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10 Best Nas For Plex 4 K 2025 in the United States

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#1

Winner

QNAP TVS-h874-i5-32G-US 8 Bay High-Speed Desktop NAS with M.2 PCIe Slots, 12th Gen Intel Core CPU, up to 64GB DDR4 RAM, 2.5 GbE Networking and PCIe Gen 4 expandability (Diskless)

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,273
Processor (CPU)
Memory (RAM)
Storage Capacity

Most important from
81 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Exceptionally powerful NAS that functions as a powerful server with an i9 Intel processor and 64GB RAM.
Memory (RAM)
Exceptionally powerful NAS that functions as a powerful server with an i9 Intel processor and 64GB RAM.
Storage Capacity
The dual M.2 NVMe slots provide maximum speed when populated with 2TB drives and set up as RAID1.
Network Connectivity
With 2*10G Ethernet ports and the latest USB A and C ports, this NAS offers incredible capabilities for high-speed connections.
Transcoding Capability
Running 16 4K streams simultaneously uses less than 10% CPU, showcasing the NAS's impressive power and efficiency.
Plex Compatibility
Upgrading the memory to 64GB and using 1TB M.2 drives enhances Plex server performance significantly.

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.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,273
Processor (CPU)
Memory (RAM)
Storage Capacity

Most important from
81 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Exceptionally powerful NAS that functions as a powerful server with an i9 Intel processor and 64GB RAM.
Memory (RAM)
Exceptionally powerful NAS that functions as a powerful server with an i9 Intel processor and 64GB RAM.
Storage Capacity
The dual M.2 NVMe slots provide maximum speed when populated with 2TB drives and set up as RAID1.
Network Connectivity
With 2*10G Ethernet ports and the latest USB A and C ports, this NAS offers incredible capabilities for high-speed connections.
Transcoding Capability
Running 16 4K streams simultaneously uses less than 10% CPU, showcasing the NAS's impressive power and efficiency.
Plex Compatibility
Upgrading the memory to 64GB and using 1TB M.2 drives enhances Plex server performance significantly.
#2

Synology DiskStation DS923+ 4-Bay NAS Enclosure Server, Network Attached Storage, Data Management Solution, AMD Ryzen R1600 Dual-Core up to 3.1 GHz,(16GB DDR4 RAM | NO HDD, SSD), Black

The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is a robust NAS solution ideal for home offices and small businesses, aimed at users who want to set up their own cloud storage and manage data efficiently. Equipped with a 2.6 GHz AMD Ryzen R1600 Dual-Core CPU (up to 3.1 GHz) and 16GB DDR4 RAM, it offers considerable processing power and memory, which are beneficial for running multiple applications smoothly, including a Plex server for 4K content.

While it does not include hard drives or SSDs out of the box, the four drive bays support 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SATA III drives, allowing flexible storage expansion and customization based on user needs. Sequential read and write speeds of up to 625 MB/s and 559 MB/s respectively ensure fast data transfer and access times, which is crucial for media streaming and data-intensive tasks. Additionally, with two M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slots, users can employ SSD caching to further boost performance.

The DS923+ supports various RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, Synology Hybrid RAID, and Basic RAID), providing options for data redundancy and performance enhancement. Network connectivity includes multiple USB 3.0 ports, which are useful for connecting external devices. The built-in DiskStation Manager (DSM) software offers a comprehensive suite of tools for data management, backup, synchronization, and surveillance, making the NAS versatile for different applications. A potential drawback is that users need to purchase hard drives separately, which could add to the cost. Despite this, the DS923+ provides a scalable solution with excellent software support and strong hardware capabilities, making it a good choice for those seeking a reliable and flexible NAS for high-demand tasks like Plex and 4K video streaming.

#3

QNAP TS-464eU-8G-US 4 Bay High-Speed 1U Short Depth Rackmount NAS with Dual-2.5GbE, Intel Celeron CPU, 8GB DDR4 Memory and 2.5GbE (2.5G/1G/100M) Network Connectivity (Diskless)

The QNAP TS-464eU-8G-US is a robust option for those looking to use a NAS for Plex and 4K streaming. It features an Intel Celeron N5095 4-core/4-thread processor, which can handle tasks efficiently and burst up to 2.9 GHz, ensuring smooth operation. The 8GB of DDR4 RAM, although non-expandable, should be sufficient for most users who do not require extensive multitasking or heavy applications.

The NAS is diskless, allowing you to customize its storage capacity based on your needs by adding your own drives. It supports dual M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD slots for cache acceleration or SSD storage pools, which can significantly boost performance for media streaming and file transfers. Network connectivity is a strong point with dual 2.5GbE ports, facilitating fast file sharing and large media file transfers. Additionally, the HDMI 1.4b output supports 4K media playback and real-time transcoding, making it a practical choice for displaying multimedia content directly from the NAS.

The device also provides comprehensive backup options and a surveillance solution, adding to its versatility. On the downside, the lack of expandable RAM may be a limitation for users with heavier workload needs. The unit is relatively heavy and requires rack mounting, which might not be suitable for all users. Nonetheless, it’s well-suited for home media enthusiasts and small businesses needing a reliable NAS solution for 4K streaming and Plex compatibility.

Buying Guide for the Best Nas For Plex 4 K

When choosing a NAS (Network Attached Storage) for running Plex in 4K, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure smooth performance and a good user experience. A NAS for Plex in 4K needs to handle high-resolution video streaming, transcoding, and storage efficiently. Here are the key specs you should focus on and how to navigate them to find the best fit for your needs.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your NAS and is crucial for handling tasks like transcoding 4K video. A more powerful CPU will ensure smoother performance and the ability to handle multiple streams simultaneously. For 4K streaming, look for a NAS with at least an Intel Core i3 or equivalent. If you plan to stream to multiple devices or use other applications simultaneously, consider a more powerful CPU like an Intel Core i5 or i7.
Memory (RAM)RAM is important for multitasking and ensuring smooth operation of your NAS. More RAM allows your NAS to handle more simultaneous tasks and users. For 4K streaming, a minimum of 4GB of RAM is recommended, but 8GB or more is ideal if you plan to use your NAS for other applications or have multiple users accessing it at the same time.
Storage CapacityStorage capacity determines how much data you can store on your NAS. For 4K video, which takes up a lot of space, you will need a significant amount of storage. Consider how many 4K movies and shows you plan to store and choose a NAS with enough drive bays to accommodate your needs. A NAS with 4 to 8 drive bays is a good starting point, and you can always expand later if needed.
Drive CompatibilityEnsure that the NAS you choose is compatible with the type of hard drives you plan to use. Most NAS devices support both HDDs and SSDs, but it's important to check the maximum supported capacity and the type of drives (e.g., SATA, NVMe). For 4K streaming, using SSDs can provide faster read/write speeds, but they are more expensive than HDDs. A combination of both can offer a good balance between performance and cost.
Network ConnectivityNetwork connectivity is crucial for streaming 4K content smoothly. Look for a NAS with at least one Gigabit Ethernet port, but ideally, you should look for models with multiple Gigabit ports or even 10 Gigabit Ethernet for faster data transfer rates. This is especially important if you have multiple users streaming content simultaneously.
Transcoding CapabilityTranscoding is the process of converting video files into a format that is compatible with the device you are streaming to. Not all NAS devices can handle 4K transcoding efficiently. Check if the NAS supports hardware transcoding and if it can handle 4K content. This feature is essential if you plan to stream to devices that do not support the original file format.
Software and App SupportThe software that comes with your NAS can greatly affect your user experience. Look for a NAS that supports Plex Media Server natively and offers a user-friendly interface. Additionally, check for other app support that might be useful for your needs, such as backup solutions, cloud integration, and media management tools.
ExpandabilityConsider the future expandability of your NAS. Look for models that allow you to add more drives, upgrade RAM, or add expansion units. This will ensure that your NAS can grow with your needs, especially as your 4K media library expands.

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