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RN516 or RN526
I'm looking to replace my aging Ultra 4 Plus and have been comparing the 516 and 526. The last time I looked the 526 didn't exist so it's nice to see a bigger version now available. I just have a f...
For reference, I am using the 516 for Plex, upgraded to 16GB RAM, about 1000 HD 1080p DTS movies currently, no 4K in library yet, and it plays most things like a champ, will transcode a 1080p stream or 2 but that's it. I only purchased mine about 3 months ago so my timing was pretty bad as they announced the existence of the new machine about a month after my 516 arrived.
Mine is at 24TB currently and it does hiccup now and then but overall I'm happy with it. I have considered upgrading the processor, but really feel like a better option is to sell my mint condition 516 and use those proceeds as a discount to the 626. The 626 I feel is really the way to go as mdgm pointed out. Plus technology is moving faster and faster I want to future proof the processor as much as possible. 626 will do 4K without blinking!
Lastly, while it doesn't affect me currently, I really think I will regret not having the 10G networking the new machines offer. My next home will most certainly be setup with such a network.
Bottom line, buy the 626 and never look back!
**This has unfortunately not been a paid advertisement by NetGear ;)
4TB disks would have been what was available when the RN516 was launched. A lot of resellers won't update the pages they show about products over time. We can't confirm if higher capacity disks will work before they're available.
We have made software changes including in ReadyNAS OS 6.6.0 over time to better support higher capacity disks. When we add a disk to the compatibility list it is based on compatibility with the latest firmware release.
The RN526X is the newer model and has 10G ports. Personally I would go with the newer unit or maybe even consider the RN626X which has a quad-core CPU. The price difference between the RN526X and RN626X is a lot smaller than the difference between the RN516 and RN716X.
mdgm wrote:4TB disks would have been what was available when the RN516 was launched. A lot of resellers won't update the pages they show about products over time. We can't confirm if higher capacity disks will work before they're available.
We have made software changes including in ReadyNAS OS 6.6.0 over time to better support higher capacity disks. When we add a disk to the compatibility list it is based on compatibility with the latest firmware release.
The RN526X is the newer model and has 10G ports. Personally I would go with the newer unit or maybe even consider the RN626X which has a quad-core CPU. The price difference between the RN526X and RN626X is a lot smaller than the difference between the RN516 and RN716X.
Ok, that makes sense on the disk capacitiy. I previously didn't compare the pricing (see below) across those models but checking Amazon shows a $145 increase from the 526 to the 626. In short, it's negligible and makes sense to simply go with the 626 given the difference. The only downfall is that Amazon shows the 626 won't ship for 1 -2 months which I'm guessing is due to it just being released? Newegg is out of stock and others show more reasonable time tables but of course their prices are MSRP of $1,800 or more for the 626. That aside, the 716 must be a great leap in performance to be $1,600 increase in price over the 516 and $1,300 over the newer 626. I read one review on Amazon where the CPU and RAM were upgraded on a 516 to essentially be a 716 for only an additional $300. It would seem that's the way to go to save $1,300 if the process is simple. I do realize it voids the warranty/support though and also suspect the 626 and 526 were released to fill that gap and stems anyone from taking the cheaper path with the 516 + an upgrade in chip/ram.
Anyhow, can anyone confirm a 726 is in the works as well?
ReadyNAS 716: $2,717.55
ReadyNAS 516: $1,120.15
ReadyNAS 626: $1,545.94
ReadyNAS 526: $1,399.99
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