What NAS to get?

[BlackCube]

Originally posted in http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/hardware-clinic-2/[nas]-synology-nas-owner-club-4133906.html but no one reply for days so post here.


Updated my post at 27/10 12am:

Ok, I think I narrowed down to this couple of model.

Both ASUSTOR AS5004T and QNAP TS-451+ a little out of budget at that pricing (based on Lazada). But nevertheless, will include into consideration for now.

AS3204T is newer model, seem great, but not upgradable for memory.
AS3104T is somewhat the same as 3204 except that it's dual core.
DS416 doesn't have HDMI so although the DSM is great but HDMI kinda a big deal for my consideration so most of the Synology should be out of picture for now.

QNAP one are quite expensive, though with HDMI also.
ASUSTOR has but should I get the 3204T or 5004T model? Or other recommended model?

----------------------------

Which NAS would you guys recommend?

I saw the advert for DS216+II, seem great but not that cheap? It's around 450-500 is it? That's without HDD and 2 bay.

I'm also not sure if I should go for two or four bay as well.

Currently, the data that probably will be stored in the NAS mostly won't be data critical. But a portion of them will be. Hence, not sure if I should be going for RAID setup.

currently have about 2.5-3tb of stuff on my local hdd. will move quite abit to NAS if I'm getting one. budget wise, not too sure also but probably ~$500. the budget exclude hdd cost.

not exactly concerned about transferring speed (i think), but if i have video on NAS, and were to watch it using my desktop, and laptop at the same time (different video of course), what should I be looking out for here? network speed?

if i were to buy hdd in stages, can i setup raid later? For example, I get a single 3tb hdd first. then later on, i get another 3tb hdd. then i setup raid after i got the 2nd hdd. would it matter?
also do i have to get the same size hdd? does it matter as well? can I have a 3tb and then 4th hdd? i understand if not raid-ing then no issue, but what about if i do raid?

Any one can advise on my concern and maybe recommend what I should get?

thanks.

 

[jtjt00]

If can top up $150, get ds416. As for HDD, go for Toshiba ones, value for money.

 

[batniss]

honestly, i did not see his msg in that thread which he said.

 

[jtjt00]

For raid configuration, link below is a good guide:
https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/RAID_calculator

 

[ronnie_gogs]

Well NAS choices solely depends on your usage.

Performance is quite dependent on the processor of the NAS. So better to look at all options and the processors.

Synology, QNAP, Asustor would be my go to brand for NAS.

If the NAS, switch or router and computer are linked by LAN the performance should be quite good. Over wifi the speed drops considerably. Expanding storage is always an option available in most NAS. But you will need identical storage for any raid. Cannot be different capacity drives. And I would also suggest to look for 4 bay NAS cause with 2 bay expanding the storage space and raid options are limited.

For playing video files I am using my NAS to run a plex media server for me with transcoding enabled which helps with the video playback.

 

[BlackCube]

honestly, i did not see his msg in that thread which he said.

I deleted it to post here if not double post loh

Sent from LGE NEXUS 5X using GAGT

 

[BlackCube]

If can top up $150, get ds416. As for HDD, go for Toshiba ones, value for money.

That's because it 4 bay over 2 bay for ds416? Exceed budget quite abit but still can consider.

Sent from LGE NEXUS 5X using GAGT

 

[BlackCube]

For raid configuration, link below is a good guide:
https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/RAID_calculator

Nice. Thanks. Will go read.

Well NAS choices solely depends on your usage.

Performance is quite dependent on the processor of the NAS. So better to look at all options and the processors.

Synology, QNAP, Asustor would be my go to brand for NAS.

If the NAS, switch or router and computer are linked by LAN the performance should be quite good. Over wifi the speed drops considerably. Expanding storage is always an option available in most NAS. But you will need identical storage for any raid. Cannot be different capacity drives. And I would also suggest to look for 4 bay NAS cause with 2 bay expanding the storage space and raid options are limited.

For playing video files I am using my NAS to run a plex media server for me with transcoding enabled which helps with the video playback.

Yeah. I'm looking into synology actually but not sure which model or bay I should get. So wanted some recommendations.

Heard about Plex before. Using Kodi now though but only local machine.

Sent from LGE NEXUS 5X using GAGT

 

[batniss]

That's because it 4 bay over 2 bay for ds416? Exceed budget quite abit but still can consider.

Sent from LGE NEXUS 5X using GAGT

4bay can do raid5.
2bay can only do raid1

More capacity to use ma and comes with redundancy.

 

[batniss]

If hv budget skip the j series for Synology. That one is for real basic usage/budget constraint consumers.

 

[batniss]

Synology SHR allows u to mix and match your drives capacity but will still recommend same capacity drives.

 

[trenzterra]

I am using an Asustor NAS, so far so good. For me I am using a non-RAID configuration but with scheduled backups from one drive to another twice a week. I think this is a simpler solution than RAID since it doesn't affect the whole drive (e.g. If you only need to backup selected folders) and allows more flexibility in the event you want to change systems down the road. And it gives you a window to restore files in the event that you accidentally delete something

 

[batniss]

I am using an Asustor NAS, so far so good. For me I am using a non-RAID configuration but with scheduled backups from one drive to another twice a week. I think this is a simpler solution than RAID since it doesn't affect the whole drive (e.g. If you only need to backup selected folders) and allows more flexibility in the event you want to change systems down the road. And it gives you a window to restore files in the event that you accidentally delete something

this works well only for people who is willing to do the extra mile.

Most people only want a single device to do everything without having to connect more devices - with your connection, discipline is also required to maintain that schedule (although one can schedule it as well)

yours is i would say is more of a backup.

 

[ckling]

Initially wanted asustor too, but cybermind no stock...in the end lazada got $100 voucher tempted me to buy qnap ts-453A

this works well only for people who is willing to do the extra mile.

Most people only want a single device to do everything without having to connect more devices - with your connection, discipline is also required to maintain that schedule (although one can schedule it as well)

yours is i would say is more of a backup.

 

[batniss]

Initially wanted asustor too, but cybermind no stock...in the end lazada got $100 voucher tempted me to buy qnap ts-453A

Yeah, Qnap-TS453A is a good buy.

The only downfall of Synology is the lack of a physical HDMI / video out put capability.

People like myself whom placed our NAS near the TV could actually make use of such feature...

 

[ckling]

Yeah, Qnap-TS453A is a good buy.

The only downfall of Synology is the lack of a physical HDMI / video out put capability.

People like myself whom placed our NAS near the TV could actually make use of such feature...

yeah...the kodi...

 

[ronnie_gogs]

Well I bought a TS-563 this year and have been quite happy with it. I had spare 4 2TB HDDs wd reds so had to buy another to get a 10 Tb or 8Tb storage after raid 5 setup.

You have to consider whats going to be the main usage. If its heavy workload with loads of media playback you will need a NAS with better processor and more ram. (or expandable option)

If you want more capacity and expansion options and dont care so much about performance then you can go for a 4 bay lower end model.

Both will be around 500 dollars.

Example :
2 bay Synology DS216+II has better performance than a 4 bay DS416j.

similar model would be the qnap TS251 which you can expand the RAM. I expanded the ram on my current NAS to 16GB. I know its overkill but when you can buy 8gb for around 50 bucks I think it was a good upgrade.

 

[ckling]

Well I bought a TS-563 this year and have been quite happy with it. I had spare 4 2TB HDDs wd reds so had to buy another to get a 10 Tb or 8Tb storage after raid 5 setup.

You have to consider whats going to be the main usage. If its heavy workload with loads of media playback you will need a NAS with better processor and more ram. (or expandable option)

If you want more capacity and expansion options and dont care so much about performance then you can go for a 4 bay lower end model.

Both will be around 500 dollars.

Example :
2 bay Synology DS216+II has better performance than a 4 bay DS416j.

similar model would be the qnap TS251 which you can expand the RAM. I expanded the ram on my current NAS to 16GB. I know its overkill but when you can buy 8gb for around 50 bucks I think it was a good upgrade.

my NAS only has 4gb ram, but the utilization hardly go beyond 2GB... like that upgrade will not see any improvement right?

 

[batniss]

my NAS only has 4gb ram, but the utilization hardly go beyond 2GB... like that upgrade will not see any improvement right?

Yes, unlikely.

Myself i am using more than 8GB due to os virtualization.

 

[ronnie_gogs]

my NAS only has 4gb ram, but the utilization hardly go beyond 2GB... like that upgrade will not see any improvement right?

4gb is quite a decent amount of RAM for most usage. But in my case I run multiple VMs on my machine. I like to have a bit of headroom when allocating resources. Also my Plex server is always running and I watch shows all the time on my phone, laptop, android TV, all streamed directly from the NAS.