8 hours ago
Thanks for the kind words about the channel, I’m glad you find it helpful!
For upgrading your RS3618XS memory, the Crucial RAM you're considering (4 x 16GB Crucial RAMEC2133DDR4-16G) should work, but since it's not ECC (Error-Correcting Code), it may not be ideal for NAS applications that rely heavily on data integrity and long-term reliability, especially if you plan to run things like virtualization or critical applications. For Synology, ECC memory is recommended for stability and error protection, so if you’re looking for something equivalent, you might want to check for Kingston or other trusted brands that offer ECC memory options. Double-check Synology’s compatibility list to make sure it will work with your model.
As for the Plex server setup, your RS3618XS with 2 x 10G SFP+ NICs should be able to handle streaming and transcoding 4K to 1080p or 720p, but keep in mind that 4K transcoding might not always work well for remote access, especially if your internet connection isn't fast enough. For local use, however, it should be just fine, as long as the devices on your local network can handle the bandwidth. Since it doesn't have Quick Sync, transcoding could be a bit more resource-heavy compared to hardware-accelerated solutions, but the RS3618XS should still manage a few streams depending on the complexity. If you plan to stream 4K remotely, consider adjusting the quality settings in Plex or using direct play as much as possible to minimize transcoding load.
As for adding an SSD for caching, it's not strictly necessary, but it can improve performance, particularly if you're dealing with a lot of random access data. If you want to improve Plex performance and responsiveness, adding an SSD for cache might help. You’d use an SSD for cache if you have high read/write demands, but again, this is not a must if your usage is mainly for streaming.
Overall, your RS3618XS should be powerful enough for your use case with some tweaking. If you’re planning on extensive transcoding and running multiple high-demand streams, then looking into an SSD cache setup might be worthwhile.
For upgrading your RS3618XS memory, the Crucial RAM you're considering (4 x 16GB Crucial RAMEC2133DDR4-16G) should work, but since it's not ECC (Error-Correcting Code), it may not be ideal for NAS applications that rely heavily on data integrity and long-term reliability, especially if you plan to run things like virtualization or critical applications. For Synology, ECC memory is recommended for stability and error protection, so if you’re looking for something equivalent, you might want to check for Kingston or other trusted brands that offer ECC memory options. Double-check Synology’s compatibility list to make sure it will work with your model.
As for the Plex server setup, your RS3618XS with 2 x 10G SFP+ NICs should be able to handle streaming and transcoding 4K to 1080p or 720p, but keep in mind that 4K transcoding might not always work well for remote access, especially if your internet connection isn't fast enough. For local use, however, it should be just fine, as long as the devices on your local network can handle the bandwidth. Since it doesn't have Quick Sync, transcoding could be a bit more resource-heavy compared to hardware-accelerated solutions, but the RS3618XS should still manage a few streams depending on the complexity. If you plan to stream 4K remotely, consider adjusting the quality settings in Plex or using direct play as much as possible to minimize transcoding load.
As for adding an SSD for caching, it's not strictly necessary, but it can improve performance, particularly if you're dealing with a lot of random access data. If you want to improve Plex performance and responsiveness, adding an SSD for cache might help. You’d use an SSD for cache if you have high read/write demands, but again, this is not a must if your usage is mainly for streaming.
Overall, your RS3618XS should be powerful enough for your use case with some tweaking. If you’re planning on extensive transcoding and running multiple high-demand streams, then looking into an SSD cache setup might be worthwhile.