How to Install Proxmox on an Asustor NAS Drive – Step By Step Guide

There is no denying that when it comes to ‘turn-key’ NAS solutions, that Asustor NAS are still easily the best bang for buck out there! Arriving with a hardware price point that is often 20% or more lower than comparable solutions from Synology or QNAP, they allow users who don’t want to build or don’t know/want to build their own server to have a ready-built solution that also includes the ADM NAS software platform. However, when it comes to virtualization and VM tools, they do not supply their own premium software (but do support others from within ADM) and for those looking to run a handful of VMs or Containers in their homelab setup, that can be a little bit of a barrier. If you have been looking into server-based virtualization or high-efficiency container deployment, then there is every chance that you are well aware of Promox, the open-source alternative to enterprise/premium VM platforms such as VMware, Citrix or Redhat hypervisors. A hypervisor is a layer of software that lives on top of bare metal server hardware and/or lives as an executional package from within an operating system. Although Asustor NAS systems already arrive with a very good virtual machine hypervisor, VirtualBox, many users would still like the option to run a VM Hypervisor software directly from the bare metal (eg, remove a multipurpose OS and have the system immediately boot into the Hypervisor software). VirtualBox has a huge range of software options (including downloading ready-made VM images from marketplaces, huge customization supported, integration with the backup/sync services in QuTS/ADM and in a new update High-Availability support). Still, some users might have an Asustor NAS that is outside of hardware warranty or is relatively modest that will possibly run VMs better without the host OS in place, hence why some users think about installing Proxmox in its place on their Asustor NAS. Proxmox provides pretty much all the abilities and services of those bigger premium VM hypervisors, however in those premium platforms (VMware, Citrix, HyperV, etc) there are additional charges and tiers to their use – whereas Proxmox includes them all in a free, open-source package. So, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to repurpose your old NAS with this bare metal hypervisor software, and today I want to guide you through the process of installing Proxmox on your Asustor NAS.

IMPORTANT – It’s important to note that Proxmox is NOWHERE NEAR as user-friendly as Asustor ADM with VirtualBox and before making any switch to a new NAS OS, it is important that you understand the process, risks and differences in the platforms. This guide is designed to help you use your Asustor NAS to run Proxmox as it’s primary OS. If you go ahead with this and use the same HDD/SSDs in the system that you are currently using in the Asustor ADM Setup, it will likely format them, so IF you want to reverse your Asustor NAS back to its ADM set up with all your data/drives the same, you will need to remove them before using the Proxmox setup, put them to one side safely and use new HDD/SSDs for your Proxmox installation. Lastly, although this whole process is reversible, you are technically using the Asustor in a means that the brand does not state as ‘intended use’ and this MIGHT lead to support/warranty problems down the line if a fault appears in the Asustor or the software installation that was the result of the Proxmox installation (the bios records everything!). This is HIGHLY UNLIKELY but not impossible that you could make the system inoperable (e.g. you work a Proxmox server so hard and/or push the CPU to breaking point running particularly aggressive Proxmox VMs/Containers and/or amend the BIOS to a state where you cannot access it) – this would not be covered by your Asustor NAS support, as they did not certify that the system can handle this or be used in this way under the warranty.

Proxmox Software on Asustor NAS Hardware – What You Need?

It is worth highlighting that having just an Asustor NAS is not quite enough and in order to get Proxmox up and running on an Asustor NAS requires a few extra checks and use of a few items you might have already in the home/office, or a quick $10-20 shop online at most. In order to upgrade your system to Proxmox, you will need to consider/have the following:

• an Asustor NAS Drive with (minimum) an Intel 64bit x86 CPU and a minimum 4GB of Memory (recommended 8GB+)
• Download the latest stable release of Proxmox here as a system image (you will be converting this to USB later on) – DOWNLOAD
• Any Data that is currently on the Asustor NAS RAID that is mission critical to be backed up or moved (as it will be completely formatted)
• A USB drive to use as the Proxmox installation drive ( I recommend THIS ONE here from Sandisk, as it is low price and incredibly small, even at 32GB)

 

• I recommend not using a USB larger than 32GB, due to the constraints of 1st party software to format larger than this in FAT32 (though you can use the Rufus software to format larger than 32GB drives to FAT32). Don’t be tempted to spend like $2 more for a 64GB, as the Proxmox installation will occupy the full USB space (as you will create a system-image-USB) and space is utterly irrelevant when the Proxmox installation is so small
• A Disk Image to USB conversion too. I recommend ‘Rufus’, currently in ver 3.19 and can be run in a portable .exe form that doesn’t require installation – DOWNLOAD
• A basic USB Keyboard (example HERE but really, any will do) and an HDMI Monitor (or simply any device that has an HDMI input – NOT output) such as a TV or Capture card
• Hard Drive and/or SSD media (you should already have these, but just in case) for your storage Pool / RAID

• Optional M.2 NVMe SSD of at least 120GB, but highly recommended – Installing Proxmox is not unlike installing a Windows OS on a new PC, as you are connecting a USB to run the installer, but you need to target a drive in the Asustor NAS to install Proxmox onto. Whichever drive you use, it will make that drive largely inaccessible for anything but the Proxmox operating system. Therefore IF you are running an Asustor NAS that has internal m.2 NVMe SSD bays OR one with dedicated 2.5″ SSD bays, I highly recommend getting a low-capacity drive of between 60-120GB (these will be very cheap compared with larger HDDs that start in the Terabyte scales) and then use this for the Proxmox software. This means that ALL of the main SATA storage bays of the Asustor are then used for your storage pool(s) (aka the RAID). Do NOT install Proxmox on another USB drive during installation, as this is less stable.
• Optional – Download Advanced IP Scanner HERE, as it is a really useful tool for analyzing your network and finding your new Proxmox NAS for remote access

That is about it. Most of these are devices are that you will almost certainly already have to hand.

Can I Reverse the Proxmox Installation and go back to Asustor ADM?

Almost certainly YES! I say ‘almost certainly’, as there is one small caveat. When you make the change from Asustor ADM to Proxmox on the NAS hardware, the drives (HDD and/or SSD) inside used in Proxmox pools used in the new system software architecture. This works both ways if you want to revert back to ADM on the NAS too. You CANNOT use the Storage Pool, Volume structure, Folders etc of drives from an Asustor NAS in a Proxmox setup (you will need to format these in Proxmox). So, although the act of reinitializing the NAS to its original software is very easy (you just need to go into the BIOS of the Asustor using the same method in the guide below, then change the boot drive order BACK to the Asustor OS internal SSD), it will mean that any data that resides on the disks inside will be formatted. So, if you are choosing to make a change from one NAS OS to another, make sure you have your data appropriately backed up elsewhere OR move the drives that were in your Asustor (with their ADM Storage structure) to one side safely and install new 3.5″ storage media for the Proxmox pools etc. So, let’s begin the installation of Proxmox on the Asustor NAS.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 1, Download Proxmox

Head to the Proxmox website HERE and download the latest stable release of the software to your local PC, Linux or Mac system. Make sure to remember where you downloaded it to.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 2, Download Rufus USB Image Tool

Head to the Rufus website and download the latest version of that tool – I recommend downloading the standalone executable file here, as then it will immediately run when you double-click the file, without installation etc. It may redirect you to Github, but it will be the same executable file. Once again, remember where you downloaded it.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 3, Preparing the USB

Connect the small form factor USB Drive to your system (again, this is the one I used from Sandisk) and after a few seconds, it should appear as an available USB Drive. The drive MAY need formatting (you will be prompted to do so), if that is the case, then you can format it via the system prompts and by default, it will format it to FAT32 (as long as your USB is less than 32GB). If you are not presented with a system prompt to format your USB, then you can head into My PC, or My Computer via a windows computer and right-click the drive, select ‘format’ and format it that way.

If you have used the USB for other things previously, there is a chance that the drive has existing partitions in place. For that, the quickest way to completely remove any partitions is to open up the bottom-left windows system menu as normal, and then just type diskpart and open the command-line GUI tool. From there, use the command list disk to show the available drives that are connected, you will see your USB (normally disk 1 or 2, but can differ depending on your system layout and can be spotted by the storage amount). From there, type select disk # (where # is the drive number that your USB is shown as) and then type clean, which will then remove any index structure for the drive (i.e the partitions and existing format) and then you can go back to the My Computer/My PC page and format the drive to FAT 32 as normal.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 4, Creating a USB Installer Image of Proxmox

Open the Rufus application and from there you will see the USB Drive (listed as NO NAME, or ‘UNTITLED’, ETC) at the top. From there, look to the select image/find image option (depending on the ver. of Rufus or your USB Image Creator tool of choice) and find the Proxmox disk image you downloaded earlier). If the drive is not listed, it may have downloaded as a compressed/archive file. If that is the case, head to the location of where you downloaded Proxmox (in your file explorer, not in Rufus) and right-click the file you downloaded. If the option to ‘extract‘ is visible, then you can extract it (i.e unpack it to the original form) in that same download directory. From there, head back into RUFUS and then the Proxmox system image should be visible. Select it, then run the Rufus System image creator tool and create your USB bootable Proxmox disk image.

REMEMBER! This will completely format your USB drive and any files that are on that USB will be destroyed. The system image creator tool will turn the USB into a pure boot image tool – the USB will not be usable for traditional storage again unless you completely format it again.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 5, REMOVE THE USB FROM YOUR PC!!!!!!!!!

Really, really important and sometimes overlooked. Once the USB creation is completed, you need to remove the USB (using the eject hardware safely option at the bottom right of your windows machine taskbar as normal). DO NOT accidentally leave the USB in your USB Ports for any longer than necessary. If you leave it in and your system reboots at any point (eg in a normal ‘end of day shut down, go home, reboot tomorrow’ scenario), then the system might boot directly into the Proxmox installation and although it is easy to exit from, it can change your system default boot preferences, maybe even remove your primary boot drive as the OS drive – requiring a little messing with a windows installation disk to change it back. The odds of this are very small, but not zero, so make sure to safely remove your USB drive when the Proxmox system image creator tool is completed.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 6, (OPTIONAL) – Install an NVMe SSD

This is an optional step, but one I would certainly recommend for newer-generation Asustor NAS devices. Proxmox is a lot like a traditional computer operating system (eg Windows or macOS) in it’s architecture and will run at its best when the necessary boot files are located on a seperate, smaller and faster area of SSD/flash storage away from the general bulk storage. So, if possible/available in your Asustor NAS, I would recommend installing a smaller m.2 NVMe SSD drive and then using that as the target/location for your Proxmox installation. This is not compulsory and you can also use a single HDD or SSD in one of the main storage bays of your Asustor, however, it means that this drive will unusable for general storage (i.e in any RAID configuration or storage pool). This CAN be negated with some creative partiton creation, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Additionally, do NOT try to install Proxmox on another USB drive that is connected to the system – this isn’t particularly stable and tends to result in a poorer Proxmox experience. M.2 NVMe bays and their location in the Asustor NAS changes depending on the system. Some allow you to access these bays via the main HDD 3.5″ bays, whilst others (the majority) require you to remove the external chassis casing to access these bays (eg the TS-453E, TVS-872X, TS-873A, etc).

Reminder – Proxmox is NOT a big program and you can use an SSD as small as 32GB and still have a tonne of provision for future storage space. However, M.2 NVMe SSDs are not available in smaller sizes than 120GB. Lower size than this and you will generally only find 2240 SSDs and/or SATA M.2 SSDs. These are still perfectly fine to use, but the performance difference between SATA and NVMe (PCIe) is HUGE! You can find many SSD options here on amazon for as little as $30  – Find Low Capacitiy and Low Price M.2 NVMe SSDs HERE on Amazon (already filtered the results)

NOTE – If you plan on upgrading the memory of your NAS to 4GB-8GB-16GB or higher (in order to use ALL of the features of Proxmox to their fullest extent), I would recommend doing so at this point before rebuilding the physical chassis again, as many Asustor NAS have the 2nd SODIMM memory slot in really tight locations.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 7, Connecting the USB, Keyboard and HDMI Monitor

Next, we need to connect the external means to install Proxmox on the Asustor NAS. Unlike when you set up your Asustor NAS for the first time, Proxmox cannot typically be installed via the network like ADM. Proxmox requires you to use a KVM (keyboard, Video Mouse – though you won’t need a mouse!) and go through the installation using a low-res graphical user interface. Now you will ONLY need this setup/items for the installation and initialization of your Proxmox server and after that, you will be able to use the server over the network/internet as normal. You are going to need a basic USB Keyboard (not a Bluetooth or wireless one, as these may need drivers to run and you cannot install drivers at this point) and an HDMI Monitor/TV. You CAN use a mouse, but it is not hugely necessary and 99% of the choices in the setup of Proxmox can/will be via keyboard input. Also, I would also recommend connecting the NAS to the network during setup as this will allow the system to assume certain network values during setup that will save a tonne of time later. Once that is all connected, do NOT turn the NAS on yet – there is one small and slightly time-sensitive thing to do.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 8, Accessing the BIOS Menu of your Asustor NAS

Now that your Asustor NAS is all connected and you are ready at your keyboard/Monitor, turn the NAS on and wait till you hear a beep (should take between 5-15secs depending on the Asustor NAS). As soon as your hear that noise (and likely see a flashing character or underscore on the monitor screen), you need to continuously hit the ESC / F12 / F2 and/or DEL keys (not at the same time, just back and forth). One of these will result in the system displaying the blue BIOS menu (it changes between motherboards and Asustor uses a mixture of mobos in their Intel and AMD-powered systems). You need to be quick, as you only have about 3 seconds to do this before the Asustor will automatically boot from the small internal 4GB/5GB flash OS module that boots into Asustor.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 9, Booting from the New Proxmox Installer USB

Next, you need to tap ‘RIGHT‘ on the keyboard and head to the ‘Save & Exit’ option. At the bottom, you should see, under the ‘boot override‘ option, your USB Drive. Tap ‘DOWN‘ until you are highlighting the USB and then tap ‘Enter‘ or ‘Return‘ on your keyboard, as this will push the Asustor to boot from that USB and begin the Proxmox installation. For now, we just need it to read from this USB this one time. If you already know the internal drive you plan on installing Proxmox onto (eg an M.2 NVMe SSD or a SATA SSD) that is already inside the system, make sure to change the boot priority of option #2 to THAT drive. As then, later on after the USB is removed, the system will automatically switch to the proxmox installed drive for the future.

Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 10, Rebooting and Starting the Proxmox Installer

This next step is a bit of a quick one. Around 5-15 seconds after you selected the USB Drive in BIOS, the screen will display the Proxmox Installer option page and all you need to do is navigate the config choices to set up your Proxmox NAS the first time. Select ‘Install Proxmox VE‘.

Next, the Terms and Conditions will be displayed. Scroll through as appropriate, and either use the mouse or ‘tab’ key to make your way to ‘Agree’ and click enter.

Next enter your location, timezone and keyboard layout, then click ‘Next’.

Enter the password you wish to use for the ‘root’ account. This is the super-user (i.e All Access admin), which you can amend later on if you choose to. Additionally, add your email address for use in notifications, system alerts and abnormal behaviour reports. Then click ‘Next’.

Next, you need to configure your network connectivity. If your Asustor NAS has multiple ethernet ports, select which one you want to use as the Management Interface, for system software access. In the Hostname area, if you plan on only using this system on the local area network (you can change this later), just put ‘pve.lan’. The system will preselect an IP dynamically and arrange the DNS/Gateway, but again you can change all this later. You should DEFINITELY amend this si you are going to start giving Proxmox/VMs external access points. When you are satisfied with your setup, click next.

The system setuP will display a summary of the choices and configs you hav made and invite you to confirm and install the Proxmox software. Make sure to uncheck the box that suggests a reboot after the installation is complete. This is optional step and I only suggest it because it will allow you to remove the USB between the installation and first-time boot, ensuring the system doesn’t boot back into the USB installer afterwards, but recent versions of Proxmox actually take this into account and will go straight into the Proxmox boot disk – still, I would nevertheless factor in chance to remove the USB in the middle nonetheless. When you are ready, click ‘Install’ on the bottom right.

Installation of Proxmox will be quite quick, around 3-5 minutes. The system will let you know when the installation is done and, if you unchecked the box for auto reboot, you will be presented with your system’s local IP and port config.

You can now power down / reboot the system. Be sure to make a note of that IP that IP and Port number for when you want to access the Proxmox Asustor NAS server after it reboots – there is a small % chance that the IP might have dynamically changed (based your own network architecture), but there is another way to find the device on your network. Select Shutdown or Reboot as appropriate.

The system (via the HDMI interface) during the reboot cycle will give you a heads up when to remove the USB drive. Next time the system boots up, it should access the newly created Proxmox boot drive.

If the Promox boot drive boots fine, skip ahead to step 9. Otherwise, read below how to chance the boot drive arrangement again.

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Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 8, Remove the Boot USB Drive AND CHANGE BIOS!!!

Once your Asustor NAS has fully powered down, you need to disconnect the USB drive you installed earlier with Proxmox boot loader on it. You need to do this otherwise, when you reboot the Asustor NAS, it can potentially reboot into the bootloader again. You can skip past this and/or it will not action a reinitialization without your input, but better to remove the USB and therefore allow the system to always immediately boot into the Proxmox system you just created. Next, you need to head back into the BIOS from earlier. Keep the Keyboard and HDMI Monitor connected and use the same method you used earlier during the initial boot of the Asustor (pressing F12 /F2/ESC/Delete repeatedly when you hear the first Asustor beep after about 10-15 secs) and as soon as you are greeted with the familiar blue BIOS screen. From here, tap right a few times to highlight the ‘Boot’ option and change the option for Boot Priority #1. The default is Asustor OS, you need to change it to the drive you installed Proxmox on (whether that is a SATA/NVMe SSD or one of the main storage bays).

This will change the boot order to allow the system when it is first powered on to always boot into Proxmox. After this, you can click right again in the BIOS menu to select the option to Save and restart. The system will then boot into the Proxmox initialization (first-time setup).

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Proxmox on an Asustor NAS – Step 9, Reboot the NAS

Upon rebooting the Asustor into Proxmox (can take up to 5 mins, but usually much quicker). You have two options with how to access the configuration and controls. You can use the HDMI+Keyboard if you choose for console/command level access.

Alternatively (much more recommended), use a program such as Advanced IP Scanner, which is free and VERY useful anyway, or even network command prompt) to scan your local area network and find where the Asustor with Proxmox is located (i.e it’s IP). This IP (eg 192.168.100.2) is what you put into the URL bar ofay web browser and it will load into the login GUI for Proxmox. From here you will need to use the username ‘root’ in combination with the password that you created during initialization.

And that is about it. You now have Proxmox installed as the default OS of your Asustor NAS. From here you can do anything and everything that his highly regarded virtualization server software offers.

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EXTRA – How to Reverse Your Asustor NAS from Proxmox to Asustor ADM / ADM Software Again

Now, it is worth remembering that switching your Asustor NAS to run Proxmox instead of ADM is not a one-way street and you can reverse this relatively easily. Do remember first though that:

• Any data on the HDD/SSDs inside the Asustor that were used in Proxmox server setup will not be accessible/usable with the Asustor NAS system and will likely be flashed/formatted during the Asustor ADM reinitialization
• You will need your Keyboard and HDMI Monitor again in order to get back into BIOS
• If you kept your original Asustor RAID Pool on HDDs etc to one side (i.e you removed the already configured storage media in their RAID from the Asustor when you changed to Proxmox and put these drives safely to one side), you should be able to migrate this data back into the Asustor NAS during re-initialization with ease. That said, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP FOR THIS DATA REGARDLESS

In order to reverse the Asustor NAS from Proxmox back to Asustor ADM Software, you need to (from a cold boot) access the BIOS menu again (so, at boot, with your Keyboard and monitor connected, press the DEL and/or F12 key over and over when the Asustor beeps, like before) and when you reach the BIOS menu, tap RIGHT until you reach the ‘Boot page. Then change the ‘Boot Option #1’ option from the Proxmox installation drive back to the Asustor OS (internal flash 5GB module). Once that is done, head into the ‘Save & Exit‘ and then select ‘Save Changes and Restart‘. Doing this will restart the Asustor NAS and it will automatically boot into the Asustor ADM boot sequence. From here your NAS will either automatically boot into the Asustor Setup page OR (if you have your original Asustor NAS RAID drives, with their Pools, Volumes, etc) it will just boot into the Asustor NAS software as normal.

Thanks for reading! I hope you found this helpful and that it really helped you to make the most of your storage. Want to help me continue to make more guides, reviews and tutorials on the subject of NAS? Then you can do so in a few different ways (any of which I will be eternally grateful for if you choose to!). You can visit the ‘Support NAS Passion’ page HERE and see a few different ways that you can help us keep the lights on. Alternatively, you can use one of the links below to shop for your hardware today or in future (visiting those sites via the link below ensures that we get a mall commission on absolutely anything you purchase – and doesn’t cost you anything extra). Finally, if you want to support us in spirit rather than financially, recommend our blog to a friend or professional colleague or share a link on your social media site of choice. Thank you for reading and have a fantastic week!

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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.

Samsung Finally Releasing a Consumer Gen5 SSD – The 990 EVO M.2 NVMe SSD

With so many Gen 5 SSDs being revealed during CES 2024, it probably won’t come as a tremendous surprise that Samsung (a big [player in both the consumer and business SSD market) is on the verge of rolling out its very first consumer-focused PCIe Gen 5M.2 NVMe SSD – The Samsung 990 EVO.

As surprising as it might sound, although home/consumer Gen 5 SSDs have been rolling out for the better part of 2 years, Samsung held off rolling out their own till now. That isn’t to say that they have ignored this area of the market, though all attention from them towards Gen5 storage has been exclusively enterprise-focused (eg the PM1743 Flash), but many were surprised how long it was taking them to enter the growing Gen5 SSD marketplace. Rewind back to the Samsung 980 Pro Gen 4 launch in Nov 2020, wiping practically every other Gen4 drive off the map at that time in terms of performance, and you can see why users have been rather perplexed on Samsung’s reluctance this time around. However, better late than never, right? Thank you numerous leaks online spotted by ComputerBase.de, which ranged from the Samsung Magician tool leaking the 990 EVO product name, and to references on the PCISiG here.

Source – ComputerBase

Then there was an appearance (albeit briefly) of the official product being listed on official UA Samsung pages, although now largely just resulting in a blank search result (see below). Finally, it appeared on Amazon Germany, at €115 and €190 for the 1TB and 2TB models respectively (both now taken offline) which listed delivery as the 25th of Jan and 24th of February – so clearly we are looking at drives that are pretty much imminent for official launch!

So, now we know the Samsung 990 EVO exists – should you care? With so, so many Gen5 SSDs being released or revealed in Q1 2024, have Samsung left this a little too late? Let’s discuss the specifications we know about.

The Samsung 990 EVO SSD Hardware Specifications

I think it would be an understatement to say that Samsung have “gone their own way” when it comes to the Samsung 990 EVO SSD. As mentioned earlier, they have certainly approached it differently to the Gen4 generation of SSDs where they took a early massive lead across the whole market with the (still popular) Samsung 980 PRO.The hardware specifications of the Samsung 990 EVO are…unusual, in a conventional sense. Samsung has clearly decided that the Samsung 990 EVO is a drive targeting the bridging between Gen4 and Gen5 users, as well as low power use and economical SSD buyers. In short, this drive is not designed with performance in mind – which is going to sound rather unusual, given that is the focus of 99% of the rest of Gen5 SSDs launched in the last 18 months. The Samsung 990 EVO is a Dramless (i.e no onboard memory/DRAM) that can be used on a Gen 4 connection to 4×4 bandwidth or a Gen5 connection at 5×2. The result is that this more economical and efficiency-focused drive peaks at 5,200MB/s (5.2GB/s) Sequential Read and 4,200MB/s (4.2GB/s) Sequential Write. This rather pales in comparison to the Gen 4×4 Samsung 990 PRO at 7,450MB/s and 6,900MB/s Seq Read/Write respectively. This lower peak performance also extends to the 4K Random IOPS at 700K/800K Read//Write respectively on the 990 EVO vs the 1.5Million and 1.6Million 4K R/W IOPS of the 990 PRO. Alot of these shortfalls can be attributed to the lack of onboard memory (with the drive relying on using a portion of host client memory, aka HMB) and the PCIe Gen 5×2 architecture – but the drive hitting these numbers in a 4×4 environment is a little disappointing (even when you consider the efficiency focus that this drive has been built under). Here are the specs:

The following specifications are based on the above-leaked information from ComputerBase, cached pages that are now offline and using specifications of similar OEM PM9C1a SSD that shares many similarities with the Samsung 990 EVO SSD:

Model	Samsung SSD 990 EVO
Interface	PCIe 4.0 x4 / 5.0 x2 NVMe 2.0
Capacity	1TB, 2TB (Possible 4TB)
Controller	Samsung in-house Controller
NAND Flash Memory	Samsung V-NAND TLC (176-layer TLC V-NAND V7 ? TBC
Memory	HMB (Host Memory Buffer)
Form Factor	M.2 (2280)
Sequential Read	Up to 5,000MB/s
Sequential Write	Up to 4,200MB/s
4K IOPS Random Read	680KIOPS (1TB), 700KIOPS (2TB) (TBC)
4K IOPS Random Write	800KIOPS (TBC)
MTBF	1.5 million hours
Warranty	5 years limited, TBW: 600TB (1TB), 1,200TB (2TB) (TBC)
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 Samsung 990 EVO is PCIe Gen 5×2 – Wait, What?

So, let’s drill into that 5×2 / 4×4 architecture a little and look at the positives. On the face of it, technically ALL Gen5  SSDs can work at 4×4 if placed in a 4×4 M.2 slot – that is the nature of PCIe backwards compatibility. However, if you place a Gen4 drive in a Gen5 m.2 slot, you will be downgraded to Gen4 speeds (no different than a USB 2.0 device in a USB 3.2 connector). The Samsung 990 EVO allows this 4×4 drive to enjoy 5×2 speeds in devices with carefully curated PCIe lane layouts or PCIe cards that have to be very selective about the allocation (i.e RAID cards of combo storage/network cards). Additionally, in devices such as ultra-thin laptops and compact mini PCs, heat is a real concern and 5×4 architecture will noticeably reduce power consumption and lessen the need for comprehensive heat dissipation.

However, we also have to look at this objectively and as a new buyer considering a Gen 5 SSD in 2024, and in that context the Samsugn 990 EVO is a rather odd proposition. First, there is the fact that this drive seemingly under performs compared with the majority of Gen 4 SSDs released in the last 4 years (many of which carry at minimum 5,500MB/s Seq Read performance and most now surpassing 7,000MB/s). Even if you make a direct comparison with a DRAMless Gen4 SSD that relies on Host Memory Buffer released back in 2022, such as the WD Black SN700 (currently at $75 for 1TB and $119 for 2TB), that drive still hits 5,150MB/s and 4,850MB/s Seq R/W and 650/800K IOPS – which is VERY close to what the 2024 releasing Samsung 990 EVO is proposing here. It’s an odd choice to make their first consumer(ish?) focused M.2 SSD for the Gen5 tier a Gen 5×2 drive and DRAMless, as these are the sort of specifications I expect in a more specialized/OEM drive that likely goes directly in a laptop at production or in bulk in a more PCI curated RAID card. Gen 5×2 is by no means a common m.2 bandwidth allocation and although many system allow customization at BIOS/Chipset for efficiency, most Gen5 buyers are looking at this generation with performance as the driving motivator. We are still awaiting confirmation on details such as durability (DWPD/TBW), but one imagines that with such a focus on efficiency and power consumption savings, that durability on this drive will be welcomingly high! Lets drill down a little into the choice to go ‘RAM free’ on the Samsung 990 EVO Gen5 SSD.

The Samsung 990 EVO is DRAMless – Why?

Much like the choice by Samsung to opt for the Gen 5×2 architecture, there are pros and cons to this kind fo drive that are going to result in it being a much more specialized drive than many would like.  DRAMless SSDs, like the Samsung 990 EVO, represent a significant evolution in solid-state drive technology. The primary advantage of DRAMless SSDs is their cost-effectiveness. By eliminating the DRAM cache, these SSDs reduce manufacturing costs, making them more affordable for consumers. This is particularly beneficial for those who require high-capacity storage but are constrained by budget. Additionally, DRAMless SSDs tend to consume less power, as they don’t have to power a separate DRAM module. This lower power consumption makes them an ideal choice for use in laptops and mobile devices, where battery life is a crucial factor. The Samsung 990 EVO leverages Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, which uses a portion of the system’s RAM instead of having its own dedicated DRAM. This approach can maintain a balance between performance and cost, offering decent speeds that are suitable for everyday use and mainstream applications.

However, the absence of a dedicated DRAM cache in DRAMless SSDs can also lead to certain drawbacks. The most significant of these is the potential reduction in performance, especially in write-intensive scenarios or when handling large files. DRAM in traditional SSDs acts as a high-speed buffer for the mapping table, which keeps track of where data is stored on the drive. Without this, the SSD has to rely on slower NAND or the system’s RAM (as in HMB technology) for these operations, which can result in slower write speeds and increased latency. For the Samsung 990 EVO, this might not be a significant issue for average users, but for professionals and enthusiasts who require high-performance storage for tasks like video editing, gaming, or heavy data processing, the difference could be noticeable. Additionally, depending on the implementation, relying on the system’s RAM (as in HMB) can affect the overall system performance, especially in RAM-constrained systems.

Samsung 990 EVO Release Date and Price

There is no avoiding that the Samsung 990 EVO SDD is not a drive that is going to please everyone. There is an ongoing discussion right now on whether client hardware (laptops, servers, PCs, etc) can actually fully take advantage of the performance of Gen 5 SSDs in a sustained fashion. Affording PCIe Gen5 lanes to the SSDs is only half the battle, as the drive still needs to be able to provide the throughput and response times from the onboard NAND flash to the host system. Gen5 SSDs have been promising 12-14GB/s speeds now for around 6-8 months, but how long they can sustain that speed before oversaturation and/or heat-related throttling is up for debate. The Samsung 990 EVO is clearly a drive with a different focus and one that, in the right circumstances, makes a lot of sense. However, as a first-release by the brand in the commercial sector for Gen5, it’s an odd choice and I sincerely hope it is one that is speedily followed up (and/or dual-released alongside) a more confident Prosumer version (Samsung 1000 PRO? Samsung 990 Pro Plus?), as this si quite a niche sounding drive. Expect it to formally launch later in Jan 2024 and pricing at $119 and $199 for the 1TB and 2TB models respectively.

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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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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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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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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.

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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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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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Thunderbolt 4 DAS vs Thunderbolt 4 NAS? What Is The Difference?

The ascent of NAS has grown in popularity, largely due to video editing suites requiring a large amount of storage accessible by multiple users simultaneously. Even in the early days of Thunderbolt NAS, around 2017 and 2018, one of the key advantages over traditional Thunderbolt DAS storage was the facilitation of a much less complicated workflow. A NAS could be accessed by hundreds, if not thousands, of users at any given time via the internet or a local area network. The system could be used to package projects, distribute and archive them in a single system, as well as managing and facilitating multi-site backups, thanks to intelligent software that has evolved over the years from most NAS brands. Adding to this, editors could directly interface with a QNAP NAS over Thunderbolt and/or 10GbE with the appropriate interfaces, meaning this single storage system could house, manage, distribute, and orchestrate multi-tier backups for an entire photo/video production company. Whereas traditional Thunderbolt DAS can only be accessed by a single user at any given time and lacks the software management and automation that a NAS offers. However, there are definitely times when a Thunderbolt DAS is better than a Thunderbolt NAS too!

What is DAS? – In the context of Thunderbolt technology, DAS (Direct Attached Storage) refers to a storage device that is connected directly to a computer or server via a Thunderbolt interface. This setup offers high-speed data transfer and access for a single user, making it ideal for tasks that require rapid, individual access to large amounts of data. Occasionally referred to as ‘LAS’, or Local Access Storage.

And What is NAS? – In the context of Thunderbolt technology, NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a storage system connected to a network, allowing multiple users and devices to access and share data simultaneously. Unlike DAS, NAS provides broader scalability, remote access capabilities, and supports various data management features, making it suitable for collaborative and multi-user environments.

Clearly, there are significant differences between them:

Thunderbolt NAS vs Thunderbolt DAS – PERFORMANCE?

Thunderbolt DAS utilizes simple direct storage access for a single user and does not need to facilitate the use of a system operating system or be built on an architecture that needs to service multiple users at once. Thunderbolt NAS, however, operates on IP architecture and because it needs to run its own internal operating system, as well as have its data in its own file system that is not locked into any external file system of an operating system like Windows or Mac, performance is noticeably lower than that of DAS when utilizing exactly the same storage media. So, if you are a single access user and performance is what matters, Thunderbolt NAS might not be for you.

Thunderbolt NAS vs Thunderbolt DAS – Plug n Play?

There is also no avoiding that because a Thunderbolt NAS system like the QNAP TVS-h874 has its own operating system, software, appliances, and protocols, it is nowhere near as straightforward and simplistic to connect with as a traditional Thunderbolt direct attached storage device. Most of the initial work in connecting with the QNAP will be done at the beginning, and after that, the system will be automatically connected with your client machine, but if you are hoping that the TVS-h874 is as straightforward and plug-and-play as a Thunderbolt LaCie or G-Technology box, you are going to be disappointed!

Thunderbolt NAS vs Thunderbolt DAS – Fast Network/Remote Access?

Another advantage of utilizing Thunderbolt NAS systems over traditional Thunderbolt storage devices is the ability to use 10GbE passthrough. If your home or office uses larger bandwidth network connections such as 2.5GbE or 10GbE, you can use a direct connection with the NAS over Thunderbolt from your Mac or Windows system to also connect to that larger and higher bandwidth network. Additional Thunderbolt DAS storage will only provide you storage while using up that Thunderbolt port for little else.

Thunderbolt NAS vs Thunderbolt DAS – Expandability?

Expanding a traditional RAID storage device can often be quite tricky. Some Thunderbolt solutions, like the Areca series, allow users to use software RAID to attach their own series of expansion devices and add further drives to your ever-growing storage area. However, they are very much in the minority, as most Thunderbolt plug-and-play DAS solutions do not allow any kind of external expandability. Once the storage media inside the system has filled up, you either have to buy new, larger hard drives and gradually replace all of the drives, which can take weeks, or you need to buy a new Thunderbolt box and start over, adding to growing storage piles.

Thunderbolt NAS, on the other hand, allows several means to expand and upgrade your storage very efficiently over the system’s lifespan. The system arrives with two internal M.2 NVMe slots that allow you to install further, faster SSDs which can be used for additional storage or pooled together with the existing larger hard drive storage. Moreover, the system features multiple USB ports that allow you to attach one of the many official QNAP expansion devices that increase the size of your storage pool – this is especially fast if you utilize the ZFS QuTS software that now supports ZFS expansions. The QNAP TVS-h874 system also allows you to attach fast USB drives with USB 3.2 Gen 2 architecture, which will then become available via the Thunderbolt and remotely via network and internet connections. The QNAP NAS allows you to create multiple smaller storage areas both inside and outside of the system, and all of these are accessible via a single Thunderbolt port or via the network. This pales in comparison to the majority of other Thunderbolt DAS systems that only provide a single large block of storage to work with.

Thunderbolt NAS vs Thunderbolt DAS – File System Considerations?

File System Locks – Connecting a storage device via Thunderbolt to your Mac or Windows system does not always immediately make the storage available. One significant difference that many users overlook is that multiple operating systems use very different file systems, from an old USB drive all the way up to a LaCie 6big, for example. This can often result in a drive that works fine on a Mac being completely unusable on a Windows system. This has always been a challenge for editing suites with mixed Windows, Mac, and Linux OS systems in-house, preventing a single Thunderbolt device from being usable between one system and another without appropriate formatting or future provisioning during initial file system creation.

A Thunderbolt NAS, on the other hand, utilizes the system’s own EXT4 or ZFS file system during the initialization of the NAS and, after that, can be communicated with remotely via the network, internet, or over Thunderbolt by practically any operating system, as well as multiple client applications available from the brand, with third-party tools also supported. In terms of cross-platform file sharing, a Thunderbolt NAS is significantly more convenient.

Thunderbolt NAS vs Thunderbolt DAS – Costs, Price and Value?

The Price – Something a lot of you may have already noticed is that a Thunderbolt NAS like the TVS-h874 is much more expensive than a similarly scaled direct attached storage RAID box from OWC, G-Technology, or LaCie. This is because, in order for the NAS system to provide support for all of its features and services, it needs to utilize significantly more powerful hardware in terms of the CPU, memory, and general system internal cooling systems. A traditional Thunderbolt RAID DAS system does not have any of these extra features and therefore often runs on very modest SoC (Software on Chip) or RoC (RAID on Chip) processors with minimal RAM. All of this extra hardware results in a Thunderbolt NAS system being significantly more expensive than traditional plug-and-play Thunderbolt storage.

Thunderbolt 4 DAS vs. Thunderbolt 4 NAS? Which Should You Use?

Understanding the distinctions between Thunderbolt 4 DAS and Thunderbolt 4 NAS is crucial, especially when considering devices like the QNAP TVS-h874. This NAS device stands out for its versatility and future-proofing capabilities. Supporting both Thunderbolt 4 and 3, it offers an excellent long-term storage solution, adaptable to evolving client devices. While both Thunderbolt 3 and 4 deliver 40 gigabits per second bandwidth, Thunderbolt 4 excels with enhanced security, power delivery, and improved internal management. The file system flexibility of the Thunderbolt NAS, like the QNAP TVS-h874, is a significant advantage, particularly in multi-OS environments commonly found in editing suites. It overcomes the limitations of traditional DAS systems, which often face compatibility issues across different operating systems. The NAS’s ability to be communicated with remotely, regardless of the OS, streamlines cross-platform file sharing.

However, it’s important to consider the price and performance aspects. While Thunderbolt NAS offers more features, it comes at a higher cost due to its more powerful hardware. In terms of performance, Thunderbolt DAS provides straightforward, high-speed access for individual users, whereas Thunderbolt NAS excels in multi-user environments and offers greater expandability. Each system has its strengths, and the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs. If you prioritize ease of use, single-user access, and maximum performance with the right storage media, Thunderbolt DAS could be more suitable. On the other hand, if your focus is on versatility, expandability, and multi-user access in a cross-platform setting, a Thunderbolt NAS like the QNAP TVS-h874 would be an excellent investment. Remember, Thunderbolt is just the conduit; the type of system you choose should align with your specific workflow requirements and future scalability needs.

Recommended Thunderbolt NAS Solutions:

QNAP TVS-h874T – $2499+	QNAP TBS-h574TX – $1499+
YOUTUBE Review – NASCompares Review	YOUTUBE Review – NASCompares Review

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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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Synology BeeStation – Should You Buy? (Short Review)

Of all the products I’ve spoken about from Synology in nearly 25 years of solutions, the new BeeStation is possibly one of the most conventional yet surprising they have ever released. We first spoke about the BeeStation, otherwise known as the BST150-4T, halfway through 2023, when we started hearing rumors about Synology’s new entry-level solution that was shaping up to challenge the likes of WD My Cloud and My Book solutions. Synology has been providing impressively capable personal cloud solutions for a considerably long time, but it would be fair to say that for the majority of users who just want a simple cloud solution that is easy even for a child to set up, DSM isn’t quite as straightforward as they would like. The BeeStation and BSM hope to remedy this with Synology providing what is potentially the most user-friendly and easy-to-use personal cloud solution they have ever provided, as well as inviting positive comparisons against the likes of Google Drive and iCloud in terms of price. Roll in the fact that the system already arrives pre-populated with four terabytes of storage and is priced at just $199, and what you find here is one of the biggest brands in the world in network attached storage trying to reinvent the wheel that they themselves had a big part in designing! If you are reading this, it is because you are wondering whether the Synology BeeStation is the perfect fit for your simple, low-scale, and low-cost private cloud. So today, I want to tell you the five reasons why I can highly recommend the Synology BeeStation, as well as providing five reasons why you might want to give it a miss.

UPDATE – You can watch the FULL YouTube Review of the Synology BeeStation HERE

Or Read the FULL Massive Beestation Review HERE

Please note – This review is being conducted on a BeeStation 4TB NAS system with pre-launch software, so there is every opportunity that a number of the criticisms below may be addressed at launch on March 6th 2024. It is recommended that you read our full and extensive deep-dive review on the Beestation when it is live.

Synology BeeStation Personal Cloud Review – Quick Conclusion

Synology has clearly done their homework on the development and presentation of the BeeStation private cloud. They are targeting a whole new audience with this system, and therefore, criticisms based on experiences with their other hardware are likely to fall on deaf ears. The BeeStation is probably one of the best middle grounds I have ever seen between an easy-to-use and exceptionally easy-to-set-up private cloud system, while still managing to provide smooth and seamless features for accessing and sharing your private cloud’s storage securely. Looking at this system with a more network-savvy microscope kind of defeats the point, and I’ve tried to be fair in my assessment. The lack of LAN access by default seems a little odd, and launching the BeeStation series in this single-bay, 4TB-only fashion may be a bit of a marketing misstep, but overall, what you’re seeing here is an effectively priced and scaled private cloud system. It’s a fantastic alternative to third-party clouds and existing simplified NAS systems. With many users keeping an eye on their budgets and tightening costs, Synology, known for its premium position in the market, had a challenge scaling down to this kind of user. However, I have to applaud Synology’s R&D for creating a simple and easy-to-use personal cloud solution that still carries a lot of their charm and great software reputation. It may not be as feature-rich as DSM, but BSM does exactly what it says it will do, and I think the target audience it’s designed for will enjoy the BeeStation a great deal!

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

Reasons You Should Buy the Synology BeeStation

Synology has done an incredible job here of changing a number of core tenets about their existing large NAS series to produce the far more streamlined BeeStation system. Here are five reasons why it certainly gets my recommendation. Before we go further though, what about those hardware specifications? What keeps this system going?

Specification	Details
CPU	Realtek RTD1619B
RAM	1GB DDR4
Storage Capacity	4TB built-in HDD
Networking	Gigabit Ethernet; No Wi-Fi capability
Ports	1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
Operating System	BeeStation Manager (BSM)
Cloud Integration	Supports Google Drive, OneDrive
Remote Access	Via mobile apps and web interface
Number of Simultaneous Users	Up to 8 people
Supported Operating Systems	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Apps and Tools	BeePhotos for mobile, other integrated tools for photo and file management
Physical Dimensions	148 x 63 x 196mm; Weight: 820g
Security Features	Encrypted data transmission; SSH not enabled by default
Local Access	Available post initial setup
Additional Features	Built-in AI for photo recognition, Facial and Object recognition speed boosts

So, with that out the way, why should you consider the Beestation as your ideal private cloud solution?

The EASIEST Synology NAS You Will Ever Own

I really cannot stress enough how straightforward and easy it was to set up the Synology BeeStation, especially when compared to any other Synology NAS that I’ve utilized here on the channel or on the blog. Just to put it into perspective, here’s how setting up a normal Synology DiskStation NAS and setting up the Synology BeeStation compare. Setting up an ordinary Synology NAS takes around 15 to 20 minutes minimum, if you know what you are doing. You need to first install the appropriate storage media of hard drives and/or SSDs into the individual slots. Then, connect the device to your local area network and the power supply and boot up. You need to wait 2 minutes for the system to fully initialize, whereupon you begin the initialization process and download the latest operating system manually via the on-screen prompts in your web browser on a device connected to the local area network. Then, provide your login credentials and go into the storage manager to begin setting up your storage area, including your storage pools, volumes, and shared folders to distribute your data effectively. If you want to take advantage of services such as cloud synchronization, manage your backups, and create an online access account with Synology services, these will add something like 20 to 30 minutes to setup (even longer if you are factoring in more complicated RAID pools such as RAID 5 or 6).

Here is a 40+ minute video showing how to Setup a Synology DSM NAS (so NOT the BeeStation), to give you some idea of how long it takes Synology Diskstation systems:

Now, what about setting up the BeeStation? Well, you take the device out of its box, plug it into the internet, use absolutely any device, mobile or desktop, with an internet connection, and visit the Synology online portal. Then, enter the system serial number for the assistant to be found remotely to set up an account, and the device is genuinely ready to go in around 90 seconds.

Here is a 1-minute gif showing the Beestation setup in Realtime:

The system storage, sync, and backup applications, and creating the Synology account needed for remote access to the system are either all included in that first initialization or will add upwards of 30 more seconds to the installation. We are talking about one of the most foolproof cloud systems I have ever seen, with the added benefit that you can set the device up from cold boot in anything from 2 to 3 minutes. The logic for this extends to the general use of the system, with the BeeStation Manager software being extraordinarily straightforward and easy to use. We will get on to later the extent to which this software can be utilized, but if what you are looking for is easy-to-use, straightforward, and uncomplicated cloud management, the BeeStation definitely has your back!

Surprisingly Reasonable Pricing…Especially for the Included 4TB Storage

The $199 price point that the BeeStation arrives at, especially once you factor in exactly what you are getting for your money long-term, is extraordinarily impressive. Keep in mind, you’re not just getting the system on its own, but a ready-to-go remote access NAS cloud that also arrives with four terabytes of internal storage right out of the gate. To put this into perspective, if you were to utilize popular cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, and OneDrive, you would pay around $80 to $100 a year for two terabytes of storage on average. So, if you double this to cover the same 4TB of storage included with the Synology BeeStation, you find that the BeeStation costs within one year exactly as much as popular cloud storage providers, and, in the case of iCloud, actually costs less than the Apple cloud alternative in just one year.

Note – Prices for the 3rd party cloud services below may include other cloud services, but are also often limited to cost-per-user

But it does not stop there. Remember, with those cloud services, after one year, if you do not keep paying, you lose that storage area and will either have to accept its inevitable deletion or spend money on a storage device to pull that data off the cloud. The BeeStation, on the other hand, for that $199 is yours to keep long-term and, alongside arriving with 3 years of manufacturer’s hardware warranty, also comes with an effective lifetime support warranty covering updates, security, and feature improvements. Add to that the myriad of client applications and potential synchronization with larger Synology DiskStation devices down the line, and what you have here is extraordinary value for money when compared with third-party cloud alternatives, but also generally for the cost of a 4TB NAS device in general.

Sync with 3rd Party Cloud, NOT Just Synology C2

This is a very minor point for those out of the loop, but if you have been following Synology in recent years and the development of their NAS solution platform, you’ll know that they’ve been shifting focus towards first-party services and tools across their hardware lineup. You can understand the logic in them prioritizing their own hardware upgrades, storage, media, and even their own Synology software services when developing their own NAS hardware. While Synology’s platform does support a number of third-party hardware and software providers, it’s fair to say that in recent years they have definitely shifted focus towards prioritizing their own options first (for reasons of compatibility, synergy, and profitability almost certainly).

However, huge credit to them for how they have handled cloud synchronization on the BeeStation. For those unaware, cloud synchronization is when your physical NAS solution (commonly referred to as your bare metal) is synchronized with an internet-accessible cloud platform, either for use as a secondary access point for lower priority users or as a secondary backup location between your physical bare metal NAS and an off-site location. Synology has had their own cloud platform, Synology C2, for a number of years now, and it’s been growing in popularity and scale year on year. It would have been easy to limit cloud synchronization on the BeeStation to only their cloud platform, and given the price and target audience, many would not have been surprised. HOWEVER, the Synology BeeStation supports a number of third-party cloud platforms such as Google and OneDrive for cloud synchronization natively, without requiring any additional app or add-on. Full credit to Synology for still supporting synchronization with other cloud platforms when they already have their own in play. Of course, you can use Synology C2 if you wish, and there’s also an argument that Synology provided this to make it easier for users to migrate from those third-party cloud platforms to their own. Nevertheless, I really do have to give them credit for maintaining third-party cloud sync on this device.

REALLY Quiet Operation and Small Impact

Another thing that is going to be music to the ears of people who are simply looking for an alternative to third-party cloud providers in the form of a physical solution in their office or home with remote access, is that the BeeStation is phenomenally low impact in practically every way. The internal hardware configuration of the Realtek RTD1619B and 1GB DDR4 memory is a great middle ground between efficiency and system capability. Synology has been experimenting with this configuration of a 64-bit ARM processor and gigabyte memory for a number of years, with other solutions already arriving for more than a year with this hardware configuration.

This ensures that they’ve had ample time to make the most of what this config can do. Add to that, this system is tremendously small, small enough to fit in a big coat pocket or a laptop bag while barely being noticed, and well under a kilo in weight, making it surprisingly portable if need be. Finally, the system is almost completely noiseless and, thanks to the more modest 4TB hard drive inside (a Synology branded Plus Series value drive), the system is incredibly low noise when in operation. The casing that the BeeStation arrives with is a completely unique design compared to the rest of their hardware solutions and is easily one of the smallest they have ever produced. Ultimately, the point I’m making is that the BeeStation is going to be almost unnoticeable when deployed, even at close proximity.

The BeeStation Fills the Gap Left by WD and Seagate in ‘Easy NAS’ Systems

Let’s be honest, although Synology has certainly retooled their existing NAS solutions to provide a far more streamlined private cloud solution here, they were not the first to design a product like this. When Synology first made it big all those years ago, they didn’t do it because they were the first in the market to provide this kind of solution; they became popular because, unlike alternatives from the likes of Seagate and WD at the time, Synology was providing a personal cloud solution that was also exceptionally capable and feature-rich compared to the more rudimentary options in the market that were effectively hard drives connected to the internet. Fast forward to now, and although Synology has continued to innovate, improve, and expand upon what is included in Synology DSM and their other bigger NAS systems, there are quite a lot of users who desire a more simplified private cloud solution as they don’t want to waste time or energy learning how to utilize their equipment – they just want it to do what it says it will do, and do it well! Over the years, brands like WD with their My Cloud and My Book systems have persisted. However, the personal cloud and small scale simplified NAS market has changed rapidly in recent years, and Western Digital has lost a lot of its market share for numerous reasons. The simpler-to-use WDOS that their My Cloud systems arrive with has struggled to find a balance between simplicity and rich features, leading to inconsistencies that have either annoyed the more technically aware or befuddled the more amateur. This on its own would probably not be so bad, but things got really bad for Western Digital.

Over the course of the last 4 to 5 years, WD has been beset by numerous failings across the different NAS solutions they have provided. One of the earliest and loudest was their use of SMR drives in their WD Red series, which led many to question whether WD had the right idea about what a NAS solution was supposed to do and offer. Then, a couple of years later, WD NAS solutions were hit by a remote hack targeted at deleting users’ data, caused by infrequent firmware updates that users were not actioning, and also because WD was not adequately updating users. However, the worst example was when WD in 2023 was hit by an enormous cybersecurity incident which led to WD My Cloud systems being completely taken offline with remote access inaccessible. Because of the rudimentary design of these systems, users were ill-equipped and poorly informed about what was going on, and this hurt the reputation of the WD My Cloud and My Book systems extensively. The point I am making here is that there has been a gap in the market for a while that needs to be filled for those looking for simple yet reliable private cloud solutions, and Synology already has a big reputation in the world of premium NAS. So, this is a perfect time for them to produce a streamlined alternative to their own solution portfolio that fills the void left by the likes of WD in recent years, and the BeeStation is ideally suited in terms of price, hardware, and software to do this.

However, nothing is perfect and if you think the BeeStation is the same as any other Synology NAS solution, you may be in for disappointment. Let’s go through all the reasons why you might want to give the Synology BeeStation a miss.

Reasons You Should NOT Buy the Synology BeeStation

The majority of reasons why the Synology BeeStation may not suit your needs largely fall under the umbrella of ‘simplicity’. Synology has clearly targeted a very new and more entry-level audience with this product. So, if you are an existing owner of a Synology DSM NAS system or someone who is a bit more tech-savvy, these reasons why you might not want to buy the BeeStation will resonate with you.

It’s very, VERY Basic Compared with Other Synology NAS with DSM

Huge credit to Synology for retooling and reinventing the presentation of their existing NAS platform to create the more streamlined BeeStation system, but we have to acknowledge that the BeeStation and BSM are incredibly basic compared to DiskStation Manager. Earlier, I touched on how simple it is to set up the first time, and while that is true, the more simplified user experience also means that options for configuration, customization, and general upgradability are significantly limited. The BSM user interface consists of only around five different windows, each dedicated to the more rudimentary features of this system. If what you care about is general storage, there is a lot to enjoy here, and the baseline applications from Synology DSM for file management, backup management, and folder management are all present.

However, the BeeStation and BSM platform are more storage-only systems that provide a small toolkit for maximizing that storage for backups and general access. Additionally, likely in order not to confuse or overwhelm the user with configuration, the actual options for sharing this system are also more limited than a normal DSM NAS. The number of maximum supported users is much lower, features such as read/write permissions are absent, sophisticated native storage file system choices such as iSCSI are absent, and even the options for connecting this to another NAS system at launch are quite limited. Again, if you are just looking for your own private cloud with no bells and whistles and easy day-to-day use, this device is perfect. But it is not an alternative to Synology DSM in terms of overall scope.

Not Available Unpopulated or in Other Capacities (at Launch)

One can appreciate that Synology almost certainly has a larger launch campaign for the Synology BeeStation up its sleeve, but it was perhaps a little short-sighted to only launch a single device in a single capacity. In its 25 years of business, Synology has produced numerous scales of systems in terms of system power and storage capacity, so it is a little unfair to criticize them for not going at it with the same level of thrust when launching a whole new arm of their business. However, there is valid criticism to highlight that the system is only available in a four-terabyte capacity (likely with larger capacities to be fair), but also that there is no 0TB/Empty option. Synology solutions have always arrived unpopulated, allowing flexibility in choosing storage. No doubt, in the interest of simplicity, Synology has rolled this solution out with their own branded drives as compulsory. If you dig into the Synology download area for manual system updates, you also find that the firmware updates for the BeeStation are much larger than those found in traditional DSM despite those systems not having storage media by default. This is because BSM arrives with applications for backup and storage management pre-installed and pre-allocated to the 4TB Synology hard drive configuration, meaning the firmware is locked to the 4TB model, and more specifically, to a Synology hard drive. So, long-time Synology veterans might not be huge fans of the fact that this system is only available in a 4TB capacity and that there is no means to install alternative hard drives or get the system without one. However, realistically, they are not the target audience for this product.

Additionally, there is no avoiding that the system OS and a single 5400RPM HDD (if it is the HAT3300 inside) definitely adds up to system slowdown during even vaguely busy periods of use. Numerous times during the testing of the device, during backups, indexing or client synchronization the poor multi-tasking of a single HDD resulted in slower responses. Synology are clearly aware of this too, as on numerous occasions the BeeStation GUI would warn me to expect responsiveness to decrease during these periods. I appreciated that the system was warning me, but nonetheless this does not excuse the overall slow response that is clearly the result of the hardware on offer here.

The Beestation is Only Available as a 1-Bay – No RAID (at Launch)

Going further on the subject of the 4TB storage, it’s also surprising to see Synology roll out this system in a single-bay configuration. If you had told me that Synology was rolling out a new low-powered alternative to the likes of the WD My Cloud, I would have bet that the first solution would be a 2-Bay/RAID 1 ready solution. However, the BeeStation only features a single 4TB hard drive, meaning the redundancy/failover/safety net of RAID is not available here. The system does feature two USB ports, allowing you to connect USB storage and set up an automated backup to those external drives, and with its gigabit network connectivity, you can backup off-site or to another system in your local area network, which are all great backup options. But the fact that the system’s core storage does not have any kind of failover in this launch product is quite disappointing for a brand that takes storage seriously, and I would much rather have seen at least a two-bay version of this product at launch. It kind of has an all-eggs-in-one-basket feel about it that, if you do not have up-to-the-second synchronized backups off-site, could lead to hot data being lost very easily.

No App Centre = No Popular 1st/3rd Party Apps

Once again, this is a criticism that stems from more experienced Synology DSM NAS users, and arguably one that won’t arise from Synology’s new target audience for this product, but the lack of any kind of app center for tailored add-ons on BSM and the BeeStation is really disappointing. Synology has a phenomenal catalog of applications and services in its app center that allow users to curate, categorize, and access files in very tailored ways. You’re missing out on a video application for streaming your media with scraped metadata and transcoding, an audio application to share your albums and curate your playlists, and support for third-party multimedia tools for seamless access to third-party clients – these are just the multimedia options you’re missing out on in the BeeStation due to its lack of an app center or any kind of app store, as you would find in DSM.

Digging a little deeper, you suddenly realize the full range of applications and services Synology has offered for years that are just not available here to be downloaded conveniently at your whim from an app center. There is no denying that Synology is going to improve BSM over time and likely roll a number of these key first-party applications into the base BSM package. But if you are someone used to a Synology NAS and one of the reasons you chose it was because of the more application-rich experience compared to WD NAS OS, QNAP’s QTS, or even the Seagate NAS OS (which might well be EOL now), the Synology BeeStation is not going to be for you.

Requires a Synology Account to Set Up, and LAN is OFF by Default

This is a relatively minor point, but in some circumstances, it’s incredibly crucial for some. When setting up the Synology BeeStation for the first time, it’s important to note that you are not setting it up over the local area network in the majority of cases. Setting up the BeeStation requires the system to be plugged into an internet-accessible network, and then setup is conducted via an online portal using your serial number. A Synology account needs to be created during its setup, and by default, the system is accessible via the internet, through Synology’s servers. To Synology’s credit, it still manages to be one of the most secure NAS platforms out there, with data transmission encrypted by default via the remote access service, and features such as SSH are not enabled by default. But there are users who prefer using their NAS system exclusively offline, limiting access to only the local area network, and manually injecting updates from their client system. I was surprised during my first experimentation with the device to find that local area network (LAN) access is disabled by default.

Again, I understand that Synology wants to remove any tricky customization or configuration choices for users who might want a simplified and streamlined cloud experience. However, local area network access I would consider to be a base-level requirement. In the event that you lose access to the system via the internet, or if you lose access to the system despite being in the same room as it, the fact that LAN access is disabled by default may prove extraordinarily tricky. A great example would be the WD security incident I mentioned earlier. One reason users were particularly impacted by WD turning off the My Cloud servers was that WD My Cloud NAS devices have LAN disabled by default. This meant those users could not access the system during that internet outage unless they used a complicated client tool method to enable it. Although this method seemed relatively straightforward to the more tech-savvy, it proved overwhelming and complicated to the less storage and network-savvy audience these products are targeted towards. You are likely able to use Synology Assistant to log into the system via local area network access and reconfigure this option via a client application, but even then, it’s by no means a streamlined process. Nevertheless, I do think disabling LAN access on the system by default is perhaps a little shortsighted and overzealous.

Synology BeeStation Personal Cloud – The Final Verdict

The Synology BeeStation marks a significant shift in Synology’s product line, targeting a new segment of users with its simplified yet functional design. This device stands out as an excellent middle ground between ease of use and a comprehensive private cloud system, providing secure and seamless access to stored data. While it is incredibly user-friendly and easy to set up, the lack of LAN access by default and its single-bay, 4TB-only configuration at launch might limit its appeal to more tech-savvy users or those seeking greater flexibility and expandability. The BeeStation’s unique selling point is its simplicity, making it a compelling choice for those new to NAS systems or for users who prioritize ease of use over extensive customization options. However, its simplicity also means that it lacks the extensive app support found in Synology’s DSM platform, potentially disappointing users accustomed to the richer application ecosystem offered by Synology’s more advanced models.

For users concerned about security, the BeeStation still upholds Synology’s reputation for secure data handling, with encrypted data transmission as a standard feature. However, experienced users who prefer a more hands-on approach to their NAS setup might find the BeeStation’s lack of advanced configuration options and its reliance on internet access for setup somewhat restrictive. In terms of market positioning, the BeeStation fills a gap left by other brands like WD and Seagate in offering ‘Easy NAS’ systems. Its competitive pricing, particularly considering the included 4TB of storage, makes it an attractive option for users seeking a private cloud solution without the recurring costs associated with third-party cloud services. Despite these potential drawbacks, the BeeStation is a solid entry-level NAS solution, especially for those seeking a personal cloud with minimal setup and maintenance. It may not be as feature-rich as Synology’s DSM-based NAS devices, but for its intended audience, the BeeStation provides a well-balanced combination of functionality, ease of use, and affordability. Synology’s move to cater to a broader, less technically inclined audience with the BeeStation demonstrates their understanding of market trends and user needs, offering a solution that balances simplicity with the reliability and quality Synology is known for.

In the end, the Synology BeeStation is an ideal choice for users seeking a straightforward, reliable, and cost-effective personal cloud solution. It represents Synology’s commitment to diversifying their product range, catering to the evolving needs of different user segments. While it may not suit everyone, especially those looking for advanced features and customization, it excels in its role as a user-friendly, secure, and affordable entry-level NAS device.

 

The UGreen NASync Series is Coming to Kickstarter – Should You Back It?

IMPORTANT March 22 Update – The UGREEN DXP4800 PLUS NAS Review is NOW LIVE, watch it HERE, read it HERE and learn about the Software HERE and HERE

(Original Article)

Arriving on Kickstarter very soon, the UGreen NASync series of devices is an incredibly bold move by the relatively small Chinese computer accessories brand. Arriving with some genuinely industry-challenging hardware, six different configurations, and a multitude of high-bandwidth external connections spread across them, and even rocking out a competitively priced desktop flash system, it sounds like the DXP series of devices is really aiming for the sun here! Today, I want to go through each of these systems that UGreen is promising, discuss the logic, perhaps, behind the choice of crowdfunding to fund the product, and try to help you decide whether this series of devices, coming hopefully later in 2024, deserves your data!

The UGreen NASync DXP Range Hardware Specifications

Ugreen is rolling out this new series of NAS devices across six different hardware revisions, which is quite unusual for a product being launched on crowdfunding but is understandable for an established brand. Clearly, Ugreen wants to present a very strong and confident front in this new arm of their hardware business (a great example of this would be looking at the brand Sabrent, who for a long time were chiefly associated with docking stations and storage cases but now have a comparatively huge presence in the field of SSDs and even memory). Each of the solutions that Ugreen is promoting here can be broken into the standard, plus, and pro series, with each device improving in storage capabilities, network capabilities, and internal hardware. Alongside the five hard drive-focused devices, there is also a dedicated desktop NVMe flash model, which benefits from the heightened internal and external hardware attributes of its larger siblings. That said, each of the tower starter models also features additional M.2 NVMe slots that have varying levels of bandwidth and speed allocation due to the choice between the three CPUs available: the N100, the Pentium Gold, or the Lakefield model and the mobile SoC i5 model. Let’s compare the specifications of each below:

Specification	DXP2800	DXP4800	DXP4800 Plus	DXP6800 Pro	DXP8800 Plus	DXP480T Plus
Kickstarter Launch	$239.99	$359.99	$419.99	$599.99	$899.99	$479.99
MSRP	$399	$559	$699	$999	$1499	$779
Operating System	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro	UGOS Pro
CPU Model	N100	N100	8505	1235u	1235u	1235u
CPU Brand	Intel	Intel	Intel	Intel	Intel	Intel
CPU Architecture	X86 12th Gen N Series	X86 12th Gen N Series	X86 12th Gen Intel Pentium Gold	X86 12th Gen Intel Core i5	X86 12th Gen Intel Core i5	X86 12th Gen Intel Core i5
Cores/Threads	4/4	4/4	5/6	10/12	10/12	10/12
Memory (RAM)	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5	8GB DDR5
ODECC Support	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported
Expandable RAM (max)	16GB	16GB	64GB	64GB	64GB	64GB
Flash Memory (System Disk)	eMMC 32GB	eMMC 32GB	SSD 128GB	SSD 128GB	SSD 128GB	SSD 128GB
SATA Drive Bays	2	4	4	6	8	0
M.2 SSD Drive Slots	2	2	2	2	2	4

The UGreen NASync series presents a choice of CPUs across its range, tailored to different performance needs and price points. The entry-level Intel N100, featured in the DXP2800, is a mobile processor launched in January 2023, offering 4 cores and 4 threads with a boost frequency of up to 3.4 GHz. Its low 6W TDP suggests a design aimed at energy efficiency, with a production process size of 10 nm, denoting a relatively modern chip design. Here’s a comparison table for the Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor 8505, Intel® Core i5-1235U Processor, and Intel® Processor N100:

Specification	Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor 8505	Intel® Core i5-1235U Processor	Intel® Processor N100
Product Collection	Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor Series	12th Generation Intel® Core i5 Processors	Intel® Processor N-series
Vertical Segment	Mobile	Mobile	Mobile
Processor Number	8505	i5-1235U	N100
Lithography	Intel 7	Intel 7	Intel 7
Total Cores	5	10	4
# of Performance-cores	1	2	–
# of Efficient-cores	4	8	–
Total Threads	6	12	4
Max Turbo Frequency	4.40 GHz	4.40 GHz	3.40 GHz
Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency	4.40 GHz	4.40 GHz	–
Efficient-core Max Turbo Frequency	3.30 GHz	3.30 GHz	–
Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	12 MB Intel® Smart Cache	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Processor Base Power	15 W	15 W	–
Maximum Turbo Power	55 W	55 W	–
Minimum Assured Power	–	12 W	–
TDP	–	–	6 W
Marketing Status	Launched	Launched	Launched
Launch Date	Q1’22	Q1’22	Q1’23
Embedded Options Available	No	No	No
Max Memory Size	64 GB	64 GB	16 GB
Memory Types	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s, Up to LPDDR5 5200 MT/s, Up to LPDDR4x 4267 MT/s	Up to DDR5 4800 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s, Up to LPDDR5 5200 MT/s, Up to LPDDR4x 4267 MT/s	DDR4 3200 MT/s, DDR5 4800 MT/s, LPDDR5 4800 MT/s
Max # of Memory Channels	2	2	1
ECC Memory Supported ‡	No	No	No
Maximum Memory Speed	–	–	4800 MHz
GPU Name‡	Intel® UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel® Processors	Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics eligible	Intel® UHD Graphics
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency	1.10 GHz	1.20 GHz	750 MHz
Graphics Output	eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1	eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1	eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1, MIPI-DSI 1.3
Execution Units	48	80	24
Max Resolution (HDMI)‡	4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz	4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz	4096 x 2160@60Hz
Max Resolution (DP)‡	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz	7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz	4096 x 2160@60Hz
DirectX* Support	12.1	12.1	12.1
OpenGL* Support	4.6	4.6	4.6
OpenCL* Support	3.0	3.0	3.0

This processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, ensuring flexibility for users in their system builds. However, the N100’s single-channel memory interface and the absence of ECC memory support reflect its positioning as a budget-friendly option within the NASync lineup.

In terms of connectivity, the UGreen NASync devices offer a variety of options to accommodate different user needs. The series features USB 3.2 ports, with some models including front panel Type-C ports that support up to 10Gb/s transfer rates. High-speed networking is a highlight, with models like the DXP6800 Pro and DXP8800 Plus boasting dual 10Gb Ethernet ports, potentially offering a combined 20Gb/s network throughput when used concurrently. Thunderbolt 4 ports in the higher-end models further enhance the possibilities for high-speed external connections and daisy-chaining of compatible devices.

Storage flexibility is a key attribute of the NASync series, with models ranging from 2 to 8 SATA drive bays, catering to different scale requirements from personal use to more demanding business applications. M.2 NVMe slots are included for faster, more modern storage solutions, with bandwidth and speed allocations varying by model, dictated by the choice of the three different CPUs available. This tiered approach allows potential buyers to select a NAS solution that matches their storage size and speed needs without paying for unnecessary additional capabilities.

Who Are UGreen?

Ugreen, a brand that has been around in one form or another for more than a decade, is chiefly associated with power adapters, computer accessories, and generally providing solutions to connect one device to another. In recent years, they have gained a fairly enviable reputation, featuring on a number of prominent tech platforms with moderately high regard for their solutions. Ugreen is not the first largely computer accessory-related brand to decide to try its hand at their own NAS solution. Partway through 2023, we saw the affordable consumer laptop brand LincPlus take to crowdfunding to launch their own dedicated flash NAS system, the LincStation N1, which just started to receive at the start of 2024 to mostly positive responses. Ugreen first revealed their intention toward an in-house NAS system partway through 2023, and although the system has since seen a few specification changes and even a complete naming change from DXP to the NASync series, they have been quite outspoken at a few big marketing events. Probably one of the biggest that they attended, and in quite a prominent display, was CES 2024 right at the start of this year with a large stand, promoting the majority of their products but with a particularly large presentation on their NAS solutions. Once again, this saw quite universal coverage and, I guess, I can totally see why a user would opt for a Ugreen solution if they have had positive experiences with them in the past. However, why Kickstarter? Why crowdfunding?

Why Would An Established Tech Brand Choose to Launch on Kickstarter?

It is a really good question! If a brand already has a long-running history of product distribution via normal retail outlets such as Amazon and Newegg, why would they suddenly choose to use crowdfunding to sell their new and ambitious product? 2023 and 2024 saw a huge number of new private NAS solutions arrive on the market via crowdfunding. Alongside LincPlus mentioned earlier, there was also the ZimaCube system from SkyWhale. This featured specifications not dissimilar in configuration to the Ugreen NAS systems. However, SkyWhale had two previous successful crowdfunding campaigns under their belt, and therefore it seems quite natural that they would opt for this model in their third release.

Discussing this with numerous brands in the past, the main reasons outlined to me have been the following:

One, crowdfunding allows relatively small and lesser-known brands to ascertain the level of popularity and engagement that they might achieve for a product prior to a formal release. If they promote a system’s capabilities (both hardware and software) and engagement is low, this allows them to not allocate large budgets that they can ill afford to a project that may perhaps be doomed to failure.

Two, a number of relatively small Chinese brands have difficulty forming marketing, distribution, and engagement with Western audiences. Not necessarily for reasons of language barriers either; this is the days of Google Translate, of course! Mainly, this comes down to understanding Western audiences, marketing on Western-focused social media platforms, and even understanding the requirements that that audience and its level of technological understanding need addressing. For a Chinese manufacturer to use crowdfunding platforms, they not only do it to garner money from the audience for their product but also to take advantage of an established marketing system, tools, and third-party supported social distribution that they neither have nor 100% understand. This can often lead to the crowdfunding campaigns perhaps being a touch overzealous in the marketing of a product that for them they do not understand implicitly, but this is certainly an allure for smaller Eastern companies to be able to distribute their product globally to a high degree of success.

Predominantly, those are the two main reasons that I find explained to me by Eastern brands that utilize the crowdfunding model to promote their product. I have both good and bad stories of server products going through the crowdfunding machine (read the full article here and watch the full video here on NAS Compares for more details on individual cases), but I do think there is a positive argument for why Eastern brands utilize crowdfunding to promote their products.

How much will the UGreen NASync Series Cost and When Will It Launch?

The UGreen NASync series is poised to make a notable entrance into the NAS market with a range of devices that cater to different storage and performance needs. With the Kickstarter launch prices set attractively at $239.99 for the entry-level DXP2800 and scaling up to $899.99 for the high-end DXP8800 Plus, UGreen is competitively positioning its products. The mid-range DXP4800 and DXP4800 Plus are tagged at $359.99 and $419.99 respectively, while the specialized NVMe-focused DXP480T Plus is introduced at $479.99. Post-crowdfunding, the retail prices, also known as the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are expected to be significantly higher—almost doubling for some models, like the DXP2800 with an MSRP of $399 and the DXP8800 Plus which will retail for $1499. This pricing strategy not only provides an incentive for early backers but also underscores the value proposition of getting in early on the Kickstarter campaign. Nevertheless, THIS IS CROWDFUNDING and therefore not the same as buying from your usual retail outlet, be aware. UGreen is tapping into the growing buzz of middle-ground solutions between turnkey options from Synology/QNAP and BYO/DiY options that retire time and knowledge to build. If you are on the fence, there isn’t a tremendous rush, as crowdfunding officially begins on March 12th (see link below). We will be keeping an eye on this one as the weeks go on!

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Where is the Synology RS1224+ Rackstation?

Synology is arguably one of the most popular brands in the entire private server market, and once you then factor in the large number of small and medium-sized businesses migrating away from cloud services and onto their own private NAS, who have been flocking in their droves towards Synology, you can understand why they are something of a big deal. Almost 25 years, the brand has been producing numerous desktop and rackmount NAS solutions (alongside a bunch of other side hustles like routers, storage media, business surveillance tools, and more), but in particular, their growth in the rackmount market in the last 5 to 7 years has been genuinely impressive. Which brings us to the subject of today’s article, where the hell is the Synology RS1224+ RackStation NAS? There has been an undeniable shift in the home lab and small business community away from desktop NAS devices and towards small-scale rackmount solutions, and Synology’s recent releases have certainly capitalized on this, thanks to improved smaller-scale four and eight-bay rackmount servers appearing in their product portfolio.

This combined with changes in the baseline hardware of several of their more recent releases have led to many users looking for a very specific kind of Synology rackmount! It has to be compact, it has to be powerful, it has to be scalable, and it has to be reasonably priced – currently, Synology only provides one solution that fits the bill in every regard, the 2020/2021 released RS1221+, which, despite its merits, is still a system that is almost 3 years old, leading many to question the benefits of investing in a system that is perhaps not as cutting edge as the rest of Synology’s portfolio currently stands. The answer, of course? A refresh (something Synology tends to do with their portfolio every two to three years), which would be the Synology RS1224+. Today we want to discuss everything we know, confirm this unit is coming, the expectations we have, and whether it’s worth waiting for it.

Is the Synology RS1224+ Rackstation NAS ACTUALLY Coming? YES

Is the Synology RS1224+ NAS coming? Well, yes! As early as autumn 2023, we saw numerous references to the RS1224+ model ID floating around in the backend of firmware updates and accidentally left in product compatibility pages on official Synology sites. Equally, there was even a Synology RS1223+ model ID appearing in summer 2023, perhaps indicating that this system was designed to arrive earlier than it has. In more recent weeks, users have taken to digging into the latest Synology DSM firmware updates and finding further references towards the existence of a Synology RS1221 (along with a couple of powerhouse expandable rack mounts, and a series of expansion boxes).

None of this is unusual, and for those willing to put in the extra time, you can often find model IDs of upcoming devices if you know where to look. The crucial detail is that clearly a half-depth eight-bay rack mount is indeed on the way from Synology and given its formative mentions in summer 2023, and continued references in 2024, it would indicate that this is a system that Synology has already well featured on their roadmap and factored into their product portfolio.

If you want to play devil’s advocate, one might argue that this product is only a placeholder, a spreadsheet template item, or a hypothetical product that Synology just wants to enter in order to maintain its position in their database. Although that’s not impossible, realistically, there are simply too many references available at this point to deny that Synology is clearly rolling out a product of this hardware and model configuration. Equally, off-the-record discussions with Synology representatives further bolster this point. Ultimately, I think it’s undeniable that Synology is going to continue this product series, but that leads us to the next question: why are users so enamored with the release of the RS1224+?

Why Are Users Waiting for the Synology RS1224+ Rackmount NAS?

As I mentioned earlier, there has been a trend shift away from desktop devices for certain kinds of users. Home enthusiasts often find it considerably more convenient to purchase a small or even medium-sized rack cabinet to be kept somewhere on their property, which can be considerably more efficient for applying numerous rackmount servers than the alternative of utilizing desktop space filled with tower chassis devices. Equally, most businesses do not want to run their main backup or operation server in the same offices they work in and either wish to utilize a separate storage area on the premises or even a small area of physical storage off-site for network and remote personal cloud storage. Much like home lab users who do this for fun, business users can often see tremendous benefits in more modular and compact multi-rackmount devices compared with that of desktop.

However, this reasoning was also largely born out of the fact that right now devices and their physical scale have changed dramatically over the last few years. If you go back even as little as a decade ago, a rackmount device was considerably bigger in depth, much less power-efficient, considerably noisier, and was just generally a much more enterprise and industrial proposition. Thanks to growing efficiencies in server components, smaller but effective cooling systems being developed, and larger storage media allowing systems to occupy fewer storage bays for higher capacity, rackmount devices no longer need to be the big hulking metal monsters they once were, and these days you can pick up four and eight-bay rackmount servers quite easily and affordably. All of this has added up to why users would not only be positively in favor of the release of a new compact, but powerful rackmount NAS system, and why a system like the RS1224+ would be equally popular.

Synology has released several half-depth 30 cm rackmounts (and 40 cm dual power supply rackmounts) in the last few years, a great example being the Synology RS422+, a small, affordable rackmount that provides a decent base level of hardware but does lack the expandability of other devices in their portfolio. Equally, at the start of 2023, Synology rolled out several new medium and large business rackmount devices that provided tremendous power and scalability – but these systems were considerably larger, much more power-hungry, and several times more expensive than the older RS1221+. The perfect middle ground here is the Synology RS1224+, hence why users are sitting quite comfortably on the fence about every other device until they know whether this system is truly arriving and, when it does, what exactly its hardware caliber will be. Let’s discuss what we predict and what we comfortably know about the Synology RS1224+ hardware.

What Are the Estimated Hardware Specifications of the Synology RS1224+ NAS?

As I mentioned earlier, the Synology RS1224+ would not be a completely new and unique product series by the brand but would be a refresh of the existing compact eight-drive rackmount series that the brand has been working on now for more than 5 years. Alongside maintaining a clearly defined portfolio across the whole range of desktop and rackmount devices that they provide, Synology also takes special care to make sure there is not too much overlap when it comes to all of their solutions. Typically when you look at the Synology portfolio, you find that solutions tend to be between $50 and $100 difference in price, and each solution takes that extra bit of investment and puts it into internal performance, total storage, or network connectivity. That also means that products in the Synology portfolio have a tendency to use a small group of CPU and memory combinations and then spread them across a variety of different storage scale devices. This all adds up to us being fairly confident in predicting the internal hardware that the RS1224+ arrives with.

The previous generation arrived with an AMD V1500B quad-core x86 CPU, but Synology has slowly started refreshing all devices with this CPU from the 2019 and 2020 generation towards the new AMD embedded Ryzen V1780B processor. Alongside a higher base clock speed, this is also a more capable CPU, though it does still arrive in the same V1000 product family from AMD. The Synology RS1224+ will definitely arrive with this CPU, as the company has already started rolling it out in their Plus series rackmount, as well as the system definitely arriving with ECC memory. ECC memory has been provided with every single Plus series rackmount that Synology has rolled out in the last 5 years and the RS1224+ will be no exception to this. However, it is still yet to be seen whether the system will arrive with 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB, as Synology has been scaling up the base level of default memory on their systems in the most recent generation refreshes. The rest of the system architecture is fairly easy to predict, with the exception of the network connectivity (more on that in a moment), but below is the expected specifications of the Synology RS1224+ RackStation:

Specification	Detail
Model	Synology RS1224+ NAS
Price	$(TBC)*
Form Factor	Half-depth / 2U RackStation
CPU	AMD Ryzen Embedded V1780B*
CPU Details	4-Core/8-Thread, 3.35GHz
Memory	8-32GB DDR4 UDIMM ECC
Storage Bays	8x SATA 3.5″/2.5″ (Add 4x More drives with the RX Expansion)
Networking	1x 10GbE Copper (10GBASE-T)*
Expansion Slots	1x PCIe Gen 3×8
LAN Ports	2x / 4x RJ45 1GbE LAN*
Expansion Port	1x eSATA
USB Ports	2x USB 3.2 GEN 1 (5Gb/s)
Dimensions	88 mm x 482 mm x 306.6 mm
Dimensions (RP Version)	88 mm x 482 mm x 407.5 mm
Warranty	3-Year Warranty (5yr Opt)
Additional Notes	*massively TBC!!!

There is, however, one area of ambiguity that is still present in the specifications of the Synology RS1224+, the default network connectivity! The system will definitely arrive with at least a couple of 1GbE network ports and will definitely provide a PCIe 3 x8 slot in order to upgrade network connectivity and add combo cards later in the system’s life if needed.

However, what about 10GbE? At the tail end of 2023, Synology saw the release of the Synology RS2423+, a similarly hardware-designed Plus series RackStation solution, that was fully expected to arrive with gigabit networking only. However, when it arrived, Synology provided a 10GBase-T networking port by default (not via a PCIe upgrade, but as standard). Now, this is a 12x HDD system, so there is more than enough media to fully saturate a 10GbE network connection. However, this did not stop Synology in the previous four generations of that RackStation product series from only providing 1GbE by default, so why the change now?

Synology has faced growing criticism from prosumers and small business users for their rather restricted default network connections, limiting the majority of solutions to either 1GbE in their standard class and 10GbE in the power user and enterprise models. Many users have raised questions about Synology perhaps utilizing 2.5 gigabit Ethernet network connections, as used by a majority of their competitors. Others would state that 2.5GbE is something of a technological fad, and 10GbE is the only natural path to go down, so that does bring into question allocating lanes internally to this network bandwidth. The reason I bring the whole thing up is simply that if Synology changed its position on 10GbE on the 12-bay RackStation, it is totally believable to think that they would do so on the Synology RS1224+. Plus, as this is still an eight-bay system and that too could fully saturate a 10GbE even with hard drives, not just SSD. This is still a lingering question on this system and one that we probably won’t know the answer to until launch, but nevertheless, I think there is enough evidence here for us to wonder if Synology will do the right thing and roll this system out the gate with 10G.

When Do I Think the Synology RS1224+ Rackstation Will Be Released?

Given that the model ID of the RS1224+ and RS1224rp+ both arrive with the ’24’ suffix, that typically means that Synology will roll this system out in the first 6 months of 2024. That is still quite a wide and broad remit for a release date, but typically Synology tends to roll out business and enterprise-grade solutions in the first quarter of the year (based on previous experience and other releases we have observed). Nevertheless, at the time of writing in February 2024, we are making our way into the halfway point of the first quarter of 2024, so Synology would be cutting it quite fine, and we have yet to even see provisional leaks of this system via the usual supply chain and compatibility listings to the degree that we normally would prior to a launch. With regards to pricing, that is one area where Synology tends to be thankfully incredibly consistent, and you can fully expect the RS1224+ to match the $999 to $1199 price tag of its predecessor. Stay tuned to NAS Compares as we keep an eye out for this system and discuss whether it deserves your data.

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The Best CPU and Motherboard Bundle to Build a DiY NAS (UPDATED)

I think it would be an understatement to say that building your own NAS system from scratch has gotten easier every year for about the last decade! From custom cases that have rolled out from numerous brands that allow you to genuinely build a compact personal cloud, to more efficient processes and compact ITX motherboards arriving as bundles that really simplify the entire build process, it really has never been easier to build your own NAS than right now! However, there is also still no avoiding that it’s hardly a turnkey process and as easy as the physical work is to build the device these days, the complexity that goes into choosing the right components and making sure they work together is as frustrating and tech deep speak covered as always! So today I want to recommend several CPU plus motherboard to your perfect type performance NAS server. Each one focuses on a different priority of user for their own personal NAS server, from performance to Plex, or from business to pleasure! Here are Four NAS motherboard and CPU combos that I recommend for your BYO NAS project!

In a rush? Let’s Cut to the chase!

If you’re in a rush and simply want to know about the best CPU and motherboard combo to build your best DIY NAS system, below, you can find direct links to each of these bundles that can be purchased predominantly on AliExpress, but some of these options are also available on retailers such as Amazon and Newegg. If you were going to shop at these retailers anyway, why not use the links below as it will ensure that we act as comparers could earn a small fee from these shops. It allows us to keep doing what we do.

 

Here are ALL the Motherboard+CPU Combos that we cover in this article: (The Best) i3-N305 M-ITX BoardCheck AliExpress ($289-349 with Memory) HERE and Amazon HERE (x4 m.2 @ Gen 4×4) The Minisforum AR900i CPU + M-ITX Motherboard Combo ($399) Amazon HERE (Best for PLEX) Erying 13th Gen i9 Combo 14C / 20T $459  HERE (Gen 5 M-ITX) MINISFORUM BD770i ITX Motherboard $489 (AliExpress) HERE and $399 (Amazon) HERE (Plex Alternative #1) Erying 12th Gen I9 Combo 14C / 20T $389 HERE (ECC M-ITX Combo) CWWK 8-Bay / 9-Bay Board AMD-7735HS/7840HS/8845HS/7940HS $489 (AliExpress) HERE (Plex Alternative #2) Erying 11th Gen i7 8C / 16T = $262  HERE (Best Storage) X99 Motherboard + 32GB RAM = $158 HERE or E5-2680 V.4 CPU + 32GB RAM = $176  HERE (Best Value) Intel N6005 + Motherboard = $229 HERE (Best Value EXTRA) Intel N6005 + Motherboard + 8GB RAM + 128GB SSD = $275 HERE AMAZON – Intel N6005 + Motherboard = $169 HERE

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Best Gen 5 CPU+Motherboard Combo – MINISFORUM BD770i ITX Motherboard

Spec Highlights – BD770i-AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX, 8 Cores/16 Threads (5.1 GHz) OR BD790i-AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, 16 Cores/32 Threads (up to 5.4 GHz), SODIMM DDR5 Slots×2 Max 64GB, 2×M.2 2280 PCIe5.0 SSD Slots, PCIe 5.0 X16 connector, 1x 2.5GbE and Lack of SATA! – $489 on AliExpress and $399 on Amazon

The Minisforum BD770i and BD790i motherboard and CPU combo represents a cutting-edge solution for enthusiasts and professionals seeking powerful performance in a small footprint. With the BD770i featuring the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX and the BD790i equipped with the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, these systems offer unparalleled processing power that caters to a wide range of demanding tasks, from advanced computational workloads to intensive multitasking scenarios. The AMD Radeon 610M GPU, integrated into both models, while not designed for high-end gaming, capably supports everyday graphics needs, including casual gaming, video streaming, and content creation, making this combo a versatile choice for various computing needs.

The inclusion of PCIe 5.0 support stands out as a significant advantage, offering double the bandwidth of its predecessor, PCIe 4.0. This enhancement ensures that users can take advantage of the fastest available SSDs and expansion cards, dramatically reducing load times and facilitating quicker data access. This forward-thinking feature ensures that the system is prepared to handle future technological advancements, making it a wise investment for tech enthusiasts looking to stay ahead of the curve. However, it’s important to note the absence of traditional SATA ports, which means users with SATA drives will need to consider alternatives such as SATA M.2 adapters or adding a PCIe card to accommodate these devices. This requirement might necessitate additional planning and investment for those who wish to integrate existing storage solutions into their new setup.

Specification	BD770i	BD790i
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX, 8 Cores/16 Threads<br>(32M Cache, up to 5.1 GHz)	AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, 16 Cores/32 Threads<br>(64M Cache, up to 5.4 GHz)
GPU	AMD Radeon 610M	AMD Radeon 610M
Memory	DDR5 Dual channel<br>(SODIMM Slots×2, up to 5200 MT/s, Max 64GB)	DDR5 Dual channel<br>(SODIMM Slots×2, up to 5200 MT/s, Max 64GB)
Storage	2×M.2 2280 PCIe5.0 SSD Slots	2×M.2 2280 PCIe5.0 SSD Slots
Expansion Slot	PCIe 5.0 X16 connector ×1	PCIe 5.0 X16 connector ×1
Wireless Connectivity	M.2 2230 Key E Slot	M.2 2230 Key E Slot
Video Output	HDMI2.0 ×1<br>DisplayPort1.4 ×1<br>USB-C ×1	HDMI2.0 ×1<br>DisplayPort1.4 ×1<br>USB-C ×1
Audio Output	HDMI2.0 ×1<br>DisplayPort1.4 ×1<br>USB-C ×1<br>Line Out ×1	HDMI2.0 ×1<br>DisplayPort1.4 ×1<br>USB-C ×1<br>Line Out ×1
Ethernet	RJ45 2.5G Ethernet Port×1	RJ45 2.5G Ethernet Port×1
USB Ports	USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port ×1 (Alt DP)<br>USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A Port ×2<br>USB2.0 Type-A Port ×2	USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port ×1 (Alt DP)<br>USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A Port ×2<br>USB2.0 Type-A Port ×2
I/O Ports	4-pin CPU Fan header ×1<br>4-pin System Fan header ×2<br>4-pin SSD Fan header ×1<br>USB 3.2 Gen 1 header ×1<br>Front Panel Audio header ×1<br>System Panel header ×1	4-pin CPU Fan header ×1<br>4-pin System Fan header ×2<br>4-pin SSD Fan header ×1<br>USB 3.2 Gen 1 header ×1<br>Front Panel Audio header ×1<br>System Panel header ×1
Form Factor	Mini-ITX Form Factor (170x170x1.6mm)	Mini-ITX Form Factor (170x170x1.6mm)

A notable constraint in this powerful combo is the provision of a single RJ45 2.5G Ethernet port. While this port offers a solid network connection suitable for most applications, users with specialized networking needs or those looking to expand their network connectivity may find this limitation challenging. The necessity to potentially use the high-speed PCIe 5.0 slot for a network interface card upgrade, just to augment networking capabilities, could be seen as an inefficient use of this high-bandwidth resource. This situation highlights a trade-off between the advanced PCIe support and the flexibility in networking expansion, prompting users to carefully consider their priorities when planning their system configuration.

Despite these considerations, the overall package offered by the Minisforum BD770i and BD790i is compelling. The combination of cutting-edge CPU performance, robust PCIe 5.0 support, and a variety of connectivity options, including USB 3.2 ports and multiple video outputs, provides a solid foundation for a high-performance, compact computing solution. #

Furthermore, the support for up to 64GB of DDR5 memory and the inclusion of two M.2 2280 PCIe 5.0 SSD slots offer ample room for memory and storage expansion, enhancing the system’s capability to handle future needs. This blend of high-end features, coupled with the Mini-ITX form factor’s space efficiency, makes the BD770i and BD790i an attractive option for users seeking a powerful, yet manageable, computing platform.

 

Where to Buy the MINISFORUM BD770i ITX Motherboard Combo: Check AliExpress ($489 with Memory) HERE Check Amazon ($399) HERE

 

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Best CPU+ Motherboard for a Premium Feature but Low Power Consumption NAS – The i3-N305 M-ITX Board

Spec Highlights – i3-N305, 4x Intel i226-V 2.5G Nics, 2x M.2 NVMe. 6x SATA, 1*DDR5 SODIMM, HDMI2.0 + DP – $289 on AliExpress

Currently, the “build your own” favorite across many forums, the new Intel N305 processor, an 8-core, eight-thread i3 processor, comes pre-installed on a Mini-ITX board. It not only provides a remarkably low 7-watt TDP when needed but also offers significant scalability in terms of both clock speed and power efficiency. The $289 N305 version of the CPU and Motherboard combo presents a practical and economical choice for commercial use (making it the perfect upgrade/alternative to the Topton N6005 / N5105 that was so popular last year for first time NAS DiY’ers). It is equipped with the Intel® Core i3-N305 Processor, which is a part of the Alder Lake-N series. This processor boasts eight cores and eight threads, with a max turbo frequency of 3.80 GHz, offering ample computing power for everyday tasks and certain commercial applications. The processor is fabricated using Intel 7 lithography technology, which is indicative of its advanced and efficient design.

Memory support on this combination is versatile, with the motherboard supporting a SO-DIMM DDR5 memory slot, compatible with frequencies of 4800/5200/5600MHz. Although the processor supports a maximum memory size of 16 GB, which is a consideration to keep in mind, the motherboard can handle up to 32 GB, potentially allowing for future upgrades if the board’s capacity is indeed supported by later CPU models or firmware updates.

The integrated graphics, Intel® UHD Graphics with 32 Execution Units, can dynamically operate at up to 1.25 GHz and support 4K content at 60Hz, making it suitable for high-definition displays and basic graphical tasks. Here’s the specification of the $289 N305 version of the CPU+Motherboard combo:

Specification	Detail
Model Number	NAS-N100-N305
Processor Brand	Intel
Processor Models	Intel® Alder Lake-N i3-N305 (up to 3.8 GHz)
Type	MINI PC / PC Stick
Origin	Mainland China
Brand Name	YSJMNPC
Use	Commercial
Memory	– Support notebook DDR5 technology
	– 1 SO-DIMM DDR5 slot
	– Compatible with 4800/5200/5600MHz
	– Max capacity: 32GB
Storage	– 6 x SATA3.0 6Gb/s interface
	– 2 x M.2 NVMe 2280
Graphics Card	Integrated Card (depending on processor model)
Network Card	4 x Intel i226-V 2.5G RJ45 network port
I/O Panel	– 2 x USB 2.0
	– 1 x USB 3.0
	– 1 x Type-C (2.0 rate)
	– 1 x HDMI
	– 1 x DP
	– 4 x RJ45 2.5G network port
	– 1 x AUDIO 3.5mm interface
Motherboard Features	– Matte black PCB
	– Moisture-free fiber 8-layer circuit
	– Full protection (USB, audio, network)
TDP	9-15W
Structure	MINI-ITX (17.0cm x 17.0cm)
Capacitor Design	All solid capacitor
Expansion Slots	1 PCIe x1 (shared with 2nd M.2)
Onboard Interface	– F_PANEL pin
	– TPM pin (compatible with ASUS TPM module)
	– USB2.0 pin
	– CPU_FAN 4-pin (temperature control)
	– SYS_FAN 4-pin (temperature control)
	– 24+4 ATX power interface
Cooling	– Compatible with 115X radiators
	– Silent temperature-controlled radiator
	– Support for two high-performance radiators

In terms of connectivity, the combo is well-equipped with a variety of interfaces, including multiple USB ports with different standards, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 1.4 for video output, and an Intel i226-V 2.5G RJ45 network port for fast wired internet connections.

The inclusion of PCIe lanes and M.2 slots provides additional expansion capabilities, allowing for further customization and the addition of peripherals or storage solutions. The motherboard’s MINI-ITX form factor makes it a compact solution that can fit into small cases, suitable for workspaces with limited room. EASILY the easiest choice of all the NAS Mobo+CPU options on this list, as one of the newest, lowest in price – yet impressively powerful, despite its lower TDP.

Where to Buy the i3-N305 CPU + M-ITX Motherboard Combo: Check AliExpress ($289-349 with Memory) HERE Check Amazon HERE

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ECC CPU+Motherboard M-ITX Combo – The CWWK 8-Bay / 9-Bay Board AMD-7735HS/7840HS/8845HS/7940HS

Spec Highlights – 4x AMD MobileRyzen Options, SODIMM DDR5 Slots×2, ECC Supported, 2×M.2 2280 4×2 SSD Slots, PCIe 4×8 connector ×1 (x16 Physical), SFF-8643 x2 Connectors for SATA III, 4x 2.5GbE, USB 4 (20Gbs Limits) , Internal USB 2.0  – $489 on AliExpress and Check on Amazon

The combination of the AMD “Zen 4” architecture Ryzen 5/7/9 series processors with the Minisforum motherboard offers a high-performance platform that is particularly suitable for building a Network Attached Storage (NAS) server. The Mini-ITX form factor of the motherboard, compatible with 1700 series CPU coolers, ensures that it can fit into compact NAS cases while providing adequate cooling for the powerful processors housed within. In the realm of NAS servers, storage options and connectivity are key. The motherboard’s two M.2 NVMe (PCIe 4.0 x2) slots are ideal for high-speed storage drives that can handle intense read and write operations typical in a NAS environment. The inclusion of 2 * SFF-8643 sockets, which support up to four connections each and a total of 9 SATA 3.0, is an advanced feature that provides flexibility and scalability for storage expansion. This is particularly beneficial for NAS setups where large storage pools and redundancy (such as RAID configurations) are important.

Network connectivity is another critical aspect of NAS servers, and this motherboard delivers with its 4 * Intel i226-V 2.5G RJ45 UDE network ports, allowing for high-speed data transfer and network redundancy or link aggregation if required. However, the lack of 10GbE port might limit the network throughput if higher speeds are needed, in which case the PCIe Gen 5×16 slot could be employed for an additional network interface card, although this might be considered an inefficient use of this high-bandwidth expansion slot. Lastly, the wide array of USB ports, including USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C with a 20Gbps rate and additional USB3.2 and USB2.0 ports, adds to the versatility of this motherboard. The built-in set of USB3.2 pin sockets also allow for further expansion and connectivity options, essential for a NAS that may need to accommodate a variety of peripherals or provide additional data transfer interfaces.

Feature Category	Specifications
Processor Support	Equipped with AMD “Zen 4” architecture Ryzen 5/7/9 series high-performance processors
Form Factor	17×17 standard Mini-ITX form factor compatible with 1700 series CPU coolers
Expansion Slots	1 PCI-E x16 slot PCIe 4.0 x8 signal supports expansion of graphics card/network card, etc.
Storage	2 * M.2 NVMe (PCIe 4.0 x2) slots 2280 size
SATA Support	2 * SFF-8643 sockets support one to four via cable and support 9 SATA 3.0
Memory	Dual-channel SO-DIMM DDR5 slot supports 5600MHz backward compatibility by default<br>Dual-channel SO-DIMM DDR5 slot supports server-grade ECC notebook strip
Networking	4 * Intel i226-V 2.5G RJ45 UDE network ports support AllinOne and other applications
Video Output	HDMI+DP+Type-C triple display output supports 4K@60Hz
USB Ports	3 * USB3.2+1 Type-C (USB4) interface 20Gbps rate<br>Built-in set of USB3.2 pin sockets can be connected to the panel through connecting cables<br>Built-in two USB2.0 sockets support U disk encryption and other applications and partial system boot

Given these specifications, the Minisforum motherboard with an AMD Ryzen processor is well-equipped for a NAS server build, offering a balance of processing power, high-speed storage capabilities, and robust connectivity options.

Where to Buy the CWWK 8-Bay / 9-Bay Board AMD-7735HS/7840HS/8845HS/7940HS Motherboard Combo: Check AliExpress ($489 with Memory) HERE Check Amazon HERE

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Best CPU+ Motherboard+ Memory Combo for a Business File Server – The X99 Motherboard Kit (ITX)

Spec Highlights – Business X99 Motherboard Combo ITX LGA2011, C612 for NAS Router+File Server, 6×2.5GbE I226, 10xSATA, 1x M.2 (OS), 14Core / 28 Thread Intel Xeon E5-V3 V4- $176 on AliExpress

This combination is ideal for business users needing power and scalability. The X99 motherboard with an older Xeon CPU balances performance, connectivity, and storage expansion. It supports 10 SATA drives and a M.2 NVMe slot, alongside 15 gigabits of network bandwidth across six 2.5G Ethernet ports. The NAS CPU+Memory combo anchored by the Intel Xeon E5-2680 v4 is a robust solution for a NAS file server. The CPU’s 14 cores and 28 threads are engineered for multitasking and can efficiently manage the demands of multiple simultaneous data transactions, which is a common requirement in NAS setups. The motherboard’s ten SATA ports and an M.2 NVMe slot offer versatile and ample storage options, facilitating both high-capacity and high-speed data storage solutions. This combination of CPU power and storage flexibility makes it an excellent choice for a NAS system.

owever, the Intel Xeon E5-2680 v4 processor’s launch date in Q1’16 might give pause to some users considering the latest advancements in processor technology. While newer CPUs may offer improved power efficiency and the benefit of ongoing support from Intel, the E5-2680 v4 still holds its ground as a reliable workhorse. Its architecture, although not the newest, delivers steadfast performance which, alongside its competitive pricing, presents an exceptional value proposition for budget-conscious setups or where cutting-edge efficiency is not the primary concern.

Specification	Details
Processor	Intel Xeon E5-2680 v4, 14 cores, up to 3.30 GHz Turbo
Chipset	Intel C612
Memory Support	2x DDR4 DIMM slots, up to 64 GB, supports ECC
Storage Options	1x M.2 NVMe, 10x SATA Ports
Expansion	1x PCIe 3.0 x16
Network	6x Intel i226 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
Power Supply	ATX 24 Pin + 8 Pin
Video Output	VGA
RAID Support	RAID 0/1/5/10
Form Factor	Mini-ITX, CEB
Socket Type	LGA 2011-3
Launch Date	2013
LAN Speed	Up to 2500Mbps
Audio	2.1 Channels

In essence, for organizations or users seeking a cost-effective yet powerful NAS solution, this CPU and motherboard combo remains compelling. The Intel Xeon E5-2680 v4, despite its age, is a testament to enduring performance in server environments. Users leveraging this processor for a NAS will find it to be a cost-effective solution that capably handles storage demands, making it an excellent value for its price point. To explore more about this processor’s capabilities and see how it might fit into your NAS plans, you can visit the Intel specifications page.

Where to Buy the X99 ITX Motherboard Combo in 3 Configs Here: Check AliExpress: X99 Motherboard +  E5-2680 V.4 CPU = $129  HERE X99 Motherboard + 32GB RAM = $158 HERE X99 Motherboard +  E5-2680 V.4 CPU + 32GB RAM = $176  HERE

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Best CPU+ Motherboard for High Speed M.2 NVMe Slots + PLEX – The Erying 13900HK CPU+Mobo Combo

Spec Highlights – ERYING DIY ITX Desktop Motherboard Set with Onboard 14 Core / 20 Thread CPU i9-13900HK, 3x M.2 NVMe (Gen 4 and Gen 3), PCIe 4×8 Slot, 2.5G+1G Port, USB-C, DDR5 Memory $419 on AliExpress

Designed for NAS builders focusing on media servers or intensive computing tasks. The Erying i9 combo, equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core processor and a Mini-ITX motherboard, features three M.2 NVMe slots and is optimized for graphic-intensive operations. It’s ideal for Plex servers and virtualization.

The Intel Core i9-13900HK processor bundled with this motherboard is a top-tier choice for a NAS setup, especially for a Plex Media Server. Its high-speed multi-core performance, reaching up to 5.40 GHz with Intel’s Turbo Boost Technology, is ideal for on-the-fly transcoding, ensuring seamless media streaming across devices. This is particularly beneficial for users who require their NAS to handle high-resolution video transcoding, a task that the i9-13900HK can manage with ease due to its robust processing capabilities and advanced integrated graphics.

The motherboard’s triple M.2 NVMe slots are a game-changer for NAS configurations, offering not just ample storage potential but also blistering data access speeds. NVMe technology excels in high-demand scenarios, such as multiple simultaneous accesses to the NAS, which is common in VM / Container environments. Users can leverage these slots to set up a RAID configuration, allowing for either performance enhancement through striping or data redundancy for added security.

 

Moreover, the Intel Core i9-13900HK comes with Intel’s UHD Graphics, which supports 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. This graphical prowess, in combination with the processor’s ability to support fast memory, adds to the NAS’s capability as a potent media server that can handle 4K content playback and transcoding without breaking a sweat.

Specification	Detail
Processor	13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HK, up to 5.40 GHz
Graphics	Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Memory Support	DDR5, 2 slots, up to 96GB
Storage Options	3x M.2 slots (NVMe), 2x SATA 3 Ports
Expansion Slots	1x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 4.0 x8
Network	2x Onboard RJ45, WiFi
Audio	5.1 Channels
Back I/O Ports	2x USB 3.2/3.1 Gen 1, DisplayPort, 4x USB 2.0, HDMI 2.0, 3x Audio Jacks
USB Support	USB 2.0, USB 3.0
RAID Support	No
Form Factor	Mini-ITX
Chipset	Intel Others
Socket Type	Onboard CPU
Brand Name	ERYING
Origin	Mainland China
Certifications	RoHS, FCC, CE

Finally, while this CPU+Motherboard combo is positioned as an advanced solution for NAS setups, its high-end specifications suggest that it is overqualified for just storage purposes. The presence of the latest connectivity options, robust I/O support, and high-bandwidth LAN ports make it well-suited for a variety of other intensive applications, including gaming, content creation, and design. This versatility ensures that the investment in such a setup can be justified across multiple use cases beyond a typical NAS. For detailed processor specifications and capabilities, further information can be explored on Intel’s official product specifications page.

Bottom Line, there are going to be users who are looking at how expensive ‘turnkey’ NAS solutions can cost, then see what just the hardware parts would cost in a DiY alternative. For example, below is the cost of a fully specced out QNAP Intel Core build vs the cost fo JUST the CPU and Motherboard in the Erying board:

Needless to say, this is not a completely fair comparison. The QNAP includes all the building, the software, the PSU, cables, case, testing and all under a single warranty. Still, it IS food for thought for those that are happy to build their own NAS and save some $$$s.

Where to Buy the Erying Intel Mobo Combo (3 Versions): Check AliExpress: Erying 13th Gen i9 Combo 14C / 20T $459  HERE Erying 12th Gen I9 Combo 14C / 20T $389 HERE Erying 11th Gen i7 8C / 16T = $262  HERE C = Cores , T = Threads

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Best POWER + Storage CPU+Motherboard M-ITX Combo – The Intel 13th Gen The Minisforum AR900i (4x M.2 4×4 and 5×16 PCIe)

Spec Highlights – Intel® Core i9-13900HX Processor, 24 C/32 T (36M Cache, up to 5.4 GHz) Intel® UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel® Processors, SODIMM DDR5 Slots×2, up to 5600 MT/s, Max 64GB, 4×M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 x4, SSD Slots PCIe 5.0 X16 connector, 1x 2.5GbE and Lack of SATA AGAIN!  – Check on AliExpress and $399 on Amazon

The Minisforum AR900i motherboard, in combination with the potent Intel® Core i9-13900HX CPU, forms a formidable base for power users. The AR900i is a Mobile Desktop (MoDT) motherboard that leverages the might of the 13th Gen Intel® flagship CPU, providing an exceptional 24 cores and 32 threads for heavy multitasking and demanding applications. Notably, the four M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD slots are designed for rapid storage with RAID capabilities, reflecting a setup intended for high-speed operations and data security. The motherboard’s inclusion of SFF-8643 connectors represents an innovative shift away from static SATA ports, offering a dynamic and scalable solution for storage expansion. This approach is particularly beneficial for custom builds that require a neat cable management system and the flexibility to adjust storage configurations with ease. The PCIe 5.0 X16 slot on this motherboard is a forward-thinking feature, catering to the latest and most powerful GPUs and ensuring that the system is ready for the next generation of graphics and expansion cards.

However, it’s important to consider the networking capabilities of the AR900i. With only a single RJ45 2.5G Ethernet port, users who need enhanced networking may have to invest in a PCIe 5.0 compatible NIC, potentially sacrificing the valuable high-speed slot that could be used for other high-performance components. This choice underscores the need to balance the motherboard’s impressive storage and expansion capabilities with networking needs. The AR900i represents Minisforum’s dedication to compact, high-performance computing solutions. With support for triple-screen displays up to 8K, built-in AX210 wireless card for WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, this motherboard offers comprehensive connectivity options for a variety of uses, from gaming to professional creative workstations.

Specification Category	Details
Processor	Intel® Core i9-13900HX, 24 Cores/32 Threads (36M Cache, up to 5.4 GHz)
GPU	Intel® UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel® Processors
Chipset	Intel® HM770 Chipset
Memory	DDR5 Dual channel (SODIMM Slots×2, up to 5600 MT/s, Max 64GB)
Storage	4×M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD Slots
Expansion Slot	PCIe 5.0 X16 connector ×1
Wireless Connectivity	M.2 2230 Key E Slot
Video Output	HDMI2.0 ×1, DisplayPort1.4 ×1, USB-C ×1
Audio Output	HDMI2.0 ×1, DisplayPort1.4 ×1, USB-C ×1, Line Out ×1
Ethernet	RJ45 2.5G Ethernet Port×1
USB Ports	USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C Port ×1 (Alt DP), USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A Port ×2, USB2.0 Type-A Port ×2
I/O Ports	4-pin CPU Fan header ×1, 4-pin System Fan header ×2, 4-pin SSD Fan header ×1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 header ×1, Front Panel Audio header ×1, System Panel header ×1
Form Factor	Mini-ITX Form Factor (170x170mm)

The Intel® Core i9-13900HX processor, with its 24 cores and 32 threads, is a powerhouse suitable for a DIY NAS setup geared towards enthusiasts and professionals requiring robust performance for tasks such as media transcoding, file serving, and hosting complex databases. The processor’s 36M cache and peak speeds of up to 5.4 GHz ensure that multiple operations can be handled efficiently, supporting a smooth and responsive network storage experience. The addition of Intel UHD Graphics for 13th Gen Intel® Processors also allows for hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding, which can be a significant advantage for a NAS serving as a media server. In terms of memory, the system’s support for DDR5 dual-channel RAM, with speeds up to 5600 MT/s and a maximum capacity of 64GB, provides ample bandwidth and storage for running a NAS operating system along with any additional services. This is particularly important for a NAS that may be handling simultaneous data-intensive tasks. The four M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD slots offer high-speed storage options, ideal for caching or fast data access needs, enhancing the overall performance and speed of the NAS.

The connectivity options of this setup are also noteworthy. The motherboard’s Mini-ITX form factor is well-suited for NAS builds, where space efficiency is often a priority. The inclusion of a PCIe 5.0 X16 expansion slot allows for additional upgrades, such as adding a dedicated network interface card for improved network throughput or additional storage controllers if the four M.2 slots are insufficient. The onboard 2.5G Ethernet port provides a faster-than-gigabit connection, beneficial for transferring large files over the network. With a comprehensive range of I/O ports, including USB3.2 Gen2 and USB-C, the system can accommodate a variety of peripherals and external drives, making it a versatile choice for a DIY NAS setup.

 

Where to Buy the Intel 13th Gen i9 The Minisforum AR900i CPU + M-ITX Motherboard Combo: Check AliExpress ($289-349 with Memory) HERE Check Amazon ($399 NOW) HERE

 

 

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Best Cheap CPU+MoBo+SSD+RAM Combo – The Topton N6005 CPU+Mobo Combo

Spec Highlights – Topton NAS Motherboard N6005, 4x Intel i226-V 2.5G Nics, Dual M.2 NVMe, Six SATA3.0, 2*DDR4 SODIMM, HDMI2.0, Mini ITX / M-ITX- $261 on AliExpress ($399 for 32GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB M.2 NVMe Included – see image below)

The Topton N6005 combo offers excellent value, combining an Intel Pentium N6005 processor, motherboard, 16GB RAM, and an NVMe OS SSD. Its popularity stems from its low cost and high performance, suitable for a variety of DIY NAS builds.

Component	Specification
CPU	Integrated Jasper Lake Intel Celeron N6005
RAM	2x SO-DIMM DDR4 slots, up to 64GB (2400/2666/2933MHz)
Storage	2x M.2 NVMe 2280 slots (PCIe 3.0 x1), 6x SATA 3.0 ports
Network	4x Intel i226-V 2.5Gbps network interfaces
Form Factor	Mini-ITX (17.0 cm x 17.0 cm)
System Support	Microsoft® Windows 10/11 64-bit, Linux
Main Characteristics	– Matte Black PCB
	– High-density moisture-proof fiber circuit board
	– Full protection (USB, audio source, network interface)
GPU	Integrated Intel UHD Graphics (24EUs for N5105, 32EUs for N6005)
IO Ports	2x USB 3.0, 4x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI, 1x DP
LAN	4x RJ-45 2.5G NET
Additional Features	– Auto power-on, Wake-On-LAN, PXE support
Structure	Solid Capacitor Design

Priced at $261 on AliExpress, and $399 when bundled with 32GB DDR4 RAM and a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, the Topton N6005 motherboard combo stands out for its affordability. This price point makes it an accessible entry for enthusiasts and professionals alike who are looking to build a high-performance NAS without incurring exorbitant costs. The inclusion of substantial RAM and fast NVMe storage in the bundle further adds to the value, offering what one might need for a robust NAS setup at a price that challenges many competitors in the market.

The CPU, an Intel Celeron N6005, is a Jasper Lake processor that strikes a balance between efficiency and capability. With a base frequency of 2.0 GHz and a burst frequency of up to 2.9 GHz across its four cores, it’s engineered to handle the multitasking demands of a NAS system. The 10W TDP reflects a design optimized for low power consumption, making it an economical choice for 24/7 operation, a critical consideration for NAS systems which are expected to be always on.

On the storage front, the Topton N6005 shines with two M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x1 2280 slots for high-speed data transfer and six SATA3 6Gb/s ports for ample storage capacity. This allows users to install fast NVMe drives for the operating system and frequently accessed files, while the SATA ports can host larger hard drives for bulk storage. Such a combination is perfect for a NAS system, providing quick access to data and large storage pools for backup, media libraries, or network file sharing. If you are considering the Topton N6005 CPU+Motherboard combination for PLEX Media Server, I made a dedicated video on this using this CPU/Mobo in the Jobsno N2 NAS Case below, testing 4K Multimedia:

The Topton N6005 has garnered popularity among NAS builders for several reasons. It offers a mini-ITX form factor, which is ideal for compact builds, and includes four 2.5Gbps Intel i226-V network interfaces, enhancing its functionality as a home or small office server. Additionally, the CPU’s support for up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM means it can handle more demanding NAS tasks, such as running virtual machines or hosting databases. These features, coupled with its energy efficiency and expandability, make the Topton N6005 a sought-after component for building versatile and powerful NAS systems.

Where to Buy the TopTon N6005 Motherboard Check AliExpress: Intel N6005 + Motherboard = $229 HERE Intel N6005 + Motherboard + 8GB RAM + 128GB SSD = $275 HERE Intel N6005 + Motherboard + 32GB RAM + 1TB SSD = $399 HERE AMAZON – Intel N6005 + Motherboard = $169 HERE

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Disclaimer – The Jonsbo N1, N2 and N3 are STILL the Best NAS Enclosures

Jonsbo’s range of NAS enclosures stands out as an industry benchmark for those keen on custom desktop NAS builds. These enclosures seamlessly blend aesthetics with functionality, showcasing a meticulous design ethos that addresses both the visual and technical demands of modern users. The build quality is exceptional, employing high-grade materials that not only ensure durability but also aid in efficient heat dissipation, a critical factor for continuous NAS operations. Furthermore, Jonsbo has consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking approach by incorporating features that cater to future expansion and adaptability. Their user-friendly design ensures easy installation and maintenance, making them a preferred choice for both novices and seasoned builders. Backed by positive user reviews and a reputation for reliability, Jonsbo NAS enclosures are, without a doubt, one of the best investments for those aiming to craft a high-performance, custom desktop NAS system.

Jonsbo N1 5/6 Bay Price (9/23) – $96	Jonsbo N2 5/6 Bay Price (9/23) – $89	Jonsbo N3 5/6 Bay Price (9/23) – $92

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Recommended Add-ons and Extras to Remember for Your DiY NAS Build

Building a NAS involves more than just the CPU and motherboard; enclosures, memory, PSUs, and other accessories are essential. Future guides will detail these components, alongside recommendations for smaller, crucial accessories to enhance your DIY NAS server’s functionality.

 

M.2-to-6xSATA Adapter ($10-15) – HERE on AliExpress or HERE on Amazon.com

PCie Card to Add 4x M.2 to Your Mobo $20-50 (Check Lane/Speed of Mobo and Compatibility First) – HERE on AliExpress or HERE on Amazon.com

Compatible CPU Cooler (CPU Dependant)  $25-50- HERE on AliExpress or HERE on Amazon.com

SATA Fan Out Cable – HERE on AliExpress or HERE on Amazon.com

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Here is our article on the BEST (and worst) NAS Enclosures and Cases you can find on AliExpress for your DiY NAS Build. Click the banner below to read the article, alternatively, you can watch the detailed video HERE. Alternatively, you can watch a video on the best and worst NAS enclosures on Amazon here instead.

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Choosing a NAS for Video Editing – Get It Right, FIRST TIME!

No doubt, you’ve got friends and professional colleagues working in the world of post-production and content creation who have staunchly recommended that you start editing your big projects on a NAS! Sounds simple, right? You’ve spent the best part of the last couple of decades editing and backing up projects onto a USB or Thunderbolt-connected drive. Yet now, with the influx of cloud services and the sheer size of projects these days, the appeal of moving your production over to your own private cloud NAS, with plenty of benefits in scale and performance possible, does sound remarkably appealing! However, the reality is not quite so simple, and unlike when you might have made the jump from a basic USB drive to an external Thunderbolt-connected SSD, network-attached storage has a little bit more of a learning curve, and novice users to this ever-growing storage alternative have got quite a lot of new things to learn. This is made even tougher when, as a content creator and video editor, you are far more concerned with media resolution, picture quality, and production factors than you are in just how many gigabytes and terabytes of space it takes up! So today, I want to go through the most important aspects that a video editor needs to factor in when considering a NAS device for use in video editing. At the end of this article, I will make recommendations based on different budgets, scale, and production levels. But for now, let’s crack on and go through each of the most important factors for those of you considering making the switch over to NAS in your post-production workflow.

Note – Read a Step by Step Idiots Guide To Editing Video On A NAS Drive (Via 10Gbe Or Thunderbolt) HERE

The Importance of RAID and Scale in a NAS for Video Editing

Note – Learn more about choosing between LARGE HDDs and Multiple Smaller HDDs in this detailed Guide HERE

This is probably one of the most overlooked factors when it comes to users editing on a NAS. Just because a system boasts a certain number of terabytes of storage, it does not necessarily mean that each is just as good as an identical system with the same number of terabytes that happens to be larger. What do I mean by that? Well, I am talking about the benefits of Redundant Array of Independent Disks, also called RAID. Originally, this was developed as a means of ensuring that if you had a large area of storage comprised of multiple drives, if one failed, you would not lose your data, as RAID provided a safety net in the form of a single drive (or two, in some RAID configurations) of failure protection. However, over the years, other inherent benefits of RAID have presented themselves, and a few of these are going to be massively desirable to video editors. The first advantage is performance. In almost all cases of RAID configuration, the more drives you have in a single storage array (e.g., the more hard drives you have in the box), the higher the performance! This is because the more drives you have, the more drives are going to be simultaneously read from and written to as you edit. That is why the more powerful video editing NAS systems tend to have more bays for drives, as this allows you to multiply the performance. So, sometimes if you see a NAS server with the same internal hardware in either a 4-bay or 8-bay form, it is always worth spending a fraction more on the larger system as it will allow more drives and therefore higher performance, which translates into a much smoother editing experience on your connected Mac or Windows machine.

Here is a Guide to Understanding Each of the Main RAID Types (Click Below to read in a new tab)

Next, there is scalability. Although you might be looking at 10TB of storage for your projects right now, that is going to multiply over time as your range of stock footage and completed projects increases over the years. You need to know that you can scale up the NAS system fluidly and easily over that time. Therefore, it is always worth purchasing a NAS with a bunch of empty bays inside it to add drives later or a NAS system that supports expansion devices (i.e., connected smaller boxes that add storage later down the line). All NAS boxes can run on just a single hard drive or SSD, so don’t be afraid to only partially populate a NAS rather than fully populating every single available bay on day one. Adding drives gradually over time will not only allow you to spread the cost of your expanding storage as the years go by, but it will also allow you to gradually increase the performance of your system over time too, and therefore allow you to know just the right performance level that you’re going to need for your video editing tasks in the long term.

Finally, a massively overlooked element of RAID is that it allows you to achieve much better value in terms of your storage. Commonly referred to as ‘price per terabyte,’ thanks to the balance between safety net and storage provided by RAID, it’s genuinely possible to achieve high capacity levels and save money easily. For example, if you buy 2x 10TB hard drives (so, technically 20TB data storage) in a RAID 1 in order to achieve one drive of safety net, you will lose 10TB of storage. However, if you buy 4x 4TB hard drives and put them in a RAID 5 (still one drive of safety net), you will achieve 12TB available storage, and you will have spent less on these four smaller drives than the two bigger drives, and you still get to have increased performance too! Although this logic is not foolproof on all drives, you generally find that this can ring true across the majority of different capacities, so never be afraid to weigh up the cost, benefits, and performance benefits of going for smaller drives in larger quantities.

Cost of NAS Hard Drives in Jan 2023 (5/1/23)
Seagate Ironwolf HDDs (Regular)	WD Red Pro HDDs (Pro Series)
1TB – $35 2TB – $65 4TB – $105 6TB – $158 8TB – $177 10TB – $224 12TB – $258 14TB – $271 16TB – $309 18TB – $389	4TB – $140 6TB – $173 8TB – $215 10TB – $245 12TB – $253 14TB – $270 16TB – $298 18TB – $349 20TB – $419 22TB – $551

In most cases, the price per terabyte on both sides will remain largely consistent at each capacity. HOWEVER, when you start putting these drives into a NAS/DAS enclosure and acting in the RAID configuration, it soon becomes apparent that the ben efits in Drive #s in a RAID 1 vs a RAID 5 immediately show a saving in almost every single capacity the smaller you go! Below are two examples of achieving 12TB in a NAS enclosure using RAID 1 vs using RAID 5 (so, still maintaining 1 disk drive failure protection and having 12TB of storage to use):

12TB Storage in a RAID 1 MIRROR	12TB Storage in a RAID 5

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Why is Network Connectivity SO Important?

One of the things people often do not realize about the difference between using a NAS and previous experience with cloud storage such as Dropbox, iCloud, or Google Drive, is the performance benefits of connecting via network versus connecting via the internet. Those subscription cloud drives are heavily dependent on your internet speeds, and even if you choose to use high-end internet connections such as fiber optic and gigabit internet, the reality is that you simply will not get the same level of performance as is possible via your local area network. All the devices in a single office or business environment that are utilizing the same internet/router are typically on the same network. Think of all of the devices in your home/office as houses on the same street, whereas think of communicating over the internet as communicating with completely different towns and cities! Devices on the network (also referred to as the LAN or Ethernet) have much higher speeds possible, starting at 109 megabytes per second, and this can be scaled up substantially towards 1000 megabytes, 2000 megabytes, and more, thanks to bonding technology that harnesses and combines multiple network connections.

Different NAS devices will arrive with different network connections, as well as the option to increase and upgrade those network connections in the systems via USB adapters and PCIE upgrades. Equally, most PC or Mac systems provide the means to upgrade their network connections in the same way via simple, affordable USB upgrades, slightly more expensive PCIE upgrade cards, and even Thunderbolt-connected adapters that allow you to connect your PC or Mac directly (no switch or router in between) to allow much larger performance benefits for video editors that want to edit 1080p or 4K directly on the NAS. It is really important when considering a NAS for video editing that you factor in the network connections on the device, as well as the ability to scale them up accordingly throughout the system’s life and as your video editing demands increase over the years. Equally, you need to make sure that your editing machine has similar levels of network connectivity available, as your total maximum performance will always be dictated by the lowest speed device in the network. i.e., You cannot connect a 10-gigabit NAS to a 1-gigabit MacBook, as you will only achieve 109 megabytes (i.e., a Gigabit).

Why the CPU inside a NAS is MASSIVELY Important for Video Editing?

You may have already noticed when considering one NAS over another that although some systems seem very similar in size, their price tags can be wildly different! Although there are a lot of factors that make up the cost of a NAS, the CPU that the system arrives with is extraordinarily important. Much like the Mac or PC that you choose to edit your video on, a more powerful or more task-designed CPU is going to achieve the best results, and that is because of efficiency and having the tools built in to perform those certain tasks. More affordable and lower-end NAS systems tend to arrive with ARM-based CPUs. These are the kind of CPUs more generally found inside mobile devices, tablets, and pretty much anything that is designed to be on a limited power supply for long periods of time (as these are designed to compress commands given to and from the CPU to the rest of the system and that results in lower power consumption but also lower capabilities, as you have to factor in the shrinking of those commands by the processor). More capable and higher-priced NAS systems arrive with x86 processors, which are far more capable processors and will result in a larger frequency and higher complexity of commands handled inside the system. When you are editing data of any kind, the number and complexity of the instructions handled by the system will always govern the overall best performance possible, and in the case of video editing, which has exceedingly dense file sizes and formats, a much more capable CPU is going to make all the difference in terms of ensuring that the multiple files that you are editing at any given time in a single project are managed quickly and efficiently.

However, things get even more powerful when you start looking at CPUs that are either industrially designed for high-frequency file transmission or have integrated graphics. Generally, you find a more industrial component in servers to be a Xeon or AMD EPYC processor. These are designed for server use and enormously high-frequency transmission of data. But integrated graphics are a little different. This is a dedicated component of the processor that is designed to handle and manipulate graphical data. So, high-end video data definitely comes under the classification of graphical data! This is particularly true if you are running dense or lesser-supported formats. So, raw video that is uncompressed or files that are compressed with licensed formats such as HEVC will be made that bit easier with integrated graphics. The importance of the processor inside the NAS you choose to use for video editing is enormously important, and although it’s easy to overlook (as we are talking about one of the significantly more technical aspects and something you have to dig into the spec sheets to learn), it is definitely worth spending a bit of extra time to check the processor inside your NAS before you spend your money on a video editing solution.

Is Thunderbolt NAS Any Good?

Using Thunderbolt to connect with a NAS is something that has grown in popularity over the last 5 years or so. As mentioned earlier, you can purchase Thunderbolt to 10G adapters that allow you to connect directly with a NAS over 10G via an available Thunderbolt port directly on your video editing machine. However, a Thunderbolt NAS takes things further and actually features at least two Thunderbolt ports on your NAS that allow you to directly connect at least two video editing machines to the NAS system. This sets it apart from traditional Thunderbolt-attached storage (referred to as DAS, Direct Attached Storage) as it allows you to have multiple video editors connecting to the same storage device at the same time. But equally, it allows you to access all of the NAS features both via Thunderbolt and via the network, so you’re still able to utilize the device for multi-site backups, multimedia, surveillance, and anything else that you were considering buying a NAS for to maximize your investment in this purchase. Also, if your larger network has factored in some 10G appliances, you can utilize the Thunderbolt NAS as its very own Thunderbolt to 10G adapter, with the NAS connected via 10GBE to your local network. If you connect your Mac or Windows system via Thunderbolt to the NAS, you then instantly have access to the rest of the 10G network via it (known as T2E protocol).

Sounds great, right? Highlighting the advantages of a Thunderbolt NAS does come with disadvantages that are often overlooked or simply not known by a lot of video editors. For a start, Thunderbolt NAS is not a particularly common product and is widely only available from one brand, QNAP. They largely dominate the market for this product, and pricing can be quite high due to the lack of broader competition as found in the rest of the NAS industry. Equally, as mentioned earlier when I touched on the importance of CPU in a video editing NAS, most Thunderbolt NAS systems have particularly high-end internal hardware compared with most other NAS systems of a similar scale, and the CPU choices tend to result in much higher price points on Thunderbolt NAS systems. Finally, it is worth highlighting that, although Thunderbolt NAS allows you to still enjoy the user abilities and software features of a traditional NAS but using Thunderbolt, this does result in a drop in performance compared with connecting a normal Thunderbolt DAS system. Thunderbolt NAS is connected over a protocol known as IP over Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt over IP – which results in a heavier overhead for the system to manage these connections. The result is that you tend to see a drop in performance of around 20% to 30% in a Thunderbolt NAS compared with a similar storage scale Thunderbolt DAS. You can mitigate this in a number of ways, such as getting NAS systems with more bays, utilizing SSD instead of slower hard drives, increasing the memory, or utilizing combined SSD and hard drive storage pools such as caching or QTier. Nevertheless, if you’re running a multi-editor suite and need all of your editors to work from a single storage area with much higher speed overall than in most other cases, a Thunderbolt NAS can be a remarkably attractive proposition. Just be aware that it requires a little bit more set up and a learning curve than found in normal Thunderbolt plug-and-play storage.

Do ALL NAS Support Mac OS and iOS?

It is a common question when looking at a NAS for video editing, given the larger number of Mac-based video editors versus that of Windows users, but all NAS systems these days tend to support both Windows and Mac! Indeed, many users choose to use a NAS system because it can act as a cross-platform file system that can be accessed by both Windows and Mac systems simultaneously and allow users to much more smoothly exchange files across these two different OSes. That said, where in-system apps and connections are supported on both Windows and Mac, the individual client applications that you may wish to download for Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS may have varying levels of support in their individual tools on different app platforms. That is because the individual client operating systems provide their own toolkits which have their own updates, features, and restrictions that are only available on one operating system and not the others. A big part of this is why you tend to find that the newest features promised by a NAS brand are typically available on Android and Windows first, with a slight delay before they arrive for Mac and iOS. This is because macOS and iOS do fewer but much larger software updates, whereas Windows and Android tend to release many more subversions of this software and granularly roll out their new features. So just bear in mind that although the bulk of the features you may have heard about on a NAS will be possible and available on your operating system, it never hurts to check the release notes for any specific tools that you are interested in to edit video on the NAS.

NAS Video Editing – Mapped Drives, Synced Drives, and iSCSI SAN, What is Best?

This is where we get into the reeds somewhat! Most video editors in their career grow quite dependent on a handful of premium editing suites and packages in order to create those wonderful pieces of work! Most of the time this has been done with the PC or Mac system you are using editing on a storage drive inside your host editing machine or via a connected USB/thunderbolt storage drive, right? Well, almost all video editing suite software can edit this way as this storage drive is seen as a local (also known as logical) attached drive. This means that the software can treat this drive as immediately accessible and run the footage you are editing directly from the drive and in the system’s memory simultaneously. Editing on a NAS is slightly different, and the protocol that your system uses to communicate with a network/remote storage drive (often referred to as IP) is different enough that some video editing software will not work with it. This is because a lot of premium video editing software takes stability and smooth editing exceptionally seriously. Therefore, many video editing software packages will not allow you to edit on a NAS out of the box. Connecting a NAS to your PC/Mac system in terms of video editing is predominantly done in two main ways.

The first way is known as mapping network drives and is supported on all operating systems. Equally, a mapped network drive appears as another available drive in your list of available storage devices, but it’s clearly defined as a remote lead connected storage device, and whereas normal storage drives have a name/letter to define their identity (such as your operating system drive being listed as C:/ or a connected optical disc drive as D:/), remote drives will be connected via an identifying number on the network (e.g., 192.168.1.5). This means your video editing software will know it is a remotely connected drive, and in the case of some premium video editing software, it will not work with this NAS for video editing. This is why you need to consider the second method of remote connecting a NAS to your video editing.

The second method is a little more complex and depending on your operating system, is connected in slightly different ways. Referred to as iSCSI or IP SAN based connectivity, this creates a completely separate area of storage inside your NAS that has been designed for specific remote-only connectivity and cannot be interacted with from within the NAS software. On the face of it, this sounds kind of illogical to create an area of storage that you cannot access from within the NAS operating system, but the reason for this is you are creating an area of storage that will purely be used outside of the NAS and therefore allows you to craft it in a very specific way. From here, you need to use something called iSCSI protocol, using one of several applications for PC or Mac. Sadly, although you can use an iSCSI initiator for Windows systems that is completely free and available from within Windows, macOS needs you to use third-party peripherals to contact with iSCSI talkative storage area (also known as a LUN). However, once you have created this LUN and iSCSI target inside the NAS, you can then connect to it on your Windows or Mac system, and it effectively tricks your video editing workstation into believing the remote-connected NAS storage is, in fact, a locally attached drive. You can assign it a name or a letter (depending on your operating system), and from there have all of the benefits of fluid and instant connectivity that you would find when video editing on your locally connected drive. I know this all sounds quite complex, and I have already created both a video and an article on this. So if you want to learn more about this very specific process of editing on a NAS on certain video editing suite software, use the article and video below.

It is also worth highlighting that there is, kind of, a third option in the form of drive sync protocol. Known as Synology Drive on their platform, or QNAP Qsync on theirs, these allow you to create a synchronized folder (or folders) on your local PC/Mac system that is constantly mirroring a drive on your NAS. As good as they sound, and they are terrifically user-friendly, it is worth highlighting that this doesn’t necessarily synchronize all of the data between the two platforms. And unless you also want to use up an area of space on your local PC/Mac to mirror with the NAS fully. This means that it ever so slightly undermines the need for editing on a NAS if what the NAS is doing is synchronizing live data between it and your video editing operating system. However, this has been somewhat mitigated in recent years, thanks to processes known as file pinning, metadata pinning, and file streaming on demand. These allow you to see the contents of the NAS (complete file layout, folders, and structure – just not taking up any space, just think of it as a blueprint) in this synchronized folder via your operating system’s native file manager and allows you to pick and choose which files you want to live fully on the local OS without needing to download the whole thing. That is why this is more of a hybrid option and not recommended for everyone.

The Best NAS for Video Editing – Recommended Devices

Choosing the right NAS for video editing, even now that you know the importance of NAS hardware, software, and bandwidth to consider, is still no easy task. As mentioned earlier in this article, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of different NAS options available to you, and you don’t really want to get it wrong first time. These make an enormous difference! In order to help you out, below, I’ve detailed several of the current available NAS solutions available in 2023/2024 that best suit a wide range of video editing needs. Keep in mind that although I have detailed several solutions below, other newer options may have arrived since this article was written, which may be even better suited to your video editing needs. So don’t be afraid to use the free advice section on NASCompares at the bottom of the article, the free community forum AskNASCompares.com, getting in touch with other members of our community in the discord or me or at personally consult on the right video editing storage solution for your own very specific setup.

Business NAS Editing Solution – The QNAP TVS-h874

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 , TrueNAS/UnRAID Support

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

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review Dec ’22:

QNAP TrueNAS Installation Guide HERE

QNAP UnRAID Installation Guide HERE

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.

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Best Compact Video Editing NAS – Synology DS923+ NAS (with 10GbE Adapter)

0-88TB, 4-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Dual Core AMD Emb.Ryzen R1600 CPU, 4-32GB DDR4 ECC Memory, 2x 1Gbe Port, 10GbE Optional Upgrade Slot, 3-5yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $550+

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review Nov’22:

Synology has clearly made something of a gamble in the release of the Synology DS923+ NAS. There is no avoiding that making the switch from the Intel Celeron that has historically been the build choice of this product family and opting for the AMD Emb.Ryzen has ruffled some feathers! On the face of it, the R1600 here has a heck of alot of going for it over the previous generation! Higher clock speed, greater PCIe Gen 3 Support throughout, that 4-32GB of DDR4 memory in such a compact system and just generally giving you a lot more horsepower to play with, as well as better bandwidth potential inside and out! But at what cost? The 1GbE standard connectivity in the base model leaves alot to be desired, the proprietary 10Gb upgrade (though incredibly handy) limits the upgradability a tad and the lack of an integrated graphics processor is likely going to result in many long-term Synology advocates to skip this generation. Synology Diskstation Manager (DSM 7.1 at the time of writing) still continues to impress and although the brand still continues to heavily push their 1st party priorities, they have left a little more wriggle room in DSM 7.1 than DSM 7 before it in terms of media compatibility.

In terms of design, I cannot fault Synology on this as the DS923+ chassis still arrives as one of the best-looking and still exceptionally well-structured devices at this physical scale and storage level. As always, a Synology NAS is more about the software than the hardware (and the DS923+ delivers in spades on the software side!) and with DSM 7.2 around the corner improving things. Just always keep in mind that the Synology DS923+ NAS is a system that arrives with the slight emphasis on having to do many things ‘their way’. If you are less technically versed, then you will definitely appreciate this level of user-friendly design and assistance, but more technically minded admins’ main strain a pinch! In short, the DS923+ IS a good NAS drive, but its focus has certainly ebbed more towards the business user this generation than the home.

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? Synology DS923+ 4 Bay NAS enclosure Amazon UK 20.87 OFF (WAS 601) [LINK] Synology DS923+ 4 Bay Desktop NAS Including Warranty Extension to 5 Years Amazon UK 21.81 OFF (WAS 893) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

 

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Thunderbolt Ready Professional Editing NAS – The QNAP TVS-h874T Thunderbolt4 Server

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? These Offers are Checked Daily

 

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Low Price and Good Value 10GbE Editing NAS – Terramaster T9-450 Tower

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!

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

 

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