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Winner
The QNAP TVS-h874-i5-32G-US is a robust NAS designed to support heavy multimedia tasks, making it a solid choice for those looking to use Plex for 4K streaming. With a powerful Intel Core i5-12400 processor and 32GB of DDR4 RAM (expandable to 64GB), it offers excellent performance for transcoding media files in real-time, supporting smooth playback of 4K content.
One of the standout features is its dual M.2 PCIe Gen 4 slots, which allow users to add SSDs for enhanced speed and performance, significantly improving file access times and overall responsiveness. The NAS also provides dual 2.5GbE ports, which enable fast network connectivity, making file transfers and streaming seamless even under heavy load.
The HDMI output (4K @30Hz) is a convenient addition for directly connecting to a display, allowing users to access their media library easily. Additionally, the multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports offer flexible options for connecting external drives or additional devices.
The Asustor AS5304T is a solid choice if you're looking for a NAS primarily for Plex with 4K streaming in mind. It features a quad-core Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of DDR4 RAM, which is decent for handling multiple streams and basic transcoding tasks needed for 4K content. The device supports four hard drives, giving plenty of room to build a large media library, and it is expandable if you need more storage in the future. With two 2.5GbE network ports, it offers faster data transfer than typical gigabit connections, which helps in smooth playback of high-resolution videos over your home network.
The processor is not the most powerful available, so if you plan to stream to multiple devices simultaneously or do heavy real-time transcoding, you might experience some limits. The NAS is compact and well-built, making it suitable for home use, and it supports a range of apps including Plex, which makes it user-friendly for media streaming. Since it ships diskless, you will need to buy hard drives separately.
This NAS is well suited for media enthusiasts who want a reliable and fairly powerful box to store and stream 4K Plex content at home but do not require top-tier performance for very heavy workloads.
The QNAP TS-832PXU-4G is a robust NAS device designed for users looking to stream 4K content through Plex. With its powerful AnnapurnaLabs Alpine AL324 quad-core processor, it’s capable of handling multiple streams and transcoding tasks efficiently, making it a solid choice for media enthusiasts. Its 4GB RAM is adequate for most home uses, and it can be expanded up to 16GB, which is a plus for those needing extra performance for heavier workloads.
One of the standout features is its extensive storage capacity, supporting up to eight 3.5-inch SATA drives, allowing you to configure a significant amount of space for your media library. With dual 10GbE and 2.5GbE ports, the network connectivity is impressive, enabling fast data transfer speeds which are crucial for smooth streaming of high-resolution content.
There are a few drawbacks to consider. The device is rackmountable, which might not suit everyone, particularly those who prefer a more compact or desktop-friendly option. Additionally, while the initial 4GB RAM is suitable for basic tasks, users who plan to run more intensive applications alongside Plex may find themselves needing to upgrade soon after purchase. The Plex compatibility is solid, but some users have reported occasional hiccups during high-demand transcoding, especially if multiple streams are being handled simultaneously.
For those who are primarily focused on 4K streaming and require a powerful NAS setup, the QNAP TS-832PXU-4G is a strong contender. It’s less ideal for casual users or those who might not need extensive storage capabilities or high-speed connections. If you are serious about your media streaming and want a reliable NAS to support it, this product will serve you well.
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