First NAS questions

[sneak]

I'm currently using my computer (which was never purchased with this intent) to host a Plex server. Everything I have is on a single 4TB HDD (HUS726T4TALA6L4). I keep running out of space and have even copied some files over to one of my EX950 SSDs for a bit. I've been wanting to setup a NAS for a while and looking around at options for years now. I have really valued the videos and text content from NasCompares as well. Currently, I'm able to stream over Wifi 6 to my Hisense U8K in the living room without problem via Direct Play on Plex. My PC has a Ryzen 3900X and 16-16-16-36 3600 Mhz RAM.

A higher bitrate file example from my collection is below:

I'm looking to start off with a 4-bay NAS and two 8 TB HDDs (edit: can't post a link so I'd like to note I'm referring to the 8 TB HUS728T8TALE6L4). I'd like to avoid purchasing Plex Pass but in the future I may be willing to do so. I don't really have a need for transcoding, provided the NAS will get the job done as good or better than my PC does. I will almost always be using this to play things myself on my TV on my own network -- but it's nice to have the option to stream remotely. I'm currently using a Hitron CODA56 modem and ASUS RT-AX58U router. I intend on upgrading the router this year to one which supports WiFi 6E and has 2.5 GbE support. Keeping in mind that the drives I'm buying are $340 for two, and I'd like to buy a small UPS for $50-75 for the NAS, it would be nice to keep the NAS around $450-500. I REALLY like the Lincstation N1, but I can't really budget for all those NVME M2 drives in the size I'm looking for.

Considering that, I've recently been taking a look at the following options:
$500 TERRAMASTER F4-424 (8 GB DDR5, N95 CPU, 2x 2.5 GbE)
$529 Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4 GB DDR4, 2x 2.5 GbE)
$552 TERRAMASTER F4-424 PRO (N305, 16GB DDR5, 2x 2.5 GbE) *
$557 QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4 GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105, 2x 2.5 GbE)

* After making this post I hit play on a video tab I had in queue from Nas Compares and found this NAS has a coupon on Amazon right now making it $52 more than the non-pro version.

It seems like to me the major differences for my use case may be a preference for software and physical design, and what I want the M2 NVME slots to be capable of.

Am I missing any options I should be considering? Are any of these not a wise choice for my needs? Is there a way I can get what I want at a lower price? In this case I'm only interested in purchasing from Amazon, for various reasons. My experience level is above average with experience running servers and websites, building computers, troubleshooting on Windows and linux/unix based systems, and very light work in code. It shouldn't be an obstacle if I have to do something extra, but I would prefer a simple point and click experience I can just setup and use as a Plex server.

[farareaa]

The online gaming industry is constantly evolving, exposing players to cutting-edge technologies, innovative gameplay mechanics, and new forms of digital entertainment.

[ed]

You're already on the right track with your NAS search, and it sounds like you have a solid understanding of your needs and limitations. Based on your use case, here's some feedback on the options you're considering and a few additional thoughts:

What you need:
Plex server – You're not interested in transcoding, but you want a stable and reliable NAS to stream content (via Direct Play) on your network.
Budget – Keeping the cost for the NAS itself under $500 is a good target, and you're also looking to budget for a UPS.
4-bay NAS with 8TB drives – Great for expandability.
2.5 GbE support – Future-proofing with 2.5GbE will be helpful when you upgrade your router and network.
NAS Options:
Here’s a breakdown of the NAS models you mentioned:

Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $500

Pros: Good price for the specs. 8GB RAM (expandable), decent N95 CPU for your needs (no transcoding required). Two 2.5GbE ports offer solid network speeds.
Cons: Terramaster's software ecosystem is not as polished as Synology or QNAP, but it is still functional for most basic NAS tasks. The design may be a bit bulkier and less refined compared to competitors.
Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4GB DDR4, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $529

Pros: Solid build quality, excellent software with Asustor's ADM OS. The N5105 CPU is very capable for file-serving and Plex streaming (even if you do a little transcoding in the future). 2.5GbE support is a nice touch.
Cons: 4GB of RAM could be limiting in the long term if you plan to expand the NAS's functionality (though it should suffice for your needs now). Might be slightly above your budget after factoring in the UPS.
Terramaster F4-424 Pro (N305, 16GB DDR5, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $552

Pros: Great price for 16GB RAM and a solid 2.5GbE setup. This one’s more future-proof if you plan to run more demanding services or virtual machines in the future.
Cons: The N305 CPU is a bit underpowered compared to others. It's good for basic file serving, but if you're planning any CPU-intensive tasks, it may not perform as well as the N5105 in the Asustor.
QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $557

Pros: The QNAP software suite (QTS) is top-notch, offering a wide range of features and apps. 2.5GbE ports, and decent N5095 or N5105 CPU for your needs. QNAP is a great choice for a more polished, user-friendly experience with good future expandability.
Cons: Slightly over budget after considering the UPS. QNAP tends to be more expensive for the specs, though you’re getting reliable, polished software.
Recommendations:
Best overall for your budget and needs:

Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU): At $500, this is a solid option if you're looking for something budget-friendly that will do the job well for Plex streaming without transcoding. The RAM is upgradable, and the 2.5GbE support future-proofs your setup. The only drawback is Terramaster's software, but for a simple Plex setup, it should work just fine.
Future-proof with more RAM (if budget allows):

Terramaster F4-424 Pro (N305, 16GB DDR5): If you plan to expand your NAS's role in the future (virtual machines, more complex use cases), this would be a solid choice. The 16GB RAM and 2.5GbE ports are great, but the CPU is a bit weaker than the others for more demanding tasks. Still, for a Plex server, it’ll do fine.
Best software experience:

Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4GB DDR4): Asustor offers a very solid and polished software experience with their ADM OS, and the N5105 CPU will handle Plex streaming smoothly. However, if you plan to expand the NAS's role in the future, you might run into limitations with the 4GB RAM. Still, a great choice for simple, hassle-free use with good software support.
Best software and polished experience for long-term growth:

QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105): If you’re willing to stretch your budget a little, the QNAP TS-464 is an excellent all-around NAS with top-notch software, expandability, and 2.5GbE ports. It's a good pick if you prefer a seamless, well-supported experience.
To lower the price:
Look for deals or promotions: If you’re only buying from Amazon, try checking if any of these models have a coupon or temporary price drop. You could also consider buying a refurbished unit if the condition is good, as this can lower the price significantly.
Conclusion:
If you want the best combination of performance, value, and ease of use, I would recommend starting with the Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU). It will meet your Plex server needs, has future-proofing with 2.5GbE, and keeps your budget in check.

[sneak]

You're already on the right track with your NAS search, and it sounds like you have a solid understanding of your needs and limitations. Based on your use case, here's some feedback on the options you're considering and a few additional thoughts:

What you need:
Plex server – You're not interested in transcoding, but you want a stable and reliable NAS to stream content (via Direct Play) on your network.
Budget – Keeping the cost for the NAS itself under $500 is a good target, and you're also looking to budget for a UPS.
4-bay NAS with 8TB drives – Great for expandability.
2.5 GbE support – Future-proofing with 2.5GbE will be helpful when you upgrade your router and network.
NAS Options:
Here’s a breakdown of the NAS models you mentioned:

Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $500

Pros: Good price for the specs. 8GB RAM (expandable), decent N95 CPU for your needs (no transcoding required). Two 2.5GbE ports offer solid network speeds.
Cons: Terramaster's software ecosystem is not as polished as Synology or QNAP, but it is still functional for most basic NAS tasks. The design may be a bit bulkier and less refined compared to competitors.
Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4GB DDR4, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $529

Pros: Solid build quality, excellent software with Asustor's ADM OS. The N5105 CPU is very capable for file-serving and Plex streaming (even if you do a little transcoding in the future). 2.5GbE support is a nice touch.
Cons: 4GB of RAM could be limiting in the long term if you plan to expand the NAS's functionality (though it should suffice for your needs now). Might be slightly above your budget after factoring in the UPS.
Terramaster F4-424 Pro (N305, 16GB DDR5, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $552

Pros: Great price for 16GB RAM and a solid 2.5GbE setup. This one’s more future-proof if you plan to run more demanding services or virtual machines in the future.
Cons: The N305 CPU is a bit underpowered compared to others. It's good for basic file serving, but if you're planning any CPU-intensive tasks, it may not perform as well as the N5105 in the Asustor.
QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105, 2x 2.5 GbE) - $557

Pros: The QNAP software suite (QTS) is top-notch, offering a wide range of features and apps. 2.5GbE ports, and decent N5095 or N5105 CPU for your needs. QNAP is a great choice for a more polished, user-friendly experience with good future expandability.
Cons: Slightly over budget after considering the UPS. QNAP tends to be more expensive for the specs, though you’re getting reliable, polished software.
Recommendations:
Best overall for your budget and needs:

Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU): At $500, this is a solid option if you're looking for something budget-friendly that will do the job well for Plex streaming without transcoding. The RAM is upgradable, and the 2.5GbE support future-proofs your setup. The only drawback is Terramaster's software, but for a simple Plex setup, it should work just fine.
Future-proof with more RAM (if budget allows):

Terramaster F4-424 Pro (N305, 16GB DDR5): If you plan to expand your NAS's role in the future (virtual machines, more complex use cases), this would be a solid choice. The 16GB RAM and 2.5GbE ports are great, but the CPU is a bit weaker than the others for more demanding tasks. Still, for a Plex server, it’ll do fine.
Best software experience:

Asustor AS5404T (N5105, 4GB DDR4): Asustor offers a very solid and polished software experience with their ADM OS, and the N5105 CPU will handle Plex streaming smoothly. However, if you plan to expand the NAS's role in the future, you might run into limitations with the 4GB RAM. Still, a great choice for simple, hassle-free use with good software support.
Best software and polished experience for long-term growth:

QNAP TS-464-8G-US (4GB DDR4, N5095 or N5105): If you’re willing to stretch your budget a little, the QNAP TS-464 is an excellent all-around NAS with top-notch software, expandability, and 2.5GbE ports. It's a good pick if you prefer a seamless, well-supported experience.
To lower the price:
Look for deals or promotions: If you’re only buying from Amazon, try checking if any of these models have a coupon or temporary price drop. You could also consider buying a refurbished unit if the condition is good, as this can lower the price significantly.
Conclusion:
If you want the best combination of performance, value, and ease of use, I would recommend starting with the Terramaster F4-424 (8GB DDR5, N95 CPU). It will meet your Plex server needs, has future-proofing with 2.5GbE, and keeps your budget in check.

Thank you! I ended up purchasing the F4-424 Pro already. Part of me wishes I chose the QNAP TS-464-8G-US, which has long been in the running for me over the years of looking into things. The support from TM seems varying, whether it's on the forum or their live chat. I have gotten pretty far in the setup, though, so I'll probably stick with this as a first NAS. Plus, when it's time to decide on a backup solution I could buy another NAS and use this one as the backup if I want to.

I purchased a 2.5 GbE NIC and switch and a bunch of new cat6 cables in specific lengths to organize everything. I already syncd the TRAID setup, and I had an old 120GB SATA SSD I got free from my job that I used to install apps onto. My cables, NIC and switch should arrive today. I had to order another UPS because the other one wasn't recognized/communicating with the NAS.

The one I purchased was Tripp Lite INTERNET550U. There is a list from TM of compatible UPSs. Many of them seem to be very old or very high capacity, which I am inclined to believe are just leftover UPSs people put on their NAS. Some are not available anymore, and some are extremely expensive for this use case. I chose this specific unit because it met the same specifications of "usbhid-ups" and "protocol 2010" that the others in the compatible list had.

Since that one didn't work I ended up finding one off the supported list, which is the Tripp Lite ECO550US.


Since I've never had any experience with any NAS OSs and I'm aware I can run things like UNRAID and TrueNAS on the F4-424 PRO I decided to try their OS out despite the complaints. I also wasn't aware that TOS 6 had not been released yet until I had the NAS up and running.

One question though. How is it that the N5105 and N95 are superior to the N305? From my understanding the N305 is superior across the board.