for new models? Thank you a lot!
RE: silent synology - ed - 01-10-2025
Thank you for reaching out! Based on your requirements for a quiet NAS with low power consumption for photo backup and streaming, here’s my advice:
Synology NAS Selection
DS423+
Pros: Cost-effective, quiet, and sufficient for Full HD/4K direct play. Ideal for moderate workloads.
Cons: Limited scalability (4 bays) compared to the DS923+ or DS1522+.
DS923+
Pros: Better performance with AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU and expandability (e.g., 10GbE and NVMe caching). A good middle ground for quiet operation and future-proofing.
Cons: Slightly noisier than the DS423+, though manageable with quiet drives and an optimized environment.
DS1522+
Pros: Best for future scalability with 5 bays and expansion options (DX517). Excellent for handling larger photo libraries and streaming needs.
Cons: Can be noisier due to additional drive bays and cooling, but noise can be mitigated with proper placement and quiet drives.
Noise Mitigation Tips
Drives: WD Red Plus drives are a good choice for low noise. Consider vibration-reducing mounts or using a quieter environment.
Fan Replacement: Swap stock fans for quieter ones, like Noctua NF-A9 or NF-A8 (check compatibility).
Placement: Place the NAS on a vibration-dampening mat or in a well-ventilated cabinet with acoustic foam.
Future Models
Synology typically updates its lineup every 2–3 years, but no major releases are expected soon. If you’re not in a hurry, it might be worth waiting if you’d like newer hardware or potential power efficiency improvements.
Final Recommendations
For quiet and low-power use with moderate storage needs, the DS423+ is sufficient.
If you plan to expand storage or need more performance for 4K streaming, the DS923+ is the sweet spot.
Choose the DS1522+ only if future scalability and heavy workloads are key priorities.