Upgrading a NAS. Which brand? Which model? I can't get out for what I need now.

[Enquiries]

I want to upgrade the Synology DS416Play to a future-ready NAS.
Photos, music and phonevideos.... everything plays in Plex, for all my devices, where I and my family can reach them. I immediately came up with the heaviest one currently available, the QNAP TVS-h874T-i9-64G.... but do I need this? I would love to, but do I need it? From this Synology, the processor is too minus and when analyzing or running multiple tasks at the same time, the server falters and fails as well. Up to a reboot. So analyzing, scanning and playback of 1080p and 4K must run extremely smoothly. The DS416Play is a 4-Bay. Internal storage of 4x 10TB WD102KRYZ. These drives I want to keep, fairly new. Also the 3x 14TB external drives dangling from it need to be on internal storage. So an 8-Bay and a heavy model should do the trick. Any recommendations of brands and models within the aforementioned price range?

[ed]

Thank you for your message! Based on your requirements, you’re looking for a robust NAS that can handle Plex streaming (1080p/4K), media analysis, and multiple concurrent tasks without faltering. Here’s my breakdown of recommendations to help you decide:

1. Do You Need the QNAP TVS-h874T-i9-64G?
The QNAP TVS-h874T-i9-64G is an absolute powerhouse, designed for heavy workloads, including virtualization and high-demand multimedia tasks. While it's an excellent option, it might be overkill unless you have extremely demanding workloads like:

Frequent 4K transcoding for Plex across multiple devices simultaneously.
Running VMs or extensive Docker containers.
If you’d like to stay under your max budget of $4,000 while future-proofing, there are other models to consider.

2. Recommended NAS Options
QNAP TVS-h874 (i5-12400 or i7-12700)
Price: ~$2,500–$3,200 (depending on CPU and RAM configuration).
Why Choose It?
Intel 12th Gen CPUs (i5 or i7) with integrated graphics for Plex hardware transcoding.
8 bays for internal storage, plus PCIe expandability for NVMe SSDs and 10GbE networking.
Built-in ZFS file system support for enhanced performance and data integrity.
Synology DS1823xs+
Price: ~$2,300.
Why Choose It?
Synology’s flagship 8-bay model for SMBs, powered by AMD Ryzen V1780B (quad-core, 3.35GHz).
Great for 4K media playback with Synology’s DSM operating system.
Expandable to 10GbE with an add-in card.
Asustor Lockerstor 8 Gen 2 (AS6508T)
Price: ~$1,400.
Why Choose It?
Intel Celeron N5105 CPU with integrated UHD graphics for efficient Plex transcoding.
8 bays and dual 2.5GbE ports.
Most cost-effective option for medium workloads, though less powerful than QNAP or Synology.
Key Features to Look For
Plex Transcoding:
Ensure the NAS has hardware transcoding capabilities (e.g., Intel Quick Sync or AMD GPU support).
Storage Expandability:
8 bays for internal storage to accommodate your current drives and future needs.
Memory:
At least 16GB RAM, upgradeable to 32GB+ for smooth multitasking.
Networking:
2.5GbE or 10GbE support for faster file transfers and Plex streaming.
My Recommendation
If you want the best value for money while staying future-proof:

QNAP TVS-h874 with i7-12700 is a fantastic middle ground (~$3,200).