The QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Drive Review

The unveiling of the TVS-H874T at Computex in summer 2023 marked an important update to the existing TVS-h874 model. This system, positioned in the higher end of the market with a launch price between $2999 and $3499, caters to a niche yet demanding audience. Aimed at content creators, 4K video editors, and those involved in production, the TVS-H874T is designed to meet the intensive demands of high-resolution content management and creation. As the fourth, or by some measures, the fifth generation of Thunderbolt NAS technology, the TVS-H874T raises important considerations for potential users. It represents a significant investment in network storage technology, particularly for professionals who need high-capacity and high-speed storage solutions. This launch prompts several critical questions: Will the TVS-H874T truly benefit content creators and post-production users who are considering it? Does it justify its high price tag in comparison to the capabilities it offers? And, in the evolving landscape of digital storage, are users better off investing in this advanced NAS system, or might traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices suffice for their needs? The answers to these questions will determine the real-world impact and success of the TVS-H874T in a highly specialized market.

QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Highlights

• Intel 12th Gen i7 or i9 Configuration Options, in 12 Core and 16 Core Versions (20/24 Thread Respectively) with Integrated UHD Graphics 770
• 32-64GB DDR4 Memory (128GB in Testing)
• PCIe Gen 4 Architecture (PCIe 4×6 PCIe Upgrade Slot and PCIe 4×4 M.2 NVMe)
• 8x SATA Bays, Supporting the latest 20TB & 22TB Hard Drives
• Thunderbolt 4 Connectivity
• 350W Internal PSU (Graphics Cards Supported)
• HDMI/KVM Support with USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gb Connections, Type C and Type A
• Choice of ZFS or EXT4 System Software and File System

QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Review – Quick Conclusion

In summarizing the capabilities and potential of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, released as a late 2023 update to its predecessor, it’s clear that this system represents a significant leap forward in desktop NAS technology. Priced over £2500, it’s a substantial investment, designed with future-proofing in mind. The TVS-h874T not only maintains the longevity and high-end status of the TVS-h874 but also brings to the table enhanced direct data access through Thunderbolt 4 integration. This advancement, supporting IP over Thunderbolt protocol, significantly boosts connectivity and speed, making the system an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as 8K video editing and high-performance computing needs in business environments.

However, the question of whether Thunderbolt NAS is the right fit for all users remains. For those requiring high-speed, multi-user access and scalability, the TVS-h874T is a strong contender. Its support for the latest PCIe 4 standards ensures compatibility with high-performance upgrades, reinforcing its position as a future-proof investment. The software, featuring QTS and QuTS, might require some acclimatization, particularly for those familiar with simpler systems like Synology’s DSM. Yet, the benefits, especially for ZFS enthusiasts, are undeniable, offering advanced RAID management and a plethora of applications and services.

The TVS-h874T’s stance on open hardware and software compatibility is a significant plus in an industry increasingly leaning towards proprietary systems. It accommodates a range of third-party hardware and software, adding to its versatility. In the face of growing concerns over NAS security, the system is well-equipped with comprehensive tools and settings for enhanced security and data protection, addressing the pressing issue of ransomware attacks. In conclusion, the QNAP TVS-h874T stands out as an exceptional choice for businesses and power users who require a robust, scalable, and secure NAS solution. It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and features, making it a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier server-side capabilities. However, for users with simpler storage needs or those not requiring the advanced features of Thunderbolt NAS, traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices might be a more suitable and cost-effective option. The TVS-h874T, with its advanced capabilities, is undoubtedly a powerhouse in NAS technology, but its full benefits will be best realized by those whose requirements align closely with what this advanced system has to offer.

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QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Review – PACKAGING & ACCESSORIES

The retail box of the QNAP TVS-874 NAS is fairly standard and pretty much the same as the bulk of other devices in this tier of storage. Large brown box, big sticker denoting the device inside and it’s architecture – all pretty normal (if a little dull) stuff. That said, I am always very interested in the actual protection that is afforded to these devices in transit in terms of protection from shock, motion and pressure damage. Despite the QNAP TVS-874 NAS arriving unpopulated (i.e. no drive media included), there are still quite fragile devices that are susceptible to silent damage (cracks on the internal boards, loosening of connectors internally, dislodging of transistors or chips that often you do not realise happened till months/years down the line). In the case of the QNAP TVS-874 NAS, this device has a fantastically dense level of protection.

The unit is encased in a rigid hard foam that 100% prevents the device moving in transit, as well as absorbing the bulk of any physical or shock-based impact when in transit (built in Taiwan, these devices will travel more than half the globe easily). The accessories kit is held tightly in a pre-cut panel in the foam and that is pretty much it! Unless a forklift truck arm manages to punch a pallet of these in a warehouse, this is pretty much as good a level of protection as you can get. Indeed, there is enough protection here that I would ship this fully populated with little to no concern frankly. Let’s discuss what is included in the QNAP TVS-874 retail kit.

There is actually not too much in the way of accessories included with the QNAP TVS-874 NAS. No external PSU (it is a chunky internal 350W), only one ethernet cable (CAT 5e), screws for 3.5 and 2.5″ media (despite the trays being click-and-load), keys for the bays, external mains lead and docs related to the product. Not a vast amount, but pretty much everything you are going to need.

The included documents are a first-time setup manual (very light on details and far more recommended to use online resources), information on the included 3 years warranty and details on how to extend that warranty to 5 years. The cost of adding two additional years of warranty is typically relative to the cost of the device. So, for example, a TS-464 that costs around £550 will cost around £89 to add 2 more years, whereas the £2500 TVS-h874T i7 version will cost you £599. The extra warranty is purely optional and although it took QNAP longer than many wanted to create a much more user-friendly warranty support system (they now have the colour-coded system), its good to have that choice available. Extra warranty used to only be an option that could be applied in the first 60 days of ownership, but has been extended recently to within the first 9 months for a limited time. Otherwise, you still have the 3 years of hardware warranty and effective product-lifespan support in software (generally around 8-10 years depending on the device) in firmware updates that include security and service extras.

Another very, very small extra in the accessories pack that I am both happy (and sad) about is the inclusion of a couple of adhesive heatsinks that you can attach to drives installed in the two M.2 NVMe 2280 bays. Now, on the one hand, this is good because it is surprising how few brands/devices that feature M.2 NVMe SSD bays (most NAS’ these days actually) do NOT include heatsinks in the NAS retail kit, despite M.2 NVMe SSDs getting very hot during sustained access – something that forms a big part of SSD caching. So, I AM chuffed they are included (they are not expensive and show the brand is aware of this temp factor), however they are pretty small! I know that the only component you should worry about really is the SSD Controller (it will bottleneck/throttle when too hot), as the storage NAND works better when warm – but it would have been nice if QNAP included full-length 2280 Hheatsinks (they are like $10) instead. Still, better to have them than not at all!

That said, the fact the system does not arrive with a Thunderbolt 4 Cable is a little disappointing. I can appreciate that USB-C Thunderbolt 4 certified cables are not cheap, but nor is the TVS-h874T and unlike a mains power cable, ethernet cable or a USB cable, Thunderbolt 4 cables are not so common. This is additionally exacerbated by the fact that there is a non-Thunderbolt version of this device (the TVS-h874), so it is not as if someone will choose this version unless they specifically want to use Thunderbolt 3/4.

The accessories included with the QNAP TVS-874 are fairly standard stuff, which is not a bad thing. The protection afforded to it in transit is first class and although the retail packaging itself is a bit bland (again, enterprise product that is bought over the internet – so why make it ‘snazzy’), overall QNAP TVS-874 NAS presentation is pretty spot on – it’s just a shame about the lack of a TB4 cable. Let’s discuss the design of the system itself.

QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Review – Design

The design of the QNAP TVS-h874T chassis is very similar to that of the TVS-872XT, which is unsurprising as that was the debut for this NAS design and one that has continued in most of the brand’s high-profile releases in the 5 years. It is pretty much the classic 8 SATA bay shape you would expect, but there are a few elements that are seemingly still quite unique to QNAP. As you might expect, the chassis design is largely metal throughout (with areas of the front panel and trays in plastic) that aids heat dissipation in this 24×7 server, with ventilation on practically all sides working in conjunction with a more enterprise internal fan arrangement (more on that later). Although the bulk of the physical space is dedicated to those storage bays, this system is still a bit deeper than many 8-Bay devices on the market (such as the Synology DS1821+ and Lockerstor 8), which is largely down to a larger degree of internal cooling, aggressively sized CPU heatsink and larger PCIe expandability.

Of course, one physical design feature on the TVS-h874T that is slowly growing out of fashion (but still, in my opinion, has tremendous utility) is the front visible LCD panel that gives you realtime information about the system operation, along with navigation buttons. Now, on the face of it, an LCD panel on a network/remote access storage device seems a bit redundant. However, speaking on behalf of the IT storage community, having that extra option to visible SEE the nature of an alert (RAID degradation, temp sensor, etc) without the need to log in, go through 2-step authentication and access the logs is a nice extra feature. The same goes for the ability to cycle through the device’s LCD options to find out the IP and identity of the device, so you can go straight in without having to use network scanners to locate the device. It’s a small extra and although it is by no means worth the price of admission on this £2.5K NAS, I am glad it is still there in the 2023 generation.

Another thing this device needs to take ALOT more seriously than many other NAS devices of the same storage scale is ventilation. The system TECHNICALLY has 4 fans! 1 PSU fan (doesn’t really count), two large 120m fans on the rear and an additional 80mm fan beside them. This large arrangement of fans runs in conjunction with heatsinks that are arranged across the main controller boards (with the CPU heatsink being especially large). Given this system will be running a hugely powerful CPU, PCIe 4 M.2 SSDs (notorious for getting quite hit in operation at peak), those two PCIe slots (Gen 4 and Gen 3) AND 8 bays of SATA storage – cooling in 24×7 deployment is going to be CRUCIAL! I was always impressed by the cooling system on the TVS-872XT/X, but there is no avoiding that this is not exactly going to be a whisper-quiet system! Indeed, those content creators and editors in post-production that are considering this system for editing on PCIe4 Storage over 10GbE (or scaling up towards 25/40Gb on SFP or Thunderbolt) should be aware that close proximity to the device is going to be hard going! Again, at this scale of storage and level of design, this should come as no surprise – but it is still worth noting.

The eight storage bays of the TVS-h874T use QNAP’s plastic click-n-load plastic trays. Nicely designed, rigid and is not going to be affected by heat. The trays support toolless 3.5″ media installation (as well as holes for screwing in 2.5″ media). The TVS-h874T can be populated with a little as a single HDD/SSD if you choose (which would be odd!), but partial population is growing in popularity these days, thanks to larger 20TB, 22TB and even 24TB NAS Hard Drives arriving.

On that subject, the QNAP TVS-h874T does not have any perceived unreasonable limitations on hard drive compatibility and support (something, their biggest rival Synology has been debating with its user base about throughout 2022), meaning that by current commercial HDD compatibility in December 2022, the TVS-h874T can support (in it’s base, not expanded form) 176TB of raw storage. I mention expandability because the TVS-h874T can be expanded using two of any of the range of QNAP expansion devices (scaling from 2-Bays all the way to 12/16-Bays), as well as more if you use the SAS expander options. Expansion on the software side is a little less comprehensive, with your native storage expansion method (i.e just increasing the storage pool with more drives and expanding volumes) still being less smooth/possible in the ZFS QuTS setup than on the EXT4 QTS setup (which you cannot switch between after initialization without formatting the system). Still, this is a huge amount of storage expandability to have, whether you are considering Day 1 partial population or adding new expansion chassis’ later.

Each of the bays is SATA 6Gb/s, with most current enterprise-gen HDDs hitting 260-270MB/s or so (which promised 400-450MB/s HDDs from Seagate in their Mach2 still being rolled out slowly, plus their NVMe HDD EXO series still at the private testing phase at larger data centers at the time of writing). The connections are clean, wire-free combined DATA+Power connectors inside an aluminium cage. The system (depending on whether you opt for QuTS ZFS or QTS EXT4 at start up) supports numerous RAID configurations in RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50 and 60, as well as RAIDZ and especially business-centric triple parity configs. Opting for ZFS as your file system at initialization also allows you to benefit from considerably faster RAID build speeds (as the traditional volume layer is absent), RAID resilvering (ie re-introducing drives that have the same party/raid-group data that were cloned or accidentally ejected, is dramatically reduced in rebuild time to minutes, not hours), and other benefits towards inline data compression and deduplication (covered later).

Whereas the EXT4 setup, though lacking these ZFS advantages, DOES allow you to expand storage on the fly more easily and also allows you to take advantage of the QTier combined storage media pools (again, more on that later). The only thing missing for me is a fluid RAID system (such as Synology’s SHR, Drobo’s BeyondRAID or Terramaster’s TRAID) that allows you to use HDD/SSDs of different capacities in a single RAID and be able to take advantage of the higher capacities. I am still kinda surprised that they have yet to introduce this in their software and services. Still, this is a very minor blip on an otherwise great selection of storage services and support.

Alongside the LCD Panel mentioned earlier, the TVS-h874T also has numerous LEDs that denote system activity (much like other NAS brands that ditched LCD panels) These cover the individual eight storage bays health and activity, the system access activity, network status, USB access and even dedicated LEDs for the M.2 NVMe SSD Bays inside. These LEDs (and the LCD in fact) can have their brightness decreased or deactivated if you want.

The system also has a front-mounted USB Copy Button and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s) port for local backups. QNAP was the first to include these faster USB 10Gb ports to their systems (as far back as 2017 in fact), and alongside the port, there are also two more on the rear of the device. QNAP also has one of the broadest ranges of compatible USB devices (storage, 2.5/5G network adapters, wireless adapters, office peripherals, remote controls, tuners and more), as well as allowing you to assign them to virtual machines. I know one-touch copy buttons are a little old hat (local in a remote access world), but speaking as someone who have never REALLY trusted ‘autosave’ in software, the idea that my local USB backups can be triggered automatically, on a schedule OR MANUALLY by hand, is a range of choice I will always appreciate!

Overall, although very little has changed in the external design of the TVS-h874T compared with the 4-5 years older TVS-872XT, that is not a bad thing. They have clearly refined the cooling in this time, adapted a few new hardware upgrades into an existing framework and it still continues to be a remarkably well-built chassis in 2022/2023. Let’s discuss the external connectivity of the TVS-h874T NAS.

QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Review – Ports & Connections

The connectivity that the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS arrives with is all good, if fairly standard stuff (unless you opt for the Intel i9 version – more on that later). As mentioned earlier, there are a plethora of fans on the rear of this 8-Bay, but when it comes to the default connections on offer, there is only really three. It is in it’s long term scalability that the connections of the QNAP TVS-h874T that things start to get a little spicy.

Despite this being a desktop NAS, an external PSU Is completely out of the question. Even if you only factor in the eight SATA bays and core CPU/Memory setup, this would still push the required base power needed to make an internal PSU largely inevitable. However, once you factor in the Gen 4 PCIe slots and Gen 4 M.2 NVMe slots, we are talking hundreds of watts potentially being needed. The QNAP TVS-h874T NAS has an internal chunky 350W PSU that, although relatively easy to replace later down the line through QNAP or 3rd parties, is going to be a small pain to actually get to. Not a big issue, but one worth factoring in, as the PSU is the 2nd most fragile part of any NAS system. This system also has the support of some GPU cards, though the PSU lacks any additional power connectors for beefier upgrade cards.

The default network ports of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS are 2.5GbE, with the system arriving with two ports. Using Link Aggregation/Port Trunking or SMB Multichannel in supported setups to hit between 279MB/s and 558MB/s. This eight-bay NAS will EASILY saturate this kind of bandwidth (even with rather domestic class storage media), but it is when you start to factor in upgrades towards 10GbE and 25GbE ports on this system that you will really see it stretch it’s muscles!

The QNAP TVS-h874T-i9-64G version of this series arrives with two 10GbE ports by default (something that I think is a bit of an oversight on the i5 and i7 models) but even then, the combination of 8 bays of SATA storage, 2x M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4 Bays and potential to add PCIe 4 NVMe storage and/or Network combo cards means that this system has TENS OF THOUSANDS of Megabytes of internal performance potential. So how much of that can actually be realized externally? Well, going by QNAP’s published performance figures (as I personally simply do not have the hardware environment to simulate this), we can see the following:

In short:

• 2.5GbE x1 = 295MB/s Sequential Read, 295MB/s Sequential Write
• 2.5GbE x2 = 590MB/s Sequential Read, 590MB/s Sequential Write
• 10GbE x1 = 1179MB/s Sequential Read, 21179MB/s Sequential Write
• 10GbE x2 = 2344MB/s Sequential Read, 2344MB/s Sequential Write
• 25GbE x1 = 2948MB/s Sequential Read, 2954MB/s Sequential Write
• 25GbE x2 = 3313MB/s Sequential Read, 3231MB/s Sequential Write

Note – RAID Volume: RAID 50 (8 bay and above), RAID 5 (4 bay to 6-bay), RAID 1 (2 bay), Single (1 bay). SSD / HDD : Fully populated, Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SATA SSD / Seagate ST1000NM0033 1TB HDD / Samsung PM9A1 960GB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4 / Samsung PM9A3 (MZQL2960HCJR-00A07) 960GB U.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4

However, the above stats have seen an upgrade, since the release of newer high-performance media, improved network adapters and how the system can bond multiple connections. The QNAP TVS-h874T benefits from the advancement in this technology in the year since the non-Thunderbolt version arrived with the following performance over 25GbE optional network adapters:

RAID 50, Fully populated, Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SATA SSD / Seagate ST1000NM0033 1TB HDD / Samsung PM9A1 960GB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4 / Samsung PM9A3 (MZQL2960HCJR-00A07) 960GB U.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4

Obviously, these are official stats and your own individual performance is going to be different (different storage media, RAID config, client hardware, file sizes, etc), but given these figures are based on SATA storage and do not even factor in the performance of storage pools made of those M.2 NVMe SSDs over PCIe 4×4 (so 6-7GB performance potential, which is where 100GbE cards start to become useful), these are still incredible performance figures!

The QNAP TVS-h874T also arrives with an HDMI output that can be used in conjunction with QNAP HD Station to create a completely parallel external GUI. This GUI has its own range of 1st and 3d party applications available that span a large number of services – Multimedia, office work, surveillance, standalone PC use and more. All the while, with QuTS/QTS running on the NAS with ALL its services still running. Oddly, the HDMI port is HDMI 1.4b, which means that although it will output 1080p at 60FPS, it will cap 4K at 30FPS. This aside, the QNAP TVS-h874T also benefits from HD Station, a parallel GUI that runs with QTS/QUTS to deploy numerous applications with a visual output. There are several key applications in the QNAP lineup that can take advantage of this feature, such as Photo, Music and Video station, as well as allowing a standalone Surveillance station with KVM support and even running a standalone PC with a connected keyboard and mouse. This is joined with several 3rd party apps for multimedia, office tools and communication. This combined with the wide range of unofficial third-party tools in the homebrew site ‘QNAP Club’ results in a tremendously versatile additional use for your NAS.

That said, HD Station in QTS/QuTS has received fewer improvements in recent years compared with other apps in the brand’s lineup, leading to several apps becoming less stable or simply unusable when connected with QTS/QuTS (eg QuMagie on QuTS and Photo Station on HD Station being largely uncommunicative). Its a shame, because aside from Asustor, QNAP is still one of the few brands to offer this feature on their platform and for those of you looking to directly output the media to a 4K TV (with a remote control over IR, USB or over the network with QRemote) it will result in a less polished experience. Alongside the HDMI output, the NAS also features USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s) ports. This means that alongside the support of a wide range of accessories and expansion devices,  you can connect 1,000MB/s external storage – VERY useful for those that want to add a convenient and affordable USB backup to their existing multi-tier backup strategy. Indeed, the range of expansions that are supported by the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS are pretty broad, ranging from 2-Bays, all the way upto mixed media 16-Bays!

However, the biggest potential upgrade/scalability element of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS that we still need to discuss is the PCIe Upgrade slots. Thanks to the 12th gen Intel Core that this NAS arrives with, the main PCIe upgrade slots are PCIe Gen 4×4 and (wait for it) PCIe Gen 4 x16!!! This means that one slot has a potential 8,000MB/s of bandwidth available to a connected card, and the other has a staggering 32,000MB/s available. Just to put that in perspective, a 10GbE will need 1000MB/s of bandwidth to allow full saturation. You could install a dual port 100GbE network upgrade card in this slot and there would STILL be more than a third of the available bandwidth potential remaining untapped!

The support of PCIe Gen 4 in the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS is something that puts this system into a whole different tier of storage compared with all other 8-Bay Desktop NAS systems right now, with the bulk of them arriving with PCIe Gen 3 or even PCIe Gen 2. These two PCIe 4 upgrade slots AND the two M.2 NVMe PCIe4 M.2 NVMe slots mean that you have the potential to comfortably hit internal performance numbers with those two SSD drives that dwarf anything the eight SATA drives (even with SSDs) could ever hit. For video editors that are considering a NAS for post-production in multiple 4K video edits and/or beginning with 8K in their workflow, this is the kind of setup that you need to be looking at!

This is made even easier to achieve when you loo through the official QNAP QM2 upgrade card range. The cards, with several new PCIe4 entries, allow to to scale things up in your storage even further with some featuring 4x PCIe 4×4 M.2 NVMe SSD bays or even a 2x 10GbE and 2x PCIe4 M.2 NVMe SSD Combo card. Currently there is no sign of a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 Card (as seen in the TVS-872XT or TVS-h1288X), but this might well be down to the continued shortage of Thunderbolt components right now (as the Intel Core 12th Gen family has complete TB4 Compatibility).

Overall, when it comes to the connectivity of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, the default range of external connections are actually quite pedestrian when compared against other QNAP NAS released in the last 1-2 years, with the lack of 10GbE on the default model (aside from the Intel i9 having 2x 10GBASE-T at a premium) is pretty surprising/disappointing. That said, the scalability and upgradability that the QNAP TVS-h874T affords the end user are pretty incredible and unparalleled on ANY other desktop NAS right now. Let’s get our screwdriver and take a good look at the inside of this NAS.

The WORLD’S FIRST Thunderbolt 4 NAS – But Should You Care?

As previously mentioned, the QNAP TVS-h874 is technically not a new NAS system, but rather upgrades the existing TVS-h874 with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. QNAP is now well into technically its fourth or fifth generation (depending on how you look at these things) of Thunderbolt NAS equipped solutions, providing a direct and convenient connection between the NAS and a Thunderbolt client system (supporting both Windows and macOS). The Thunderbolt ports are connected via a PCIe card that inhabits one of the slots, but luckily only occupies the lower speed PCIe slot and not the larger and more capable x16 slot. These ports allow up to two simultaneous users to connect with the TVS-h874 NAS directly, cable to cable, as well as allowing the system to continue to be accessed via traditional network and remote internet means for hundreds of users. As these are rear-mounted ports, you are going to need slightly longer cable considerations, as well as factoring in the ambient system noise when in close proximity. The general system operation noise is fairly average for a metal enclosure eight-drive NAS, but once you factor in larger capacity hard drives above 8TB and more enterprise-class drives for performance, this ambient operational noise is definitely going to be more of a consideration for those working in close quarters with the system.

When connecting the device to your Mac or Windows system over Thunderbolt, as long as you have QNAP Qfinder Pro software installed, the system will prompt you to state that it sees that the system has been connected and invite you to mount the drive in a similar fashion to that of a network drive. You will not need to format the QNAP system in order for it to appear, and during the drive initialization over Thunderbolt, you will be invited to map this drive alongside your existing OS client hardware storage locally. When interfacing with the QNAP via this cable, you can access the storage inside at a typical object file and folder level, but you can also access the full QNAP QTS and QuTS GUI just as you would when accessing the NAS via the network or internet.

Performance numbers when connecting with the device over Thunderbolt will depend heavily on several factors. Similar to connecting a traditional Direct Attached Storage (DAS) RAID device, Thunderbolt is just the connection between your client device and the storage. You will need to ensure you have a sufficient number of storage drives and an appropriate RAID configuration to get the best performance possible. In the case of this 8-bay device, if you use high-capacity, more affordable but slower mechanical hard drives, you will need to populate quite a few to start seeing higher performance numbers as multiple drives are being read and written to simultaneously. Likewise, there are ways to improve performance further with the use of SATA SSDs and/or using PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs in the available slots inside the system. These drives provide significantly higher performance but generally come in smaller capacities and at a higher price point. In reality, the QNAP TVS-h874 does not need to be fully populated on day one, and you can start with two or three drives and gradually, over the years, increase your number of drives one by one. Just bear in mind that the real performance this system can output can only be achieved when utilizing the fastest storage media or fully populating the device. Additionally, there is the fact that this system utilizes IP over Thunderbolt architecture to create a Thunderbolt-connected NAS, leading to a significant performance difference compared to traditional direct attached storage systems. Below are some peak performance numbers from QNAP using the highest performance media available:

 

However, we cannot escape the fact that many users considering this device for photo and video editing are not going to be too sure about the main differences between Thunderbolt NAS and Thunderbolt DAS, as there are more to the differences than just performance. Expanding on the key factors from the comparison between Thunderbolt 4 DAS and Thunderbolt 4 NAS:

• Connectivity: The QNAP TVS-h874’s support for both Thunderbolt 4 and 3 stands out as a significant feature, offering flexibility and future-proofing. This dual compatibility ensures that the NAS can seamlessly integrate with current devices while being ready for future technological advancements, making it a long-term investment for users looking to upgrade their client devices to Thunderbolt 4 in the future.
• Cross-Platform File Sharing: NAS systems, unlike DAS, provide a versatile solution for environments utilizing multiple operating systems. This is particularly beneficial in professional settings where Windows, Mac, and Linux systems coexist. The NAS’s ability to facilitate easy file sharing and access across these platforms without compatibility issues greatly enhances workflow efficiency and collaboration.
• Multi-User Environment: NAS systems are specifically designed to cater to environments where multiple users need to access and share data simultaneously. This is in contrast to DAS, which is primarily focused on single-user access. NAS systems can handle multiple data requests efficiently, making them ideal for collaborative settings like offices, creative studios, and data centers.
• Expandability: NAS offers more robust options for expanding storage capacity over time compared to DAS. This includes the ability to add more drives, utilize additional expansion units, and leverage advanced storage technologies like M.2 NVMe SSDs. Such expandability is crucial for businesses and power users who anticipate growing data storage needs.
• Price and Hardware: The advanced capabilities of NAS, including support for extensive user access, higher storage capacities, and sophisticated data management, require more powerful hardware. This includes faster processors, more memory, and better cooling solutions, which contribute to the higher cost of NAS systems compared to DAS, which is typically more basic in its hardware requirements.
• Performance: While DAS offers high-speed, straightforward access for individual users, making it ideal for tasks that require fast data transfer rates without the need for complex networking, NAS systems are optimized for multi-user access and offer a range of services and applications. NAS systems may not match the raw speed of DAS for single users but provide a more versatile and scalable solution for data storage and access in a networked environment.

Each point highlights the specific advantages and considerations of choosing between Thunderbolt DAS and NAS, catering to different user requirements and scenarios.

QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Review – Internal Hardware

The internal arrangement of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS is actually surprisingly spacious for an 8-Bay desktop NAS with so much hardware potential. The main 8 bays obviously take up the bulk of the available space, but the first thing that strikes you is that there is a great deal more spacing between the components for that airflow.

The rear fans lead to a completely open area behind the main storage bays that takes up around 30-35% of the available chassis space and there is an additional side fan that blows air directly onto the massive silver CPU heatsink at all times.  The main SATA bays are held in an aluminium cage and the PSU is pretty far away from the main PCIe upgrade slots (something of a problem in the older TVS-1282 and TVS-h1288X that made card installation and maintaining cool running a little more challenging).

That silver heatsink (common in 24×7 server systems as opposed to direct CPU fans) is pretty vast and (especially in the case of the 12 Core i7 and 16 Core i9) very much needed! It is also directly vented in line with the separate rear fan, ensuring that it is taking maximum advantage of the active airflow.

Now, as good and fast as the CPU and architecture inside the QNAP TVS-874 NAS is, the way that the specs and choice of hardware in the greater TVS-hx74 range has been distributed is a little less smooth. With a 4-Bay, 6-Bay and 8-Bay version available, you would be forgiven for thinking that it is just three separate configurations on offer. However, the reality is that there are SIX different hardware versions available (spanning five different CPUs, scaling in clock speed, cores and threads) with differing default memory quantities. We already covered that the Intel i9 version also arrives with 2x 10GbE connectivity (absent in other devices and using a PCIe slot). Normally, I would be a fan of the buyer’s option to scale their budget between storage bays and power, but despite all these systems using 12th Gen Intel Processors, each processor has a different level of PCI lanes afforded to it and this then impacts the rest of the system architecture. Let’s quickly compare the hardware architecture of the three NAS systems and their sub-versions:

Feature	TVS-h474	TVS-h674	TVS-h874T
# of SATA Bays	4x SATA	6x SATA	8x SATA
M.2 NVMe Bays	2x M.2 (Gen 3×2)	2x M.2 (Gen 4×4)	2x M.2 (Gen 4×4)
CPU	Intel Pentium Gold G7400	Intel i5 12th Gen i5-12400 Intel i3 12th Gen i7-12100	Intel i9 12th Gen i9-12900 Intel i7 12th Gen i7-12700 Intel i5 12th Gen i7-12400
Cores	2-Core / 4 Thread	i5 6 Core / 12 Thread i3 4 Core / 8 Thread	i9 16 Core / 24 Thread i7 12 Core / 20 Thread i5 6 Core / 12 Thread
CPU Speed	3.7 Ghz	i5 Max 4.4Ghz i3 Max 4.3Ghz	i9 Max 5.1Ghz i7 Max 4.9Ghz i5 Max 4.4Ghz
Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 710	Intel UHD Graphics 770 Intel UHD Graphics 730	Intel UHD Graphics 770
Memory	8GB Default	16/32GB	32/64GB
Memory Max	128GB SODIMM DDR4 (2 Slot)	128GB SODIMM DDR4 (2 Slot)	128GB SODIMM DDR4 (2 Slot)

If we skip over the difference in the actual traditional CPU power (which is expected if you were comparing a Pentium and i3 versus an i9), the hurdles start when you notice that the TVS-h474 has Gen 3×2 M.2 slots, whereas the 6-Bay and 8-Bay have Gen 4×4 – so potential bandwidth of 2,000MB vs 8,000MB/s. The same goes for the main PCIe upgrade lanes, with the 4 Bay having that massive PCIe 4 x 16 slot, but the 2nd slot is another Gen 3 x2 2,000MB/s slot. These are very small details, but they could have been easily avoided by either fixing the TVS-h474 with an i3 minimum OR just releasing the series in a fixed CPU=Bay standard (as observed in the TVS-X72 and TVS-1282 ranges). With 3 version of the 8-Bay, two of the 6 Bay and the 4-Bay being very overshadows, the narrative and presentation of the range gets a little messy. Then you can take a closer look at the CPUs themselves and how they scale up.

As you can see, even ignoring the frequency differences (whooah, the Pentium dual core at 3.7Ghz and the i9 at 16 Core 5.1Ghz when pushed to burst), even CPU Benchmark’s scoring of these processors is pretty vast, with the Intel Pentium Gold G7400 in the TVS-h474 scoring 6804, and every other CPU several times higher! Yes, we also need to factor in the running costs of these SSDs (24×7 use on such high-end CPUs is going to add up on the electricity bill), but I would argue that when you are looking at systems like these, you have long since given up aspirations of power saving! The memory that the TVS-h874T arrives with is DDR4 3200Mhz SODIMM and can be upgraded towards 64GB officially, though the CPUs (for the most part) all support up to 128GB on two channels. Sadly, ECC memory is not supported, which is one of the few counter-arguments out there (IMO) for opting for a XEON over an Intel Core in a system like this one. That said, this is still a great level of memory supported by the system and although the base amount changes depending on the system bay number and CPU type you choose (grumble, grumble), I cannot really fault it!

Now, the big guns! Those M.2 NVMe SSD Bays. M.2 NVMe SSD bays on NAS devices are not a ‘new thing’. Indeed, these have been a staple of desktop NAS devices now for a few years and something of an expected minimum. However, the development that has been going on with M.2 NVMes from SSD brands such as WD, Seagate and Samsung has been rather fierce (with the tiniest pinch of slow down caused by the pandemic and hardware shortages relating to semiconductors). Pretty much 99% of all NAS devices that have M.2 NVMe SSD bays are using PCIe Gen 3 (or even PCIe Gen2) slots. This is down to only CPUs that were released commercially in the last 2-3 years having support of PCIe Gen 4 lanes. As the TVS-x874 series and it’s 12th Gen Intel Core architecture have Gen 4 support, the M.2 slots (with the exception of the TVS-h474) are Gen 4×4 – so 8GB/s (not Gigabit, GigaByte) of bandwidth each! This is a huge deal, as that means you can install these super fast SSDs in these bays for your QNAP QuTS ZFS Operating System, for individual Apps/Services (VMs, Databases, etc) and even as your general storage!

The good news is that unlike Synology and its inclusion of M.2 NVMe SSD slots, the 2280 slots inside the QNAP can be used for more than just read/write caching. The use of SSD caching to provide performance benefits to a slower, but larger and more affordable Hard Drive RAID away are quite well established in the NAS industry, using the SSD space to either write files to the system faster (acting as the primary write area, before moving the data) or increase the speed of accessing commonly requested files on the NAS (making copies of those files onto the SSDs, though largely tiny files are optimized and do not really affect larger block/sequential data). So, if you are looking to use this drive in the centre of your content creation workflow or in post production, you could use the 2 M.2 NVMe SSD Bays as your editing space (acting the NAS over 10-25-100GbE via an upgrade card – perhaps even Thunderbolt 3/4 if/when QNAP release one), and the HDD RAID array as your archive that products back up/archive onto. You can even create individual ZFS RAID pools for warm-cold storage, then also use a remote NAS, USB or Cloud space to sync/backup with too. Thanks to features like WORM, Non-Linear Editing (NLE) and locking, you can ensure that data is not edited by more than one user, with the added benefits of using the QNAP programs such as QSync to create native synced NAS folders on your client devices (iOs, Mac, Windows, Android, Linux – with cross-platform sharing) so that other teams of people can work with the data on the NAS. In testing on the TVS-h874T with a Seagate Firecuda 530 and WD Black SN850 M.2 SSD (both Gen 4) we were able to hit 6.49GB/s and 6.18GB/s Sequential Read respectively in the QNAP Storage Manager Benchmark Tool. That is approx 27 TIMES the speed of a conventional NAS hard drive!

However, though the QNAP TVS-h874T supports SSD caching on these bays, it also supports their use in QTier (if you opt for QTS / EXT4 at initialization). This is similar to caching but in QTier the available HDD and SSDs are combined into a single storage area and it intelligently moves files periodically to the appropriate storage media as it analyzes their access and requests. Finally, if you wish, you can use the NVMe SSD bays for just a fast accessing and performing storage pool and volumes of it’s own. These two bays, plus the main SATA HDD bays, plus adding a PCIe SSD storage card in an available slot means that the TVS-h874T has enormous storage potential. These m.2 bays can also be used for system upgrades, but these are still quite few in reality and it is only the google TPU m.2 upgrade that increases AI system processes that are recommended in 2022/2023 so far.

I am well aware of how much I have been ‘banging the drum’ about PCIe 4 architecture in this review, but I cannot overstate how future-proof this makes the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS! It is a shame that the TVS-h874T suffers something of a presentation hurdle for the less technically versed who need to take some time to bone up on the range of specs before choosing the right model, but that does not really detur from the fact that the TVS-h874T NAS arrives with the best desktop NAS hardware I have ever seen! Let’s discuss those software and services found in QuTS and QTS 5 that are included with this NAS server.

QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Review – Software & Services

Alongside the hardware of the TVS-h874T NAS, you also receive the complete software and services package of QNAP QTS or QuTS (currently in version 5.0.1) that can be selected at the initialization. This is a complete operating system. similar in design and presentation to Windows 11 and Android OS, it runs hundreds of applications, services and functions, as well as arriving with many mobile and desktop client applications that allow you to interact with the data on your NAS in a much more tailored way. Alongside this, the QNAP QuTS/QTS software on the TVS-h874T also includes a few extra SSD tools for anti-wearing on SSDs, better ZFS-HDD/SSD profiling and even options to separate the media into storage, caching or tiered storage where appropriate. The performance and services of QTS have been covered many times on this channel, so reviewing it’s individual performance on the TVS-h874T NAS is a difficult task, as we have to look at two key things. Is QTS/QuTS a good software platform and is QTS/QuTS going to give you support of the full range of services that you intend to use this NAS for, in both 1st and 3rd party?

On the first score, I can comfortably say that QNAP NAS software and services have truly come into their own and the balancing act of supplying the end-user with the flexibility to use the system ‘their way’, whilst still keeping it user-friendly is the best it has ever been. Is it perfect, no. In its efforts to make itself customizable in every way possible, QTS/QuTS develops an inadvertent learning curve that may catch some novice users unaware. Likewise, although QTS/QuTS 5 has done a lot of work on its presentation of information and notifications, there is still the odd moment of ‘TMI’ when switching between services on the fly. QNAP’s NAS software is still easily one of the most adaptable in the market right now and allows users to have a truly unique storage environment if they choose and although not quite as user-friendly as Synology DSM, it counters this by being fantastically flexible by comparison (from file/folder structure to 3rd party services support and connectivity). That said, 2022 had a bumpy start for the brand when a series of ransomware attacks were targetted at the brand (them and several other NAS brands) that was caused by a combination of vulnerabilities in Linux (which practically all NAS and Android software is built upon) but also in how applications in the QNAP platform were allowed to have external access. In previous revisions of QTS/QuTS, customization and guidance for changing settings on the system was made very easy and open but lacked a lot of the gravitas and significance that these changes made to the system being highlighted to less experienced users (such as allowing the QNAP to adapt remote ports on your router over UPnP and how the HBS3 program allowed remote access. These omissions, vulnerabilities and communication issues in QTS have seemingly been resolved and QTS/QuTS 5 seems to be a much tighter system on the whole (as much as anything can be once you open it to the internet). But many users still feel that the brand needs to do more and therefore until QNAP can remove the lingering stories of ransomware and malware over time, this is always going to be an existing sensitive issue for buyers. In order to see the extent of the latest version of QNAP TS 5.0 use the links below to the written review and video below released in late 2021 (QuTS 5.1 Review coming in the next week or so):

FULL Written QNAP QTS 5 Review	FULL Video Review of QNAP QTS 5

Although the full review of QNAP QTS is available in the article and video linked above, let’s discuss the highlights of the platform. First off there are the software and services for managing files and folders on the fly. QTS/QuTS includes several tools for managing files in your web browser (with full copy, paste, archive, extract, sharing, etc options built-in), as well as smart system/file search functionality. It is worth noting that 95% of the apps and services in either QuTS and QTS are identical, but there are a few exceptions that are restricted to either version for reasons of file system architecture and end-user. For example, as QuTS is ZFS based, it does not require the volume layer and writes are committed directly to the storage pool of drives.

The security when using your TVS-h874T NAS (again, a continued area of contention and criticism for QNAP in the past) in terms of customization and alerts have been noticeably improved and upgraded in both their deployment and presentation in QTS. These range from a multi-layered security advisor to control anti-malware scans, anti-virus schedules, firewall monitoring and more. There is also a range of access and security credential tools that are quite far-reaching all built-in. With QNAP having to prove its platform is safe more than most, there is a bit shift positively in this direction in the latest versions of QTS.

Overall storage management, access, mounting and how this factors into backups have also been massively diversified in QTS and along with numerous means to create a very unique storage system (factoring RAID, multi-stage 1-2-3 backups, connecting with cloud drive/objects and how this is presented to the end-users are incredibly deep. It can lead to a situation in which the end-user is a pinch overwhelmed, but you cannot say that QNAP is not providing the tools – they are just almost TOO numerous in their presentation.

The same goes for multimedia handling on the QNAP TVS-h874T, with a wide range of tools for handing photos, music and video in a tailored GUI to each media type. This is made considerably easier with QNAP’s multimedia console tool that provides a single GUI that can be used to handle all the backend setup of all your individual media apps. QNAP also provides AI photo recognition to allow decades of photos to be searched intelligently for people and subjects to quite an impressively deep degree (not needing internet access to do so, with the AI onboard the system). Then you have support for a wide range of 3rd party multimedia tools such as Plex media server, Emby, Twinky and Kodi (unofficially).

Then you have business tools (small, medium or even enterprise) included that can range from the deployment of multiple virtual machines across many platforms and a dedicated 1st party container deployment tool. One very unique feature of QNAP QTS compared with other NAS brands in their deployment of VMs is that they include 2-3 click download options in their respective applications that allow you to download ready to use VM in Windows 7,8 and 10, as well as a VM market place for more enterprise virtual clients and even a Ubuntu 18/19/20 VM deployment tool that allows you to quickly set up a VM and then access remotely OR use the HDMI+KVM set up locally. The container station tool also has its own pre-built tool repository too.

Finally, for surveillance use, the TVS-h874T arrives with QVR Pro which allows you to have a business-class surveillance platform hosted on your NAS. This platform has its very own GUI that supports thousands of IP Camera brands, as well as the software arriving with 8 camera licenses with the TVS-h874T, a multi-camera feed display, intelligent alerts, AI services (hardware appropriate), multiple client tools for mobile/desktop clients, integration of 3rd party system management tools and you can even attach USB cameras to your QNAP NAS and have local cameras fed into the NAS too. HOWEVER, if you want to use the QuTS ZFS platform, you will need to use the QVR Elite program which is much more hardware efficient and allows bigger surveillance setups BUT reduces the included Camera licences from 8x to 2x. Additionally, the approach towards the camera licence validity period in QVR Elite is different to that of QVR PRO.

So, software on the QNAP TVS-h874T is pretty diverse and although the brand has seen its fair share of security complaints in the past, I think that it would be hard for me to ignore the range of NAS hardware configuration, services and tools that are included.  Tests of the QNAP TVS-h874T on how it performs as a Plex Media Server, host for Virtual Machines and more will be conducted shortly over on NASCompares YouTube channel. I recommend visiting there to learn more. Below is the short ‘Before You Buy’ video review for the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS (Hour Long video review coming very soon.

QNAP TVS-h874T NAS Review – Conclusion & Verdict

In summarizing the capabilities and potential of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, released as a late 2023 update to its predecessor, it’s clear that this system represents a significant leap forward in desktop NAS technology. Priced over £2500, it’s a substantial investment, designed with future-proofing in mind. The TVS-h874T not only maintains the longevity and high-end status of the TVS-h874 but also brings to the table enhanced direct data access through Thunderbolt 4 integration. This advancement, supporting IP over Thunderbolt protocol, significantly boosts connectivity and speed, making the system an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as 8K video editing and high-performance computing needs in business environments. However, the question of whether Thunderbolt NAS is the right fit for all users remains. For those requiring high-speed, multi-user access and scalability, the TVS-h874T is a strong contender. Its support for the latest PCIe 4 standards ensures compatibility with high-performance upgrades, reinforcing its position as a future-proof investment. The software, featuring QTS and QuTS, might require some acclimatization, particularly for those familiar with simpler systems like Synology’s DSM. Yet, the benefits, especially for ZFS enthusiasts, are undeniable, offering advanced RAID management and a plethora of applications and services.

The TVS-h874T’s stance on open hardware and software compatibility is a significant plus in an industry increasingly leaning towards proprietary systems. It accommodates a range of third-party hardware and software, adding to its versatility. In the face of growing concerns over NAS security, the system is well-equipped with comprehensive tools and settings for enhanced security and data protection, addressing the pressing issue of ransomware attacks. In conclusion, the QNAP TVS-h874T stands out as an exceptional choice for businesses and power users who require a robust, scalable, and secure NAS solution. It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and features, making it a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier server-side capabilities. However, for users with simpler storage needs or those not requiring the advanced features of Thunderbolt NAS, traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices might be a more suitable and cost-effective option. The TVS-h874T, with its advanced capabilities, is undoubtedly a powerhouse in NAS technology, but its full benefits will be best realized by those whose requirements align closely with what this advanced system has to offer.

PROs of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS

CONs of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS

Only brand rolling out i9 Turnkey NAS Only NAS Rolling out Thunderbolt4 NAS (for now!) Upto 20 Cores, 24 Threads and High End Integrated Graphics PCIe Gen 4 x16 Upgrade Slot for 10/25/100GbE Cards and 2x PCIe Gen 4 x4 M.2 NVMe Slots for 7GB SSDs No Obstinant 3rd Party Hardware Limitations on Support or Compatibility Much larger support of 3rd Party Software Services than most other NAS Brands 10Gb/s USB Connectivity, in Type A and Type C Upto 64GB of Memory ZFS or EXT 4 File System Choice M.2 NVMe SSD Bays can be used for Storage or Caching Volume Encryption, SED SSD Support and WORM Enhanced AI Surveillance Services, with opt to upgrade with $30 Google TPU AI Photo Management Tool (QuMagie) Includes Thing Recognition and works offline ALL the ZFS Benefits, whilst also the GUI and App benefits of a Linux Software Platform in one

No Smaller 4-Bay Version QVR Elite (not QVR Pro) only has 2 Cam Licences Lack of ECC Memory will annoy some users 10Gbe is Missing (so no TB-TO-10GbE Pass-through) Too Many licenses on Enterprise Tools (Drive Analyzer, Face Tiger, etc) with too few free licenses

A Guide to the Best 8-Bay NAS Drives to Buy Right Now

Delving into the world of NAS for business purposes, it becomes clear that the 8-Bay NAS drives mark a significant leap in seriousness and capability. While NAS systems are commonly used in homes, for budget-friendly options, and in small businesses for basic storage needs, the 8-Bay variants signify a major step up. These systems, compatible with both hard drives and SSDs, showcase the advanced capabilities of NAS brands. Historically, 8-Bays have been pivotal in transitioning from Desktop to Rackmount servers, offering enhanced storage, performance, and redundancy. Such systems boast features like 10-gigabit ethernet, Xeon processors, and increased memory, catering to a broader range of users and processes than their predecessors. Early on, NAS brands integrated 8-Bay desktop servers into their offerings, recognizing the need for compact, powerful desktop solutions to compete with traditional rackmount servers. With an array of 8-Bay NAS systems available, each with unique hardware and software features, yet similarly priced, the choice can be overwhelming. In this guide, I aim to spotlight the top three 8-Bay NAS drives to consider in 2023/2024, selected for their value, scalability, and power. Let’s dive in.

Best NAS of the Year (Honourable Mention) QNAP TVS-h874T $2999-3499 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H (Best Value) Terramaster T9-450 $999-1099 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H (Best Software) Synology DS1821+ $1099 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H (Best Hardware) QNAP TVS-h874 $2000-2500-3000 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H

What Have All the Best 8-Bay NAS Drives Have in Common?

It is worth remembering that although there are ALOT of different 8-Bay NAS drives available to buy, they are by no means created equal! With numerous super-budget brands popping up online, it can be tempting to consider these alongside the premium NAS brands. However, all too often they offer solutions righty seem ‘too good to be true’ and then are gone from the web before your warranty even gets cold! So, whether you are looking at the three best 8-Bay solutions that I am recommending below OR are looking at another 8-Bay NAS you saw on offer/recommended elsewhere – the best NAS system ALWAYS includes the following software and services:

• Combined Hardware & Software Solution – That means that you are buying the hardware, but it ALSO includes a web browser GUI, mobile apps and desktop client apps (including backup, media, streaming, surveillance and file management software)
• All NAS systems in this guide are compatible with (and can be accessed by) Windows, Mac, Android and Linux operating systems
• All NAS Solutions arrive with between 2-3 years Warranty (with the option to extend to 5 years)
• All NAS drives can be accessed locally over the network, as well as secure remote access is possible with brand-supported services (at no additional cost)
• The most modern and regularly updated NAS systems will support the very latest 20TB NAS hard drives (such as the Seagate Ironwolf 22TB and WD Red 22TB)
• All the recommended solutions support multiple drive configurations (RAID) for drive failure protection and performance enhancements
• All solutions receive regular updates to their security, features and services
• All recommended NAS drives can connect and synchronize with cloud services (Google Drive, DropBox, OneDrive, etc), as well as Business/Enterprise services such as AWS, Azure, Backblaze and more
• All NAS solutions (regardless of brand) feature the ability to host a shared drive on your PC/Mobile/Laptop systems that are synchronized with the NAS via the network/internet, but is shown in your native operating system file manager (i.e Mac Finder or Windows Explorer)
• All the NAS solutions listed can be accessed DIRECTLY via an ethernet/network cable being connected from your PC/Mac system, to the NAS RJ45 port for 100MB/s and higher connectivity
• All the best NAS solutions (regardless of brand) feature backup and sync tools that can be installed on your local client computer and allow regular backups of your files and system data

So, make sure that if you are looking at a NAS solution that is NOT recommended below, that it includes all of the above as these are some of the clearest areas that brands all too often cut orders to produce cheaper by ultimately inferior NAS servers for home and business.

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Honourable Mention: The QNAP TVS-h874T Thunderbolt4 NAS

0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4×4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i7/i9 CPU, 32-64GB DDR4 (non-ECC) Memory, 2x Thunderbolt4 Port, 2x 2.5Gbe Port, KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2999-3499

Hardware Review – LINK (h874) – h874T Review Coming Soon

YouTube Video Review – Watch (h874) – h874T Review Coming Soon

In summarizing the capabilities and potential of the QNAP TVS-h874T NAS, released as a late 2023 update to its predecessor, it’s clear that this system represents a significant leap forward in desktop NAS technology. Priced over £2500, it’s a substantial investment, designed with future-proofing in mind. The TVS-h874T not only maintains the longevity and high-end status of the TVS-h874 but also brings to the table enhanced direct data access through Thunderbolt 4 integration. This advancement, supporting IP over Thunderbolt protocol, significantly boosts connectivity and speed, making the system an ideal choice for demanding tasks such as 8K video editing and high-performance computing needs in business environments. However, the question of whether Thunderbolt NAS is the right fit for all users remains. For those requiring high-speed, multi-user access and scalability, the TVS-h874T is a strong contender. Its support for the latest PCIe 4 standards ensures compatibility with high-performance upgrades, reinforcing its position as a future-proof investment. The software, featuring QTS and QuTS, might require some acclimatization, particularly for those familiar with simpler systems like Synology’s DSM. Yet, the benefits, especially for ZFS enthusiasts, are undeniable, offering advanced RAID management and a plethora of applications and services.

The TVS-h874T’s stance on open hardware and software compatibility is a significant plus in an industry increasingly leaning towards proprietary systems. It accommodates a range of third-party hardware and software, adding to its versatility. In the face of growing concerns over NAS security, the system is well-equipped with comprehensive tools and settings for enhanced security and data protection, addressing the pressing issue of ransomware attacks. In conclusion, the QNAP TVS-h874T stands out as an exceptional choice for businesses and power users who require a robust, scalable, and secure NAS solution. It offers an excellent balance of price, performance, and features, making it a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier server-side capabilities. However, for users with simpler storage needs or those not requiring the advanced features of Thunderbolt NAS, traditional Thunderbolt DAS devices might be a more suitable and cost-effective option. The TVS-h874T, with its advanced capabilities, is undoubtedly a powerhouse in NAS technology, but its full benefits will be best realized by those whose requirements align closely with what this advanced system has to offer.

 

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? QNAP TVS-h874T-i9-64G, 8-bay Thunderbolt 4 NAS, Intel Core i9 CPU, 64GB RAM Amazon UK 61 OFF (WAS 3860) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

 

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Best All Round 8-Bay NAS Drive – Synology DS1821+ NAS

0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x NVMe Cache Bays, Quad-Core Ryzen V1500B 2.2Ghz CPU, 4-32GB DDR4 ECC Memory, 4x 1Gbe Port, 1x PCIe 3×8 Upgrade Slot, 5yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $1099

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review Dec ’20:

What you have here is a solid piece of hardware that very much lives up to everything Synology promises, even if some of those promises aren’t to everyone’s taste. With a hardware architecture that we have already tested to notable success in the DS1621+ previously, we already knew that this NAS would be able to do everything it promised. Many users looking to spend their annual business budgets on an improved or extended data storage solution will find the balanced position of hardware vs software found by the Synology DS1821+ to be quite desirable, as well as the scaled potential to upgrade external performance via PCIe and storage via eSATA. However, there is no ignoring that despite the fact this 2020 release excels in many things, it also arrives with a little bottlenecking in a number of others. The continued default utilisation of 1Gbe on the newest generation by Synology is somewhat perplexing and although I have continued admiration for Synology’s engagement with intelligent M2 NVMe cache utilisation and providing a solution that allows more flexible upgrade paths, I know that there are still users who just wish they could use that super fast NAND for raw storage pools and have better than gigabit connections out by default.

It has never been a secret that buying a Synology NAS solution was always a largely ‘software over hardware’ purchase, and the DS1821+ is still a fine example of that balance. However, with other brands closing the gap in what they can offer the SMB (Small/Medium Business) user, while still providing superior hardware and similar warranty coverage, there is the tiniest feeling that the DS1821+ is a NAS that sits on its laurels a bit. Hugely upgradable and still with that award-winning and fantastically intuative DSM software, the DS1821+ is about buying a solution you can adapt within its lifespan and not one that will knock your socks off on day one. A solid and dependable data storage solution, if a little safe, at the end of 2020.

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? Synology DS1821+ 8-Bay Diskstation NAS (AMD Ryzen V1500B Quad-Core 2,2 GHz 4 GB Amazon USA 100 OFF (WAS 3464) [LINK] Synology DS1821+8bay NAS V1500B Quad-Core 2.2 GHz,Black Amazon UK 4.53 OFF (WAS 1059) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

 

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Most Powerful 8-Bay NAS Drive – QNAP TVS-h874 NAS

0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x PCIe 4 M.2 NVMe 2280, PCIe Gen 4×16 Upgrade Slot, Intel Core 12th Gen i5/i7/i9 CPU, 16-64GB DDR4 Memory, 2.5Gbe Port, 10Gb x2 Prots (Intel i9 Version), KVM, ZFS or EXT4 Setup, 3-5yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $2000-2500-3000

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review Dec ’22:

The QNAP TVS-h874 NAS is easily one of the most hardware-capable desktop NAS systems that I have ever seen (as you would expect for £2500+) and has clearly been designed with phenomenal future proofing in mind! If you are concerned about the longevity of this NAS, this hardware architecture will still be top tier 5 years from now, with the added support of PCIe 4 meaning that high capacity and performing micro upgrades throughout its life also ensuring it remains relevant long after. It’s price tag clearly moves this purchase out of the home and squarely into the business market (though likely those that take their media seriously will add it to the cart) and the TVS-h874 will function as a solid solution for Video editing (even at 8K), high frequency and performing VMs, large scale AI powered Surveillance setup, hybrid cloud/on-prem alternative to Office 365/Google Workspace services and as the center point for all your data storage operations. Crucially though, it is that the hardware on offer here will be able to do ALL of these at the same time, therefore maximising the investment for most businesses that want to move aware from their cloud dependant ops. In terms of software,t things are a little less absolute, with QTS and QuTS still getting a little busy at times, with a steeper learning curve than its big rival DSM from Synology. That said, die-hard fans of ZFS (Zettabyte File System) will adore the inclusion of benefits in RAID handling, management and recovery that are exclusive to that platform, whilst enjoying the wide range of applications and service benefits in QuTS that are often restricted to Linux platforms.

The slightly conveluded approach to release hardware that does complicate the selection process (different CPUs in the Intel 12th Gen family changing the rest of the system architecture) is something that I hoped this brand would graduate from (for the sake of simplicity), but for many, this level of choice in hardware and budget will be welcome. As is QNAP’s position on the support of 3rd party hardware (drives, PCIe upgrades, etc) and software, something that we have seen a worrying trend in the last few years against elsewhere in the industry but some other brands, to err towards 1st party/proprietary compatibility more and more. There are still lingering doubts by some on the security of NAS, with ransomware attacks on the rise and ALL brands and ALL platforms being targetted (NAS, Cloud ,etc), finding a middle ground between ease of use and depth of security being a tricky tie rope walk indeed. The TVS-h874 arrives with a wide range of Day 1 tools, further rigid defaults in QTS/QuTS in 2022/2023, considerable security settings to configure and multiple system scan tools for recommendations & preventative measures available. The QNAP TVS-h874 is probably the most powerful desktop/tower NAS drive I have ever reviewed and if you are looking for a system that can legitimately do anything server-side, but you are also willing to put in the time to configure it correctly – you will genuinely be hard pushed to find a better system in 2022, 2023 and likely 2024 at this price point and scale.

 

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? QNAP TVS-h874-i5-32G Intel Core i5 Processor, 32 GB RAM, PCIe Gen 4 expandabilit Amazon UK 32.98 OFF (WAS 2638) [LINK] QNAP TVS-h874 NAS Tower Ethernet LAN Black Amazon UK 72.76 OFF (WAS 3743) [LINK] QNAP TVS-h874T-i9-64G, 8-bay Thunderbolt 4 NAS, Intel Core i9 CPU, 64GB RAM Amazon UK 61 OFF (WAS 3860) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

 

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Best Value Hardware 8-Bay NAS Drive – Terramaster T9-450 NAS

0-198TB, 9-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Intel C3558R Atom Quad Core CPU, 8-32GB Memory, 2x 10GbE SFP, 1x 2.5GbE Port, PCIe Slot (TBC), 2yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $999-1099

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review May ’23:

Terramaster has really changed the playing field with the T9-450 NAS. I was already a big fan of their latest generation of 6-Bay, 9-Bay and 12-Bay desktop chassis – providing a pretty substantial amount of storage in a tower design that borrows ventilation methodology traditionally found in rackmounts, but the T9-450 takes this logic and doubles down on it hard. The dual 10GbE on the system means that, despite it’s comparatively modest price point (when comparing against similar scale solutions from Synology and QNAP) you genuinely have a solution with the potential to allow you to enjoy every single MB/s or GB/s of your RAID externally. This is further bolstered with additional 2.5GbE ports, m.2 NVMe bays, uncomplicated support of HDDs/SSDs and just generally a very sensible system that shows how much Terramaster has matured as a brand. The TOS software is still not quite up there with Synology’s DSM or QNAP’s QTS in terms of ease of use and AAA+ features, but it is definitely a great entry point OS that has tighted it’s security since the brand was targetted by a ransomware group (along with other brands, they were affected by Deadbolt attacks) – it certainly lacks some of the background optimization of it’s competitors, but then this is reflected in the budget of the system too.

The internal PCIe slot that has been largely ignored is a bit of a missed opportunity and I am not a big fan of how they have addressed memory compatibility, but overall it is very, very tough to criticise the T9-450 NAS when you factor in the value of the package here. Factor in that you can very easily swap out the OS for many others, and it largely silences alot of the negatives here too. Overall, the T9-450 could potentially be the best NAS that Terramster has ever released and if they continue to address later releases with the same level of hardware value, this could definitely give the bigger names in the industry something of a headache down the road. I highly recommend this system for its value and performance potential!

 

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Need More Help Choosing the right NAS?

Choosing the right data storage solution for your needs can be very intimidating and it’s never too late to ask for help. With options ranging from NAS to DAS, Thunderbolt to SAS and connecting everything up so you can access all your lovely data at the touch of a button can be a lot simpler than you think. If you want some tips, guidance or help with everything from compatibility to suitability of a solution for you, why not drop me a message below and I will get back to you as soon as possible with what you should go for, its suitability and the best place to get it. This service is designed without profit in mind and in order to help you with your data storage needs, so I will try to answer your questions as soon as possible. Just enter in a few details of your setup, storage requirements and (in the case of buying a new solution) your budget – then me and Eddie the Web guy can help you with your question. This is a completely free service, is NOT provided with profit in mind and is manned by two humans (no bots, no automated replies, etc). Assistance might take an extra day or two (the service gets a lot of visitors) but we do try to answer every message. If you want to support this service, you can find out how to donate HERE. Otherwise, you can still just message us for free advice anyway!

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Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Case Review

In an era characterized by the exponential growth of digital data and the ongoing demand for reliable storage solutions, Network Attached Storage (NAS) enclosures have emerged as essential devices for both personal and professional data management. They offer centralized data storage, accessibility, and data protection, making them an integral part of modern computing environments. In this review, we undertake a comprehensive analysis of the U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Enclosure, a versatile solution that has garnered attention in the storage technology landscape. The U-NAS NSC-410 is notable for its functional design and its potential to address a range of storage needs across various use cases. It blends practicality and aesthetics while accommodating the latest storage technologies. Throughout this review, we will closely examine the NSC-410’s external design, internal components, usability, performance capabilities, and potential applications.

Whether you are a technology enthusiast in search of a reliable home storage solution, a professional seeking to streamline data management for your organization, or an individual looking to secure and manage digital assets, this review aims to provide an impartial assessment of the U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Enclosure. Our objective is to offer you valuable insights to help you determine whether this enclosure aligns with your unique storage requirements and expectations. Join us as we navigate the intricacies of the U-NAS NSC-410, dissecting its features and capabilities to assist you in making an informed decision within today’s data-driven landscape.

Note – You can watch the video review of the U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Enclosure HERE on YouTube

Hardware Highlights in Brief:

• Chassis Type: Mini-Tower
• Motherboard Compatibility: Mini-ITX
• Power Supply: 150W/250W 1U Flex
• Front Ports: 1 x USB 3.0
• Side Ports: 2 x USB 2.0, Audio (mic & headphone)
• Cooling: 1 x 120mm Gelid Ultra Quiet Fan
• Expansion: 4 x Hot-Swap Drive Bays (2.5″/3.5” SATA/SAS), Up to 3 x Internal Drive Bays (2.5” HDD/SSD), 1 x Full Size PCI/PCI Express
• Dimensions: 263mm x 195mm x 197mm (feet not included)
• Net Weight: 4.1 KG

U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Case Review – Quick Conclusion

The U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Enclosure combines practicality and functionality, making it a reliable choice for various storage requirements. While its design may appear somewhat dated, its sturdy build, user-friendly features, and expandability options stand out. However, the unconventional motherboard placement can limit CPU fan choices and airflow. Consider compatibility and specific use cases, especially for CPUs with higher cooling demands. Overall, the NSC-410 offers a solid storage solution with a few trade-offs but remains a practical choice within its design parameters.

U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Case Review – Packaging

The packaging for the U-NAS NSC-410 NAS case is quite straightforward. It arrives in a standard brown box, which can be described as rather generic in appearance.

Upon opening the box, you’ll find that the NSC-410 4-Bay enclosure is very well protected, nestled within white hard foam that effectively safeguards it during transit.

The included accessories are neatly organized within their dedicated kit box. Inside, you’ll discover practical items such as cable ties, a molex power splitter, screws designed for both 2.5” and 3.5” HDDs, and a SATA 2.5” plate for securing a drive.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the brand offers optional accessories for purchase separately, including SAS rear-connected backplanes and a PCIe EXTENSION KIT.

For those who prefer a more streamlined approach, there’s an option to acquire the NAS case prepopulated with an Intel Celeron NAS built configuration for $179. This configuration features an Intel J3455 processor and 2GB SODIMM Memory, known as the U-NAS NS-410.

The power supply unit (PSU) arrives pre-installed, with the 2x molex power connectors already pre-connected to the storage backboard. In summary, the accessories kit provided with the U-NAS NSC-410 NAS case is comprehensive and adequately protects the contents. While the packaging may be somewhat generic in appearance, it offers good value for its price point and includes all the necessary components for setup and use.

U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Case Review – Design

This particular case may seem familiar to some, as it has been available under various brand names on online marketplaces like Aliexpress and Amazon. However, it comes bearing the U-NAS logo prominently displayed at the top, establishing its origin.

The chassis of the NSC-410 is predominantly characterized by its metal external lid, which envelops three sides of the case. In terms of dimensions, it measures 263mm x 195mm x 197mm, aligning with a desktop-style 4-Bay enclosure.

Upon unboxing, the case’s metal slides are found protected by a layer of plastic, a feature that can be effortlessly removed. It’s worth noting that while the metal casing might be considered somewhat thin, it imparts a sense of solidity and durability.

The external lid showcases a brushed and smooth metal finish, contributing to its overall appearance. Ventilation is concentrated on one side of the case, primarily where the motherboard and CPU are typically positioned, and notably absent on the top, right side, and base of the chassis.

Examining the front panel, it is constructed from plastic and lacks a dedicated cavity for an LCD panel. This design choice results in a conspicuous and relatively large vacant space on the front panel. However, it includes a clearly visible USB Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb/s) port, in addition to robustly designed power on/off and reset buttons.

A distinctive feature can be found at the corner edge of the front panel, where 2x additional USB 2.0 Type-A ports and sound (audio In/Out) ports are located. This uncommon addition enhances the case’s functionality.

The individual storage bays within the case are not equipped with locking mechanisms but feature ample ventilation. Each storage tray is designed for easy removal and includes a spring-loaded handle for added convenience. Inside, each bay incorporates combined SAS/SATA connectors, facilitating connectivity.

Moving to the rear panel, a single large 120mm fan is included to manage cooling. Notably, there is a clear M-ITX backplane panel, although its vertical placement may deviate from the horizontal orientation commonly seen in most compact NAS cases.

In terms of aesthetics, it’s essential to acknowledge that the case may appear somewhat dated by the standards of 2023/2024. Nevertheless, it compensates for this with its robust construction, signifying durability as a primary attribute.

U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Case Review – Inside

The U-NAS NSC-410 NAS case features an internal 1U FLEX PSU. It can be purchased with a choice of a 150W PSU included for $157.99 or a 250W PSU for $169.

However, it’s worth noting that some users might prefer a standard SFX PSU, which tends to be easier to source in physical retail shops, unlike the less common 1U FLEX PSU. The provided PSU includes a main 20 PIN connector, 2x SATA power connectors, and 2 additional smaller motherboard port connectors.

Within the case, you’ll find that the SATA data cables are pre-connected to the rear backboard, streamlining the setup process. Furthermore, the power for the SATA backboard comes pre-attached, facilitated by 2x molex power cables.

The internal fan is a silent 120mm GELID fan, contributing to noise reduction. The front panel cables are well-organized, ensuring a neat interior layout. These front panel connectors encompass a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port, Power, Reset, LEDs, Audio In/Out, and 2x USB connectors.

It’s important to note that the M-ITX motherboard is mounted on its side within the case, a configuration that some may find unconventional. The PCIe slot is full-width but of ¾ length, accommodating single-card height expansions.

One notable consideration is that the CPU fan height cannot exceed 60mm, and possibly even less for optimal cooling. This limitation could pose challenges for more high-performance CPUs like Intel Core i5 and above or serious AMD Ryzen processors unless users are willing to invest in integrated and compact copper-piped CPU heatsinks and fans.

For those seeking a SAS backplane, U-NAS offers a replacement rear backplane version. Additionally, there is room for a 2.5” SATA SSD drive, and an additional SATA cable is included for this purpose.

In summary, the U-NAS NSC-410 is a compact case with practical features. However, the placement of the motherboard in close proximity to the 4-Bay SATA drive cage at an angle may significantly limit CPU fan options and potentially obstruct horizontal airflow, making it important to carefully consider component compatibility.

U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Case Review – Conclusion and Verdict

So what do I think of the U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Enclosure? It’s clear that this device try to bring a blend of practicality and functionality to the realm of network-attached storage solutions. While not without its limitations, the NSC-410 showcases several notable features that cater to a range of storage requirements. The enclosure’s design, with its metal external lid and compact footprint, offers a sturdy build, though it may appear somewhat dated in the context of contemporary aesthetics. The inclusion of a 120mm GELID fan for cooling, pre-connected SATA data cables, and well-organized front panel connectors contributes to an overall user-friendly experience.

One noteworthy aspect is the placement of the M-ITX motherboard, which, while unconventional, enables space-efficient design. However, this placement may restrict CPU fan choices and potentially affect airflow. The availability of alternative power supply units, SAS backplane options, and additional storage expandability via the 2.5″ SATA SSD drive slot enhances the enclosure’s versatility. It is important to consider the specific use case and compatibility requirements when assessing the suitability of the NSC-410, particularly for CPUs with more demanding cooling needs.

The U-NAS NSC-410 NAS Enclosure offers a pragmatic storage solution. Its practical features and solid construction make it a viable choice for those seeking a reliable network-attached storage solution, although some trade-offs exist. Ultimately, it is a product that can fulfill various storage needs within its design parameters.

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you. Need Help? Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry. [contact-form-7] TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions   Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.

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Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review

In 2024, the landscape of digital storage and data management is evolving rapidly, influenced heavily by the rising costs of third-party cloud services such as Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox. As subscription fees climb, many individuals and businesses are reconsidering their reliance on these external cloud solutions. The increasing financial burden is pushing a growing number of users towards exploring private, on-site server solutions for data storage and management. This shift is driven by the desire for more control over data, enhanced security, and, notably, a more cost-effective long-term storage strategy. In this context, the network-attached storage (NAS) market is witnessing an interesting divergence in user preferences. On one end, there are full turnkey NAS solutions from well-known brands like Synology and QNAP. These devices are valued for their ready-to-use nature, coming with comprehensive software ecosystems and user-friendly interfaces. They are ideal for those who prefer ease and simplicity, offering reliability without the need for deep technical engagement.

Conversely, the other end of the spectrum is dominated by build-it-yourself NAS solutions, leveraging free software platforms such as TrueNAS Core and TrueNAS Scale. This approach appeals to tech enthusiasts who enjoy customizing their systems. It offers greater flexibility and can be more cost-effective, allowing users to repurpose existing hardware or select components that meet their specific needs. However, this option demands a good grasp of both hardware and software intricacies. Amidst these options, a middle ground is becoming increasingly popular, especially among users who seek a balance between the plug-and-play convenience of turnkey solutions and the customization freedom of DIY systems. This is where products like the Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units find their relevance. These NAS models aim to provide a compromise, offering the foundational benefits of pre-built systems with opportunities for customization to suit individual preferences. They cater to users who want more control than what standard turnkey solutions offer but prefer to avoid the complexities of a full DIY setup.

Aoostar R1 2-Bay NAS (Intel N100 Version)		Aoostar R7 2-Bay NAS (AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Version)
Amazon >>> $419 (Check Amazon HERE)	Aliexpress >>> $309 (Check Aliexpress HERE)	Amazon >>> $419 (Check Amazon HERE)	Aliexpress >>> $388 (Check Aliexpress HERE)

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Quick Conclusion

Even on a casual analysis of the Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units, it is clear that these devices offer a compelling option for those in the market for a NAS solution that strikes a balance between turnkey and DIY systems. The Aoostar R1, with its Intel Processor N100, and the R7, powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, cater to a diverse range of needs, from basic home storage to more demanding small business applications, providing two solutions that provide significantly higher calibre hardware for the price point than comparable level offerings from Synology and QNAP. On the positive side, both models showcase a thoughtful design that maximizes internal space while maintaining a compact external footprint. Their double-sided micro ITX motherboards and the ability to accommodate multiple storage options highlight a commitment to efficiency and flexibility. The ease of access for upgrades and maintenance, thanks to the removable external casing and internal frame, is another plus, making these units user-friendly. However, there are areas where improvements could be beneficial. The cooling system, particularly in the R7 model, raises concerns, especially considering the potential for heat build-up given the powerful Ryzen processor and the proximity of the CPU fan to the hard drive bays. The absence of 10GbE connectivity in the R7 is a notable limitation for users seeking higher network performance. Additionally, while the pricing of these units is competitive, the lack of ECC memory support in the more powerful R7 model is a missed opportunity to appeal to a broader professional market. The Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units present a viable middle-ground solution for those looking to move away from third-party cloud services or seeking an alternative to the extremes of the NAS market. While they may not satisfy the most demanding users or those seeking the highest level of customization, they offer a solid balance of performance, ease of use, and expandability.

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Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Packaging & Retail Kit

The Aoostar NAS arrives in a simple, unadorned box, constructed from single-layer cardboard, which seems to prioritize cost-effectiveness over aesthetics. Inside, the unit is nestled in a thin plastic mold that conforms to its shape, providing basic protection during shipping. This minimalistic approach to packaging reflects a focus on practicality and cost-reduction, a common strategy in the tech industry, especially for budget-friendly products.

As this device is designed to balance high value with low cost, the choice of packaging materials clearly indicates where the brand has chosen to economize. The packaging is the first aspect where cost-saving measures are apparent, suggesting that Aoostar has allocated resources more towards the device’s functionality rather than its unboxing experience. This decision is not uncommon among technology manufacturers, especially when the goal is to offer competitively priced products without compromising on core features.

Included accessories are practical and sufficient for setting up the device: an external PSU, a setup instruction guide, an HDMI cable, and the Aoostar NAS unit itself. These components provide the essentials needed to get the system up and running right out of the box. The inclusion of a setup guide is particularly helpful for users who may be new to setting up NAS systems, ensuring a smooth and guided installation process.

The unit does not come with any additional storage drives, aside from the internal OS NVMe SSD which already has Windows 11 installed. This decision keeps the overall package weight under 1KG, making it lightweight and easy to handle. Customers should be aware that they’ll need to purchase additional storage drives separately if they wish to expand the NAS’s capabilities, especially given its support for up to two 3.5-inch hard drives as previously noted. The absence of an Ethernet cable in the package might seem unusual, but this can be seen as another cost-saving measure by Aoostar. It is likely presumed that many users already possess such cables, or prefer to select cables of a specific length or quality to suit their setup. This omission, while minor, is a reminder of the company’s focus on delivering a high-value product at a lower cost.

The included external 90W PSU is a fairly standard component and comes with a local regional mains cable attachment. This power supply unit is compatible with the device, ensuring reliable power delivery for optimal performance. The inclusion of the regional mains cable attachment is a thoughtful addition, catering to the specific needs of the user based on their location. However, the 90W rating of the external PSU for the Aoostar R1 seems somewhat excessive, considering the modest power requirements of the N100 CPU inside the NAS. This higher wattage is likely not fully utilized given the CPU’s efficiency and low power consumption. It’s possible that Aoostar uses the same 90W PSU across different models for consistency in manufacturing, which might explain its presence in the R1 kit despite the unit’s lower power needs.

Ultimately, while the Aoostar R1 system will never fully utilize the 90W capacity of the PSU, this choice might reflect a standardized approach in the production line, particularly when considering the similarities with the Aoostar R7. The R7, equipped with a more powerful Ryzen 7 8-core processor, would have higher power demands, possibly justifying the use of a 90W PSU in its kit. This uniformity in power supply units across different models can be a strategic decision to streamline production and reduce costs. Overall, the packaging of the Aoostar NAS might not impress in terms of visual appeal or materials, but the contents of the retail kit are thoughtfully chosen and entirely functional. The focus seems to be on delivering a good quality product with the necessary accessories for operation, rather than on providing a premium unboxing experience. This approach aligns with the brand’s apparent strategy of offering high-value, cost-effective computing solutions.

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Design

The Aoostar R1’s physical design stands out in the NAS market due to its taller stature compared to many turnkey 2-Bay NAS devices. However, when considering its overall volume, it aligns closely with models like the Synology DS224+ and QNAP TS-264 NAS. This height difference, while noticeable, does not significantly impact the unit’s footprint, making it a viable option for users accustomed to the size of mainstream NAS devices.

The ventilation system of the Aoostar R1 is meticulously designed, dividing airflow management into three key areas for optimal cooling. The first area is a large base vent equipped with a 90mm fan, which forms the foundation of the unit’s cooling mechanism. This base vent is crucial for maintaining a steady airflow, ensuring that the internal components remain at an optimal temperature during operation.

Adding to the cooling efficiency, there’s a top-mounted and removable vent panel. This panel not only facilitates easy access for maintenance but also enhances the ventilation by covering the additional ventilated drive trays. The removable nature of this panel demonstrates a thoughtful design, allowing for both effective cooling and convenient maintenance.

The system also includes a robust combined CPU heatsink and an attached copper fan, strategically positioned to direct airflow towards the top panel. This arrangement enhances heat dissipation, crucial for maintaining system stability and performance. The design indicates a careful consideration of airflow dynamics, ensuring that the heat generated by the CPU is effectively managed. While the overall design is impressive, there are some reservations about the positioning of the CPU and main micro-ITX board, especially in the context of the higher thermal design power (TDP) Ryzen 7 equipped Aoostar R7 model. The concern lies in these components being sandwiched between the HDD bays, which could potentially impact thermal management. However, this is less of an issue in the N100-equipped R1 version, which has a much lower TDP and therefore generates less heat.

The main storage bays in the Aoostar R1, although functional, have a slightly flimsy construction and utilize removable drive screw grommets that feel somewhat cheap. This aspect of the design might raise questions about durability and long-term reliability. Despite this, the bays serve their purpose and allow for the installation of storage media with relative ease.

Both 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA media can be installed in these bays, with the latter requiring additional screws for secure placement. This flexibility in media compatibility is a plus, catering to different storage needs and preferences. The design ensures that the drives, once installed, feel secure in the trays and directly connect to combined data and power SATA connectors internally, eliminating the concern of loose cables. In terms of aesthetic comparison, the Aoostar R1’s design bears a resemblance to the Mac Pro desktop from the mid-2010s or the Drobo Data Transporter. This comparison highlights the unit’s modern and professional appearance, which may appeal to users who appreciate sleek and functional design in their tech devices.

Hot swapping of the 2 SATA storage bays is not supported with the pre-installed Windows 11 software, but this functionality is likely to be achievable with alternative operating systems such as TrueNAS or UnRAID. The flexibility to install different operating systems adds to the device’s versatility, catering to users who require more advanced storage management features. Internally, the Aoostar R1 is equipped with additional storage capabilities, featuring a single M.2 NVMe Gen 3 2280 slot. This slot comes preoccupied with the OS drive, highlighting the unit’s readiness for immediate use. The inclusion of an M.2 slot offers fast data transfer speeds and efficient storage, enhancing the overall performance of the device.

The Aoostar R7 NAS, on the other hand, benefits from an additional M.2 NVMe SSD 2280 slot, also supporting Gen 3. This extra slot in the R7 model provides greater flexibility and capacity for storage expansion, making it a more suitable choice for users with higher storage demands. Finally, the base 90mm fan of the Aoostar R1 operates very quietly, contributing to a pleasant user experience. However, during operation, the CPU fan becomes audible, even under light use. This noise level is possibly due to the motherboard’s placement directly between the SATA bays, which may affect airflow and consequently the cooling efficiency of the CPU fan.

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Ports and Connections

The Aoostar R1 and R7 models boast identical port configurations, a design choice that simplifies user understanding across the product line. This uniformity in ports ensures that users can have a consistent experience regardless of which model they choose. The similarity in port offerings across these models reflects a streamlined approach to product design, making it easier for users to transition between different models if needed.

Among the available ports, there are 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A 10Gb/s ports and a USB-C port, providing high-speed data transfer capabilities. These ports are ideal for connecting external storage devices, high-resolution cameras, or other peripherals that benefit from fast data transfer rates. The inclusion of a USB-C port also adds a level of future-proofing, as it’s becoming the standard for many modern devices.

Additionally, there are two USB 2.0 ports, which are most suitable for connecting peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, especially when using the NAS with its visual outputs. These ports, while not suitable for high-speed data transfers, are perfectly adequate for input devices. Their inclusion ensures that essential peripherals can be connected without occupying the more valuable high-speed ports.

Regarding visual output, the units are equipped with an HDMI 2.0 and a DisplayPort 1.4 connection, both capable of supporting 4K resolution at 60FPS. This capability is particularly beneficial for users who need high-definition output, such as for media servers or digital signage. The ability to deliver 4K content smoothly makes these NAS units versatile in various settings, from home entertainment to professional environments. The support for KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) is dependent on the NAS software in use and its capability to support an external graphical user interface. The Windows 11 software included with these units is a standard desktop operating system, not a server version of Windows. This choice implies that the NAS is intended for users who are comfortable with a familiar, user-friendly interface rather than a specialized server environment.

The default network connection on the Aoostar R1 consists of 2x 2.5GbE ports, which also support auto-negotiation with 1GbE networks. This feature ensures compatibility with a wide range of network speeds and environments, making it a flexible choice for different types of network setups. The 2.5GbE connectivity offers a balance between high-speed data transfer and compatibility with existing network infrastructures.

Users have the option to expand network capabilities using various USB-to-2.5GbE adapters, which typically cost between $15-25. These adapters provide an affordable way to add more network connections, enhancing the unit’s functionality in complex network environments. This flexibility is particularly useful for users who need to integrate the NAS into a network with specific requirements. The absence of a 10GbE port is understandable in the modestly powered Aoostar R1, equipped with an N100 processor, but it is a more noticeable limitation in the higher-powered Ryzen 7 8-Core Aoostar R7. Ideally, it would have been preferable to have a 10GbE port, possibly by repurposing the internal additional M.2 NVMe port to an external 10GbE connection through an adapter or motherboard modification. Such a feature would significantly enhance the data transfer capabilities of the R7 model, making it more suitable for environments with higher network performance requirements.

There is no PCIe upgradeable slot in these models, and the full extent of the PCIe lanes afforded to this architecture is already maximized. This limitation is understandable, considering the compact form factor and the intended use case of these NAS units. While it limits the potential for hardware upgrades, it also ensures a more stable and reliable system by design. Overall, it’s evident that the physical connectivity of the Aoostar R1 and R7 models aligns with the rest of the Aoostar N1 and N7 Mini PC series, albeit with modifications tailored towards a 2-Bay NAS system. This consistency in design across different models reflects a strategic approach to product development, focusing on creating versatile, user-friendly devices that cater to a range of needs and preferences.

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Internal Hardware

Accessing the internal hardware of the Aoostar R1 is a straightforward process, involving the removal of four screws located at the base panel. This user-friendly design is indicative of Aoostar’s commitment to making their devices easily serviceable. Once the screws are removed, the external casing can be easily lifted off, revealing the inner components.

Sliding out the internal frame, the double-sided micro ITX motherboard becomes visible, showcasing the compact and efficient design of the Aoostar R1. This reveals the intricate engineering that has gone into maximizing the use of space within the unit. The double-sided nature of the motherboard is a clever use of space, allowing for more components to be fitted into the compact NAS unit.

On one side of this motherboard, the combined CPU cooler and heatsink are prominently featured. This setup is crucial for maintaining optimal operating temperatures and ensuring the longevity and reliability of the CPU. The integration of the cooler and heatsink into a single unit demonstrates a focus on efficient thermal management within the compact form factor of the NAS.

Here are the side-by-side specifications of the Aoostar R1 and R7, which vary in price by around $100-150 depending on your configuration:

Specification	Aoostar R1	Aoostar R7
CPU	Intel Processor N100 quad-core	AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, 8 cores/16 threads
Graphics	24EU Intel HD graphics @ 750 MHz	AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM	Up to 16GB DDR4-3200 (1x slot)	Up to 64GB DDR4-3200 (2x slots)
Storage	512GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (optional)	512GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (optional)
Additional M.2 Slot	None	1 (M.2 2280, NVMe)
Networking	2x 2.5GbE, WiFi 6	2x 2.5GbE, WiFi 6
USB Ports	2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 2.0	2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 2.0
Video Output	HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4	HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4
Power Supply	90W external PSU	90W external PSU
Dimensions	162 x 162 x 198 mm	162 x 162 x 198 mm
Weight	Approx. 1kg	Approx. 1kg

There are concerns about the placement of the CPU fan in the Aoostar R1, as it is positioned directly above a 3.5″ hard drive. This configuration could potentially lead to the intake of warm air into the cooler, affecting its efficiency, or it might limit the dissipation of heat from the heatsink. Such a design choice may have implications for the thermal management of the device, especially under heavy use.

Flipping the motherboard reveals the M.2 NVMe storage bay(s) in the R1 and R7 models, respectively. The R1 model includes a single M.2 NVMe slot, while the R7 benefits from an additional slot. This difference in storage expansion capabilities highlights the R7’s suitability for more demanding storage requirements. Each model comes with two SODIMM DDR4 memory slots, offering flexibility in memory configuration. Customers have the option to purchase the device without memory, or they can opt for configurations with 16GB or 32GB (2x 16GB) of 3200MHz DDR4 RAM. This choice allows users to tailor the memory to their specific needs and budget.

It’s important to note that the system does not support ECC Memory, which, while not critical for this scale of operation, could have been a beneficial feature in the more powerful R7 unit. ECC Memory offers improved data integrity, which is particularly useful in environments where data accuracy is paramount. However, for most home and small office applications, the lack of ECC Memory is not a significant drawback. The Aoostar units come equipped with WiFi 6 support, delivered via an M.2 AX Intel WiFi module. This modern wireless standard provides faster and more reliable internet connectivity. The WiFi module feeds into two internal antennas located on the base of the frame on either side, ensuring optimal signal reception and transmission.

This integration of advanced networking capabilities into the Aoostar’s design is an impressive modification of the existing architecture of other Aoostar mini PCs, now adapted for a 2-Bay NAS system. The transformation from a standard mini PC to a NAS system involves more than just adding hard drive bays; it requires a thoughtful reconfiguration of internal components to support NAS functionalities effectively. However, concerns about the physical placement of the motherboard persist, especially considering the Aoostar models are designed for 24/7 operation. While the systems will experience extended idle periods, during busy times, the CPU could potentially experience performance throttling due to insufficient cooling. This concern is more pronounced in the R7 model, equipped with a more powerful Ryzen 7 processor, which generates more heat and thus requires more efficient cooling.

Both the Intel N100 in the Aoostar R1 and the Ryzen 7 in the R7 feature multi-core architectures and integrated graphics. However, the Vega graphics in the R7 are notably superior in terms of performance and capabilities. This difference in graphics processing power makes the R7 model more suitable for tasks that require more robust graphical processing, such as media transcoding or light gaming.

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS Review – Verdict and Conclusion

Even on a casual analysis of the Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units, it is clear that these devices offer a compelling option for those in the market for a NAS solution that strikes a balance between turnkey and DIY systems. The Aoostar R1, with its Intel Processor N100, and the R7, powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U, cater to a diverse range of needs, from basic home storage to more demanding small business applications, providing two solutions that provide significantly higher calibre hardware for the price point than comparable level offerings from Synology and QNAP. On the positive side, both models showcase a thoughtful design that maximizes internal space while maintaining a compact external footprint. Their double-sided micro ITX motherboards and the ability to accommodate multiple storage options highlight a commitment to efficiency and flexibility. The ease of access for upgrades and maintenance, thanks to the removable external casing and internal frame, is another plus, making these units user-friendly. However, there are areas where improvements could be beneficial. The cooling system, particularly in the R7 model, raises concerns, especially considering the potential for heat build-up given the powerful Ryzen processor and the proximity of the CPU fan to the hard drive bays. The absence of 10GbE connectivity in the R7 is a notable limitation for users seeking higher network performance. Additionally, while the pricing of these units is competitive, the lack of ECC memory support in the more powerful R7 model is a missed opportunity to appeal to a broader professional market. The Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS units present a viable middle-ground solution for those looking to move away from third-party cloud services or seeking an alternative to the extremes of the NAS market. While they may not satisfy the most demanding users or those seeking the highest level of customization, they offer a solid balance of performance, ease of use, and expandability.

 

Aoostar R1 2-Bay NAS (Intel N100 Version)		Aoostar R7 2-Bay NAS (AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Version)
Amazon >>> $419 (Check Amazon HERE)	Aliexpress >>> $309 (Check Aliexpress HERE)	Amazon >>> $419 (Check Amazon HERE)	Aliexpress >>> $388 (Check Aliexpress HERE)

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS PROS

Aoostar R1 and R7 NAS CONS

– Compact and efficient design with double-sided micro ITX motherboards. – Flexibility in storage options with support for multiple drives and M.2 NVMe SSDs. – User-friendly access for upgrades and maintenance. – Good balance of performance and price, especially in the R1 model. – Support for WiFi 6 and multiple high-speed USB and networking ports. – Windows 11 pre-installed, offering a familiar operating system environment.

– Potential for inadequate cooling, particularly in the R7 model. – Lack of 10GbE connectivity in the R7, limiting higher network performance. – No support for ECC memory, which could be a drawback for professional users. – Concerns about the physical placement of components and their impact on system cooling and longevity. – The R7’s higher price point might be a barrier for some users, considering the noted limitations.

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Synology RS422+ NAS Drive – Should You Buy It?

Should the RS422+ NAS from Synology be your next big tech purchase? With such a wide range of private server solutions on the market, it’s never been a better time to be a NAS buyer, looking to move your data away from a public cloud provider, or even to run them side-by-side as a 2-tier backup solution for your home or business needs! Synology has a tremendously diverse range of NAS solutions, but with the previous generation(s) of solutions in their portfolio now appearing on offer, as well as available at discount at 2nd hand eTailers – does the RS422+ deserve your data? We already made a massive review on the Synology RS422+ NAS HERE, but today I want to hit the Pros and Cons head-on and help you decide much quicker on whether this NAS is for you.

HARDWARE HIGHLIGHTS CPU: AMD Embedded Ryzen R1600 2-Core 2.6-3.1Ghz Memory: 2GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM (FIXED) SATA Bays: x4 SATA 3.5/2.5″ Bays M.2 NVMe Bays: No Network Ports: 2x 1GbE PCIe Upgrade: Yes, Only for 10GbE Upgrade (E10G22-T1-mini) Software Platform: DSM Warranty: 3yr Warranty

5 Reasons the Synology RS422+ is a Good NAS for You

So, first up, let’s discuss the high points! Here are the five reasons why the Synology RS422+ NAS drive deserves your money and your data!

Note – if you are in a hurry, you can watch my ‘Synology RS422+ – Before You Buy’ video below HERE

#1 – The RS422+ is Compact, Low Noise and has Low Power Use

The RS422+ is designed with a compact form factor, making it easy to fit in various environments, from small offices to crowded server rooms. The device’s low noise level ensures a quiet working atmosphere, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments where maintaining a professional atmosphere is essential. Its low power consumption is not only beneficial for reducing energy costs, but it also helps minimize the environmental impact, contributing to a greener and more sustainable workspace.

#2 – Runs EVERYTHING in Synology DSM 7

Runs EVERYTHING in Synology DSM 7: The RS422+ is fully compatible with the latest Synology DSM 7 operating system, providing access to a wealth of applications, services, and features that simplify data management and enhance productivity. DSM 7 offers improved security, better performance, and a more intuitive user interface, ensuring an optimal user experience. With the extensive application ecosystem available through DSM 7, you can run a wide range of services, from backup solutions to multimedia streaming, all from a single device.

#3 – Fast/Easy Upgrade to 10GbE

The RS422+ supports easy upgrades to 10GbE network connectivity, enabling fast data transfer speeds and improved performance for bandwidth-intensive applications. This high-speed connectivity is crucial for businesses and professionals dealing with large volumes of data, such as video editors or data analysts. The ability to upgrade to 10GbE ensures that your NAS remains future-proof and adaptable to the evolving needs of your organization.

#4 – Includes ECC Memory

The inclusion of Error Correction Code (ECC) memory in the RS422+ helps prevent data corruption and ensures the integrity and reliability of your data. ECC memory automatically detects and corrects single-bit memory errors, reducing the risk of system crashes and data loss. This added layer of protection is particularly valuable in environments where data integrity is crucial, such as financial institutions or scientific research facilities.

#5 – Storage Advantages in SHR, BTRFS and Fast Repair

The RS422+ supports Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Btrfs file system, and fast repair features, offering flexibility in storage management, data protection, and quick recovery in case of drive failures. SHR automatically optimizes storage capacity and data protection levels based on the number and size of installed drives. The Btrfs file system enables advanced features such as snapshot replication, data deduplication, and file-level data integrity checks. Fast repair minimizes downtime and accelerates the recovery process when a failed drive is replaced.

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5 Reasons the Synology RS422+ Might NOT Be the NAS for You

While the Synology RS422+ NAS has numerous advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks that may dissuade certain users from investing in it. Here are the top reasons why you might want to consider alternatives to the Synology RS422+ NAS:

#1 – Default Memory is 2GB and Fixed

The RS422+ comes with a fixed 2GB memory, which may not be sufficient for some advanced applications or heavy multitasking. Upgrading the memory is not possible due to its fixed nature, limiting the potential for performance improvement as your needs evolve over time. This limitation can be particularly challenging for organizations with growing data processing requirements or those running memory-intensive applications.

#2 – 1GbE Default Network Connectivity

While the RS422+ can be upgraded to 10GbE, the default network connectivity is 1GbE, which may limit performance for users with high bandwidth requirements. This default connectivity may not be suitable for environments with multiple users accessing the NAS simultaneously or those transferring large volumes of data frequently.

#3 – Lack of Storage Expandability

The RS422+ has limited storage expandability, which could be a concern for users with growing storage needs. This limitation may necessitate the purchase of additional NAS devices or other storage solutions to accommodate increasing data volumes, potentially adding to the overall cost and complexity of the storage infrastructure.

#4 – Lack of M.2 NVMe SSD Slots

The RS422+ does not have M.2 NVMe SSD slots for cache or storage, which could limit its performance compared to other NAS devices that offer this feature. M.2 NVMe SSDs provide significantly faster data access and transfer speeds, enhancing overall performance and responsiveness, particularly for I/O-intensive tasks such as virtualization or large-scale file transfers. The absence of M.2 NVMe SSD support in the RS422+ may make it less attractive for users who require the highest possible performance from their NAS solution

#5 – The RS422+ is More Expensive than it should be!

Despite its numerous advantages and features, the RS422+ is priced higher than some of its competitors at £730 vs similar/better hardware in the desktop DS923+ at £550+, which may deter budget-conscious buyers. The higher cost may be difficult to justify, regardless of it being a rackmount and ‘business tax’, particularly for users who do not require all the advanced features offered by the RS422+ or for those who are not looking to scale up their storage needs significantly beyond older gens (many of which also still support traditional PCIe PCIe Cards). In such cases, more cost-effective NAS alternatives may provide better value for money, while still meeting the users’ storage and performance requirements. In conclusion, while the Synology RS422+ NAS has numerous strengths that make it a strong contender in the market, its lack of M.2 NVMe SSD slots vs the likes of the DS923+ and DS1522+, plus higher price point may be deal-breakers for some users. It is essential to consider your specific storage, performance, and budgetary requirements before making a decision, and to explore alternative NAS solutions that may provide a better balance of features and cost.

What We Said About the Synology RS422+ NAS in our FULL Review

Massive Synology RS422+ Review Article – HERE

YouTube Synology RS422+ Review – HERE

What Synology has produced in the RS422+ Rackstation NAS is an intriguing middle ground between their more cost-effective ARM-based rackmount solutions and their more expensive scalable and upgradable servers. On the face of it, you are getting a tremendously compact but capable 1U 4-Bay rackmount server that, as soon as you factor in the included DSM software and services, is very good value for businesses that want to move their data out of 3rd party cloud and into something they have full control over. Additionally, that CPU (though a fraction divisive when compared previously vs Intel chips in the desktop DS1522+) makes more sense here in this more affordable Rackstation solution. The lack of NVMe M.2 SSD slots, fixed 2GB memory and lack off rails I am less keen on here (and I am still a little on the fence about the way they have pursued 10GbE upgrades in this system) but you are still getting a very well built and small scale NAS solution here and Synology have found a good price point here for this complete solution. Additionally, the fact that Synology has not been so restrictive on HDD use in this system than in more enterprise solutions in 2022 is welcoming too, though they are still taking an odd stance on some drives nonetheless. Ultimately, I can recommend the Synology RS422+ Rackstation NAS to smaller business users, though looking for a compact and very easy-to-deploy NAS solution for surveillance, central business storage, additional backup layers and for DSM as a whole. Though multimedia users might want to give it a miss.

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? Synology 4-Bay Rackmount NAS RackStation RS422+ (Diskless),Black Amazon UK 52.62 OFF (WAS 1714) [LINK] Synology 4 Bay NAS 1.4Ghz Quadcore CPU - RS422+ Rack Station, Black Amazon USA 36.93 OFF (WAS 896) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

Storaxa NAS – What Has Happened in the First 12 Months?

The Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign, initiated by Arrowtrack in 2023, marked its first year as a significant entry in the realm of crowdfunding projects. This article aims to methodically dissect the unfolding events and key developments of this period, maintaining a neutral and factual stance throughout. Over these 12 months, the campaign navigated through various challenges and milestones, characteristic of many crowdfunded endeavors. Central to the whole campaigns woes were the reported financial difficulties encountered, notably the withholding of funds by the payment processor Stripe. This situation precipitated a series of delays in production and delivery, directly impacting the campaign’s trajectory. Concurrently, communication between Arrowtrack and its backers was a focal point, with periods of minimal updates and responses raising questions among the project’s supporters. Arrowtrack’s efforts to keep backers informed included regular updates on the production process, supplier negotiations, and hardware design adjustments. Despite these attempts at transparency, there remained an undercurrent of concern among backers regarding the campaign’s financial management and documentation.

This article attempts to present an unbiased chronicle of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign’s first year, tracing its highs and lows. It seeks to provide readers with a clear, unvarnished understanding of the events as they unfolded, reflecting the complexities and challenges inherent in the world of crowdfunding technology projects.

Currently, at the time of writing (Jan 5th 2024) the status of the Storaxa Kickstarter campaign is not entirely clear. Updates are arriving on average twice a month (based on an annual average). Delivery/fulfillment timelines are still tremendously vague, and communication between the campaign organization Arrowtrak/Storaxa and the 4,900+ backers has slowed down significantly with self-imposed deadlines and schedules being regularly broken. This campaign is still showing life and there is still more than enough evidence to backup that this is NOT a scam. However, long-running silence periods from the company, poor timekeeping and comparisons that are being drawn to other projects that have arisen in 2023 (both crowdfunded and straight to retail) have resulted in questions being asked and no answers being given. Let’s start right at the beginning and discussing what the Sotraxa IS/WAS and how the campaign started.

NOTE – You can watch the full 4 HOUR video that covers everything that happened in the first 12 months of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS Campaign HERE

The Storaxa NAS Kickstarter from Feb 2023 – What is/was it?

What is the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS and why is it a big deal to alot of potential storage buyers? Well, let’s rewind a bit. If you want to own a private network attached storage (NAS) solution in your home or office, until relatively recently, you only really had two options. The easiest, but more expensive option is to buy a ready-to-go NAS solution from the likes of Synology or QNAP, which is a ready-to-go out-the-box, arriving with its own software and services included (more often referred to as a ‘turnkey’ solution). Alternatively, the more affordable option, but more technically challenging, is to build your own server (or repurpose old tech) and then install open-source software onboard, such as TrueNAS or UnRAID. One option easy but expensive, the other way is cheaper but features a substantially higher learning curve. So, what is the solution? Well, in the last year or two we have seen big increases in a 3rd option, a middle ground between Turnkey NAS and FULL DiY, in the form of NAS servers from companies such as Topton and CWWK (we reviewed one here), which are ready-built desktop NAS devices (CPU, Memory, OS SSD, etc), but either arriving completely OS-free or include popular Open-Source software preinstalled. These solutions not only arrive at an overall price point lower than turnkey NAS (which needs to factor in the software costs and continued technical/software support), but they more often than not arrive with even better hardware too. Better CPU choices, better default connectivity and all of this whilst allowing OpenSource software users to skip the whole ‘build the thing from scratch’ element and get thermal paste under their fingernails! So, what has the Storaxa Kickstarter got to do with this?

Well, because it arrives as one of the most compelling examples of this growing 3rd option open to potential NAS buyers that we have seen. With the Kickstarter campaign arriving at frankly incredibly low price points, even when compared against the numerous alternatives available on Aliexpress etc, as well as a dual OS (proxmox) and Dual network management/NAS architecture too thanks to WiFi antenna, few NAS solutions have promised to delivery so much for so little. So, what’s the catch? Well, Kickstarter! Like any crowdfunded project, the solution is a crowd-funded project that lacks the guarantee of a refund if the campaign is unsuccessful or suitable recompense if the eventual product does not meet its promises. So, thanks to alot of regular subscribers to the YouTube channel highlighting this project, doubts in the air around pricing, all alongside some interesting back-and-forth with the creators, I want to follow the progress of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS right to when/if it crosses the finish line. Maybe it will be the breaking point for a new kind of solution that established names in the industry wake up and smell the coffee over? Maybe it will not and these videos and paragraphs will simply form a record of what when right and what went wrong. Regardless, it will be interesting to find out!

Storaxa NAS – Too Good to be True? The Initial Pitch

The initial campaign from the Storaxa group for this NAS was made up of several elements. It arrived with a production video that made the system look easy to use and access, not uncommon in this kind of kickstart project presentation. The initial general outlined specifications were:

Base/Entry Storaxa NAS Specifications

• Linux OS (Promox Base, TrueNAS Scale & OpenWRT VMs)
• Max 142TB Storage
• 5xHDD
• 4xSSD
• TrueNAS
• WiFi 6E
• 2x 10GbE + 4x 2.5GbE
• Intel & AMD CPU
• SD + MicroSD Card Reader

The design is pretty much the main thing that stood out. The actual casing, at least as far as a 5x SATA bay chassis) is fairly standard, but it is only when you factor in the additional 4x M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD bays and twin rear dual band antenna that the unique design that is being proposed here standards out notably.

Sketches and 3D plans of the Stroaxa NAS chassis were shown, as well as a breakdown of the main component placement on the internal motherboard were also shown. This was one area where questions arose around PCIe lane distribution and potential heat concerns around the project. Some of these concerns were answered in the comments section, whilst others were approached in the backers-only section. Kind of odd that 

Here is the breakdown of the hardware in the base line Storaxa NAS (further configurations were rolled out later on after a backer poll was conducted):

Hardware Specifications of Initially Proposed System:

• Intel N6005 Pentium Silver CPU (Quad Core, x86, 2.0 – 3.3Ghz)
• Integrated Graphics, 450Mhz – 900Mhz
• 16GB 3200Mhz SODIMM (non-ECC) Memory
• Five SATA 3.5″ Hard Drive Bays (2.5″ SSD with adapter)
• Four M.2 NVMe SSD 2280 Slots (Gen 3)
• Internal 128/120GB SSD (OS Drive, OverP Considerations)
• WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Twin External Antenna and Dual Band
• 4x 2.5GbE Network Connections
• HDMI 2.0 4K 60FPS (+DP)
• 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s) Type A/C and 2x USB 2.0 Type A
• 20cm x 18cm x 26cm Chassis
• Twin Rear Cooling Fans and Heat dissipating casing

Here is a similar board below, from the Storaxa pages:

Now, as mentioned, Storaxa has stated that they are using an existing hardware architecture for the internals of the Storaxa, providing a few examples of the architecture and references deep in the comments section. Long before this though, blogs and forums (once again, I have to give props to Reddit and STH here) had already called out that it was likely the boards used in Mini PCs under the TopTon and CWWK branding. An example of which we reviewed – CWWK AIO-T6 6-Bay NAS Review. Bang For Buck? (Massive Review and Hardware Breakdown) HERE on NASCompares

For a closer look at how the CWWK AIO-TT6 NAS looks, you can use the gallery below. 

Alternatively, you can watch the video review below (SELF PLUG ALERT!!!):

Following repeated questions by some users about the background of the team,, the team appeared on a video published on a backer-only update on the 9th Feb ’23:

Additionally, It is worth highlighting that they had already detailed their key members in the initial Kickstarter presentation (repeated below):

The Storaxa NAS Team Members:

• Marvin He is responsible for the industrial design. He made use of a 3D printer to print the structure and design from CAD. He printed and tested all the parts, and made sure the assembly is feasible and easy. 
• Matt Wang is our electrical engineer. He is responsible for two parts in the development of Storaxa. Firstly, he communicates with the PCB supplier and solve related technical issues. Secondly, he confirms all the specifications and design of the PCB that connects with the SSDs.
• Keith Zhou is our procurement and logistics executive. When there is shortage for different parts in making Storaxa, he will find substitutes for engineers and PCB suppliers. He is also familiar with VAT for importing and exporting, as he worked in an international logistics company for the past year.
• Thomas Li is our system engineer. All of Storaxa’s software development is created by him. For example, he decides which Linux distribution to pre-install, and test the compatibility and reliability between software and hardware
• Li-Sau Man (Karen) is responsible for PR and customer service. Alongside strong writing and editing skills, she has a good understanding of digital communication channels and tools. She is effective in circulation of internal and external communications including newsletters, campaigns, speeches.

In a backers-only update, there was further information on the Plex Media server performance of the Soraxa, in an unlisted YouTube video. Again, it is good to see some test benchmarks and user case information to relate with, but these videos being unlisted still seemed unnecessary. Original text below from Feb 3rd:

Testing Plex with AMD 5825U

The easiest way to run Plex on Storaxa, is to install the Plex app in the Truenas-SCALE official app catalog. To ensure the system is not constrained by memory, we installed 64GB of RAM, and assigned 50+ to the TrueNAS-SCALE VM. We prepared H.264 30fps 1080p videos, and stream at 720p so as to force Plex to transcode. The streaming client is a MacBook pro connected via an ethernet cable. We managed to run six player instances  simultaneously, each playing a different video, without noticeable stutter.

It is worth remembering that alot of the information above was to only backers, which is still rather odd and only reasons of patent/IP protection might cover this – but it would be an odd stance to take on only the smaller % of the details. Nevertheless, I want to remain optimistic. It is not impossible that the Storaxa can be released and be a good product for the price point, but we are still talking pretty thin margins! For example, a similar Topton/CWWK/etc board can be purchased with the same N6005 CPU, SSD and 8GB of memory for £246 (so, approx $339) on Aliexpress. There are lots of differing examples under different brand names, but here is an example:

And the baseline Storaxa NAS (no add-ons, just the Intel Pentium N6005, 120/128GB NVMe, WiFi 6 module and 16GB of memory) comes in at $274. And that also has to include the casing, antenna, testing, time spent with software installation and testing/Q.C (PLus that free 32GB Memory card too now). Even if you factor in the profit margin that sellers on AliExpress need to factor in per sale vs the savings made possible by bulk buying by Storaxa team at the production level – that still leaves a remarkably narrow profit margin. It was this, plus the comments sent my way, odd presentation inconsistencies (nothing big, but blips here and there) that led to the video below:

Storaxa NAS –  Late Feb ’23 Update

When the Kickstarter concluded, it passed all stretch goals and at the time of writing, the stats are:

“5,917 backers pledged $1,924,001 to help bring this project to life.”

Regarding the Pledge Manager (for users to customize/confirm their order), it arrived a week later than expected, as Storaxa stated Pledgebox recommended aiming for the 25th Feb, so funds would be appropriately wired over and to eliminate errors when exporting backer pledges from Kickstarter to PledgeBox). Additionally, there were further breakdowns on the Storaxa page regarding the Schematics and Main board/layout of each configuration, detailed as follows:

Before we start, here is a schematic diagram of the main board with the key components. Please click on the image to view the diagrams for all the other CPU configurations. You can refer to these diagrams to help you choose your options. For experts and backers with advanced knowledge on NAS, these may be enough. 

After several requests for updated videos of the system being connected and from multiple angles, the following was provided in the backers-only area and via unlisted videos:

Uncut, Unedited Demo

Here is the uncut unedited demos as requested. We included a different angle to show all the cables and you can see that WiFi is disconnected and nothing is under the Storaxa. It can be viewed in 4K so you can see everything clearly. 

As per further updates and details on the stretch goals that were hit during the progression of the campaign, they proposed that they would  include an additional 32GB SD Card with all Sotraxa purchases after the campaign hits $1.9 Million (which it did). Their original update:

Also we have decided on the Stretch Goal #5. For the final stretch goal, we want to add something that won’t increase the SKU and something that everyone can benefit from. Once we hit $1.9 million, we will include one 32GB microSD card with the recovery image for all Storaxa units. You can use it to store snapshots and since you can always leave it in the slot, it won’t be easy to lose.

Regrding shipping, Staraxa state that they worked with a backer volunteer to test ship an item as a demonstration of the means of shipping to the EU and that it was received without any additional tax/customs payments being required:

One of the most asked questions was about extra VAT, customs and taxes that backers will need to pay regarding shipment to the EU. We have already explained that our forwarder has included all customs and taxes in their quotation and they will send it in a way to avoid extra charges to the recipient. During one of these discussions, a backer volunteered to help us test this shipping method to see if any additional VAT was charged. We were contacted by that backer yesterday after she received the package without any extra VAT.

Storaxa NAS – March Updates

The Storaxa timeline has now shifted forward, with pledges stated at 82% of completion as of 27/03. Likewise, the timeline has now been updated on the project by the Storaxa team:

Users who had access to the Pledge manager were given a considerable number of options with regard to customizing their Storaxa, with detailed pricing throughout. There were reported payment issues and bank authentication issues, but these were PlexBox/PlegeManager related. If a user wanted to stick with the default configuration (Intel N6005, 16GB DDR4, WiFi6, 120GB SSD, 2.5Gx4), The Lowest Priced Storaxa NAS Configuration remained at $274:

However, the range of configurations was surprisingly diverse.

Configuration Options –  Wireless Module #1

Configuration Options – OS Drive #2

Configuration Options – CPU Choice #3

Configuration Options – Network Connectivity Choice #4

Configuration Options – Memory Capacity Choice #5

If you wanted to scale the Storaxa up to the maximum configuration of the system (Intel i7-1265U, 64GB DDR4, WiFi6e, 2TB SSD, 10Gx2, 2.5Gx2), that increased the price by $390, making the Highest Priced Storaxa NAS Configuration at $664:

There were also additional options for adding additional Storaxa NAS systems, storage media, spare PSUs and drive adapters.

The Optional Add ons and Media Choices Available:

So, if you wanted to opt for the Storaxa system with 20TB Seagate Ironwolf Pro’, 4TB WD Black SN850X PCIe4 SSDs and spare Boot disk, the Maximum Specification Storaxa System was priced at $2899.

For perspecitve, the QNAP TVS-h874 8-Bay NAS (no media included, 32GB, no 10GbE) is currently priced at approx at $2498 (one example below):

That is a huge saving indeed. This once again makes me want to hope that devices like this can/do happen and can give biggest/etablished names in the NAS industry pause for thought!

Elsewhere. there was continued back and forth regarding concerns about the CWWK board and the diminished SATA speed potential vs the bandwidth/lane allocation across the system (Most detailed example HERE). The Storaxa Team responded 5 hours later, highlighting that the default/baseline configuration will have these more limited bandwidth issues. This is something that many more experience tech users/builders had postulated earlier in the crowdfunding stages, but less experienced users or those less familiar with CWWK/Topton systems seen online might have been less aware. This is another one of those points of presentation where the simplicity of the solution in the initial Kickstarter videos and bullet points have glossed over the capabilities of a system at this pricepoint:

Below was our March update that goes into more detail about the pledge manager and pricing comparisons:

The March/April period also saw the Arrotrack/Storaxa site go live. Though in an early skeleton form that largely copied the content of the Kickstarter campaign (though the March 31st update was now publically visible)

The domain ownership appears to be alot older, but according to waybackmachine the site has only really seen active changes in the last month or so (understandable).

One notable thing is that although the number of unique and available pages was limited, the Fulfillment and Returns page is completed. This is quite surprising, given that the device has yet to or even finished production. This might seem a bit ‘cart before the horse has bolted’, but one could also argue that this is a further positive move by them that underlines that they intend to fulfill, but are also aware of the thin-ness of their profit margins to withstand cancellations at the 11th hour.

April 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

April (and very late March) saw two main updates to the Storaxa Kickstarter campaign, as well as two updates to the project timeline. This was also combined with a few questions surrounding the business address of Arrotrack (the company that Storaxa creators are trading under).

There have been several references to the project being slightly delayed (not unusual with Kickstarters) and also a few extra details surrounding the regional delivery plans. The key updates from Storaxa though surrounded confirmation of the AMD layout and changes to the Intel schemes.

Free DDR5 Upgrades

Due to a change in the Intel Storaxa board layouts and specification support, Storaxa confirmed that those opting for the higher-end configurations would have an upgrade from DDR4 to DDR5 Memory. This was largely down to these boards not supporting DDR4 memory, but nonetheless, a welcome bonus for those affected.

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Future of Storaxa NAS, Post Crowdfunding?

There was also a discussion of Storaxa plans post-fulfilment, with Storaxa clearly indicating that they plan on continuing production after fulfilment of Storaxa Kickstarter units concludes. Hopefully, this occurs after ALL backers have been satisfied, as it is not unheard of for some Kickstarter campaigns to introduce late-stage outside retail options in order to financially support the initial Kickstarter pledges, which might have been priced incorrectly. Again, there is NO INDICATION of this and it is perfectly normal/sensible for them to keep an eye on the future. Indeed, its actually a positive sign in many respects that they are thinking long term.

Talking of long-term thinking and planning, I have to give them credit for sharing some of the background finance matters of the project with backers. As the initial pledges and additional sums garnered by the dynamic pledgebox have rapidly increased the campaign total, Stripe (the financial management in the middle) has opted to hold 50% of the collected funds until the fulfilment of orders begins (for reasons of product and backer satisfaction). This is not unusual and quite a useful safeguard when followed correctly by the intermediary parties, but it is good that Storaxa showed this exchange. I would still have preferred these to not be behind ‘backer only updates’ and it doesn’t change anything regarding fulfilment commitments, beyond the 2nd 50% of collected funds – but it’s still a positive move by them to share this.

There is, of course, the argument that they lose nothing by sharing this and gain goodwill by doing so, but it’s still a net positive. This is what they had to share:

“The result of the review is that Stripe will hold 50% of the funds from PledgeBox until fulfillment begins. Based on the payment terms outlined in the supplier contract, Stripe will distribute payments in the following manner: 50%, 35%, and 15%. We will keep Stripe updated with our mass production status in order to release the funds. For different components, we have to pay a deposit of 60% to 80%. For the main board we only need to pay a 50% deposit for mass production. Although we didn’t expect any funds to be held by Stripe when they asked for the review, the total funds from Kickstarter (100%) and Pledgebox (50%) is enough for all deposits.”  – Storaxa, April 12th Update

Storaxa also showed the current balance of funds collected at the time of writing:

Lots of positive reception to this move (with merit) and high praise for this transparent move.

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AMD 5825U Layout Detailed

The manufacturer had completed the CAD of the main board for the pre-production sample.

Intel Component Changes Highlighted

As previously mentioned, there layouts for the internal boards for the Storaxa for each configuration have started arriving and they stated that due to hardware shortages, there would need to be component changes:

“There is a delay for the upgraded Intel CPU schematic. The manufacturer discovered that there is a shortage for some of the parts in the design. So they need to change to parts with a more stable supply. All main features remain unchanged. It will be ready after April 3. We will publish an update once that is ready. This does not delay mass production. Backers who wish to see the schematics before finalizing their choices can rest easy, because the survey deadline is extended to end of April. ” – Storaxa, March 31 Update

Later in a 2nd April 2023 update, they went on to show the system block diagram that factored in these component changes. These included upgrades to a DDR5 memory channel (which would lead to the free DDR5 upgrades mentioned above).

(later in the April 19th Update)

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Business Address Changes

One slight fly in the ointment during the campaign this last month or so arose regarding the business address of Storaxa/Arrotrack. The campaign creators sharted a draft of the invoice that they would be using for finished order fulfilment and the address for this China/HK-based company had changed to a U.S/Denver address:

To confirm, the invoice stated ‘360 S Quitman StreetDenver CO, 80219 US’ and the original Arrotrack company was Unit 1113, 11/F, Global Gateway Tower, 63 Wing Hong Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong. This was confirmed in their own company documentation provided below:

A quick Google of the new U.S register address showed a slightly underwhelming business location:

This did raise a few concerns in the comments section and (far play) to Storaxa; they were not being secretive about this address/location. Answering direct questions about this in the comments:

They did go on to further clarify reasoning for this, stating that it was needed in order to proceed with a crowdfunding campaign, due to local restrictions imposed on Chinese companies. The duality of the registered addresses was for reasons of finance and handling returns/shipping.

Below is the timeline for the first half of April and everything, bar the pre-production samples being shared directly with backers (direct images and real-world examples) was correct.

 

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At the start of April 2023, we asked Tom @Lawrence Systems for his perspective on the project, it’s viability and his initial thoughts. It is worth highlighting that this was presented his immediate perspective and without any additional research on his part.

May 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

May 2023 saw 4 official Updates by the Storaxa team on their Kickstarter campaign, mainly focusing on the changing of the system PSU from an external model to an external one, and the Pledgebox credit/payment issues.

Changes from an Internal PSU to an External PSU

This goes into a lot more detail for the reasons for/against, as well as the logic they outline in their decision, but this quote below summarizes it best:

“After careful consideration and evaluation, we have decided to use an external GaN power supply with a 5.5*2.5 barrel jack in 140W/180W/200W depending on the chosen CPU (N6005/5825U/1235U,1256U). GaN (gallium nitride) is a new technology that allows for smaller, more efficient, and cooler power supplies. It has several advantages over traditional silicon-based power supplies, including higher efficiency, faster switching speeds, and smaller size. A Type-C PD power supply was not chosen because of the higher cost we couldn’t fit into our budget. The power supply will be external, which will allow for more space in the case for better thermal management and air circulation for heat dissipation. This also gives users more space for customization inside the case. And it is easier to replace the power supply if needed. We have several suppliers lined up and will decide on the final one soon. Here are some images of the potential power supply. It is meant to plug directly into a power socket. It has a C6 socket, so you can also choose to use it like a power brick by using it with standard C5 cable (not included). The power supply will only come with the plug suitable for your delivery location.” – Storaxa Team, Update 19, May 25th 2023

They also supplied an updated system build graphic to detail the case in progress and adjusted layouts:

May 22nd also saw an update on the motherboard that is intended for the baseline N6005 Pentium models, with the stated arrival of the production sample for testing and assessment. See below:

Storaxa NAS Case Changes

As pleasing as this way, I was more concerned with the production and information on the casing for the Storaxa system, as that is one fo the truly unique elements of this system. How the change to an external PSU and the difference in architecture between the configurations impacting the case cooling/shape was also addressed in this same May 2023 update:

“Getting the first sample is a critical milestone because it lets us finalize the case design. The case sample will be ready in the week of June 5, 2023. Our plan has always been to use the same case for all the different versions of Storaxa. This is so that all units have a uniform appearance and also it will help save on production costs. However, with the introduction of the higher-performance versions, the power supply unit had to increase. And with the increased wattage, we also struggled with thermal management. Moving the power supply outside was the best solution. We thought about keeping it inside for the basic model, but decided against it because it will be easier to have the same case and it will be easier for assembly and repair. The external power supply has many positives. There is more room inside for air circulation for heat dissipation and also gives users more space for customization inside. It can also be replaced more easily.” – Storaxa Team, Update 18, May 22nd 2023

The Storaxa Group continue:

“The new case has three easy-access openings, two on top and one at the bottom. The top ones are for the 4 M.2 slots and the boot drive. The bottom is for access to the main board with the DDR RAM and the 2 onboard M.2 slots. The side air vents are also larger for better air flow. Since the power supply has moved, the main board is also raised, leaving more space for personalization and airflow. This means the ports in the back are all raised higher.” – Storaxa Team, Update 18, May 22nd 2023 

They have updated their current projected timeline with the shipping of the first wave of solutions in the 2nd half of July (see blow):

The last 30 Days or so of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign (going into the 15th May) have been a fantastic mix of good news, bad news and just plain odd news. Although the Storaxa team have continued to respond to comments and enquiries, they have certainly been a little less prompt. That said, between the evolution of the campaign as it moves through the proposed production timeline and a couple of the hurdles that will be covered in this May update, there might be reason enough for these. Let’s go through all the updates (both project-published ones and those made in the comments).

PledgeBox Issues

Pretty much the big topic that has been bubbling around the Storaxa Kickstarter in this period was the Pledgebox manager not factoring in payments previously made to people’s existing backing sums. In short, a % of users found that their initial payments had been ignored and new ‘balance due’ messages had appeared. It is still not certain how many users were affected by this out of the 5,917 backers of the project (though some backers took to reddit to try and poll the numbers of those affected/unaffected), but clearly, this issue was big enough to be raised and referred to a decent amount in the comments. This is the image provided by Storaxa in their update to denote how the issue appeared to those affected users:

What caused this issue in the Pledge manager is still unclear, but Storaxa/Arrotrack did address this in their project update on May 2nd:

“We apologize for a new issue on PledgeBox that crossed out the bonus amounts of backers’ pledges from Kickstarter. If you are experiencing this issue, please wait patiently as we try to fix all the affected accounts within one week. There is no magic button to fix all the accounts at once, so we need to do it individually. Please understand that we may not be able to reply to all your messages, emails, and comments, as we are focused on resolving this issue. This issue does not affect how we will fulfill your rewards so we kindly ask for your patience as we fix this.” – Storaxa Update #16 HERE

This seemingly continued to be raised in the comments section and although individual queries were addressed by the group in the general comments section, it wasn’t until May 15th that we saw the issue fully confirmed as resolved by Storaxa in a full backers only update:

“The issue with the subtracted Kickstarter bonus has been resolved. Thank you backers for your patience as we fixed the problem. If we missed anyone with this issue, please don’t hesitate to reach us so we can fix it.”  – Sroaxa Update #17 HERE

Initial Motherboard Errors and Changes

The board that is to be used inside the Storaxa (though differing fractionally in each CPU Config) had only really been shown in schematic, Diagram and CAD form up to this point and understandably, many users had been chasing for updates on this. Although already volunteered by Storaxa that the board use was being produced by the same manufacturer as the likes of Topton/CWWK NAS systems, real world examples of the mainboard for the Storaxa were still ‘coming soon’. So, with that in mind, the initial update for this on May 2nd was a little bitter-sweet.

Although they showed a board in the update (which had been promised already), it was highlighted that mistakes in the layout had been recognized and therefore more work/time was needed for completion:

“The manufacturer tested the first print of the mainboard last week and discovered that there were some mistakes in the layout. Since it is Golden Week holiday here, the factory will be on break this week. The new samples for testing will be ready next week. We will continue monitoring their work and update you about the progress” – Storaxa Update #16 HERE

Fast forward two weeks and we saw the next update, which included images of the ready-soldered and prepared board for the default N6005 board. Arriving somewhere between the design of the N6005 board HERE and J6412 board HERE on Aliexpress, the photos are a little oblique. I appreciate that Storaxa state the manufacturer has supplied these, but a top-down angle would have been nice. Still, better something than nothing:

There is no avoiding that there has been contention in the response to this update regarding the main board of the storaxa NAS. The first issue for many was that the Intel N6005 model is the entry-level device and many of the much higher configurations (who have paid considerably more into this project since the Pledgebox option appeared) have been left to wait. Now, on the one hand, given that the Kickstarter began with pledging on the initial N6005 configuration, it makes sense that chronologically that would be the first thing to be on the timeline for production. But given the scale of the upgraded components (significantly more power-hungry processors, 10GbE, Gen 4 SSDs, etc) in this compact chassis on boards that are not available right now on AliExpress etc right now, it’s understandable why users opting for these more unique configurations are wondering about their system delivery window.

The other hardware change that has occured in the recent project update was one that many had already raised early in the campaign (myself included), regarding the PSU. Storaxa have opted to remove the PSU from the internal casing of the device and opting for an external PSU (with a promise to elaborate more on this in the next project update). Now, on the face of it, I have always been a fan of external PSUs. They are easier to replace and in some cases, can remove internal heat generation and/or restrictive airflow blocking in more compact systems (more in the case of bare-PSUs, not blocks). However, in the case of the more aggressive system configurations, this might well result in quite large PSUs and add this also raises the question of external PSU quality. That was always a factor in ANY PSU, but ask anyone who has ever purchased a cheap PSU for their GFX-Card laptop or external PCIe Box on eBay/Ali and they will discuss ‘noisy’ PSUs or those that just feel ‘unsafe’. This is pure conjecture right now of course and until the PSU in question is shared in an update, it’s way to early to complain. But some users are definitely less keen on external power bricks in bigger NAS systems, as that can also result in an easy-to-disconnect power connection or extra part to lose!

Delay in Order Shipping and Fulfilment Warned

The above changes regarding the system board and possibly due to the impact of the Pledge Manager issues requiring attention (again, an assumption on my part) have led to Storaxa highlighting delays to shipping an order fulfilment in this campaign. Initially, shipping was timeline’d to start in Mid-June, but now looks like the end of July:

“We have been working diligently with our manufacturer to complete the designs and samples of the main boards. Even though our manufacturer started work earlier than scheduled, not all the pre-production samples will be completed on time within the 45 days stated in our contract. They have explained to us that ever since our campaign, they have become more busy and received even more orders. The estimated dates were accurate but due to not enough man power, any mistakes and redesign delayed the samples. The production time of assembling the units will not be affected. They have been very accommodating during this whole process, so we believe that they are sincere and tried their best to keep to our schedule.  Due to the bottleneck in completing the pre-production samples, the shipping date will be delayed for 30 days. We apologize for this inconvenience and we thank you for your patience and understanding.” – Storaxa Update #17 HERE

Delays in Kickstarter campaigns are hardly unusual and fair play to them for, at the very least, raising it now. It’s still going to be disappointing for many, but after many users quering the shipment date, this is something to go on.

Arrotrack / Storaxa Domain Ownership Expiry?

A rather odd point and one that was raised in the comments of the Kickstarter comments for the Storaxa was that the domain for the Arrotrack company (the group producing the Storaxa) had a very, very short domain registration time remaining. In my last update (in the April Update below) I highlighted that Arrotrack and Storaxa has a website up and running that had further information on the updates made available to non-backers, details of the company (something of a debate there that was discussed) and information regarding terms of returns and support. Well, that domain was registered on 23/05/20 but seemingly is going to expire on 23/05/23.

Now, this in itself is not the end of the world. Notwithstanding that this is not directly connected to the Kickstarter campaign, the company could be moving to a new domain and letting this expire (since realizing a new domain and site was needed). Likewise, they could be running the clock out on it to exchange it’s ownership to a new party. Nevertheless, it’s an odd little thing.

Potential Refunds to Customers of HDD/SSD Storage Bundles

One matter that increased in the comments of the Kickstarter campaign comments of the Storaxa over the last couple of months was to do with the price of storage media. When the Pledgebox manager for Storaxa NAS went live, one of the additional configuration options included adding SATA HDD/SSD media and PCIe Gen 3/4 m.2 NVMe SSD Media. However, since these options were first made available and priced, the general cost of alot of these drives (and other alternative drives that were not included in the Pledgebox from 3rd parties, location dependant) have seen noticeable decreases. So, many users wanted to know if reductions in the cost of drives would be reflected in their purchases (i.e. partial refunds?). Storaxa addressed this in their mid-May update:

“Due to the delay in completing the main boards, the delivery of the accessories such as SSD and HDD will also be delayed. Although we already paid the deposit, we  were able to renegotiated with our supplier to give us a discount on the drives if the prices drop. In the event that market prices drop lower than our previous negotiated price, we will receive a discount. In turn, we will offer that same discount to backers who have added the drives to their pledges and refund the difference to you.” – Storaxa Update #17 HERE

Now, fair play to Storaxa. very few would have expected them to refund these savings. Mainly as the quantity of HDDs and SSDs would have likely been quoted and paid partially/fully at Distribution shortly after the closing of the Pledgebox. These are all still promises and considerations that are being outlined on a crowdfunding project that has still not (at the time of writing) shown details on money in/out on the media ordered, or final shipping devices. But this is nonetheless a positive stance to take in this update and one that I wanted to highlight in my updates.

Here is my round-up of the updates above (and a few of the April updates), all in one video. Enjoy!

June 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

June saw three updates from Storaxa on the production of their system (the first larger than the two that followed, but all three addressed new information). The main subjects covered with the new intended Shipping Test, are fulfilment of the SD Card stretch goal (part of the shipping test), errors and issues encountered at production and planned tutorials and guides. There was also updated information on the GaN external Power Supplier, it’s a 19V supply with a 5.5*2.5 barrel jack in 140W/180W/200W depending on the chosen CPU (N6005/5825U/1235U,1256U).

“It is meant to plug directly into a power socket. It has a C6 socket, so you can also choose to use it like a power brick by using it with standard C5 cable. The power supply will only come with the plug suitable for your delivery location. After getting your feedback from the last update, we will include the C5 cable for your convenience.” – Storaxa Team, Update 19, June 7th 2023

Board for the 5825 CPU Storaxa NAS, Good and Bad News

The early June update started on a positive note, with the announcement that the production samples of the AMD 5825 controller board on their #20 update. This was a little soured for some by the additional note that the Intel board configuration systems had fallen behind schedule:

“We are proceeding with production now. However, the upgraded Intel main boards are behind schedule. By starting with two versions first, we can avoid delayed production overall. As long as the upgraded Intel board samples are ready within two weeks, we can stay on the delivery schedule for end of July.” – Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023

Still, this was good news for those backers who had opted for one fo those AMD config choices. However, this was a little short-lived, when comments from the Storaxa group highlighted that they had hit a tech roadblock pertaining to the detection of the M.2 NVMe.

Twelve days later, in the June 19th Update, the Storaxa team highlighted that an issue was recognized in the AMD 5825 board:

“During testing of the AMD 5825 main board, the 4 top M.2 slots could not be read or detected. After further testing, we discovered that something went wrong during SMT and there was a problem with one of the resistors on the main board that affected the recognition of the ASM2812X chip PCB. We are fixing this now. This is not a big problem and it will be fixed in a week. Once it is complete, we can continue with testing and production.”– Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023

Later in their final update of June, they did state that the SMT issue had been resolved:

“The AMD 5825 main board has finished SMT. The problem with the unrecognized ASM2812X chip has been fixed and testing and production can continue. The upgraded Intel versions can proceed after this.” – Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 30th 2023

The Storaxa SD Card Shipping Tests and System Recovery Images

In the early stages of the kickstart campaign, when alternative versions of the Storaxa configuration, rewards and stretch goals were being shared, one thing that was discussed was an SD card for every backer that contained the system recovery image (dependent on the OS choices across both elements of the system).

Although it became quickly clear that providing an ‘one for all’ system image for the SD card become untenable, they stated that they will provide the means to download these at launch, but use the SD cards for every backer as a means to test shipping:

“Since before our campaign started we tried our best to quote the lowest price for shipping to keep the price of Storaxa as low as possible. We didn’t give up that search even until after the campaign so we can keep the add-on and extra units shipping cost low too. We found a logistics company that quoted prices that we couldn’t believe. This would be very good for us because we can save some costs, but we didn’t think it was safe enough to entrust them with your rewards which ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars. However, they assured us they have global coverage and can ensure the safe delivery of all rewards. To back up their proposal, they are willing to do a shipping test to show us they can handle all our orders.  Due to this, we are happy to announce we will conduct a shipping test by sending you the free 32GB microSD unlocked in the final stretch goal ahead of schedule. This test will show us the reliability of this new service and also serve as a practice run of fulfillment. We will start sending it out on June 15. It will take around 7 – 14 business days to be delivered. – Storaxa Team, Update 20, June 7th 2023

This still led to the question of less experienced users who wanted to have a recovery/initial-boot SD Card for this system, two of which Storaxa stated the following:

“We originally stated that the microSD card will come with a system recovery image for your Storaxa. However, after careful consideration, due to the fully customization feature of the Storaxa, no single image will fit everyone’s purposes. Therefore, we will send you a blank card so you can create the image right for you with the instructions below. (We will post the instructions again after you receive your Storaxas). We are starting to make the tutorial videos this week. We will film some demos to teach the basics on how to install and run the software for the Storaxa. The videos will be posted on our Youtube channel. We will start with some simple videos first and ask for your feedback before we move on to tutorials for the more advanced uses of Storaxa.” – Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 19th 2023

Storaxa is stated to arrive with the system pre-installed and pre-configured, so you can plug in the network/power cables and drives, and start using it. Storaxa boots to Proxmox VE, which hosts 2 virtual machines, which respectively has TrueNAS-SCALE, and OpenWRT installed.

We cover this and more in our June Update video below:

July 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

Right at the tail end of the month (31st July to be precise), Storaxa rolled out an update that was largely centered around 4 videos of the system (in a component-out state) being demo’d. The specifications for the unit and client machine they state are the testing system are:

• AMD Board
• 64GB Memory
• 1TB Samsung 970 Pro Boot SSD
• WiFi 6 Card (via an M.2 riser adapter card)
• 10GbE (Via TB3 adapter)
• 5x 16TB HDD (unconfirmed, but not hugely important for these tests)
• 3x WD Black SN750 SSDs
• Connected to Macbook Pro

The system board seemed to be connected via a standard multilane to SATA adapter, though I couldn’t quite 100% confirm the means that the 3x m.2 NVMe bays were connected (clear cable type there though). The testing Mac book was connected via a Thunderbolt3-to-10GbE adapter. The first test was a 10GbE transfer test (video here):

Next, there was a straightforward copy/paste into a RAIDZ1 (i.e comparable ZFS alternative to RAID 5). Video HERE, but result screen below:

Finally, there was a session of Plex testing, with three videos being streamed at once in H.265 and H.264. Again, the video is HERE.

Also, the Memory cards that formed one of the stretch goals from the initial Kickstarter campaign (more on that shortly) have started to arrive in Europe. The card from my pledge arrived on July 31st via Royal Mail, no signature was required but was trackable from Hong Kong onwards.

Rewinding back to the very start of the month, July started quiet – REAL quiet! In fact, it was unusually quiet times for Storaxa, with a period of over 2 weeks of Storaxa no longer responding to public comments or producing any updates. This was eventually addressed in the comments, backers section, on Reddit and more by concerned users who had noticed the sudden gear change.

That said, things seemingly returned to normal in the 2nd half of 2023, returning to a lot of those older comments, including my own (shown before/after), with apologies and highlights that a bigger update will be coming at the end of the month:

 

Backer SD Cards Arriving

Last month, Storaxa detailed that as a move to test shipping fulfilment in preparation for the eventual full Storaxa shipment and test the company shipping companies’ rather impressive delivery quotation, they would send backers their stretch goal included 32GB SSD Card (quote below from the June Update).

“We are starting the shipping test this week. Please expect to receive the package in 10 to 20 days. We will email you the tracking number through the PledgBox system within one week of sending out. This test will help us as a test run for when when we ship your Storaxas and also help us test the flexibility of shipping your rewards in different patches. We received mixed feedback about this test, but we feel this will help us to ensure you receive your rewards safely without additional costs.” Storaxa Team, Update 21, June 19th 2023

Cards began arriving in mid-July and it quickly became clear that these were being shipped by region/country/continent, with the U.S (likely the largest % of backers being located) being the first to state they had received the cards:

Additionally, some incredibly kind users (such as u/AkaiYui97 on Reddit, credit for images below), shared the contents of the Storaxa SD card delivery.

That said, not everyone (at the time of Writing, July 30th 2023) has received their SD card and it looks like Europe has been one of the last in the list of regions shipped to. Again, most likely a % based staged shipping method based on the locations of backers.

Now, on the face of it, we are talking about an SD card here… with an exceptionally low value. Although in itself a very low-value item, it’s worth remembering that these cards were shipped as a test of the shipping company and prospected fulfilment. Also, several users highlighted that the SD cards had tracking information indicating that they were received in Hong Kong in the last full week of July.

At the time of writing, the SD cards for the UK/Europe have started to be trackable and users might well see their cards arriving during the course of this week (31/07 – 4/08), as indicated by the tacking below.

Production and Shipment of Storaxa Now Delayed till September 2023

Another point worth touching on, and one that was certainly anticipated by many, was the officially stated delay of the Storaxa first fulfilment from 2nd Half of July to the 2nd Half of September. How this will impact users based on their configuration choice and global location is yet to be elaborated upon (there IS an update stated to arrive on July 31st, which might address this), but for now, the project is now slated for later in 2023. Not a huge surprise and not unusual for Kickstarter.

 

The final statement from Storaxa regarding the updated timeline was as follows:

“The production timeline is the same as last update. Mass production will begin in September and shipping will start in the second half of September. All major parts and components have been ordered and will arrive before that time. The case and chassis sample is arriving at the end of this week so we can show that to you soon too.”  – Storaxa Team, Update #24, 1st Aug

 

Aug/Sept 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

In recent developments regarding the Storaxa NAS by Arrowtrack, a series of unexpected challenges have emerged, primarily involving financial delays and fund withholding by the payment processor, Stripe. As backers eagerly await the product’s release, Arrowtrack has been surprisingly transparent about the situation, providing updates on every facet from supplier negotiations to production adjustments. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key points from their latest updates.

Situation Affecting the Storaxa NAS by Arrowtrack (Updates #27 and #28 Summary)

• Funds Withholding by Stripe:
  • After successfully raising funds on Kickstarter, Arrowtrack encountered issues with their payment processor, Stripe. Due to the sudden large transaction amount from their campaign, Stripe withheld a significant portion of their funds.
  • Initially, Stripe released only 50% of the funds after Arrowtrack provided all the necessary documents. The rest of the funds were expected to be released during production time.
  • Instead of releasing the funds as expected in June, Stripe extended the payout date to August 31.
  • Just a week after confirming that the funds would be released on time, Stripe decided to hold the funds for another 60 days (until November 7). The primary reason was a high rate of refunds, which triggered their system for a further review. Arrowtrack believed these refunds were due to backers changing their minds about options before the delivery date.
  • Stripe had previously disabled the chat function on Arrowtrack’s account dashboard, limiting their communication. In Update #28, this function was re-enabled, which Arrowtrack took as a positive sign.

• Financial Details:
  • Kickstarter funds raised: $1,688,332.29.
  • Pledgebox funds: $950,257.09, with $982,864.57 being held by Stripe.
  • Deposit for mass production and ODM: $2,116,258 of $3,074,638.
  • Account Balance (as of Sept 4th): $480,874.
  • Arrowtrack has paid around 70% deposit for all manufacturing costs, including materials, parts, setup costs, and ODM/OEM costs. However, the current balance is insufficient for completing production.

• Production and Delivery Delays:
  • The delays in Stripe’s payout affected Arrowtrack’s ability to maintain their original schedule.
  • Production was initially postponed until September, and after the latest delay, the shipping has been rescheduled to start in the second half of November.
• Negotiations with Suppliers and Manufacturers:
  • Arrowtrack has been in negotiations to extend payment deadlines to ensure deposits aren’t forfeited.
  • In the wake of extreme weather conditions in southern China, meetings with some suppliers were postponed. Still, Arrowtrack managed to renegotiate with all but two suppliers for a 3-month extension on final payment.
  • Production of the upgraded Intel boards was paused due to payment uncertainties but is set to resume in two weeks.
• Review Sample and Refunds:
  • There was a delay in sending out a review sample to NASCompares, but Arrowtrack hopes to use this time to gather feedback from the review.
  • Arrowtrack has received 20 refund requests so far and is appreciative of their backers’ patience and understanding.
• General Backer Support:
  • Arrowtrack expressed deep gratitude to their backers for their understanding and support during this difficult time. They highlighted the importance of their backers’ continued faith in the project’s success.

Arrowtrack’s Storaxa NAS project faced significant challenges primarily due to Stripe withholding funds. This caused delays in production, requiring renegotiations with suppliers and adjustments in their delivery schedule. Despite these hurdles, the company remains committed to delivering the product, and backers have shown substantial support and understanding. Of course, we also need to remain grounded and remember that we are only seeing half the story here. Additionally, although Storaxa has been forthcoming with its updates, these updates and regular comments have reduced in frequency in the last few months. Additionally, lack of further documentation of suppliers being used, further communication with Stripe being shared, the recent update arriving later than stated and many users (myself included) reporting that these last two updates did not result in email notifications to users (yet all others did) – these are all matters that remain pertinent to many users following this campaign. These are mostly small potato arguments in the grand scheme of things, but it is important to remain as objective as possible. Users who have invested thousands of dollars towards the system in an upgraded state + storage media purchased now a considerable time ago might well be having understandably cold feet.

Reactions to the Storaxa’s updates on the issues with Stripe by the backers of the campaign were mostly positive, save for a few users highlighting that update #28 arrived late and that proactive email notifications appeared to be disabled (still unconfirmed, but certainly noted online). One user (@Ruan) did take the time to do a breakdown of the finances as stated and made efforts to highlight potential issues of finance in the numbers reported, but this had to be built on only partial by partial numbers related to finances and stock procured by Storaxa, and therefore open to error. Neverthless, even at a casual glance and only using the barebone numbers provided by the campaign creators, the margins do seem rather thin. I wanted to share it here (linked below, just click the image) as I think it’s worth keeping in mind about the scale of this project, once you factor in multiple base configurations and the storage upgrades that have been added:

The post examines the finances of the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS campaign in light of potential delays, as half of the funds are being held by the payment provider, Stripe.

• The total funds raised on Kickstarter and PledgeBox combined is $3,621,444.95.
• A deposit of $3,074,638.00 was made for mass production and ODM, leaving a balance of $546,806.95.
• Using a breakdown of addons, including HDDs, NVMes, SSDs, and Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVMes, the post calculates the total estimated addon cost at $537,600.
• This leaves just $9,206.95 for global shipping of at least 5,000 packages, and other costs like SD cards, which is viewed as unrealistic.
• Analyzing the base Storaxa unit costs, the post estimates that at least 8,000 units were necessary from the original pledge, and there may be a discrepancy in the number of additional units backed versus those being produced.
• Three hypotheses are proposed:
  1. The creators got an exceptional deal on addons.
  2. The creators won’t profit and are primarily pushing their brand.
  3. More funds than expected were used for non-Storaxa addons, which might hinder the actual Storaxa product development.

The post concludes by asking for an update on the actual numbers of non-Storaxa Addons and clarity on why the production costs appear so high, emphasizing concerns about delivery costs. From the information provided, there are several points to consider:

1. Funds Being Held: Storaxa mentioned that Stripe is holding onto 50% of the funds raised from the campaign. If this is accurate, it would indeed create a liquidity issue for the company.
2. Discrepancy in Costs: Based on the post’s calculations, the funds left after accounting for production costs and the estimated addon costs appear insufficient to cover worldwide shipping of at least 5,000 packages, plus other ancillary costs. This raises concerns about whether all the promised items can be delivered without additional funding.
3. Estimated Addon Costs: The calculations for the addon costs are based on minimum values, and as mentioned in the post, if backers ordered more than one of an item, these costs would rise. Moreover, the post speculates that many might have chosen higher-priced items, which would further strain the finances.
4. Unit Discrepancy: The analysis suggests a potential discrepancy between the number of Storaxa units backed and those being produced, pointing to possible over-production or an underestimation of the number of units required.
5. Three Hypotheses: The post’s hypotheses suggest that Storaxa either secured an incredibly good deal on addons, isn’t looking to profit and is pushing their brand, or has used more funds for non-Storaxa addons than projected, potentially hindering Storaxa product development. The validity of any of these hypotheses would significantly affect the interpretation of Storaxa’s financial situation.

The BIG takeaway here is that Storaxa will need to start engaging with its audience more regularly. There are many in the comments who would point out that this project has seen more updates than many other campaigns on the Kickstarter platform. However, we are still talking about a campaign with $1.8 Million raised in the initial campaign and a further $2 Million in pledge upgrades – these are bot atypical numbers for an average Kickstarter campaign on average (it happens, but most polished campaigns will live in the 5-6 figures in $). Given the reported change in work on their side related to negotiating with suppliers for later deadlines on payments and maintaining the project through this relative period of ‘hand-on’ inactivity, many would like to see higher engagement with their audience in the comments, further updates, tests/demonstrations in-house with the units that they have, further details of the communications with Stripe (share those conversations in greater details to well further refunds perhaps?) and just generally make their activity and presence felt more than it is. Kickstarter is NOT Amazon or eBay, but it does thing on communication and transparency, something that Storaxa was good on and now arguably becoming weaker on during this period of flux. As always, I will continue to follow this evolving crowdfunded NAS campaign.

Sept / Oct 2023 Storaxa NAS Updates

If I had to describe the Storaxa NAS Kickstater campaign throughout October and at the very start of November 2023 in one word, it would be….quiet! In updates the previous month (#27 and #28), the Storaxa group stated that production was not possible due to delays in finances arriving from the payment handler ‘Stripe’. Nevertheless, it did/does seem very quiet on storaxas side throughout all of this and no comments by backers were responded too and the update that was slated for October 12th ended up being late (with virtually no explanation or indication), leading to a lot of user debate about the health of the campaign, the validity of the Stripe funds statements and the information provided up to this point in the official campaign updates. Indeed, in terms of actual milestone events in the last calendar month, there was only really four to speak of. The first was the comment that Storaxa made in response to weeks of silence, which was as follows:

Again, the above comment was after weeks of silence and no replies from users. Equally, this was the only comment on the campaign by Storaxa in that time and although a lot of comments/responses followed, they did not engage with them. Questions surrounding the state of the campaign, further verification of the stripe matters, where the existing funds were being spent, further information on suppliers and more. At the same time as this, there was also the public zoom discussion that I had arranged with Storaxa NAS backers (posted several times on the comments thread, with one of the last ones HERE). It did seem rather coincidental that Storaxa had not been replying to users for an extended period of time, but opted to do so on the day of the public zoom with the post discussed above). This was an organized zoom discussion for backers of the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter campaign, organized by Robbie @ NASCompares. This is NOT an official zoom organized by/in conjunction with the Storaxa/Arrowtrack group. Below you can watch the full zoom call:

There is of course the question of why I did not just host a zoom with Storaxa/Arrowtrak instead, putting users’ questions directly to them? This was asked a few times and (as I discuss in the comment below), I HAD reached out to Storaxa previously for a zoom Q&A session, but they declined to reply.

When Sotraxa did reveal an official update (update #29), it was rather small and largely repeated similar to what the singular comment a few days before had said, but adding a pinch more on production and showing a change that was going to be implemented to the hardware design:

03:57:22 – Update Frequency 04:00:33 – Early Rewards and Address Changes 04:02:28 – Cat Issues 04:03:00 – Is the Storaxa AMD Module using an Aoostar Motherboard? 04:05:20 – Backer Zoom on Jan 30th 2024

The component change related to the internal cage, here:

Now, I AM pleased that they are providing more information! But as discussed in the video, there seems to be a lot of information that they could be supplying that could calm a lot of people’s concerns, yet for one reason or another do not. Such as:

• Information about the existing orders they have with production suppliers (Pro forma invoices, names of the suppliers if possible, images of any hardware that has been delivered at all – and if not due to reasons of deposits/credit agreements needing conclusion, supply further information on this
• More information on the back and forth with Stripe. More of the emails, more of the correspondence. Only 2 images have been shown regarding communication and have been cropped significantly
• Further images on the existing hardware they have an how this new bay/cage component is better/worse than what was in the prototypes and AMD samples
• Clarification on the sourcing and reasoning behind the design change, as many have raised question marks about it’s origin
• Further clarification on how, if the stripe money holding will cease on Nov 7th, how production resuming on 13th Nov will happen so fast. it’s impact on fulfilment?

Finally, storaxa got in touch after Update #29 to state that they still wish to send a review prototype. Of course, I will continue to oblige with this, but nevertheless that campaign still moves forward with a lot of unanswered questions by backers and the current state of the campaign. If/when this unit arrives, I will let backers know and proceed with the original testing as discussed. I hope I have more positive news to share with you in the next update.

 

Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article (Jan 5th 2024), there has not been any further communication from the brand about this review unit, originally sent on 31st October 2023. 

December 2023 Update

Which leads to the December 2023 update. Sadly, very little has changed and is covered in greater detail i nthe video linked below (I have linked to the specific part, just click play. However, the TLDR is:

03:57:22 – Update Frequency – Storaxa assured users that they would maintain updates every 7-10 days, but then unfortunately only maintained this for a week and have now been largely silent since December 7th 2023 (29 Days since the date of this article’s publication)

04:00:33 – Early Rewards and Address Changes – Storaxa/Arrowtrak DID respond to users address change requests

04:03:00 – Is the Storaxa AMD Module using an Aoostar Motherboard? – There were questions being raised on Reddit regarding a very similar motherboard being used on the Aoostar NVMe NAS system and claims that the motherboard inside the Storaxa is the Aoostar model.

This is the system to which they are referring – LINK TO VIDEO

04:05:20 – Backer Zoom on Jan 30th 2024 – I/NASCompares have raised the idea of a backer zoom (not anyway officially endorsed by Stooraxa to discuss the campaign so far)

Video:

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Why Did I Back the Storaxa NAS on Kickstarter? (IMPORTANT!!!!!)

Originally, I had no real intention of backing the Storaxa NAS Kickstarter project. As a long-time follower of channels such as Slope’s Game Room and his Kickscammer series, as well as only backing a tremendously small number of projects on the platform (and even then, for small sums comparatively) I have always had an especially sceptical mindset for alot of crowdfunding projects that have tremendously small profit margins early doors. Additionally, I was not in the market to buy a new NAS solution, as I cover plenty on my YouTube channel and (though contrary to popular belief, I rarely get to keep them and the ones that I do, go into channel content) I already have two personal servers up and running that I am in no rush to replace.

However, after I was contacted by several existing backers of this project and potential backers looking for a 2nd opinion, I started looking into the Storaxa a little more, contacting the organizers about a future review. After this point, a few different things happened. The campaign was nearing conclusion and more backers had been in touch that weekend to express further concern (alongside rising questions on the usual public forums, such as Reddit and STH). So, I made a video on the campaign, my initial impressions, my own questions about the price point vs distribution, and further questions surrounding heat dissipation. This resulted in my original message to the Storaxa group regarding reviews being screenshotted and shared to the comments section of the official page by the organizers themselves, with many points being highlighted (but not all) in my video being addressed.

The odd thing was that I never got a reply to that message personally, only hearing about this from other backers, who too thought the way it had been handled rather odd. So, I sent a follow-up message, with further questions, explaining my position, the methodology behind my video and my intentions in greater detail. The response came two days later, stating that I was playing media games and did not address my questions (stating that the answers were in the comments section – of which only 2/6 were, with 1 other in the backers only area and 3 others surrounding the team, Opensource distribution and production fulfilment waves not answered). Needless to say, I replied with my questions once again (with a few new points) and sadly have never received a reply to that one to date. So, why, after all that, did I back the project?

Now, one hurdle that is part kickstarter’s design and part campaign presentation choice is/was to do with how information is relayed to potential/existing backers. There needs to be a central framework that can be adapted to all projects of all types – there is no ‘one shape fits all’ campaign mould that can be used. This proved especially true when (at that time of writing) the comments section comprised around 2,000 comments (now at more than 6,000 – without a search function too!) and many comments were broken into sub-conversations (and the Kickstarter framework only allows X number loaded in), a long thread of hundreds of voices with the facts getting soon mixed with assumptions and contradiction in places, potentially leading to an echo chamber effect. Again, this is the framework that Kickstarter has for its central conversation thread and not the design of the project organizers. Nonetheless, this did lead to an issue. The bulk of the main information was published behind the main update section, which was set to only be visible to backers and shared videos for the project were made unlisted and shared with backers online.

At this point, I was intrigued enough by the campaign conclusion, the subject of OS-free NAS solutions rolling out from the east more and more, keen to see if/how it could deliver, as well s wanting to ensure an element of accountability and reference for the future. So, I decided to back the project in order to update users on the progress of this unusual NAS regularly. What follows are my monthly updates on the Storaxa Kickstarter NAS. Starting with that initial video from February 6th 2023 and with information, screen grabs and important milestones/changes in the campaign as time moves on. Hopefully, this article will end with high-order fulfilment, everyone getting their Storaxa system, a new kind of NAS solution entering the market and this growing 3rd choice between the Turnkey solutions and full DiY Opensource builds getting bigger and better, but we will have to wait till Summer 2023 to find out. 

Note – I have broken all the information below into monthly chunks (with the 2x Feb chunks being an exception, as the campaign concluded at the end of that month and a volley of updates happened at the end). I am writing the February coverage retroactively, so I apologise in advance if my tenses on some parts are incorrect. I did not even realise at that time that I would be making this article and therefore, it’s been a case of catching up with myself! Additionally, I am composing this with the most recent information FIRST (eg months in reverse order), and updating it each month, so those following this article can get notifications about the updates with the Storaxa NAS summarized. Alternatively, you can browse the comments section HERE or if you are a backer, use the page’s own official updates HERE.

 

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Review of the Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD – New King Crowned?

The Phison E26 Controller equipped Max14um SSD is currently on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, where it’s a part of Phison’s exhibit showcasing their latest advancements in solid-state drive technology. Prior to its demonstration at CES, a unit of the Max14um SSD was provided in advance for the purpose of an in-depth review and benchmarking analysis. This review will delve into the hardware specifications of the Max14um SSD, examining the components and design choices that underpin its performance. A key focus will be on the SSD’s unique heatsink, an essential feature given the drive’s high-speed capabilities and the thermal challenges associated with such performance levels. Benchmarking results from a suite of tests, including ATTO, AS SSD, CrystalDiskMark, and AJA, will be presented to quantify the drive’s performance across various scenarios. These tests are designed to push the SSD to its limits and provide a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities in both sequential and random data handling tasks. The findings aim to offer a detailed perspective on how the Max14um SSD stands in the current market, particularly in comparison to its contemporaries.

Note – Video Review of the Phison Max14um SSD on YouTube HERE (Live Later today)

Specification	Phison E26 Max14um 2TB	Phison E26 Max14um 4TB
Form Factor	M.2 2280	M.2 2280
Interface/Protocol	PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0	PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0
Controller	Phison PS5026-E26	Phison PS5026-E26
DRAM	LPDDR4	LPDDR4
NV Memory	Micron 2400MT 232L TLC	Micron 2400MT 232L TLC
Sequential Read	Up to 14,600 MB/s	Up to 14,600 MB/s
Sequential Write	Up to 12,700 MB/s	Up to 12,700 MB/s
Random Read	Up to 1,500,000 IOPS	Up to 1,500,000 IOPS
Random Write	Up to 1,600,000 IOPS	Up to 1,600,000 IOPS
Controller Tech	Dual-CPU, Arm Cortex-R5, TSMC 12nm	Dual-CPU, Arm Cortex-R5, TSMC 12nm
Flash Channels	Up to 8 channels, 32 CE	Up to 8 channels, 32 CE
Max Flash Transfer Rate	Up to 2,400MT/s	Up to 2,400MT/s
Security	AES 256, SHA 512, RSA 4096, TCG Opal	AES 256, SHA 512, RSA 4096, TCG Opal
Temperature Range	Operating: 0–70°C, Storage: -40–85°C	Operating: 0–70°C, Storage: -40–85°C

Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD Review – Quick Conclusion

In summarizing the capabilities of the Max14um SSD, it’s clear that this drive is a formidable presence in the Gen5 market, setting a new standard for speed and performance. The inclusion of 2400MT/s B58R NAND allows the SSD to fully capitalize on its potential, with the sophisticated cooling solution ensuring that this performance is sustainable over time. The compact form factor of the Max14um SSD is notably impressive, given its proximity to the bandwidth ceiling of Gen 5×4. The support and backing by Phison add a layer of reliability and assurance for the end-user. Additionally, the prospect of a 4TB model caters to the growing demand for high-capacity, fast storage solutions. However, the excellence of the Max14um SSD comes at a price, which is expected to reflect its high-end specifications and performance. Durability ratings, while not yet specified, are projected to be on par with industry averages, potentially around 0.3-0.38 DWPD. It’s important to note the cooling system’s reliance on a 4-pin CPU fan connector, which may not suit all users’ configurations, as it cannot draw power from the M.2 slot or a standard SATA/molex connection. Moreover, the drive’s ability to maintain its peak performance consistently will depend heavily on the specific client system in which it is installed.

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? These Offers are Checked Daily

 

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Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD Review – PCB Chip Layout and Design

The Max14um SSD, equipped with the Phison E26 controller, stands out in the realm of Gen 5 SSDs primarily due to its adoption of Micron’s B58R NAND flash, which operates at 2400MT/s. This specification is a significant step up from the 1600MT/s speeds that are prevalent among other Gen 5 drives currently on the market till now. The higher transfer rate of the NAND directly contributes to the increased performance of the SSD, allowing it to handle larger volumes of data more efficiently and resulting in the elevated sequential read and write speeds observed in this model.

The Phison E26 controller itself is a pivotal component, designed to leverage the full potential of the high-speed NAND. It employs a dual-CPU configuration with Arm Cortex-R5 cores and is fabricated using a 12nm process technology. This setup enables the controller to manage the data flow across up to 8 channels with 32 chip enables (CE), which is instrumental in achieving the SSD’s top-tier performance metrics.

Additionally, the Max14um SSD integrates LPDDR4 DRAM, enhancing the controller’s ability to handle the I/O operations effectively. This integration is vital for maintaining the drive’s swift response times and managing the NAND’s high-speed transfers without bottlenecking the system. As a consequence, this design choice facilitates the drive’s capability to reach and sustain its peak performance.

The operational parameters of the Max14um SSD, such as its operating temperature range and power management features, are aligned with the industry standards for high-performance drives. The SSD’s compliance with stringent security protocols, including AES 256 and TCG Opal, without affecting its throughput, reflects a well-rounded approach to design that considers not just performance but also reliability and data security.

The Max14um SSD’s thermal management is integral to its design, particularly notable given the drive’s performance during intensive benchmarking. Even when subjected to the rigorous demands of ATTO and CrystalDiskMark tests, the SSD maintained exceptionally low operating temperatures. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the included heatsink, which has been meticulously engineered to handle the thermal output of the drive under heavy loads.

The heatsink that accompanies the Max14um SSD is slightly taller than those found on alternative SSDs such as the ADATA 970 Legend or the Seagate FireCuda 540. However, this increase in height is marginal and carefully calculated, ensuring that while it provides superior cooling capabilities, it does not significantly impact the overall form factor or the ease of installation in space-constrained environments.

In comparison to other high-performance SSDs on the market, such as the Nextorage Gen 5 drive and the Gigabyte Gen5 Aorus SSD, the Max14um’s heatsink is significantly less obtrusive. These competing drives opt for much taller heatsinks to accommodate their thermal dissipation needs, which can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with certain hardware configurations or enclosures. The Max14um strikes a balance between efficient cooling and compactness, avoiding the potential pitfalls of larger cooling solutions.

The result is a cooling system that is both effective and unassuming, allowing the Max14um SSD to deliver its robust performance without the need for an overly bulky or cumbersome heatsink. This thoughtful approach to design ensures compatibility with a wide range of hardware setups, maintaining the Max14um’s position as a versatile and user-friendly option in the high-speed SSD market.

Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD Review – Performance & Benchmarks

Performance benchmarks for the Phison E26 Max14um SSD were conducted on a midrange PC rig, in a Windows environment, with the Phison E26 Max14um used as an additional drive. The OS drive was a simple SATA SSD. Depending on the test results, a 2nd round of testing will be conducted on a higher tier Gen4 SSD OS test machine, but for now this arguably more domestic test rig was used in order to better represent an average PC user. The full machine test setup was:

• Windows 10 Pro (SATA OS Drive, Seagate Firecuda 125)
• ASUS Intel Z690 ROG MAXIMUS HERO Motherboard
• 12th Gen Intel i5-12600K 3.7Ghz (4.9Ghz Burst) 10 Core (6P + 4E)
• 16GB DDR5 4800Mhz Memory (1x16GB)
• No GFX Card (though CPU has Intel UHD Graphics 770 iGPU)
• Intel® UHD Graphics 770
• Phison E26 Max14um 1TB SSD in PCIe 5×4 M.2 Slot

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Phison E26 Max14um SSD CrystalDiskMark Tests

The first tests were favoured towards Sequential (big, blocky and in-line) performance, using CrystalDiskMark on the Phison E26 Max14um, on 1GB, 4GB and 16GB Test Files. First up, the 1GB File:

Next up, the 4GB CrystalDiskMark Phison E26 Max14um Test:

Then, a much more dense 16GB File test

Finally, the largest 64GB CrystalDiskMark Phison E26 Max14um Test:

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Phison E26 Max14um SSD ATTO Disk Benchmark Tests

The next tests on the Phison E26 Max14um SSD were conducted with Atto Diskbenchmark, once again at three file size types (256MB, 1GB and 4GB). Atto Disk Benchmark has a slight difference in GB calculation to CrystalDiskMark, so do not be alarmed by the slight difference in stats. We looked at the Sequential Performance and the reported IOPS. First up is the 256MB Test File

Next up for the Phison E26 Max14um SSD was a larger round of 1GB tests:

Finally, the 4GB Test file. This was also the area when the SSD reached it’s highest temperature (mentioned earlier)

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Phison E26 Max14um SSD AS SSD Tests

Next up was an arguably more SSD-focused test, this time with AS SSD on the Phison E26 Max14um SSD. Again, much like the other test flows, AS SSD has it’s own metrics, so cannot be directly compared against ATTO and CrystalDisk directly. The first test was using the 1GB Test file:

Next Phison E26 Max14um AS SSD test was a 3GB test file:

Finally, there was the larger 5GB test file.

Tests for all three AS SSD benchmarks were pretty comparable.

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Phison E26 Max14um Gen 5 SSD Review – Conclusion and Verdict

In conclusion, the Max14um SSD sets a new benchmark for Gen5 SSDs with its exceptional performance and efficient thermal management. It stands out as the fastest drive currently available in its category, a testament to the synergy between its cutting-edge 2400MT/s B58R NAND and the Phison E26 controller. The heatsink design deserves special mention for its capability to maintain optimal temperatures without bulking up the device, ensuring that the high-speed components can operate without thermal throttling. Despite its impressive speeds and cooling system, the drive’s size remains surprisingly compact, particularly when considering its performance metrics that are close to saturating the Gen 5×4 bandwidth. Furthermore, the upcoming availability of a 4TB option adds to its appeal for users seeking high-capacity, high-performance storage solutions. The backing by Phison, not just in terms of the controller but the entire drive, provides a level of assurance in terms of quality and support.

However, potential buyers should be aware of the expected high cost of the drive, which could be a significant factor in purchase decisions. Additionally, while the exact durability ratings (DWPD/TBW) are yet to be disclosed, they are anticipated to be average for high-end SSDs. The requirement of a 4-pin CPU fan connector for cooling may pose a compatibility issue for certain setups, as the fan is not powered directly by the M.2 interface or through SATA/molex power. It’s also important to note that the sustained performance of 14/12GB is contingent upon the client’s environment and workload.

SK Hynix Beetle X31 10Gb/s USB SSD Review

The SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD enters the storage market with a set of specifications that aim to cater to the mid-range consumer segment. This review sets out to provide an objective analysis of the drive’s performance, build quality, and overall value proposition. More than just the look of the thing, we will also cover benchmark tests including ATTO Disk Benchmark and Crystal Disk Mark, which simulate various usage scenarios to gauge the drive’s capabilities. With a focus on the drive’s advertised sequential read and write speeds, capacity options, and design features, the review will offer potential users a clear perspective on how the Beetle X31 stands against its contemporaries in the current SSD market.

SK Hynix Beetle X31 USB SSD Review – Quick Conclusion

The SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD meets its advertised speed performance, with a design that is both compact and aesthetically pleasing. However, its storage capacity tops out at 1TB and it carries a three-year warranty, which may not be competitive with other market offerings that provide more storage and longer protection plans. In essence, while the SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD is a solid performer with a distinctive design, its appeal may be tempered by its capacity limitations and shorter warranty period when compared to other SSDs in its class.

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SK Hynix Beetle X31 USB SSD Review – Design

The SK Hynix Beetle X31 distinguishes itself in the portable SSD market with its unique design and compact size. The device features a Gold finish, offering a visually appealing alternative to the more common black and silver tones of external SSDs. This choice of color not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also gives the device a distinct identity in a crowded market.

Regarding its dimensions, the Beetle X31 measures 74 X 46 X 14.8 mm, making it quite portable and easy to carry. The weight of 53g, while light, provides a sense of durability and quality. This balance of size and weight is practical for users who need to transport the device regularly, without compromising on build quality.

The hardware interface of the Beetle X31 is a notable feature. It incorporates a USB 3.2 Gen2 interface, supporting up to 10Gbps transfer speed. This technical specification ensures that the drive can handle high-speed data transfers efficiently, catering to needs such as large file handling and quick data access. The interface’s compatibility with a broad range of devices highlights the drive’s adaptability for various professional and personal usage scenarios.

The drive is also designed with durability in mind. It is capable of withstanding a drop from up to 2 meters, and it has been tested for shock and vibration resistance. These features indicate a focus on making the Beetle X31 a reliable option for users who might use the drive in different physical conditions, ensuring data protection under various circumstances.

Overall, the SK Hynix Beetle X31 combines a distinctive design with practical hardware specifications. Its compact size, aesthetic appeal, high-speed interface, and durability features make it a solid choice in the portable SSD category, meeting the requirements of users looking for both performance and portability.

SK Hynix Beetle X31 USB SSD Review – Hardware

The SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD is an impressive blend of cutting-edge technology and robust design. Launched on June 21st, 2023, and active in production, this solid-state drive offers a substantial storage capacity of 1 TB (1024 GB), with an overprovisioning of 70.3 GB (7.4%), aimed at the consumer market. Its part number, SKHPU3-001T, is a nod to its position in SK Hynix’s lineup of storage solutions, and it currently available at $69 for the 512GB version and $89 for the 1TB version, presenting a competitive option in the SSD market.

Category	Specification
General
Capacity	1 TB, 512 GB
Color	Gold
Model Names	SKHPU3-512G (512GB), SKHPU3-001T (1TB)
Interface	USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps)
Operating Voltage	5V
Operating Current	1.5A
Dimensions	74 x 46 x 14.8 mm
Weight	53g
Launch Price	1TB: $89.99, 512GB: $69.99
Production/Assembly	South Korea / Malaysia
Performance
Sequential Read	Up to 1,050 MB/s
Sequential Write	Up to 1,000 MB/s
Reliability
Drop	2 meters
Temperature (Operating)	0℃ to 40℃
Temperature (Non-operating)	-40℃ to 60℃
Shock (Non-operating)	1500G, 0.5ms, 6-axis
Vibration (Non-operating)	20~2000Hz, 20G
Controller
Manufacturer	SK Hynix
Name	Cepheus 2 ACNT038
Architecture	ARM 32-bit Cortex-R
Core Count	Dual-Core
Foundry	TSMC FinFET
Process	12 nm
Flash Channels	4 @ 1,400 MT/s
Chip Enables	4
DRAM (enabled)	Yes
NAND Flash
Manufacturer	SK Hynix
Name	V6
Type	TLC
Technology	128-layer
Speed	1200 MT/s
Capacity	1 chip @ 8 Tbit
Endurance	Up to 3000 P/E Cycles
DRAM Cache
Type	LPDDR4
Capacity	Not specified
Warranty
Length	3 Years

At the core of the Beetle X31’s performance is the SK Hynix Cepheus 2 ACNT038 controller. This controller is based on a dual-core ARM 32-bit Cortex-R architecture, produced using TSMC’s 12 nm FinFET process. This modern manufacturing process contributes to the controller’s efficiency and reliability. The controller operates with four flash channels at 1,400 MT/s and supports four chip enables. Notably, it features enabled DRAM, indicating the presence of a cache that aids in speeding up data access and transfer processes.

The bridge chip controller of the Beetle X31 is the ASMedia ASM2364, another crucial component contributing to its performance. This controller, also based on an ARM 32-bit architecture, connects via a USB-C connector and facilitates the downstream PCIe 3.0 x4 port and the upstream USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps port. This setup ensures that the SSD is capable of handling high-speed data transfers, making it suitable for applications requiring quick data access and large file transfers.

The NAND flash in the Beetle X31 is manufactured by SK Hynix and is named V6. This TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND flash utilizes 128-layer technology and operates at a speed of 1200 MT/s. The capacity per chip is impressive, at 8 Tbit, which translates to 16 dies per chip at 512 Gbit each. The design of this NAND flash incorporates a charge trap topology, with each die having four planes and two decks. The efficiency of this setup is highlighted by its 87.1% vertical efficiency and an endurance of up to 3000 Program/Erase (P/E) cycles. The page size is 16 KB, with a block size of 1536 pages and a plane size of 722 blocks.

While the exact capacity of the LPDDR4 DRAM cache in the Beetle X31 is not specified, its presence is a critical factor in the SSD’s performance, particularly in enhancing data retrieval speeds and overall responsiveness. The SSD boasts impressive performance metrics with sequential read speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 1,000 MB/s. These speeds indicate the drive’s ability to handle intensive read and write operations efficiently, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from professional content creation to high-end gaming.

The SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD also includes an SLC (Single-Level Cell) write cache, which enhances its performance under heavy write loads. The durability and reliability of the SSD are further bolstered by its 3-year warranty, providing users with confidence in its long-term performance and stability. The SK Hynix Beetle X31 USB SSD is an advanced storage device that combines state-of-the-art internal hardware with practical design elements. Its sophisticated controller architecture, high-performance NAND flash technology, DRAM caching, and solid endurance and warranty terms make it a standout choice in the SSD market, particularly for users who value both speed and reliability in their data storage solutions.

SK Hynix Beetle X31 USB SSD Review – Performance

In order to evaluate the prowess of the SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD, we turned to industry-standard benchmarks—ATTO Disk Benchmark and Crystal Disk Mark. These tests are designed to push the drive to its limits, providing a comprehensive picture of its read and write capabilities across a spectrum of file sizes, from the minutiae of 512 bytes to the heft of 64 MB files. With this rigorous testing, we aim to uncover not only the peak performance figures but also the consistency and reliability of the drive across varying workloads.

The benchmarks mirror real-world scenarios, ranging from gaming environments to large file transfers, offering potential users insight into how the drive might perform in their day-to-day tasks.

After extensive testing, the SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD has demonstrated a solid performance that aligns well with its advertised capabilities. The sequential read and write speeds closely approached the 1,050 MB/s and 1,000 MB/s marks, respectively, underlining the drive’s proficiency in handling large data transfers efficiently. Even under diverse file sizes and testing conditions, the drive showed commendable endurance and maintained a stable thermal profile, a testament to its well-engineered thermal management system. The benchmark results corroborate the drive’s potential for varied applications, confirming its suitability for users with high-performance demands. The SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD stands out as a reliable option for those seeking a blend of speed, durability, and consistent output in their storage solutions.

SK Hynix Beetle X31 USB SSD Review – Verdict

The SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD has undergone thorough testing and was remarkably consistent (for a USB drive!). The drive consistently achieved near its advertised peak speeds for sequential reads and writes. This performance is adequate for typical usage scenarios such as file transfers and media consumption. The design of the drive is compact and features a Champagne Gold finish, which could be appealing from an aesthetic standpoint. On the other hand, the drive is currently available with a maximum storage capacity of 1TB. While this may be sufficient for average users, it could be restrictive for those with larger data storage requirements. Additionally, the warranty provided is for three years, which, while standard for some, may be less than what is offered by competing brands. The performance metrics, although solid, do not particularly set the drive apart in a market where higher capacities and longer warranties are becoming more common.

The SK Hynix Beetle X31 SSD delivers acceptable performance that aligns with its specifications. It is a competent SSD with an attractive design, suitable for users who require moderate storage capacity and transfer speeds. However, its limitations in storage capacity and warranty duration are points that potential buyers should consider in comparison to other available options.

PROs of the SK Hynix Beetle X31 USB SSD	CONs of the SK Hynix Beetle X31 USB SSD
– Achieves advertised sequential read and write speeds – Consistent performance across a range of file sizes – Compact and visually distinctive design	– Limited to a maximum of 1TB storage capacity – Warranty period is three years, potentially less than competitors – Relative value may be diminished compared to drives with similar specs but better warranties or prices

 

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U-NAS NSC-810A NAS Case Review

In this review, we take a closer look at the U-NAS NSC-810A NAS Case, a compact storage enclosure designed to address the storage needs of various users. Our evaluation will provide a detailed examination of its design, features, and overall performance, offering a fact-based assessment to assist you in making an informed decision regarding its compatibility with your specific storage requirements. Whether you are a professional seeking reliable data storage solutions or an enthusiast embarking on a home NAS build, our analysis aims to provide a balanced and factual perspective on the U-NAS NSC-810A.

Note – You can watch the video review of the U-NAS NSC-810A NAS Enclosure HERE on YouTube

Hardware Highlights in Brief:

• Chassis Type: Mini-Tower.
• Color: Black.
• Motherboard Compatibility: Micro ATX, Mini-ITX.
• PSU Form Factor: 1U Flex (not included).
• Front Ports: 1 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, Audio (mic & headphone).
• Cooling: 2 x 120mm Gelid Ultra Quiet Fans (variable speed).
• Expansion:
• Hot-Swap Drive Bays: 8 x 3.5” SATA/SAS.
• Internal Drive Bay: 1 x 2.5” HDD/SSD.
• Expansion Slots: 2 x PCI / PCI Express.
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 315mm x 275mm x 197mm (feet not included).
• Net Weight: 5.6KG.

U-NAS NSC-810A NAS Case Review – Quick Conclusion

The U-NAS NSC-810A NAS Case provides a compact and well-organized storage solution with several advantages. It offers 8-Bay storage capacity and a user-friendly internal layout, including pre-connected SATA cables and effective cooling options. The option to replace the rear backplane and space for a 2.5” SATA SSD drive add to its versatility. However, some limitations include the non-standard PSU, potential constraints for M-ATX motherboards, and interference issues with larger PCIe cards. Despite these considerations, the NSC-810A remains a practical choice for specific storage needs, provided users account for its unique features and limitations.

U-NAS NSC-810A NAS Case Review – Packaging

TerraMaster F4-424 Pro NAS Review

We talk about NAS a lot here on NASCompares, and when we discuss ‘value’ and ‘affordable’ servers, more often than not, we will be discussing a TerraMaster NAS system. Long regarded as the more affordable end of the private server market, they have nevertheless come a considerably long way in a comparatively short time when compared to the ‘bigger players in the playground,’ such as Synology and QNAP. Indeed, the subject of today’s review, the TerraMaster F4-424 Pro, is perhaps one of the most powerful 4-Bay turnkey NAS systems on the market! This, alongside their NAS software closing the gap in a few key areas with their competitors (flexible RAID storage that allows mixed drive deployment, BTRFS, a Surveillance platform in beta, and their own AI photo recognition application leaving beta, to name but a few), has resulted in a decent percentage of the NAS buyer market starting to take the plucky TerraMaster NAS brand more seriously. Throw into the mix that this Intel i3 N300, 32GB DDR5, NVMe slot-equipped, 2x 2.5GbE-connected system is rolling out the gate at under $699, and you have a serious contender of a system here! But, all that rhetoric and spec jargon aside, is it any good? Let’s find out in today’s review.

TerraMaster F4-424 Pro NAS Review – Quick Conclusion

The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro NAS is a powerful 4-bay system with an Intel i3 N300 CPU, 32GB DDR5 memory, and 2x M.2 NVMe SSD bays, offering impressive performance for tasks like Plex media streaming and transcoding. Its redesigned chassis, resembling Synology and QNAP models, improves cooling and accessibility, marking a significant design upgrade. TOS 5 software enhances GUI clarity, backup tools, storage options, and security. The absence of 10GbE and memory limitations are notable drawbacks. Nevertheless, it offers great value in the 4-bay NAS market, appealing to budget-conscious users seeking capable private server solutions.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS Review – Packaging and Presentation

The Terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS arrives in a somewhat bland brown cardboard box, with little to no information about the product on it. This might not come as a surprise, considering that this is primarily an eShop purchase, and the emphasis is more on the product’s performance and features rather than the packaging’s visual appeal.

The internal packaging consists of a foam framework designed to secure the system during transit, which, while functional, feels a bit flimsy. The outer cardboard box is single-layered and doesn’t exude a premium feel. In their defense, Terramaster products are known for offering significant cost savings, often being 20% cheaper or more compared to similar products in the market with similar hardware specifications. Therefore, cost-effective packaging choices like these can be somewhat expected. The accessories that come with the F4-424 are neatly packed in their own cardboard box and include standard items such as a network cable, an external PSU, screws for 2.5″ drives (as the 3.5″ drives are held in screwless trays within the system), drive media stickers (which are rarely used), a screwdriver, and warranty information. However, it’s worth noting that the F4-424 comes with a 2-year warranty, which may disappoint some users when larger brands like Synology and QNAP offer 3-year warranties.

While one can argue that the shorter hardware warranty is a result of cost-cutting measures to maintain an affordable price point, it does feel somewhat limited given the high-quality hardware within this compact system. The external PSU provided is a 3rd-party, unbranded 90W PSU, which is standard for many 4-Bay systems in this category. In summary, the packaging and presentation of the Terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS are generally unremarkable. While cost-saving measures are evident in the packaging materials and the warranty duration, they are somewhat justified by the product’s competitive pricing and robust hardware.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS Review – Design

The F4-424 Pro arrives with a complete design overhaul in comparison to other 4-Bays released by the brand in the last decade. The previous 4-Bay chassis design had been looking rather dated for longer than many would have liked, as well as featuring a much more closed cooling system and awkward disassembly when assessing upgradable components such as M.2 NVMe slots and RAM slots.

The F4-424 arrives with a smaller but more curved chassis that massively improves passive cooling, hot swapping, and accessing the internal motherboard on the fly. The side panels have now got ventilated ‘Terramaster’ logos, as well as the base of the system have better-placed ventilation points.

Indeed, the rear active cooling has improved vastly over the chunky twin fan block of the previous design and is now a single internally placed 120mm fan that creates a much sleeker look. The new Terramaster chassis in the F4-424 Pro is highly comparable to the likes of the Synology Diskstation 4-Bay series – both in ventilation placement and in color/material, arriving in brush matte black plastic.

The system now features improved click and load SATA media bays, though the means to eject them is at the top and not the bottom, which feels a little counterintuitive. Each tray used removable click and hold panels that hold 3.5” media drives in place (as well as screw holes for 2.5” media), with each tray neatly guiding into combined SATA and DATA connectors internally.

The system storage software also allows users to mix and match storage drive capacities, which may sound crazy on day 1, however if you were to deploy the system with 1-2 drives at the start and years later want to add more drives of a larger capacity, the Terramaster TRAID system will utilize the large capacity available in a way that regular RAID configurations such as RAID 5 would not. Again, TRAID could be compared against the Synology Hybrid RAID configuration which does the same thing, as well as both supporting BTRFS or EXT4 as the system system of choice.

The front of the system has some discreet LEDs that denote storage, system, and network health and activity, however they are perhaps a little TOO discreet and although I could increase the brightness, they were very small! Also, while they are clearly being inspired by their competitors in a number of ways for the design of the F4-424 Pro, the fact the system lacks a front-mounted USB port for convenient external storage or peripheral use is a bit of a shame. Overall, the design is very appealing and a massive improvement over practically ALL other desktop NAS systems to date.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS Review – Ports and Connections

The ports and connectivity of the F4-424 Pro present a mixed bag, and while nothing is particularly bad, there are some omissions that might irk the hardcore network users. The system comes equipped with 2x 2.5GbE network connectivity, and it also supports USB to 2.5GbE network adapters, offering a maximum network throughput of at least 279MB/s on a single port. This can be significantly increased by bonding them with features like LAG, Trunking, SMB Multi, and more, especially when using USB adapters and the right storage media.

However, considering the ‘PRO’ naming convention, the fact that this system is available in a non-pro version with a lesser processor but the same ports, and the price tag, there will be users disappointed by the absence of 10GbE support. Other systems with similar hardware and architecture have addressed this by including a PCIe upgrade slot through creative allocation of PCIe lanes internally. The F4-424 Pro’s lack of 10GbE or the means to add it later might be a sore point for some users.

The rear USB ports consist of both USB 3.2 Gen 2 10GbE type A and C slots, in addition to supporting USB storage drives, which can be configured in several ways for intelligent backups with the TOS software. These ports can also be assigned to virtual machine environments using the supported VirtualBox app. The HDMI port is 2.0b and supports up to 4K at 60FPS. However, Terramaster has yet to introduce any HDMI parallel GUI platform (similar to Asustor Portal or QNAP HD Station) that would enable an independent local GUI for a KVM setup.

Nonetheless, you can use the HDMI port if you wish to install a third-party NAS OS like TrueNAS or UnRAID, although this may limit the brand’s future warranty support in such cases. In summary, the ports and connections on the F4-424 Pro offer a mix of functionality, and while they are not subpar, the absence of 10GbE or the potential for future scalability to this speed may be a dealbreaker for some users.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS Review – Internal Hardware

Opening up the side panel of the F4-424 PRO is significantly easier than previous releases from the brand in the 4 bay tier and just requires the removal of 2 screws, then simply slides off. This reveals the main controller board of the F4-424, the passive CPU cooler/heatsink covered N300, single memory upgrade slot and the 2x M.2 NVMe SSD bays.

The F4-424 Pro benefits from the continued miniaturization and power efficiency scaling of popular CPUs from Intel and AMD towards smaller mobile revisions. This is also further caused by the recent retirement of the Intel Celeron, Pentium, and some Core processor naming by Intel on their newest releases, merging these families into newer N100, N95, and N300 revisions for 2023/2024.

The N300 inside the F4-424 is an i3 8-Core Processor, with 8 threads, low base frequency with an aggressive boost when needed and an impressively powered integrated graphics component too. In Plex testing, the F4-424 did very well indeed and played pretty much everything we threw at it (even some introductory 8K media) in both native playback and with hardware transcoding enabled.

The extent to which the TOS NAS software is able to fully utilize the i3-N300 CPU is debatable, as that becomes a matter of software efficiency, and that is something that brands need to spend huge percentages of their R&D budget on to achieve – and remember that the F4-424 Pro is still comparatively economical in its pricing.

The system arrives with 32GB of DDR5 memory, which is MASSIVE by the standards of other NAS 4-Bays in the market, arriving on a single SODIMM module and is non-ECC (again, price limitation no doubt, but also a CPU limitation too by Intel). Talking of CPU limitations, the N300 CPU is rated at a maximum of 16GB of memory by Intel, yet Terramaster provides 32GB. Terramaster states that as long as you are using their own SODIMM memory modules, you can fully utilize the full 32GB in their TOS software as they have designed it that way, but I was unable to fully test and verify this.

Then there are the 2x NVMe M.2 bays that allow you to install 1-2 Gen 3 SSDs inside to make this technically a 6 Bay NAS (4x SATA and 2x M.2). You can use these M.2 bays for the TOS operating system (so apps, services, and features run with low, low latency), as caching for the main storage, or even as just standalone storage pools for priority storage.

Digging into the hardware architecture, we were able to see that these are PCIe Gen 3×2 architecture, which was to be expected given the 8 (technically 9) lanes of PCIe afforded to the N300 CPU. This means that you will halve the speed of any PCIe Gen 3×4 SSDs that you install in these bays, which is quite common these days nonetheless and is at least x2 speed when many of their competitors would have spread the lanes out more and restricted these slots to x1.

However, we do need to at least highlight that an alternative allocation of these lanes (1 M.2 perhaps or limiting the lanes/speed in other areas) might well have allowed a x2 or x4 PCIe slot or onboard 10GbE to be available. Overall, for the price tag and capabilities at your disposal in the F4-424 Pro, I am really happy with the hardware inside and it definitely puts it ahead of the majority of other 4-bays available in 2024 so far in terms of internal HW.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS Review – TOS Software

f you are an existing Terramaster NAS owner, or are someone that has been considering their NAS brand for your private server purchase, then you might have heard that they recently released their latest BIG software update. Upgrading from TOS 4 to TOS 5, this new update brings a huge range of improvements in the GUI, available applications, supported services, security and user controls to their NAS systems.  It is important to note that even though TOS 5 is now fully released and in its non-beater version, some applications are still in beta within this software platform and although I will touch on them throughout this review, I will make a point of highlighting when some applications in full release or are still in Beta. These include Terra Photos, Terrasync tools, Centralized Backup, and elements of Terra Search and Surveillance Manager. Although all of these applications are still available in the app center, the experiences I had with them still demonstrate that they are not in their final form and suffered weak resource sharing with the rest of TOS5. Otherwise, all other elements discussed in this review are in their full-release candidate form. Additionally, at the time of writing, TOS5 is not available for ARM processor NAS devices. I made a MASSIVE review of TOS 5 in it’s own dedicated article below, which I recommend you read if you want to know the FULL scope of what TOS 5 can and cannot do:

Click Below to read the FULL Review of TOS 5 for Terramaster NAS

What I liked in TOS 5

• The GUI is considerably clearer and much more vibrant.
• The options and icons in the GUI are much more responsive and clear against other background activities.
• There are considerably more backup and synchronization tools in TOS5.
• There are a vastly improved number of storage configurations and services available at your disposal.
• The mixed drive TRAID Is going to win serious points with ex-synology owners.
• The system includes direct tech support and remote access terminal for official support and difficulties
• The network isolation mode in TOS5 is both unique to the brand and particularly helpful.
• The resource monitor is 10 times better than in previous versions of TOS 5 and genuinely useful.

• The upgrade path between TOS4 and TOS5 is not as smooth as it should be. And will confuse some and concern others.
• Multimedia tools are a little lacking and although there is a general DLNA media server application and the photo app in beta, there is no dedicated video or music tool available.
• The Surveillance tool has kinda gone dark/disappeared!

New Features & Improvements in Existing Services in TOS

In TOS 5, not only have the storage structure and data interaction mode been reconstructed but also, compared with the previous generation, it adds more than 50 features and 600 improvements. The new features meet more business requirements, as well as significantly improve response speed, security, and ease of use.

Browser Access to TOS is Now 3x Times Faster

TOS 5 adopts progressive JavaScript language and a lightweight framework with a faster loading speed. TOS 5 features bidirectional data binding, easier data manipulation, and automatic synchronous response to data changes in the page; UI, data, and structure separation make it easier to change data without the need to modify logic codes. Using progressive JavaScript language, TOS 5 has a more lightweight framework. In addition, through two-way binding of data, the view, data and structure are separated. When the page is operated, it automatically responds to changes in data, which makes the system “lighter” and achieves a faster loading speed.

New caching technology avoids network round trips between the server and the database, bypasses the calculation that occupies resources, saves server resources, and improves response time and waiting time, so TOS 5 has the fastest response time in the current TOS family. Compared with the last generation, the TOS 5 response speed has increased by 300%! Use WASM to optimize the calculation method and execute the back-end complex calculations on the front-end, thereby reducing the calculation pressure on the server. In addition, TOS 5 uses the most popular back-end language at the moment, which can support high concurrent requests. Compared with traditional interpreted languages, the compilation speed is faster.

Improved Resource Monitor in TOS 5

The new iconic resource monitor board allows you to grasp the operating status of your TNAS comprehensively and intuitively in real-time; at-a-glance visibility of system load, CPU and memory usage, network traffic, disk I/O, device temperature, storage, processes, online users, listening ports, and system resource occupancy. Historical records of up to 30 days can be easily traced back.

Full One Button System Isolation Mode Available in TOS 5

TerraMaster’s unique security isolation mode completely isolates your TNAS device from the external network through network isolation, digital signature, and file format restriction, providing a safer operating environment and effective protection against virus and ransomware attacks.

Support of the WORM File System in TOS5

Data can be written at one time within the customized protection period and cannot be deleted or modified. This effectively protects your data from malicious damage, deletion, or tampering and provides data protection for up to 70 years; essential for the financial, judicial, medical, and scientific research sectors, as well as other business users.

Improved Storage, Backup & Sync Features in Terramaster TOS 5

TOS 5 features optimized storage architecture to reduce the system space occupation. The file deduplication system, file system compression, TRAID elastic array, and other functions also save you up to 40% of storage space

Single Portal Folder Level Backup for Home and SMB Users

Reduce complexity and embrace simplicity. All backup needs can be completed through a single portal, providing one-stop backup solutions including Central Backup, TerraSync, Duple Backup, Snapshot, USB Copy, CloudSync, and other comprehensive backup tools. This meets your clients’ disaster recovery and restoration requirements, as well as backup policies and destinations.

Business Focused ProActive Backups for Larger Business

To improve management efficiency, medium and larger-sized businesses need a centralized and active backup solution for multiple users, PCs, and servers. Centralized Backup is a business-oriented backup solution that supports backup and restoration for multiple device types. You can centrally backup data of dozens or even hundreds of PCs, servers, or virtual machines with only one TNAS.

New Flexible RAID Support in TRAID in TOS 5

By optimizing the traditional RAID mode, TerraMaster RAID (TRAID) gives you flexible disk array configuration, flexible online migration, capacity expansion, and redundancy policies. As well as improving disk space utilization, it also provides solutions and security protection for storage space changes caused by new business requirements. Much like Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) in that you can mix drive capacities for improved storage after the RAID redundancy calculation. I reached out to Terramaster directly on this and they confirm that this function is supported in TOS 5.

Multiple Client Sync with TerraSync in TOS 5

TerraSync, a TerraMaster self-developed synchronization tool, realizes data synchronization between multiple users and multiple devices. It efficiently implements data sharing among branch offices and data synchronization between individuals on multiple devices and platforms, which assists employees in collaborative work and improves work efficiency.

New CloudSync Application for Bare Metal-to-Cloud Live Sync in TOS 5

The new CloudSync app integrates multiple cloud drives and syncs them into one application, including Google Drive, One Drive, Amazon S3, Backblaze, Box, Dropbox, Koofr, OpenDrive, pCloud, Yandex disk, and Aliyun. This allows users to centralize the management of multiple synchronization tasks and add a variety of cloud disk synchronization options including Aliyun and Rackspace. A more flexible, stable, and efficient solution for data synchronization between your TNAS and cloud drives is facilitated by your choice of customized synchronization strategies, such as traffic control, scheduled tasks, and encryption.

CCTV Surveillance in Terramaster TOS 5

TNAS is an ideal video recording storage device. The new Surveillance Manager makes full use of TNAS storage resources to realize camera management, real-time monitoring, video storage, playback, query, event and activity monitoring and recording, providing you with economic and flexible video monitoring management tools to safeguard your personal and property safety.

AI Photo Recognition Now Available in TOS 5 with Terra Photo

Terra Photos is TerraMaster’s brand-new AI photo management application that provides smart solutions for your photo management and sharing; it uses intelligent AI algorithms to identify and classify faces, pets, locations, and other objects in your photos.

Docker Added to Existing Container Tools in TOS 5

Combined with docker-compose and portainer, the new Docker Manager features an optimized operation interface, with multiple new features which provide visual management that meets all your requirements for container customization and flexible configuration.

New Update to Terramaster’s Mobile App, TNAS Mobile 5

To adapt to TOS 5, TNAS mobile has also ushered in a comprehensive update, TNAS mobile 5. Featuring an optimized user interface and interaction, it has also added mobile phone backup, photo management, personal folders, team folders, data safebox, TerraSync, remote administrator, and other functions, which provide more convenience for remote access, mobile office, and remote management of your TNAS. Once again, I need to highlight that the T6-423 NAS needs to be viewed with its price tag always in mind. With software and hardware that is available on other NAS brand devices, it is easy to imagine that this device is a much, more affordable alternative to QNAP or Synology NAS. However, you should always remember that this device is still aimed at those looking for a first dip into NAS and if should be compared with WD NAS and D-Link when making your choice of NAS. it is DEFINITELY better than those and arrives at a better price, but it may still be a year or more before the Terramaster TOS Software platform can compete with DSM and QTS. That said, the Beta is really showing that TOS is going to evolve even further and for more information about the TerraMaster TOS operating System, I recommend visiting my software review here from a couple of years ago.

Key Software and NAS tasks that are supported are:

• RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, JBOD – as well as TRAID, the Flexible RAID configuration
• Apple Time Machine Backup
• Cloud Migration and Synchronization
• NAS to NAS Rsync Support
• Plex Media Server
• Docker
• Mail Server
• Web Server
• DLNA Media Server
• WordPress Server
• Download Server
• Snapshot Support

With a good range of applications to choose from, as well as the support of modern NAS applications in the mix, the TerraMaster T9-450 does give you a good base with which to start your NAS journey, though it may feel a little streamlined for those with greater NAS experience. It is also worth mentioning that TOS 5.1 is currently available in Beta (as of Jan 2023 to now) and includes numerous improvements that include:

1. Upgraded kernel – The TOS 5.1 kernel has been updated from 4.19 to 5.15. Compared to the previous generation kernel, TOS 5.1 Beta optimized EXT4/Btrfs/NTFs file systems and SMB3 file server, used ext4/f2fs/ubifs file system encryption in the encryption API, enabled Apple M1 SoC functionality under Linux and added USB 4 interface support, which greatly improved the performance and security of file system.

2. 4K hardware decoding – The new hardware decoding driver for Intel Jasper Lake GPU is added, which will significantly improve 4K video hardware decoding capability for TerraMaster NAS.

3. Storage pool expansion via USB – By connecting TerraMaster USB disk array, users can easily expand the storage space of the storage pool for TNAS. It supports TRAID/RAID 0/RAID 1/RAID 5/RAID 6 array mode and provide 10Gb storage bandwidth. Compared with eSATA or mini SAS expansion enclosures, TerraMaster USB expansion enclosures are more economical and more convenient.

4. Hyper Cache – TerraMaster Hyper Cache is TerraMaster unique SSD cache acceleration tool. Hyper Cache can provide up to 3 cache modes to choose from to suit different usage needs, and can also create disk arrays for SSDs to increase cache speed and security. Such configuration delivers high-speed storage that’s ideal for video editing.

5. Categorized notifications – TOS 5.1 Beta optimizes system messages and divides message notifications into four levels: information, success, error, and warning. Each level of messages is marked with a more eye-catching symbol of different colors. User can always keep track of any abnormalities in the system and ensure the security of the system and data.

6. USB storage management – TOS 5.1 fully optimizes the mounting of USB partitions. The system will record the path of the last mounted USB partition. When re-mounting next time, the original path will be allocated first to provide more storage space for the use and backup of USB.

7. Optimized Docker Manager – TerraMaster launches updated version of Docker Manager and updates the Docker engine to 20.10.17 version. The optimized interface brings it in line with users’ aesthetics and usage habits. Container deployment is more flexible and TerraMaster NAS utilization is optimized.

8. Better AI computing performance – TOS 5.1 replaced the more powerful Intel OpenVINO AI computing engine, combined with the new Terra Photos application, the intelligent photo recognition efficiency increased by 30%. Terra Photo is designed for home users and photography enthusiasts to manage photo storage, share and access photos from anywhere.

Terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS Review – Conclusion and Verdict

The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro NAS is a powerful 4-bay turnkey NAS system that offers competitive pricing and robust hardware. With its Intel i3 N300 CPU, 32GB DDR5 memory, and 2x M.2 NVMe SSD bays, it provides excellent performance for various tasks, including Plex media streaming and hardware transcoding. In terms of design, the F4-424 Pro features a sleek and modern chassis with improved cooling and hot-swapping capabilities. It represents a significant step forward in design compared to TerraMaster’s older 4-bay models, aligning more closely with industry leaders like Synology and QNAP. The addition of TOS 5 software brings significant improvements in GUI clarity, backup tools, storage configurations, and security features. However, the absence of 10GbE support and limited scalability in this regard might disappoint advanced users. Additionally, while the hardware exceeds Intel’s memory limitations, full utilization of the 32GB DDR5 memory is reliant on Terramaster’s own SODIMM modules, and this could be a limitation for some users. Overall, the TerraMaster F4-424 Pro NAS offers excellent value for its price, with competitive hardware and software features. It positions itself as a strong contender in the 4-bay NAS market, particularly for those looking for an affordable yet capable private server solution.

Powerful Hardware:** Equipped with an Intel i3 N300 CPU and 32GB DDR5 memory, delivering robust performance. Redesigned Chassis:** Improved design for better cooling, hot-swapping, and internal accessibility. TOS 5 Software:** TerraMaster’s TOS 5 software offers a clear GUI, enhanced backup tools, expanded storage options, and improved security features. Affordable Price:** Competitive pricing under $699 makes it an attractive option for its hardware and software capabilities. Flexible RAID Support:** Supports various RAID configurations, including TRAID for flexible disk array setup. Multiple Client Sync:** TerraSync tool efficiently synchronizes data across multiple users and devices. CCTV Surveillance:** Surveillance Manager offers video recording and monitoring features for added security. AI Photo Recognition:** Terra Photos uses AI algorithms to classify and manage photos effectively.	No 10GbE Support:** Lacks 10GbE support, potentially limiting network speed for some users. Memory Over-specification:** The inclusion of 32GB memory may raise concerns, given the CPU’s maximum support of 16GB. Limited Packaging Quality:** Packaging and presentation are basic and may not match the standards of competitors.

Click the link below to take you to your local Amazon store and where to buy the terramaster F4-424 Pro NAS.

 

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Samsung 990 EVO Gen 5 SSD Review

It would be fair to say that of all the brands that exist in the SSD consumer and commercial market, few have the recognition and long-running reputation that Samsung has. A mainstay in consumer day-to-day devices, they have also been long-running pioneers in the world of solid-state storage for years now (first truly cutting their teeth in consumer M.2 NVMe SSD storage with the hugely popular Samsung 960). In the previously established PCIe Gen 4 generation of M.2 NVMe SSDs, Samsung (along with WD) in late 2020 were the very first brands to introduce 7GB/s (7000MB/s) performing drives to the market, massively overshadowing competitors such as Seagate and ultimately giving them a huge advantage, one that has been enjoyed for almost 3-4 years. Fast forward to now and the Gen 5 tier of M.2 NVMe SSDs has established itself, and despite hugely confident releases from Phison-equipped drives with Seagate, Sabrent, TeamGroup, and more that have been promising 10, 12, and 14GB/s, Samsung has been oddly silent on the consumer Gen 5 tier… Until now! The release of the Samsung 990 EVO marks the brand’s first release into an almost guaranteed large range of Gen 5 solutions in 2024/2025, but with a rather niche approach to its hardware design choices, a shift of focus on its ideal deployment, and performance numbers that seem comparatively lower to many drives on the market – is the Samsung EVO 990 SSD a rather bizarre first Gen 5 entry by the brand? Let’s review the Samsung 990 EVO SSD, discuss what makes it different from the usual crowd, benchmark it, and ultimately decide if it deserves your money and your data!

Samsung 990 EVO Gen 5 SSD Review – Quick Conclusion

The Samsung 990 EVO is a unique drive, ideal for systems with limited PCIe allocation and concerns about heat and power usage. While Samsung’s strategy aims to meet future trends, there are questions about PCIe Gen 5 bandwidth utilization and performance sustainability in modern PC architecture. The 990 EVO, being Samsung’s first DRAMless consumer Gen 5 SSD, offers a decent balance of performance and efficiency in compact systems, but its position in the market might be overshadowed by competitors’ higher-spec Gen 5×4 drives. It’s an acceptable choice for those seeking an OS drive or a base SSD for micro/compact systems, offering good durability and power efficiency. However, gamers and power users might find it lacking compared to more robust options available. The Samsung 990 EVO stands out in its niche but faces stiff competition in the broader SSD market.

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Samsung 990 EVO Gen 5 SSD Review – Retail Packaging

The Samsung 990 EVO arrives in fairly standard packaging from the brand and is arguably fairly understated and regular stuff. The drive arrives without any kind of heatsink (more on that later), but comes with the M.2 NVMe SSD in a plastic shell, alongside brief information on installation, the Samsung Magician software, and details on the 5-year inclusive warranty. The retail box itself is adorned with all the usual tech spec information and, although it’s all a bit ‘meh’, at the very least still carries that Samsung charm.

The drive arrives with a base panel heatshield that arrives pre-applied on the base panel of the SSD (on the bare PCB side), and it is located under the storage NAND. It’s a little odd that this isn’t located on the top, but I am sure Samsung has done enough R&D to know this makes more sense.

The top of the drive has a simple adhesive label with all the relevant drive information, but this is not any kind of metallic heatshield.

Peeling this back reveals an unusual arrangement of components on the PCB (on both the 1TB and 2TB version), at least compared with the bulk of both Gen4 and Gen5 SSDs in the market. Let’s discuss the hardware that the Samsung 990 EVO runs on.

Samsung 990 EVO Gen 5 SSD Review – Hardware Design

As mentioned above, the Samsung 990 EVO is a different kind of drive in the market. But this is especially unusual when you see that Samsung is attempting to straddle both the Gen4 and Gen5 market with this drive. Advertised as a Gen 5 M.2 NVMe, its architecture and the bandwidth afforded to it are very unconventional (at least by 2023/2024 Gen5 standards, but this could change in the near future – something Samsung is likely banking on with this drive).

The 1TB and 2TB versions of the Samsung 990 EVO are largely the same (barring the capacity, of course) and are built using all ‘in-house’ proprietary components – much like most other Samsung SSDs. Much like one of their biggest SSD rivals, Western Digital, Samsung likes to keep the development and onboard parts limited to 1st party design (or at the very least using subsidiaries). This can often mean that Samsung runs its own race when it comes to rolling out consumer and commercial storage drives – as they cannot overly rely on the likes of Phison for an SSD controller, MICRON for storage NAND, or SK Hynix for DRAM. The Samsung 990 EVO continues this trend, arriving with the following specs:

Category	Specification
Model	Samsung SSD 990 EVO
Usage Application	Client PCs
Interface	PCIe® 4.0 x4 / 5.0 x2 NVMe 2.0
Capacity	1TB, 2TB
Controller	Samsung in-house Controller
NAND Flash Memory	Samsung V-NAND TLC
Cache Memory	HMB (Host Memory Buffer)
Dimension	Max 80.15 x Max 22.15 x Max 2.38 (mm)
Form Factor	M.2 (2280)
Sequential Read	Up to 5,000MB/s
Sequential Write	Up to 4,200MB/s
Random Read	QD1: 20KIOPS, QD32: 680KIOPS (1TB), 700KIOPS (2TB)
Random Write	QD1: 90KIOPS, QD32: 800KIOPS
Power Consumption	Active: Read 4.9W (1TB), 6.1W (2TB); Write 4.5W (1TB), 5.5W (2TB)
Idle Power	PS3 (APST on) 60mW, PS4 (L1.2) 5mW
Operating Temp.	0°C to 70°C (Proper airflow recommended)
Non-Operating Temp.	-40°C to 85°C
Humidity	5% to 95% non-condensing
Shock Resistance	Non-Operating: 1,500G (Gravity), duration: 0.5ms, 3 axis
Vibration Resistance	Non-Operating: 20~2,000Hz, 20G
MTBF	1.5 million hours
Warranty	5 years limited, TBW: 600TB (1TB), 1,200TB (2TB)
Supporting Features	TRIM, Garbage Collection, S.M.A.R.T
Data Security	AES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption, TCG/Opal V2.0, Encrypted Drive (IEEE1667)

The controller and its management of the bandwidth with other components is actually quite a unique one in the current Gen 5 market, as it is able to negotiate between Gen 5×2 bandwidth and Gen 4×4 bandwidth. Although auto-negotiation is something that has always existed in SSDs (thanks to PCIe architecture scaled down into PCIe Gen 5>4>3>2, etc.). However, this is something a little different and something that has been developed in order to respond to rising needs in more streamlined systems, PCIe cards, and developing SoC CPUs that have fewer lanes afforded to them (as well as lower power consumption thresholds and temperature limits).

Normally, if you were to put a Gen 5 SSD into a Gen 4 system, the SSD would downgrade to PCIe Gen 4×4, which is exactly what this drive does. But what about the reverse? With newer compact systems arriving with 5×2 bandwidth allocated to storage (as these mini newer Intel Core SoC PC systems, portable ultrathin laptops, and even RAID storage cards with multiple NVMe have begun to do), a PCIe Gen 4×4 SSD that is installed inside would be downgraded to PCIe Gen 4×2. Whereas a Gen 5×4 SSD would be able to use the full Gen 5×2 bandwidth. Ultimately, Samsung is clearly hoping to provide a single affordable drive in their EVO (i.e., affordable/value) series that is able to facilitate both the Gen 4 and Gen 5 compact systems, or those with more careful or curated PCIe lane allocation.

However, realistically, more current PC builders, gamers, and storage enthusiasts are going to question the widespread allocation of Gen 5×2 at the manufacturer level. There is certainly an argument to be made that 2023/2024 released mini PCs (i.e., Intel NUCs and their budget clones), NAS server systems, M.2 storage upgrade cards, and even pre-attached SoC motherboards (see Topton, Erying, and similar) are going to lead to more appearances of x1 and x2 speed M.2 slots.

However, there are very few Gen 5 examples in the market right now compared with Gen 4 and in those systems, the 5×2/4×4 Samsung 990 EVO will be of little benefit in bandwidth over other SSDs in the market. However, the PCIe bandwidth allocation and speed is not the only area in which Samsung has clearly decided is an area ripe for efficient redesign in storage.

The Samsung 990 EVO is also a DRAMless SSD. This means it is a drive that does not arrive with any onboard memory, instead relying on a client memory use system known as HMB – Host Memory Buffer. HMB means that the SSD will need to reserve a small area of RAM on the client machine it is installed inside. So, is this a good thing or a bad thing? DRAMless SSDs, which operate without a dedicated DRAM cache, offer several benefits. DRAMless SSDs, operating without a dedicated DRAM cache, present a unique set of benefits. Their primary advantage lies in cost-effectiveness, as the absence of DRAM chips leads to lower manufacturing costs, making these drives more affordable for consumers seeking SSD speeds on a budget. They are also more energy-efficient than their DRAM-equipped counterparts, consuming less power, which is especially beneficial in battery-powered devices like laptops and mobile phones, thereby extending battery life. The design of DRAMless SSDs is another plus; the elimination of DRAM chips allows for a more compact and streamlined form, ideal for space-constrained devices like ultra-thin laptops. These SSDs tend to be simpler and potentially more reliable due to fewer components, reducing the complexity of the drive’s architecture and possibly leading to fewer points of failure. Additionally, the lack of a DRAM cache can enhance data security, as there’s less risk of data being recovered from temporary storage after power loss. DRAMless SSDs are particularly suitable for read-intensive applications and basic tasks, where high write performance is not a priority.

However, DRAMless SSDs also have notable drawbacks, especially when compared to DRAM-equipped SSDs. The most significant downside is reduced performance, particularly in write speeds and handling large or intensive workloads, due to the reliance on slower NAND flash memory without a DRAM buffer. This limitation affects multitasking capabilities, as they lack a high-speed buffer for quick data access and organization. Some DRAMless SSDs compensate for the absence of onboard DRAM by using a portion of the system’s RAM (Host Memory Buffer), which can affect overall system performance, especially in systems with limited RAM. These SSDs may also have lower endurance due to continuous direct-to-NAND write operations, leading to faster wear of memory cells. Users might experience slower random access speeds and noticeable performance degradation over time as the SSD fills up and managing the mapping table becomes more complex. Consequently, DRAMless SSDs are not ideal for heavy workloads like video editing or gaming, where high-performance storage is crucial, making them a less suitable choice for users with demanding data needs.

While DRAMless SSDs offer benefits in terms of cost and power consumption, they are generally less suited for high-performance or heavy workload applications, making them more appropriate for budget-conscious consumers with moderate storage needs. Needless to say, Samsung has been quite clear about the performance and ideal deployment of the 990 EVO, with power efficiency and temperature management being crucial considerations. Therefore, HMB and a DRAMless design make a modicum of sense here – it just also means that Samsung’s first consumer Gen 5 SSD looks rather underwhelming in terms of traditional performance in comparison to existing Gen 4 and Gen 5 SSDs in the market right now.

The storage NAND on the drive is another comparatively low bar compared with existing fully featured Gen 5 and Gen 4 SSDs in the market (including Samsung’s own 980 Pro and 990 Pro). The Samsung 990 EVO is a drive that has been targeted to replace/refresh the 970 EVO and in THAT regard, it is a substantial upgrade! With high bandwidth allocation, higher degrees of saturation of it in traditional throughput, higher 4K random IOPS, and just generally better thermal/power management when in operation, the 990 EVO is a confident upgrade over the 970 EVO indeed. However, there is still the question of buying the 990 EVO as a storage drive for your Gen 4 system (or even Gen 5 premium rig) when even Samsung’s 2020 released 980 Pro drive dominates the 2024 released 990 EVO in pretty much all areas and is even a similar/lower price in a lot of retailers.

Samsung 990 EVO SSD	Samsung 990 Pro SSD

The storage NAND is of a lower layer count but is still Samsung’s in-house 3D TLC V-NAND. This, the lack of onboard DRAM, and (in certain deployments) the x2 speed all add up to a drive that doesn’t stand especially tall against its competitors at a glance. Nevertheless, there is also the argument that the Samsung 990 EVO is going to be the best SSD that you never realize that you already own in years to come! Its design is ripe for deployment as the OS drive at the OEM/factory level in the same way as the widespread use of the 970 EVO was for Windows machines and laptops the world over! Indeed, in a different context, the specifications for the Samsung 990 EVO would make it a GREAT upgrade for a Steam Deck or one of its many clones in the last 12-18 months. If the Samsung 990 EVO was a 2230 or 2240 sized SSD, this review would be very different – as the market is crying out for high performing, yet power-efficient small form factor M.2 SSDs – however, the Samsung 990 EVO’s 2280 length eliminates this use sadly.

Additionally, the fact the SSD arrives at 1TB and 2TB, but not a 4TB, is going to disappoint users who are looking at this drive in terms of efficiency but also know that our daily data creation rates are bigger than ever! However, we cannot really use this as a stick to beat the 990 EVO with, as this could be part of a staged rollout and a 4TB version coming down the line (Samsung already provides numerous 4TB NVMe SSD examples in other ranges). All the mixed points so far aside, I have to hand it to Samsung for releasing this DRAMless SSD that supports Gen 4 and Gen 5 deployment – yet still maintains a standard 600/1200 TBW (so over 0.3 DWPD). Jargon aside, that means that this power and heat-efficient SSD can withstand up to over 300/600GB of daily write/rewrite on the 1/2TB respectively. Outside of SSD cache utilization in servers and as a daily backup drive without differentials, this SSD is going to last a LONG TIME and hopefully way, way beyond the 5yrs manufacturer’s hardware warranty (standard across the industry). There are still points to be made that the lower performance bears closer examination on these number’s virtues, but nonetheless, this still all adds up to good durability for a drive that is going to be used in compact deployments where heat generation is a real concern!

The hardware, in the right context, is all great. But inevitably, we are going to need to look at how this all adds up to performance. Let’s put the SSD through some benchmarks with popular test software, as well as discuss the Samsung Magician client software and how it allows you to use your 990 EVO beyond just traditional target storage.

Using CrystalDisk, we got a good measure of the drive and verified that this PCIe Gen 5×2 / 4×4 SSD was indeed using the 5×2 lane. Additionally, the temp averaged out around 55C between each test being conducted and the highest temp registered for 68 degrees.

Samsung 990 EVO Gen 5 SSD Review – Performance and Software

It is REALLY important that we look at the performance of the Samsung 990 EVO SSD in the right frame of mind! We have reviewed A LOT of Gen 4 and Gen 5 SSDs here on NASCompares in the last few years, and we have to at least acknowledge that in terms of traditional throughput and responsive IOPS, the Samsung 990 EVO is going to come across lower in most cases. However, in the context of a DRAMLESS SSD and one that is designed towards more flexible deployment, we have more flexible thresholds in mind. Equally, Samsung has been very clear on the reported performance of the 990 EVO in their marketing, stating maximum performance numbers of 5000MB/s Seq Read and 4200MB/s Seq Write, as well as Read and Write 4K Random IOPS numbers of 800,000 and 700,000 respectively. These are good, healthy numbers and if sustained, would make this drive very attractive to those streamlined deployments. So, to the testing.

For the sake of fairness, let’s compare the results of the Samsung 990 EVO in some of its tests against the other DRAMless Gen 4 SSD we mentioned earlier in the review, the late 2022 released WD Black SN770, as then we have a much fairer means to frame the performance results:

Samsung 990 EVO SSD	WD Black SN770 SSD

Although the numbers are comparable and there are gains/drops on either side, the winner is largely going to come down to your perspective of priorities. If traditional throughput of chunking MB/s and GB/s is your focus, the SN770 has the upper hand. But for IOPS, larger-scale databases of volume, and deployments made up of high-frequency data, the Samsung 990 EVO holds its ground the firmest. Let’s conclude this review.

Samsung 990 EVO Gen 5 SSD Review – Verdict

All this adds up to a drive that, in a very specific context of use in a powerful, yet curated/limited PCIe allocated system (with concerns of heat and power use), is ready to be a hero! Samsung is clearly banking on this being an established future trend, and you cannot really blame them. Alongside numerous examples of strategic PCIe allocation in modern consumer hardware throughout 2023 and planned for 2024, there are also still question marks about just what percentage of PCIe Gen 5 bandwidth can actually be saturated long term on modern PC architecture before the inevitable overfilling of cache and performance numbers plummeting. We have seen numerous examples using synthetic testing that has shown the first and second phase of Gen 5 releases reach anywhere from 20-60 seconds of sustained transfer before bottling down! This raises the idea of a drive that does have the ability to hit those highs, because it doesn’t need to, and instead can provide a sustained performance number that on balance works out better (not just in those more compact deployments too).

However, I think the first drive from Samsung into consumer Gen 5 SSDs being DRAMless is a little odd and would have been best served as a derivation/2nd wave of Gen 5 Samsung SSDs that allow choice – much like how WD released the WD Black SN850, then followed it up with the WD Black SN770 DRAMless Gen 4 alternative and the WD Black SN850X premium upgrade. Starting with the DRAMless 990 EVO and rolling out at the same time as their competitors are providing comparatively priced Gen 5×4 alternatives with higher transfers and IOPS ratings might be something of a marketing misstep. Only time will tell, and, as ever, storage trends are first and foremost going to follow client hardware trends (the PS5 exploded the Gen 4 generation in a way that PC Gaming hadn’t yet), and more affordable Power use SoC/Mobile Embedded versions of Intel/AMD chips led to massive uptake in Gen 4 higher cap drives. The Samsung 990 EVO is an SSD with acceptable performance, IOPS numbers, durability, and power use when it’s looked at in its own context/light, but draws weak comparisons with bigger and bolder drives in the market. Gamers and serious power users will want to look elsewhere, but if you are looking for an OS drive or base SSD for your next micro/compact system, you are going to find a reliable and long-term drive choice here.

PROs of the Samsung 990 EVO SSD	CONs of the Samsung 990 EVO SSD
Low Power Use Low Heat Generation Ideal for Small Deployment Useful for Surgival/Careful PCIe Allocation Superior Bandwidth Use in x2 Situations Smasung Magician Still 10/10 Gen 5×4 SSDs Still Suffer Sustained Perf Issues Ideally suited for OS/OEM Level Drives Standard Durability, despite DRAMless design	Better DRAMless Gen5 Controllers out there (Phison E31T) Lower traditional Performance/IOPS than most Gen 4/5 Comparable $ Drives Feels like a Steamdeck drive…but not! No 4TB Option

QNAP TBS-h574TX NASBook – The Best Thunderbolt NAS Yet?

QNAP has quite an enviable stronghold on the entire Thunderbolt NAS market, and although a few brands have attempted to challenge their dominance in this area over the years, ever since QNAP first revealed their first Thunderbolt device back in 2017, they have gone from strength to strength and innovated wildly in this area with each iteration. The latest entry into this, the SSD-focused TBS-h574TX NAS system, is potentially the fastest and most powerful entry yet, focusing on the use of E1.S hot-swappable M.2 SSD storage and built using an Intel 13th generation core architecture. Is this TB4 and 10GbE equipped NAS the potential to wipe everyone else off the board? There are a lot of users still unsure whether this $2,000 NAS justifies its investment. So, until the full review is available, please enjoy this shorter-form review focusing on just the highlights (and the lowlights) of the QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS.

QNAP TBS-h574TX System Specifications:

• CPU: Intel® Core i5-1340PE 12C(4P+8E)/16T, up to 4.50GHz
• CPU Architecture: 64-bit x86
• Graphic Processors: Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics eligible
• System Memory: 16 GB on board (non-expandable)
• Drive Bay: 5 x E1.S up to 15mm (5x PCIe Gen3 x2), Pre-install adapter to support M.2 2280 for each slot
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Port: 1 (2.5G/1G/100M)
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet Port: 1 x 10GBASE-T (10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100M)
• Thunderbolt Port: 2 (Thunderbolt 4)
• USB 2.0 port: 1
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Port: 2
• HDMI Output: 1, HDMI 1.4b
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 60 × 215 × 199 mm (Dimensions do not include foot pad; foot pad may be up to 30mm/1.18 inches high depending on model)
• Weight (Net): 2.24 kg
• Power Supply Unit: 120W Adapter (19VDC output, 100-240VAC input)
• Power Consumption: Operating Mode, Typical 46 W
• Fans: System fan: 2 x 40mm, CPU fan: 1 x 75mm

QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS Review Quick Conclusion

The QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS emerges as an exceptional and uniquely compact yet robustly powerful system, offering outstanding performance and bandwidth capabilities. Its sleek and innovative design sets a new standard in the NAS market, particularly notable for its integration of advanced features like Thunderbolt 4 and a high-capacity 10G connection. These features are further enhanced by the utilization of cutting-edge E1.S/NVMe SSD storage, all seamlessly managed by a highly capable CPU architecture. This makes the TBS-h574TX not just a NAS, but a powerhouse of data management and connectivity. Especially appealing to photo and video editors, the NAS excels in aesthetics, portability, and functionality, making it a viable alternative to traditional portable direct-attached storage systems like LaCie or G-Tech. Its ability to support multi-user access and provide immediate local network connectivity straight out of the box adds to its versatility. Additionally, the system boasts a modest power supply and impressively efficient power consumption relative to the bandwidth it offers, highlighting QNAP’s commitment to balancing performance with energy efficiency.

However, users must note some trade-offs, such as the limitation in PCIe bandwidth for each of the SSD bays, and the fixed memory capacity. While these are necessary adjustments for its compact form, they are points for consideration. Despite these minor limitations, the 13th Gen Intel Core processor used in its configurations demonstrates QNAP’s dedication to incorporating top-tier technology, although there are more advanced CPUs in other models. This system is a testament to QNAP’s ability to innovate, offering a package that promises the high performance of larger NAS units but in a remarkably portable format. It raises the question: Is this the ideal NAS for everyone? Perhaps not. But for those seeking a high-performance, Thunderbolt-enabled NAS that combines portability with powerful capabilities, the QNAP TBS-h574TX is a formidable choice.

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Reasons You SHOULD Choose the QNAP TBS-h574TX NASBook

If you are looking for a super-fast NAS, built on a powerful architecture, that’s supremely portable and supports the latest ports and connectivity, the TBS-h574TX NAS will likely serve you very well. But why specifically should you choose the TBS-h574TX NAS instead of many other devices on the market right now?

E1.S and NVMe Drive Support

The TBS-h574TX is one of the very first desktop NAS devices to feature E1.S media bays. In the last few years, we have seen a growing trend towards the use of SSDs as the primary storage media for private servers and NAS devices, with some particular standout examples from both QNAP and Asustor focusing on M.2 NVMe SSDs. However, one major downside of M.2 NVMe use is that they do not support hot swapping. This means that in the event of a drive failure leading to a degraded RAID state or the need to introduce a newer and larger capacity drive to an existing storage pool, you are required to power down the system completely. Removing an M.2 NVMe from a system that is powered on will lead it to crash and can be detrimental to the health of both the system and the storage drive. E1.S SSD bays, however, fully support hot swapping in an identical fashion to that of traditional SATA storage drives.

Additionally, the QNAP TBS-h574TX arrives with E1.S storage bays, as well as NVMe adapters that allow you to use regular off-the-shelf M.2 NVMe in these storage spaces and still have access to hot swapping. E1.S drives allow for additional storage space and taller PCB SSD space to be afforded to the storage drives, and although the gains are generally only minimal in traditional 2280 length SSDs, overall the fact that this flash NAS system supports these more flexible SSD options is always going to be desirable.

Thunderbolt 4, 10GbE, and an Intel 13th Gen CPU – YES PLEASE!

I cannot stress enough how good the connectivity is on the TBS-h574TX. Although it is not the first QNAP NAS to arrive with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, it is definitely one of the smallest devices on the market to feature it. The TBS-h574TX features one Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port on the front for convenience, and an additional port on the rear. Not only can these be used to connect Thunderbolt storage to your NAS system, but more importantly, they allow a user to connect directly, point to point, from a Mac or Windows computer to the QNAP TBS-h574TX system. This opens the door to tremendous performance and, once you factor in the use of M.2 NVMe SSD storage, you are looking at some serious performance. QNAP reports the performance utilizing 5 Samsung 980 Pro SSDs in a RAID environment to hit 1700 megabytes per second for one connected device over Thunderbolt, and in excess of 3,000 megabytes per second for two connected Thunderbolt devices. That’s right, the support of Thunderbolt also allows multiple users to connect to the same storage space simultaneously, as well as the system supporting cross-platform file sharing, which allows the same storage area to be used simultaneously by both Mac and Windows users, regardless of the different operating systems in play.

Then, there is the inclusion of a 10GbE network port. This means that you can attach a third connected high-speed user over either a 10GbE network connection, or utilizing a Thunderbolt to 10G adapter available for around $150 to $200. Of course, you could use this port to connect the TBS-h574TX to a larger 10G equipped network and allow multiple users to enjoy full gigabit network saturation each, but I think a lot of portable users are going to enjoy the fact that a single area of high-speed intelligent storage can be connected to via three high-speed connections, all of which can edit on the fly. There is even an additional 2.5GbE port to connect the device to an existing network while all of this is going on, promoting network and internet shares.

All of this is made possible thanks to a very powerful Intel 13th Gen i5 or i3 CPU option, which is both highly efficient and powerful, thanks to its shrunk-down SOC mobile architecture. All of this adds up to an incredibly powerful system that is ready to reinvent the workflow of small to medium video editing workflows!

Very Compact and Portable

If you are looking for a storage device that needs to be portable, the TBS-h574TX is one of the best examples out there by this brand. Picture the scene: you and a small team of video or photo content creators are on the move, and after a long day of capturing content, you need to back up, edit, and/or distribute what you have created. Thanks to the small-scale stature of the QNAP TBS-h574TX, and its modest and small-scale 120-watt PSU, this system can be carried around very conveniently in a laptop bag and can be set up in minutes to allow multiple users to connect to either edit on the fly or back up from numerous different connected USB and Thunderbolt devices simultaneously.

That isn’t to say you can’t do that with most other NAS systems, but most other NAS systems arrive with clunky and fragile hard drives, have much larger power consumption requirements, or, more importantly, are considerably heavier. This system combats all three of these factors by being light, small, and exceedingly fast.

1TB of Free Cloud Space Included

This is something that I really wish QNAP would do with a lot more of their releases. QNAP has offered for the last year or so access to their own cloud service that allows you to back up the data on your NAS to their first-party encrypted cloud and makes remote access a great deal more convenient to back up data, as well as providing a first-party secondary backup option. Any user can gain access to 16GB of free space, but after that, you have to pay subscription costs in order to gain more cloud storage space on the MyQ9 cloud service. However, the QNAP TBS-h574TX, almost certainly because of its larger focus on video/photo editors, arrives with one terabyte of cloud storage space available on a 12-month license.

This is going to be hugely appealing to those that not only want to access, edit, and back up their data as quickly as possible, but also want a streamlined second-level backup to be integrated into their system, and one terabyte is a hugely generous sum of storage to be offered with this device. Of course, after the one-year license has concluded, you will need to either remove your data from the cloud or pay a subscription fee to maintain it there, but nevertheless, it is great that they have offered this alongside the device, and I really wish they did this more with some of their production-ready systems.

Includes QNAP QuTS ZFS / QTS EXT4 NAS Software, Services and Tools (A Whole Operating System)

The QNAP TVS-h874 NAS comes with a comprehensive software and services package, offering either QNAP QTS or QuTS (version 5.0.1) at initialization. This operating system, resembling Windows 11 and Android OS in design, supports hundreds of applications, services, and functions. It includes numerous mobile and desktop client applications for tailored data interaction. The software also features SSD-specific tools like anti-wearing for SSDs, better ZFS-HDD/SSD profiling, and options for storage, caching, or tiered storage. While QTS/QuTS is highly customizable, offering flexibility and user-friendliness, it does have a learning curve that may challenge novice users. Despite past security concerns, including ransomware attacks due to vulnerabilities in Linux and QNAP’s applications, improvements have been made in QTS/QuTS 5, making the system more secure and user-friendly.

QNAP’s TVS-h874 NAS excels in file management, security, storage management, multimedia handling, business tools, and surveillance. It offers sophisticated file management tools, improved security features with multi-layered protection, and diverse storage, backup, and synchronization options. The NAS supports a wide range of multimedia applications, including AI photo recognition and popular media servers like Plex. For business needs, it provides virtual machines, containers, and surveillance solutions like QVR Pro with extensive camera support. The TVS-h874’s software diversity, despite previous security issues, showcases a rich array of hardware configurations, services, and tools, solidifying its place as a versatile NAS solution. Further testing of its performance, particularly as a Plex Media Server and VM host, is upcoming on the NASCompares YouTube channel.

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Reasons You SHOULD NOT Choose the QNAP TBS-h574TX NASBook

As good as all of the advantages mentioned above sound, realistically, the QNAP TBS-h574TX is a rather specialized piece of equipment, and it’s fair to say that not everyone is going to see all of its hardware and architecture as positives. So let’s go through five reasons why you might want to give the QNAP TBS-h574TX a miss and look elsewhere.

Gen 3×2 M.2 Bandwidth is Disappointing

Despite the remarkably future-proof Intel 13th generation i3 and i5 processor featured inside the TBS-h574TX, the scaling down of this processor by Intel into a mobile processor form, and the requirements by QNAP to keep this system miniature yet still facilitate high bandwidth external connections, have all resulted in particular bottlenecks and compromises being made. Probably one of the most prominent compromises is in the bandwidth afforded to each of the individual E1.S NVMe media bays. Although this processor supports both PCIe Gen 4 and PCIe Gen 3, in order to get the lanes divided neatly across the system, each drive slot is limited to PCIe Gen 3 x2.

Utilizing SSD drives that make bold promises in excess of 3,000 megabytes per second, realistically each of these bays will not really be able to exceed 1500 or 1800 MB per second. In the correct RAID configuration, this should not prove to be much of a problem as you are still going to enjoy the multiplication factor of combining multiple read and write actions across each of the disks in the single RAID storage pool. Nevertheless, there are going to be users who would have hoped to see this system enjoy the PCIe Gen 4 architecture of bigger Thunderbolt devices like the H874T released in late 2023, which features a far more aggressive processor and a larger range of bays in its larger design.

16GB Max Memory (and only 12GB on the i3 Version)

I found it really peculiar that this system rolls out the gate with either 12 gigabytes or 16 gigabytes of fixed memory. The QNAP TBS-h574TX is not the first system to come out with prefixed soldered memory modules internally, and it won’t be the last! There are benefits to having memory fixed in this fashion, such as power efficiency, cost efficiency, and allowing the architecture of the processor and the number of channels it can handle to be better utilized. Nevertheless, this system is running a processor that can handle up to 64 gigabytes of memory, and because of the lack of an upgradable DIMM or SODIMM slot, you are limited to this base level amount throughout the system’s lifespan. 16 gigabytes is still a pretty reasonable amount of memory and more than enough to handle the majority of system processes, but the 12 GB of fixed memory on the i3 version just feels a bit weird and is an unusual memory quantity that feels like it was applied by design and not necessity.

$1800-2000+ Price Tag, is the QNAP TVS-h674T a Better Choice?

The price tag of the QNAP TBS-h574TX is certainly going to put some users off. Arriving at around $1800-$2000, although in the realm of Thunderbolt NAS, this is a reasonable figure, outside of that, and for a 5x10G NAS, it does seem rather high. You do need to factor in that we are talking about a specialized flash system with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity and one of the most modern NAS processors in the market, but that price is certainly going to be tough for some. However, what is probably a little bit more interesting about this price point is what else you can get for this money from QNAP themselves if you look a little broader across their range of solutions. For example, for around $100 more you can pick up the QNAP TVS-h674T – This is the six hard drive and two Gen 4 NVMe tower system.

It arrives with a very similar processor, memory that can be expanded up to 64GB if needed, the SSD slots are Gen 4 x4, it has two Gen 4 PCIe upgrade slots with one of them at x16 speed, and the system even still arrives with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. You would lose out on the more compact nature of the TBS-h574TX system, have to spend a little more to get a 10GbE connection, and only have two SSD slots instead of five, but overall the 674T system is a better-tiered system for many and might serve as a better choice overall for some users.

Not a Silent NASBook (Unlike the TBS-464 or HS-464)

This is a very minor point, but it has to be said – The QNAP TBS-h574TX is not a silent NAS system. QNAP has rolled out several silent or near-silent systems in the last few years, some of which carried the NASBook branding as seen here on the TBS-h574TX system, unfortunately, because of the largely metal construction of the TBS-h574TX and the fact that it features two rear cooling fans and a small internal CPU fan, the system does make noise when in operation. I should stress, this is still much, much quieter than the average system but there are still going to be users that are going to look at this system and hope that it is silent when in operation. Systems such as the HS-264 and TBS-464 are both genuinely silent or as near silent as possible systems from this brand, although it’s worth remembering that these are significantly less powerful and bandwidth-rich. Ultimately, QNAP has done a great job here balancing power, scale, and portability to fit all of this into such a small single casing. Just don’t be under the illusion that they managed to make the thing completely inaudible!

Deadbolt! We Need to Talk

In 2021/2022, QNAP was one of several brands that were successfully targeted by the ransomware group Deadbolt. This resulted in thousands of systems from QNAP, Asustor, and TerraMaster being remotely encrypted, requiring payment of a ransom fee, costly data recovery services, or free but highly time-consuming data retrieval methods. You can read/watch more about it in the article HERE, but after this event, there was no avoiding that several brands were slightly tarnished with a reputation for being insecure remotely. The affected brands have all implemented numerous changes to their update and security protocols. Although the inherent vulnerabilities have never been truly identified for each individual brand, most believe it was a Linux-based vulnerability that remained unpatched, or at least a vulnerability that, if users did not update their system regularly, had been left open for exploitation. It still required a very specific range of circumstances for this exploit to be utilized by hackers, ranging from leaving network ports and router configurations open unsafely, to leaving certain SSH and administrative protocols enabled by default.

Nevertheless, after this event, QNAP, along with the other affected brands, updated how updates are delivered to the system, tightened default settings, and security protocols to ensure users would need to work harder to put their systems in unsafe states, ultimately resulting in a wake-up call for the NAS industry. This was several years ago, and although the QNAP NAS brand has improved considerably since then, it is still worth pointing out that they were impacted by this. I believe there is an important lesson to be learned here, and until at least 5 years have passed, I will mention this in every QNAP NAS review I do (as well as every Asustor and TerraMaster review too). Once again, you would need to manually place your system into a particularly unsafe state for any vulnerability to be exploited in this fashion. Additionally, a look at any of the security advisories from internet or network-connected platforms (Synology, Microsoft, Google, Apple, literally anyone!) shows that vulnerabilities on these platforms are regularly found by brands and white-hat hackers. The bottom line is, it’s important that buyers know about Deadbolt, but also keep in mind that in most instances, you would need to manually put your system into an unsafe state for particularly virulent ransomware and malware attacks to be effective.

Conclusion – Should You Buy the QNAP TBS-h574TX NASBook?

The QNAP TBS-h574TX is a genuinely unique and impressive piece of equipment, potentially one of the best NAS systems I have ever seen! For such a compact and portable system, it manages to include a phenomenal amount of both internal and external performance and bandwidth – something that the majority of systems at this price point generally need to compromise on one aspect or the other. Additionally, QNAP continues to dominate the market of Thunderbolt NAS storage, and you can clearly see their innovation and improvement with each iteration of this technology – with the TBS-h574TX being one of the sleekest and most impressive entries into this product family. The Thunderbolt 4 on this system does exactly what QNAP says it will, providing huge performance numbers to connected users via this protocol, as well as an additional thousand megabytes per second through the 10G connection. Thanks to the utilization of E1.S/NVMe SSD storage, fully saturating all these connections simultaneously is indeed possible, all enabled by an incredibly impressive choice of CPU architecture that has the muscle to keep things moving in the backend.

Equally, as this system is largely focused on photo and video editors, it is beautifully presented and highly portable. It could easily replace portable LaCie or G-Tech direct-attached storage systems used by many on-site content creators, thanks to its support of multi-user access and local network connectivity right out of the box. Add to that a modest power supply and impressively low power consumption for the bandwidth offered, and this is one of the most beautifully put-together systems by this brand. Of course, when you start miniaturizing and reducing scale, compromises inevitably need to be made for reasons of power efficiency, temperature, and space. The downgrading of the PCIe bandwidth on each of the SSD bays is a necessary but still regrettable inevitability. Likewise, although I’m impressed by the 13th Gen Intel Core processor featured in both configurations available, there are better Intel CPUs already used in other QNAP Thunderbolt systems, and whether this was the reason or logic behind the fixed 12/16 GB memory still remains to be seen. There are definitely video editors who will be completely in love with this system, and you can see why: it promises everything that the larger boxes from QNAP have been offering for years, but in a scale that you can pop in your laptop bag on the go. Is this the perfect NAS? No. Is it the Perfect Thunderbolt NAS? Maybe!

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PROs of the QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS

CONs of the QNAP TBS-h574TX NAS

Exceptionally future-proof 13th Gen i3/i5 Processor (Mid-2023 series) with high end Int.Gfx 2x Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, one is front mounted for convenience Also features a 10GbE and 2.5GbE Connection for direct editing and/or high-speed local networking High internal and external performance and bandwidth for such a compact system Compact and portable, ideal for on-site creators to share and collaborate on-the-fly Enhanced security protocols post-Deadbolt ransomware attack. Wide range of multimedia and business tools. Equipped with QVR Pro for extensive surveillance and numerous Backup/Sync tools as standard. QuTS Has numerous ZFS based advantages + QSAL Antiwear leveling Supports AI photo recognition, AI Surveillance Tools, 4K/8K Plex Support and VM Tools. Arrives with 1TB of Cloud Space with MyQNAPCloudOne for 12 months.

High price range of $1800-$2000. Check out the TVS-h674T for similar pricing and alternative Tiering/Bandwidth allocation Limited PCIe bandwidth on SSD bays. Not a silent operation due to cooling fans.

Are DRAM free SSDs Worth Your Money and Your Data?

Solid-State Drives (SSDs) have revolutionized data storage with their speed and reliability. Among these, DRAMless SSDs have carved a niche, offering unique advantages and disadvantages. With the emergence of models like the Samsung 990 EVO, the Phison E31T controller-based SSDs, and the WD Black SN770, the landscape of DRAMless SSDs is expanding. This assessment delves into the pros and cons of DRAMless SSDs, offering an unbiased perspective on their place in the storage market.

What Are the Advantages of DRAMless SSDs?

Choosing to opt for an SSD inside your client desktop or portable system that does not feature it’s own on-board DRAM/Memory actually opens the door to a lot of benefits that extend way beyond just buying an SSD that has a lower price per TB/GB. Here are a whole bunch of benefits to using DRAMless SSDs, like the Samsung 990 EVO, WD Black SN770 and more in 2024 onwards:

Cost-Effectiveness

The absence of DRAM chips in SSDs like the Samsung 990 EVO and WD Black SN770 makes them more affordable, offering solid-state speed at a lower price point. This is due to reduced manufacturing costs, making these drives a budget-friendly option for consumers.

Energy Efficiency

DRAMless SSDs, including those with the Phison E31T controller, are known for lower power consumption compared to DRAM SSDs. This feature is particularly beneficial in battery-powered devices, extending their battery life.

Compact and Lightweight Design

The elimination of DRAM chips allows for a more compact form factor. This design aspect is crucial in devices where space is limited, such as ultra-thin laptops or compact embedded systems.

Simplicity and Increased Reliability

Fewer components mean a simpler design, which could lead to increased reliability. DRAMless SSDs, by virtue of their simplicity, might have fewer points of failure compared to their DRAM counterparts.

Security Advantages

The volatile nature of DRAM means it can retain data temporarily. In DRAMless SSDs, like the Samsung 990 EVO, the lack of this component might reduce the risk of data recovery after power loss, enhancing data security.

Suitability for Certain Workloads

For applications that are read-intensive and don’t require high write performance, a DRAMless SSD can be a suitable choice. These drives can handle basic tasks and typical consumer workloads effectively. However, it’s important to note that DRAMless SSDs may have limitations in terms of performance, particularly in write speeds and handling large or intensive workloads, compared to SSDs with dedicated DRAM. As such, their benefits are most realized in specific use cases where the cost and power efficiency are prioritized over peak performance.

What Are the Disadvantages of DRAMless SSDs?

Commonly recognized negatives/disadvantages of SSDs that lack onboard DRAM/Memory are:

Compromised Performance

A major drawback, seen in models like the WD Black SN770, is slower write speeds and increased latency due to the absence of a DRAM cache. This impacts performance, especially in write-intensive tasks.

Limited Multitasking Efficiency

Without a high-speed buffer, DRAMless SSDs struggle with multitasking. This limitation affects their ability to handle multiple simultaneous read/write operations effectively.

Dependency on System Memory

Some DRAMless SSDs, including those using the Phison E31T controller, rely on the system’s RAM (Host Memory Buffer) for data management, which could impact overall system performance, especially in RAM-constrained environments.

Reduced Endurance and Longevity

Continuous write operations directly to NAND can accelerate wear, potentially reducing the SSD’s lifespan. This is a concern in DRAMless SSDs where direct NAND writes are more frequent.

Inadequacy for High-End Tasks

High-performance tasks like gaming or video editing may not be ideally suited for DRAMless SSDs due to their limited speed and multitasking capabilities.

DRAMless SSDs – The Verdict?

In conclusion, DRAMless SSDs like the Samsung 990 EVO, Phison E31T-based drives, and the WD Black SN770 offer a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for basic storage needs. They are particularly well-suited for devices where space and power consumption are key considerations. However, their reduced performance and endurance make them less ideal for high-performance computing or heavy workloads. These SSDs represent a compromise, balancing affordability and efficiency against top-tier performance, making them a viable option for certain consumer segments but not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Here are Three of the leading DRAMless m.2 NVMes in the SSD market right now:

Samsung 990 EVO Gen 5 SSD – $89 / $159	WD Black SN770 Gen 4 SSD – $64 / $129
Samsung 990 EVO SSD Review and Benchmark Video	WD Black SN770 SSD Review and Benchmark Video

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