Best M.2 SSD for NAS

WD Drive for VMs

• WD M.2 SSD is recommended for use in Virtual Machines and is considered a solid drive.
• "I'd keep the OS drive as is and if you have an extra slot use the WD for VMs. It’s a solid drive."

CPU Recommendations

• It is suggested that a cheaper CPU like the J series might be sufficient for most people.
• HP z220 or Lenovo ts440 are mentioned as more cost-effective options compared to a $1000 machine for Plex.
• "Unless you want to transcode 4k which is no a clever decision, transcode is never good."

Motherboard and Connectivity

• There is a discussion about SATA connectors and upgradeability.
• ASRock Fatal1ty X470 Gaming K4 motherboard is mentioned in a build.
• Super Micro x540 and Intel 16GB Optane Series PCIe M.2 are recommended for cache and boot drive, respectively.

NAS Setup and Expansion

• Recommendations for setups using NAS, DAS, or external HDDs are provided based on different needs.
• QNAP and Synology are suggested as preferred options for NAS devices.
• "If you control 100% of the clients, it would be possible to only download compatible video content to avoid transcoding."

Hardware Transcoding and Recommendations

• AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and other CPUs are recommended for hardware transcoding.
• Users advise against QLC SSDs and suggest options like Crucial MX500 for reliability.
• "You might as well go with 12G SAS drives, because you'll end up bottlenecking with PCIe lanes."

Building a Server

• Suggestions include using an ASUSTOR NAS or building a Proxmox tower server for various functions.
• Considerations about networking, ISP speeds, and electricity costs for a Plex server are discussed.
• "Don't skimp out. Spend once cry once but also don't overdo it for the sake of just doing it."

In conclusion, when choosing the best M.2 SSD for a NAS, consider the use case, CPU requirements, motherboard connectivity, NAS setup, hardware transcoding capabilities, and server building options based on specific needs and budget constraints.