How to Upgrade the CPU and RAM in a ReadyNAS 516

Ya, kind of to bad about the 316.    There are a number of things you could do to run the software you need on a fast enough processor and just use the NAS for all the Data storage.   For example a Mac Mini.  you could get a used one with a decent processor and power use a low.  They're also SMALL.  You can even remote access it from another computer.   

You can get a cheap MINI PC also.  Whatever way you go, there would be no need to upgrade the NAS.   PLEX and anything else can run on whatever setup you go with and all the Data can be on the 316 or any other lower end NAS.

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JBDragon1 wrote:

There are a number of things you could do to run the software you need on a fast enough processor and just use the NAS for all the Data storage.  

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That's the same approach most enterprises take - keeping application servers and storage separated.  It gives you the most flexibility, since you can upgrade either component easily as needed.  Plus a single NAS can support multiple application servers, and a single application server can use multiple NAS.  So it gives more options for expansion.

I've been moving towards that myself (the only application left on the NAS is CrashPlan).  It'd be great if there were a small form factor PC that supported 10 gbit (since my RN526x uses that), but I haven't found a good option there.

Ya, right now everything on my NAS is working out great.  But if I needing more Plex transcoding at once then I can currantly support,  I'd have to offload to some type of external PC support.  What that might me, not sure.  I wouldn't have a problem if I went with some linux setup, but it would need a powerful CPU being the most important, yet low power, especally when not being used.  Use the built in graphics or a cheapo graphics card, at last until it's setup and you can remote into it from your main computer.  I'd just build what I needed.  Something uisng a Mini ATA board and in your case accept a 10gbit card needed.  Then run Linux or FreeBSD.  No need for a resource hungry OS like Windows.   I'm not a expert, but that's why the Internet exists.  Find the parts I need and the OS that'll work with the software I want to run on it, but  base what I get on that, then use the Internet to help be do what I need to with Linux or FreeBSD.  

We do have some new models with powerful CPUs such as the RN526X and RN626X and also the 8-bay RN528X and RN628X. We've even announced a new 4-bay RN524X.

I really don't think the RN626x or RN628X is much faster then my upgraded 516, which is basically now a 716 other then the 10 Gigbit ports.  Though those new ones are nice, but you still have limitations on the number of transcodings that PLEX could do.  I don't see it much better then what I have now.  For my needs my modified 516 is more then enough.  If that wasn't the case, it's still a great NAS for storage, and using a external PC of some type with a lot more horsepower then most NAS units would ever have is a good solution.  It's not a all in one solution which is nice, but it does work when you really need a lot of CPU power for a lot of transcoding at once.   With PLEX you have not only have your family and them all streaming, but friends outside your local Network also streaming at the same time.  Which I do, but only 1 person currantly and she only on sometimes on weekends and limited to 3Mbps streaming, which is just fine.  My upload bandwidth is limited.  Then there's normally only 2 people at my house, so in general I may have a MAX of 3 trascoding jobs at once.  At 1080P my NAS can handle that.  It can also handle 1 4K transcoding down to 1080P at once.  If I needed the power to do say 6 transoding jobs, or maybe 2 4K transcoding jobs, then going with a cusom built PC with a nice powerful CPU to handle all that would be needed.  

I can build a nice little mini ATA PC of some type for the fraction of the cost of any of the NAS units you listed.  Really all I would need is a fast CPU, a little RAM, a small SSD drive and a free OS of my choice on a Mini ATA motherboard and some small type of case.  Running PLEX would be the only task it would need to do as everything else can still run on the NAS.  I get you're pushing Netgear NAS units.  I just don't see the hosepower there any more then th elower 516 and 716.  Still have CPU limitions on the number of transcodings possible at once.    Also for some, it may be smarter getting a lower end ReadyNAS save some of that money to put into a exteral PC to handle PLEX and some other app's and use the NAS to really only store all the Data.  That's basically what I did with my old ReadyNAS.  Buy using my power hungrey Windows PC that's overkill in the sense it has a couple HDD's and a couple SSD drives and a power hungrey video card and a nice i7 CPU.  It didn't make sense and tied up my PC.  But a small little MiniATA PC,  built in graphics, 1 SSD drive a little RAM, don't need huge amounts for PLEX.  Really it's all about the CPU and worse case for the number of transcode jobs at once you need.

If it's only 2-4 transcode jobs, and you want a all in one solution, then one of those great ReadyNAS units you listed would fit the bill.  In general, for home use, it really is a lot of money.  They are nice, and compact and setup in general isn't to hard.  It all depends on skill level.  I would also say, if you're going to buy a NAS, it should be at least a 4 bay.  A 2 bay is pretty silly.  a 4 bay is not going to be much more money and you can start with 2 drives and have room to expand, which in time you'll find will be needed.  Why outgrow you NAS to fast?   I'd love a RN628X right now.  I'd have them 8 bays full.  That's a nice, tall looking unit.  I just can't afford it any time soon.   10gigbit ethernet would be nice.  I'd have to crawl under my house and wire that up for my WindowsPC, oh it would be so fast!!!  Oh well,....