Updated: October 9, 2026

Want your own Netflix-style library at home? A NAS can store your movies and run Plex or Jellyfin to stream them to your TV, phone or laptop. The catch: when a device can’t play a file as-is, the server has to convert it on the fly (transcoding). That’s where cheap NAS boxes often struggle. Here’s what to look for, and three picks that fit.

How we chose: research-based. We compared manufacturer specifications with Plex’s and Jellyfin’s own hardware guidance and Intel’s processor specs (cited below, checked October 9, 2026). We have not physically tested these products.

Quick picks

• Best budget pick: UGREEN NASync DXP2800. Intel N100, a processor Jellyfin names in its recommended list, plus 8 GB of RAM [1][5][7].
• Step-up for bigger libraries: UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus. Four bays, a 5-core Intel Pentium Gold 8505 with Quick Sync, and a 10GbE port [2][8].
• If you want Synology’s software: Synology DS225+. Polished DSM apps, but older hardware for transcoding [3][9].

What matters for a media server

1. Intel Quick Sync. Plex’s hardware-accelerated streaming uses Intel Quick Sync Video on Intel systems [4]. Jellyfin supports Intel graphics through QSV and VA-API [6]. All three picks have Intel processors that Intel lists with Quick Sync Video [7][8][9].

2. Plex Pass vs Jellyfin. In Plex, hardware-accelerated streaming is a premium feature that needs an active Plex Pass subscription [4]. Jellyfin is free software, with no fees for the server or official clients [10].

3. A newer processor. Jellyfin’s hardware guide lists the Intel N100 among recommended processors for a server using integrated graphics. It also advises avoiding Intel J/M/N/Y-series low-power chips up to 11th gen when you’re buying [5].

4. Enough RAM. Jellyfin recommends at least 8 GB for an average setup (4 GB may be enough on a Linux server without a GUI) [5].

5. HEVC (H.265). Plex says NAS users need a Jasper Lake or better CPU to reliably transcode to HEVC output [4]. Jellyfin calls HEVC 10-bit hardware decoding the most important codec feature to look for [5].

Good to know: if your TV or streaming box can play your files directly (“Direct Play”), the NAS does far less work. UGREEN notes that Direct Play places relatively little demand on the NAS [2].

Side-by-side specs

	UGREEN DXP2800	UGREEN DXP4800 Plus	Synology DS225+
Processor	Intel N100, 4 cores / 4 threads [1][7]	Intel Pentium Gold 8505, 5 cores / 6 threads [2][8]	Intel Celeron J4125, 4 cores / 4 threads [3][9]
Intel code name / launch	Alder Lake-N, Q1 2023 [7]	Alder Lake, Q1 2022 [8]	Gemini Lake Refresh, Q4 2019 [9]
Quick Sync Video	Yes [7]	Yes [8]	Yes [9]
Memory	8 GB DDR5 (max 16 GB) [1]	8 GB DDR5 (max 64 GB) [2]	2 GB DDR4 (max 6 GB) [3]
Drive bays	2 SATA + 2 M.2 NVMe [1]	4 SATA + 2 M.2 NVMe [2]	2 SATA [3]
RAID	Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, 1 [1]	Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 [2]	SHR, Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, 1 [3]
Network	1 × 2.5GbE [1]	1 × 10GbE + 1 × 2.5GbE [2]	1 × 2.5GbE + 1 × 1GbE [3]
HDMI	4K [1]	4K [2]	None (not in Synology’s port list) [3]
Warranty	2 years [1]	2 years [2]	3 years [3]
Price tier	Budget	Premium	Not assigned

Specs from the manufacturer and Intel pages numbered in Sources, checked October 9, 2026 (ET).

Price tiers are relative to the products in this article. Each tier is based on the maker’s own US store listing, checked October 9, 2026 (ET). We don’t list street or retail prices because they change. “Not assigned” means we couldn’t find a price on the maker’s own US site. Check the current price before you buy.

UGREEN NASync DXP2800: best budget pick

Who it’s for: a first media server for a household, with room for Docker apps.

• Intel N100 with Quick Sync Video [7]. Jellyfin lists the N100 among its recommended processors for integrated-graphics servers [5].
• 8 GB DDR5, which meets Jellyfin’s 8 GB recommendation, upgradable to 16 GB [1][5].
• UGREEN says it supports Docker and virtual machines, and that Plex can run in Docker [1]. Jellyfin publishes an official Docker image [6].
• Two M.2 NVMe slots, a 2.5GbE port and 4K HDMI output [1].
• UGREEN rates it at 16.38 W during drive access and 5.24 W in drive hibernation, measured in its own lab [1].
• Watch out: two bays means RAID 1 at most for redundancy [1]. UGREEN lists it as diskless, so budget for drives [1].

See the UGREEN NASync DXP2800 on UGREEN

UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus: the step-up

Who it’s for: bigger libraries that need four drives and RAID 5/6, or a 10GbE desktop.

• Intel Pentium Gold 8505, 5 cores / 6 threads, with Quick Sync Video [8].
• UGREEN’s FAQ says you can run Plex in Docker, and that the 8505’s Quick Sync “can assist with compatible hardware-transcoding workloads.” It adds that Plex’s own hardware-transcoding requirements still apply [2].
• 4 SATA bays with RAID 5, 6 and 10, plus two M.2 NVMe slots [2].
• 8 GB DDR5, expandable to 64 GB [2].
• 10GbE + 2.5GbE ports [2]. UGREEN notes every part of the path (computer, switch, cabling, drives) must support 10GbE to get near those speeds [2].
• Watch out: it draws more power: UGREEN rates it at 42.36 W during drive access and 18.12 W in hibernation (measured with a Seagate 2TB drive) [2]. It’s diskless [2].

See the UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus on UGREEN

Synology DS225+: if you want Synology’s software

Who it’s for: people who value Synology’s DSM apps and a 3-year warranty, and who mostly Direct Play.

• Intel Celeron J4125 [3], which Intel lists with Quick Sync Video and Intel UHD Graphics 600 [9].
• Plex lists Synology among NAS platforms with Plex Media Server packages; you install it following the NAS maker’s add-on procedure [11].
• Jellyfin’s Synology guide installs Jellyfin with Synology’s Container Manager (Docker) [12], and Synology lists the DS225+ as a supported Container Manager model [13].
• Watch out, RAM: the DS225+ ships with 2 GB (max 6 GB) [3]. Jellyfin recommends allocating at least 4 GB of RAM to its container on Synology [12], so plan on a memory upgrade.
• Watch out, processor age: Intel lists the J4125 as Gemini Lake Refresh, launched Q4 2019, and marks it discontinued [9]. Jellyfin doesn’t name the J4125, but it advises avoiding Intel J/M/N/Y-series low-power chips up to 11th gen when buying [5]. The J4125 is a 2019 J-series chip [9], an older generation than Jasper Lake, which Jellyfin’s Intel guide calls 10th Gen [6]. Applying that advice to the J4125 is our inference. Jellyfin’s Intel guide does list HEVC 10-bit decode and encode for Gemini Lake [6]. Plex says reliable HEVC-output transcoding on a NAS needs Jasper Lake or better [4], so check Plex’s NAS compatibility sheet before counting on it.

See the Synology DS225+ on Synology

Which should you pick?

If you…	Consider
Want a Jellyfin-recommended processor at the lowest price tier here	UGREEN DXP2800
Have a big library, want RAID 5/6 or 10GbE	UGREEN DXP4800 Plus
Want Synology’s apps and mostly Direct Play	Synology DS225+ (plan a RAM upgrade)

Setup tips

• Use Ethernet. Jellyfin recommends a wired connection and says Wi-Fi or Powerline for the server will give a poor experience [5]. (Planned guide: Best 2.5GbE switches for a home network.)
• Plex users: check you have Plex Pass before relying on hardware transcoding [4].
• Keep a backup. Your media library is one copy. (Planned explainer: NAS vs DAS vs external hard drive.)

FAQ

Can the UniFi UNAS 2 run Plex or Jellyfin?
Ubiquiti’s spec page for the UNAS 2 doesn’t list third-party apps, and it uses an ARM processor [14]. If you want Plex or Jellyfin on the NAS itself, pick one of the Intel models above.

How many streams can these handle at once?
We couldn’t find an official stream count for any of these models, so we don’t give one. It depends on your files, your devices and your settings. UGREEN notes that transcoding demand varies with codec, resolution, bitrate, subtitles and client [2].

Do I need Plex Pass?
For Plex hardware-accelerated streaming, yes [4]. Jellyfin says there are no fees to use it [10].

Related (planned): Synology vs UGREEN vs UniFi NAS for beginners · NAS vs DAS vs external hard drive · Best 2.5GbE switches.

Real gear for a better everyday.

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Sources (all checked October 9, 2026, ET)

1. UGREEN, NASync DXP2800 product page, specs and FAQ: https://ai.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-nasync-dxp2800-nas-storage
2. UGREEN, NASync DXP4800 Plus product page, specs and FAQ: https://ai.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-nasync-dxp4800-plus-nas-storage
3. Synology, DiskStation DS225+ specifications: https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS225+#specs
4. Plex Support, “Using Hardware-Accelerated Streaming” (last modified Sept 11, 2025): https://support.plex.tv/articles/115002178853-using-hardware-accelerated-streaming/
5. Jellyfin Docs, “Selecting Appropriate Hardware”: https://jellyfin.org/docs/general/administration/hardware-selection
6. Jellyfin Docs, “HWA Tutorial On Intel GPU”: https://jellyfin.org/docs/general/post-install/transcoding/hardware-acceleration/intel
7. Intel, Processor N100 specifications: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/231803/intel-processor-n100-6m-cache-up-to-3-40-ghz/specifications.html
8. Intel, Pentium Gold Processor 8505 specifications: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/226265/intel-pentium-gold-processor-8505-8m-cache-up-to-4-40-ghz-with-ipu/specifications.html
9. Intel, Celeron Processor J4125 specifications: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/197305/intel-celeron-processor-j4125-4m-cache-up-to-2-70-ghz/specifications.html
10. Jellyfin, home page (“Free Software”, “No Fees”): https://jellyfin.org/
11. Plex Support, “Installation” (last modified Aug 28, 2026): https://support.plex.tv/articles/200288586-installation/
12. Jellyfin Docs, “Synology”: https://jellyfin.org/docs/general/installation/advanced/synology
13. Synology, Container Manager package page (Applied Models): https://www.synology.com/en-us/dsm/packages/ContainerManager
14. Ubiquiti, UNAS 2 tech specs: https://techspecs.ui.com/unifi/integrations/unas-2