Finding the Best NAS to Power Your Plex Media Server

So you‘ve decided to upgrade from a basic computer to a dedicated NAS device for your home Plex server. Excellent choice!

I‘ll walk you through everything you need to pick the perfect NAS model to meet your needs.

Why a NAS is Ideal for Plex

Let‘s first talk about why you want a NAS rather than relying on an old desktop tower or laptop.

Scalable centralized storage – Add extra drives as your media library grows. NAS operating systems make storage expansion and management simple.

Improved streaming capacity – Multi-core processors and copious RAM improved simultaneous stream handling. No more playback lag!

Always-on availability – NAS systems are designed to run 24/7 with maximum uptime. Say goodbye to unexpected computer reboots disrupting your streaming.

Lower electricity costs – Purpose-built NAS units are highly power efficient, saving you money on energy bills.

Operating system tailored for media – User friendly NAS firmware packed with Plex integration and media center apps.

Data redundancy and backup – Many NAS units support RAID storage configs to protect your precious media files from drive failures.

Consumer adoption of dedicated NAS devices for media purposes has exploded over the past several years thanks to these benefits:

Okay, so NAS units are fantastic Plex servers compared to regular desktop computers. Let‘s explore the top options available in 2023!

Top 8 NAS Picks for Plex

Here I‘ve compiled my personal top recommendations across a variety of use cases and budgets:

NAS Model	Price	CPU	RAM	Drive Bays	Networking	Rating
Synology DS920+	$650	Intel Quad Core	4GB (8GB max)	4	2 x 1GbE	🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
QNAP TS-453D	$480	Intel Quad Core Celeron	4GB (8GB max)	4	2 x 2.5GbE	🏆🏆🏆🏆
Asustor AS6604T	$500	Intel Quad Core Celeron	4GB (8GB max)	4	2 x 2.5GbE	🏆🏆🏆
TerraMaster F2-422	$340	Intel Quad Core Celeron	4GB	4	2 x 2.5GbE	🏆🏆🏆
WD MyCloud EX2 Ultra	$250	Dual Core Marvel Armada	2GB	2	2 x 1GbE	🏆🏆
Seagate IronWolf 510	$1800	Intel Quad Core	8GB (32GB max)	M.2 NVMe Drive Slots	10GbE via E10G22-T1-DF	🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Synology DS1621+	$950	AMD Ryzen Quad Core	8GB (32GB max)	12	2 x 1GbE	🏆🏆🏆🏆
QNAP TVS-872XT	$1700	AMD Ryzen 8 Core	16GB (64GB max)	8	10GbE card sold separately	🏆🏆🏆🏆

I selected these devices based on hardware capabilities, average customer reviews, and value for money. Models range from compact 4-bay consumer NAS enclosures to high capacity rackmount servers. Let‘s look at some buying considerations to help narrow down your best choice.

Key Factors to Consider

Picking the right NAS involves assessing a few key factors:

Budget – How much are you comfortable spending? Entry-level NAS units start around $200-300. High-end enterprise-grade models reach into the thousands.

Drive Bays – This determines maximum storage capacity. More bays means you can add bigger and better drives over time. I recommend getting a NAS with at least 4 bays.

CPU Processing Power – Multi-core processors with higher clock speeds handle Plex streaming and transcoding much better. Look for at least a quad core.

RAM Capacity – 4GB is the bare minimum. But I suggest 8-16GB for optimal Plex performance with room to add more later on if needed.

Network Ports – Multi-gig like 2.5GbE or 10GbE enable better streaming, especially for 4K content. But 1GbE is "good enough" in some cases.

Power Draw – If electricity costs are a concern, compare the power demand of different models – measured in watts. Low-powered ARM chip NAS can save you money.

Here‘s a decision flow chart to help narrow down the best NAS for your needs based on budget, library size, and streaming quality:

This should help you select the right combination of drive bays, power, and network connectivity without overspending.

Now let‘s get into the setup and configuration process.

Setting Up Your New Plex NAS – Step-by-Step

Once you‘ve purchased your shiny new NAS, it‘s time for the fun part – getting it up and running!

Install hard drives – Slide drives into the bays and connect power and SATA cables. Most consumer NAS units don‘t come with drives pre-installed.
Connect to network – Plug ethernet cable from NAS into your home router. For best results, connect directly to router rather than through a network switch.
Power on – Flip the power switch and watch it boot up! LEDs on front will indicate normal startup activity.
Access web interface – Open a browser and navigate to the NAS IP address. Default is usually 192.168.1.xxx or similar.
Begin installation – Set device name, admin password, date/time settings. The rest of OS installation is automatic.
Install Plex – Download Plex Server app from the NAS application catalog. Click install and open the Plex app once finished.
Configure libraries – In the Plex web app, add media folders hosted on the NAS. Set up libraries for movies, TV, music, etc.

And that‘s the basic installation process! Most NAS vendors designed for home media use make it very straightforward.

Now I‘ll provide some additional power user tips and advice…

Advanced Tips for Plex Media Masters

Here are some bonus tips to take your NAS-powered Plex server to the next level:

Use Docker containers for downloaders like Sonarr/Radarr to automate TV/movie library expansion. The LinuxServer.io containers work great.
Enable auto-updates for Plex, download tools, and other NAS apps to maintain performance and security.
Check out Plex community plugins like WebTools and Tautulli for expanded monitoring.
For cli-fu, access your NAS terminal with SSH to tweak settings:

ssh [email protected]

Try PlayOn to expand your Plex catalog with shows still airing live.

I‘m always happy to help out with any other questions on setting up, managing, and customizing your new NAS-powered Plex server!

Now relax and take advantage your new kick-ass media center.

Photo by Oladimeji Odunsi on Unsplash

Ready for the Next Level?

I hope this guide served you well in picking out an awesome NAS to run your Plex Media Server!

If you‘d like to browse more of my in-depth home media tech analysis, check out these articles next:

Or get in touch directly via email or Twitter if you have any other questions!