Choosing the Right Network Attached Storage for Plex: Synology DS920+ vs. DS923+
In the evolving landscape of home media, a dedicated network attached storage for Plex has become an indispensable component for many enthusiasts. Plex Media Server transforms your vast collection of movies, TV shows, music, and photos into a beautiful, organized library, accessible on virtually any device, anywhere. While the concept of a NAS for Plex offers unparalleled convenience, the performance hinges critically on the hardware at its core. Among the myriad options, Synology's DiskStation line often rises to the top, with the DS920+ and its successor, the DS923+, being frequent points of discussion. But which one truly delivers the best Plex experience?
For years, users have sought out NAS devices that combine reliable storage with the processing power needed to run a seamless Plex server. The primary appeal lies in centralizing your media, enjoying 24/7 availability, and reducing the complexity of managing an external server. However, not all NAS devices are created equal when it comes to the demanding task of streaming high-quality media, especially 4K content. The differences between models, particularly their CPUs, can profoundly impact your viewing experience.
The Crucial Role of Transcoding in Your Plex Media Server
Before diving into specific models, it’s vital to understand the most CPU-intensive operation Plex performs: transcoding. Transcoding is the real-time conversion of a media file from one format or resolution to another. Why is this necessary? Several reasons:
- Device Compatibility: Your smart TV, phone, or streaming stick might not support the audio or video codec of your original file.
- Bandwidth Limitations: If you're streaming a high-bitrate 4K movie over a slow internet connection (e.g., 5 Mbps upload for a 10 Mbps stream), Plex needs to shrink the video size on the fly. This applies to both remote and local network constraints.
- Multiple Users: If several people are simultaneously streaming different content from your server, each stream might require its own unique transcode based on their device and network conditions.
Performing these conversions in real-time, especially for 4K video, demands significant processing power. While software transcoding relies purely on the CPU's general-purpose cores, modern processors often include dedicated hardware for video encoding and decoding, known as hardware acceleration. This dramatically offloads the burden from the main CPU, leading to smoother playback and the ability to handle multiple simultaneous streams without stuttering. To delve deeper into this critical aspect, read our article: Plex Media Server on NAS: Understanding CPU & Transcoding Needs.
Synology DS920+ for Plex: The Intel Quick Sync Champion
The Synology DS920+ has long been celebrated as an ideal network attached storage for Plex, and for good reason. Its success largely stems from its processor: an Intel Celeron J4125. This chip, while not a powerhouse in raw CPU benchmarks, includes a feature called Intel Quick Sync Video. Quick Sync is Intel's dedicated hardware for video encoding and decoding, making it exceptionally efficient at handling Plex transcoding tasks.
With Intel Quick Sync, the DS920+ can effortlessly transcode multiple 1080p streams or even a single 4K HEVC stream down to 1080p for compatible devices. This capability is paramount for users who share their Plex library with family and friends, or who often stream content to various devices that might not support direct play of their original files. The result is a smooth, lag-free viewing experience, even when the server is under load.
Beyond its CPU, the DS920+ offers a versatile 4-bay design (expandable with a DX517 unit) and comes with Synology's intuitive DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, which simplifies setup and management. Its two M.2 NVMe slots for SSD cache can further boost general NAS performance, though their direct impact on Plex streaming is usually minimal unless your database or metadata benefits from faster access.
However, there's a significant caveat: the DS920+ is a discontinued model. While you might still find it new or refurbished, its scarcity has often driven prices up, sometimes making it more expensive than newer, less Plex-friendly alternatives. This makes finding a new DS920+ increasingly challenging, pushing users to consider other options.
Synology DS923+: The AMD Alternative and Its Plex Limitations
The Synology DS923+, the direct successor to the DS920+, introduces a new era for Synology's 4-bay desktop NAS line, but with a critical difference for Plex users. Instead of an Intel Celeron, the DS923+ is powered by an AMD Ryzen R1600 processor. While the AMD Ryzen chip offers more raw CPU power for general computing tasks, virtualization, and other demanding applications, it lacks Intel Quick Sync Video.
The absence of dedicated hardware video acceleration on the DS923+ means that all Plex transcoding must be done in software, relying solely on the general-purpose CPU cores. For lighter transcoding tasks (e.g., 1080p H.264 to a lower bitrate), the Ryzen R1600 might manage a single stream. However, attempting to transcode 4K HEVC content, or even multiple 1080p streams simultaneously, will quickly overwhelm the processor, leading to buffering, stuttering, and a frustrating user experience. This fundamental difference is why many in the Plex community view the DS923+ with caution when its primary purpose is a high-performance Plex Media Server.
Despite this, the DS923+ has its own strengths. It supports more RAM out of the box (up to 32GB officially), offers faster networking options with an optional 10GbE upgrade, and its more powerful CPU can be beneficial for users running multiple virtual machines or Docker containers that don't rely on video transcoding. If your Plex usage primarily consists of direct playing media (i.e., your client devices support the original file format and bitrate without conversion), then the DS923+ could still serve as an excellent network attached storage for Plex due to its robust storage capabilities and Synology's excellent DSM ecosystem. However, if transcoding is a regular necessity, the DS923+ will likely fall short.
Making Your Choice: DS920+ vs. DS923+ & Beyond
When selecting a network attached storage for Plex, the decision between the DS920+ and DS923+ boils down to your specific Plex usage patterns and priorities. Here's a quick breakdown and some advice:
- Prioritize Transcoding (Multiple Streams, 4K Content): Choose DS920+ (if available). If you frequently stream to various devices, share your library, or deal with 4K content that often requires transcoding, the DS920+'s Intel Quick Sync is non-negotiable for a smooth experience. Be prepared to hunt for one on the secondary market, which might involve a premium price.
- Prioritize Direct Play & General NAS Power: Choose DS923+. If your client devices universally support your media formats (allowing for direct play), and you primarily use Plex locally without heavy transcoding, the DS923+ offers a more powerful CPU for other NAS tasks, better expandability, and a longer product lifecycle. It’s also easier to find new.
- Consider Alternatives: If neither the DS920+'s availability nor the DS923+'s transcoding limitations suit your needs, don't despair. You could consider a more powerful Synology NAS with an Intel processor that includes Quick Sync (e.g., DS1522+ which has the same CPU as DS920+, or other Intel-based models like the DS423+ or DS723+ which are newer iterations of the DSx20+ series but still use Intel). Alternatively, building a custom PC with a powerful Intel CPU for your Plex server, and using a less powerful NAS purely for storage, offers ultimate flexibility but increased complexity. Explore more options and understand key considerations in our guide: Choosing the Best NAS for Plex: Why Intel Quick Sync Matters.
It's also worth noting the Synology naming convention: the "9" refers to the theoretical number of drives (4 bays + 5 with expansion unit), while the "20" or "23" indicates the year of release (2019/2020 vs. 2022/2023). This helps understand the generational differences.
Conclusion
The choice of network attached storage for Plex is a critical one that directly impacts your media consumption experience. While the Synology DS920+ remains a benchmark for Plex due to its excellent hardware transcoding capabilities via Intel Quick Sync, its discontinuation presents a challenge. The newer DS923+, despite its general performance improvements and expandability, falls short for demanding Plex transcoding due to its AMD processor lacking dedicated video acceleration. Therefore, carefully evaluate your transcoding needs: if seamless 4K transcoding and supporting multiple simultaneous streams are paramount, the DS920+ or another Intel Quick Sync-enabled NAS is still the preferred path. If direct play dominates your usage, the DS923+ offers a robust and future-proof storage solution for your media library.