Modern units like the QNAP TS-464 and TS-216G now include a built-in or a powerful integrated GPU (iGPU) .
Best software (DSM) and immutable snapshots for ransomware protection ~$640 (Diskless) UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus buy nas storage
Avoid entry-level models with soldered (non-upgradeable) RAM . In 2026, 4GB is the bare minimum; aim for a model that can expand to 16GB or 32GB to ensure the device lasts its typical 8+ year lifespan. Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Synology DiskStation DS925+ 4-Bay NAS Enclosure Modern units like the QNAP TS-464 and TS-216G
Without this, common tasks like facial recognition in photos or real-time 4K video transcoding for Plex can cause your CPU to spike and the system to stutter. Go to product viewer dialog for this item
Look for at least a 2.5GbE port as the baseline, with an expansion slot for 10GbE if you plan to edit 4K video directly off the NAS.
In the era of Wi-Fi 7, standard 1GbE ports have become a bottleneck.
SSD caching ensures frequently accessed files—like your photo library thumbnails or active project folders—open instantly at SSD speeds, while the "cold" data sits on the cheaper, slower hard drives. 3. Networking: The 2.5GbE/10GbE Baseline