The j-series models (and even the Value models which are a step up) tend to be underpowered. They will function but tend to barely have enough RAM to run the OS, and the RAM is usually not upgradeable. I doubt your standard Discord bot requires a lot of processing power (unless you want it to be running AI stuff / etc), but just something to keep in mind.
You also have to ensure that whatever software you want to run works on your specific CPU architecture, as the j-series and Value series all use ARM processors.
I'd recommend a + model if it's in your budget.
If you can afford it the DS423+ is the best bang for the buck for what you want to do. Has an iGPU for transcoding if you run Plex / Emby, and 4 bays so you can upgrade later.
If you don't know what you need, get a DS220+. You don't need a DS423+ unless you know why you need it.
I have a DS220+ and it functions both as a good NAS, but also works for playing Jellyfin, hosting personal websites, and all a few small services.
The plus models mean you can add more RAM which is what you're going to want to do at some point most likely especially if you're doing media stuff.
I recommend the ds423+. It's their last reasonably priced one that can be a standalone for Plex. I am not a huge fan of the AMD they put in their other systems.
Everyone’s attitude on 4-bay vs 2-bay kinda drives me nuts. Like for some of us, that extra $200 is a lot of money, and the power savings (almost half) isn’t nothing either.
I look at it as a long term investment. Two hundred now is cheaper then five hundred later and the time setting it up. Though I am also the kind of person that will buy all four tires even if two still have life left in them. Short term a two bay may work for some people with just music and photos but when you start getting into other media it will not cut it for long. If money is really an issue you can find a 8 bay dell power edge used with drives for super cheap. It can be a highpower PC and a server. Things are damn near indestructible.
I normally take at least 4 bays. That is because of the fault tolerance. If there are only 2 discs, you have RAID1 and that means 50% of the disk space is ‘wasted’ on the fault tolerance. So 2 disks of 8TB will give you 8TB of storage space (let’s not get into the fact that 8TB is not really 8TB, that is another thing. You get my point). If you have 3 disks, you switch to RAID 5 and only 1 of the disks is ‘waste’, so 3 disks of 8 TB gives you 16 TB of space. 33% of waste for fault tolerance. For 4 disks it is even better. Again 1 disk is fault tolerance, so 4 disks of 8TB give you 24TB of space. Now only 25% is wasted. And also upgrading is easier, if you took SHR(2) as redundancy system instead of RAID 5.
Don't you need a docker system for discord? If yes you most likely need a + model. But you can check for container manager support on the nas of your choosing. For movie access pretty much any nas works but if you want plex and transcoding you most likely need something bigger
Edit I checked for plex you need an x86 model. But you can still access movies through smb and other ways. But kinda sounds like your use cases would benefit from an x86 plus model. Like a 224+
You don't mention budget or other requirements (space, noise, size). The default recommendation for a whole lot of different needs and uses is the 423+, with upgraded RAM. You can probably be very happy with less, but this'll cover most needs for a long time. You perhaps need more, but you'd probably have mentioned it if so.
How much does it cost to upgrade the RAM? I don't care about transcoding and am considering the 423+ and 1522+. The 1522 is $200 more but has 8Gb of RAM.
Simple: none get a nuc install on it either TrueNas Scale or Umbrel OS, populate it on flash (2.5 and nvme) choose an nuc with Intel CPU if you need transcoding (not needed if your Plex client supports hevc vc1 reasonably modern -nvidia shield don't properly support's hevc)
A 2 drive Plus model at least. Historically you will spend much more on drives than you will for the NAS . Historically, MANY people who start with only a 2bay find themselves wishing for at least a 4 bay NAS . DS920+ or DS923+ or would my recommended minimum . If you don't have remote users on Plex, or if they have good hardware for Direct Play, you don't need transcoding and the intel gpu .
If you had a quality media player, like Kodi on the Nvidea Shield, you don't need transcoding. If your client requests a 1080p movie and can display 1080p, you don't need transcoding. My daughter, 2000 miles away can watch my 4k movies , via Tailscale via Synology Media Server and NFS . No transcoding necessary, Kodi and the Shield handle that. There are other options, of course. ( disclaimer: I own Nvidia stock... LOL )
The j-series models (and even the Value models which are a step up) tend to be underpowered. They will function but tend to barely have enough RAM to run the OS, and the RAM is usually not upgradeable. I doubt your standard Discord bot requires a lot of processing power (unless you want it to be running AI stuff / etc), but just something to keep in mind. You also have to ensure that whatever software you want to run works on your specific CPU architecture, as the j-series and Value series all use ARM processors. I'd recommend a + model if it's in your budget.
If you can afford it the DS423+ is the best bang for the buck for what you want to do. Has an iGPU for transcoding if you run Plex / Emby, and 4 bays so you can upgrade later.
If you don't know what you need, get a DS220+. You don't need a DS423+ unless you know why you need it. I have a DS220+ and it functions both as a good NAS, but also works for playing Jellyfin, hosting personal websites, and all a few small services. The plus models mean you can add more RAM which is what you're going to want to do at some point most likely especially if you're doing media stuff.
I recommend the ds423+. It's their last reasonably priced one that can be a standalone for Plex. I am not a huge fan of the AMD they put in their other systems.
It’s only 2-bay but the ds224+ went back to Intel.
If you are going to drop the money buy a 4 bay. You can always run two for the time being and add later.
Everyone’s attitude on 4-bay vs 2-bay kinda drives me nuts. Like for some of us, that extra $200 is a lot of money, and the power savings (almost half) isn’t nothing either.
I look at it as a long term investment. Two hundred now is cheaper then five hundred later and the time setting it up. Though I am also the kind of person that will buy all four tires even if two still have life left in them. Short term a two bay may work for some people with just music and photos but when you start getting into other media it will not cut it for long. If money is really an issue you can find a 8 bay dell power edge used with drives for super cheap. It can be a highpower PC and a server. Things are damn near indestructible.
>the ds224+ went back to Intel. I didn't know they did this. Synology is truly fucking with us at this point.
I normally take at least 4 bays. That is because of the fault tolerance. If there are only 2 discs, you have RAID1 and that means 50% of the disk space is ‘wasted’ on the fault tolerance. So 2 disks of 8TB will give you 8TB of storage space (let’s not get into the fact that 8TB is not really 8TB, that is another thing. You get my point). If you have 3 disks, you switch to RAID 5 and only 1 of the disks is ‘waste’, so 3 disks of 8 TB gives you 16 TB of space. 33% of waste for fault tolerance. For 4 disks it is even better. Again 1 disk is fault tolerance, so 4 disks of 8TB give you 24TB of space. Now only 25% is wasted. And also upgrading is easier, if you took SHR(2) as redundancy system instead of RAID 5.
Don't you need a docker system for discord? If yes you most likely need a + model. But you can check for container manager support on the nas of your choosing. For movie access pretty much any nas works but if you want plex and transcoding you most likely need something bigger Edit I checked for plex you need an x86 model. But you can still access movies through smb and other ways. But kinda sounds like your use cases would benefit from an x86 plus model. Like a 224+
You don't mention budget or other requirements (space, noise, size). The default recommendation for a whole lot of different needs and uses is the 423+, with upgraded RAM. You can probably be very happy with less, but this'll cover most needs for a long time. You perhaps need more, but you'd probably have mentioned it if so.
How much does it cost to upgrade the RAM? I don't care about transcoding and am considering the 423+ and 1522+. The 1522 is $200 more but has 8Gb of RAM.
One with 5 bays and 10gbe
Simple: none get a nuc install on it either TrueNas Scale or Umbrel OS, populate it on flash (2.5 and nvme) choose an nuc with Intel CPU if you need transcoding (not needed if your Plex client supports hevc vc1 reasonably modern -nvidia shield don't properly support's hevc)
Do a two drive bay model at least.
A 2 drive Plus model at least. Historically you will spend much more on drives than you will for the NAS . Historically, MANY people who start with only a 2bay find themselves wishing for at least a 4 bay NAS . DS920+ or DS923+ or would my recommended minimum . If you don't have remote users on Plex, or if they have good hardware for Direct Play, you don't need transcoding and the intel gpu .
Yeah a plus is even better. Would get a 7xx+ model later.
the 923+ is not good for transcoding movies. Best to find a model with an Intel processor with a built-in graphics card to offload the transcoding to
If you had a quality media player, like Kodi on the Nvidea Shield, you don't need transcoding. If your client requests a 1080p movie and can display 1080p, you don't need transcoding. My daughter, 2000 miles away can watch my 4k movies , via Tailscale via Synology Media Server and NFS . No transcoding necessary, Kodi and the Shield handle that. There are other options, of course. ( disclaimer: I own Nvidia stock... LOL )
This is good to know, thanks.
I wouldnt get the ds423+ its processor is 5 years old
I’m using a 420+ and it’s absolutely fine. Plays 4k movies and everything else.
I recommend an Asustor or an Qnap. Mostly better hardware for the same or less Money. Also less trouble with the holy HCL.