01-17-2025, 12:06 PM
Thank you for your message! Based on your needs, I’ve put together recommendations to upgrade from your Synology DS1512+ to a more powerful and feature-rich NAS. Let’s go over your requirements and the best options:
Key Requirements
Redundancy and Hot Swap:
You want more data safety, ideally with RAID 5 or RAID 6, for greater redundancy.
Plex Streaming (4K):
Smooth 4K playback with hardware transcoding capability.
Backup for Photos and Videos:
Easy management for sorting and accessing your media.
Photo/Video Editing (4K):
On-NAS editing capabilities (not critical but desirable).
Home Assistant and Virtual Machines:
Docker and VM support.
Network:
Your Cat 6a cabling supports up to 10GbE networking, so a NAS with 2.5GbE or 10GbE is ideal for future-proofing.
Recommended NAS Options
1. Synology DS1522+ (Balanced Option)
Price: ~€750
Why Choose It?
5-bay NAS with Synology’s DSM software, which offers excellent backup, photo management, and Docker/VM support.
AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU for reliable multitasking (though lacks hardware transcoding for Plex).
Expandable to 10GbE via a Synology NIC upgrade.
Great for RAID 6 with hot-swap bays for added redundancy.
2. QNAP TS-464 (Performance and Value)
Price: ~€600
Why Choose It?
4-bay NAS with an Intel Celeron N5105 CPU (supports Plex hardware transcoding, including 4K).
2.5GbE networking built-in, ready for faster transfers.
Supports Docker, VMs, and expandable storage.
Slightly less polished UI compared to Synology but offers more hardware capabilities at a lower price.
3. Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 2 (Scalable Option)
Price: ~€850
Why Choose It?
6-bay NAS with Intel Celeron N5105 CPU (excellent for Plex 4K transcoding).
Dual 2.5GbE ports and robust Docker/VM support.
Ideal for large media collections and future expansion.
Suggested Configuration
Drives:
Start with 4 x 8TB drives (e.g., Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus) in RAID 5 for ~24TB usable space.
For RAID 6 (greater redundancy), use 5 x 8TB drives for ~32TB usable space.
Caching:
Add a 500GB–1TB NVMe SSD (if supported) for metadata and caching to improve Plex and photo management performance.
Networking:
Use 2.5GbE or upgrade to 10GbE if your router/switch supports it for faster data access.
Which One to Pick?
For Synology Users: DS1522+ is a natural upgrade, offering familiar software and robust features for your needs.
For Performance and Plex: QNAP TS-464 or Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 2 is ideal, thanks to hardware transcoding and better value for money.
Key Requirements
Redundancy and Hot Swap:
You want more data safety, ideally with RAID 5 or RAID 6, for greater redundancy.
Plex Streaming (4K):
Smooth 4K playback with hardware transcoding capability.
Backup for Photos and Videos:
Easy management for sorting and accessing your media.
Photo/Video Editing (4K):
On-NAS editing capabilities (not critical but desirable).
Home Assistant and Virtual Machines:
Docker and VM support.
Network:
Your Cat 6a cabling supports up to 10GbE networking, so a NAS with 2.5GbE or 10GbE is ideal for future-proofing.
Recommended NAS Options
1. Synology DS1522+ (Balanced Option)
Price: ~€750
Why Choose It?
5-bay NAS with Synology’s DSM software, which offers excellent backup, photo management, and Docker/VM support.
AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU for reliable multitasking (though lacks hardware transcoding for Plex).
Expandable to 10GbE via a Synology NIC upgrade.
Great for RAID 6 with hot-swap bays for added redundancy.
2. QNAP TS-464 (Performance and Value)
Price: ~€600
Why Choose It?
4-bay NAS with an Intel Celeron N5105 CPU (supports Plex hardware transcoding, including 4K).
2.5GbE networking built-in, ready for faster transfers.
Supports Docker, VMs, and expandable storage.
Slightly less polished UI compared to Synology but offers more hardware capabilities at a lower price.
3. Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 2 (Scalable Option)
Price: ~€850
Why Choose It?
6-bay NAS with Intel Celeron N5105 CPU (excellent for Plex 4K transcoding).
Dual 2.5GbE ports and robust Docker/VM support.
Ideal for large media collections and future expansion.
Suggested Configuration
Drives:
Start with 4 x 8TB drives (e.g., Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus) in RAID 5 for ~24TB usable space.
For RAID 6 (greater redundancy), use 5 x 8TB drives for ~32TB usable space.
Caching:
Add a 500GB–1TB NVMe SSD (if supported) for metadata and caching to improve Plex and photo management performance.
Networking:
Use 2.5GbE or upgrade to 10GbE if your router/switch supports it for faster data access.
Which One to Pick?
For Synology Users: DS1522+ is a natural upgrade, offering familiar software and robust features for your needs.
For Performance and Plex: QNAP TS-464 or Asustor Lockerstor 6 Gen 2 is ideal, thanks to hardware transcoding and better value for money.