A New Synology 8-Bay NAS Has Been Leaked Online

Synology has been incredibly enterprise-focused in recent months (the last 12 or so to be specific) and although we have seen a couple of home/enthusiast systems in the Beestation BSM and DS224+ DSM system, the bulk of their hardware/software reveals have been heavily skewed towards enterprise and hyperscale (eg GS series, the ActiveProtect platform, etc). However it FINALLY looks like we are going to start seeing something for the mid tier users, the small-medium businesses and possible even an advanced home user – as the Synology DS1825+ NAS appears to have been leaked online. Massive credit here to reddit user ‘ministory‘ who noticed that the Synology US website appeared to be testing product placement and the DS1825+ listing briefly appeared (see below too).

Now, if we wanted to be cautious and ‘benefit of the doubt’ here with Synology, we could argue that this is just a page test and they plucked the DS1825+ model ID out of the air. However, the current DS1821+ is comparatively long in the took (right now, halfway through 2024) for a product series that tended to refresh every 2-2.5 years (see DS1813+, DS1815+, DS1817+, DS1819+, DS1821+). Plus, this is not the first time me and Eddie at NASCompares have observed the DS1825+ model appear online, with the model ID appearing on several product lists in the past, alongside DS1625+, DS925+ and oddly the DS1525+ – but Synology does tend to float ‘test’ model IDs out there sometimes, perhaps to reserve them internally (for every 1 model ID we discover that ends up being real, we find 2 that never cross the line and/or get renamed to a new year naming convention). That said, model IDs that are being entered into the Synology internal systems have a tendency to pop up all over the place. Example, via the licensing pages and download pages – which tends to only be the case for ‘real’ products:

So, the repeated emergence of the DS1825+ model ID in the last few months on our alerts, plus the appearance that was spotted by /ministory, PLUS the delay in the DS1821+ usual refresh cycle leads me to believe this is LEGIT. So, with that big old caveat out the way, let’s discuss what the DS1825+ is likely to feature in terms of hardware and why, given the existing Synology portfolio, this system has a very tough spot to fill.

What Would the Specifications of a Synology DS1825+ NAS Be?

Let’s get this out the way, we do not have 100% confirmed specifications here on the Synology DS1825+ NAS – so the following is based on the following factors:

• Leaks we have observed in Synoogy /download pages that mention specific things
• The existing Synology NAS portfolio an dhow the brand approaches refreshes
• The history of Synology and this product series, in relation to the products generally considered ‘above’ and ‘below’ it

So, straight away, here are the things we can largely guarantee:

• Usual 8-Bay Diskstation Enclosure
• 8x SATA 3.5″/2.5″ Storage Bays
• 2x m.2 NVMe SSD Bays
• ECC Memory
• Expandability via 2x 5 Bay Expansions (possibly the new DX525 Enclosure – ID floating around)
• USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A Ports
• PCIe Upgrade slot, support 10/25GbE NICs
• Network Connectivity on the Synology DS1825+ NAS

Let’s discuss the Synology DS1825+ NAS CPU Predictions…

Now, let’s discuss the CPU! As this is something of a issue to discuss. The DS1821+ arrived with the quad core AMD embedded Ryzzen V1500B. This CPU has been in use via Synology systems for the better part of  4-5 Years (first featured on the DS1621+) and more often than not, when Synology refresh a product series, they CPU is the bit they focus on – as that is the part that is most susceptible to change by the CPU manufacturer. So, initially I would have said that the DS1825+ would arrive with the V1780B Processor (as Synology have used this in x23/x24 generation upgrades already (eg the RS2423+ here). HOWEVER, Synology have already got an 8-Bay system with the V1780B processor, in the DS1823xs+ (a 10GbE equipped 8 Bay that is around $800-1000 more than the DS1821+). I really, EREALLY cannot see Synology rolling out the DS1825+ with the same CPU as the DS1823xs+ series – which is typically on a 5 year refresh cycle (as most XS enterprise devices are). So, that leads to the question- what else? Well, remember when Synology first introduced the AMD-embedded Ryzen series? They made ALOT of noise about how one of the reasons they opted for it (aside from the thread counts, power vs ability, etc) was that AMD will support this CPU for 10 years! Unlike a lot of Intel offerings in Celeron and Xeon which have a shorter time before ‘refreshes’ – which means the NAS brand is forced to refresh and/or swap out a CPU and swallow the cost changes), a CPU with a 10 year support cycle allows NAS brands to use it for much ,MUCH longer in their systems and their software services. Synology is not aversed to ‘sticking with a CPU for a long time’ *cough the Intel J4125*. So, unless Synology pull a brand new CPU SKU out of nowhere in the AMD embedded series (not impossible, but pretty unlikely, as from their POV they do not need to), I think it’s likely they will STICK with the V1500B. Which, if true, leads to the question – how is the DS1825+ NAS going to be a refresh/improvement on the DS1821+ NAS? My guess… network connectivity.

 

Feature	AMD V1500B	AMD V1780B
Architecture	Zen	Zen
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Base Clock Speed	2.2 GHz	3.35 GHz
Max Boost Clock Speed	Not specified	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB
TDP	25W	25W
Memory Support	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200
PCIe Support	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Manufacturing Process	14nm	14nm
Integrated Graphics	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	Yes
Max Temperature	95°C	95°C
Launch Date	Q3 2019	Q2 2020
1GbE Support	Yes	Yes
2.5GbE Support	Yes	Yes
10GbE Support	Yes	Yes

The Synology DS1825+ NAS Network Connectivity and Memory Explored A Little…

Again, heavily ‘pinch of salt’ territory here, but I think the main difference we are going to see in the DS1825+ over the DS1821+ is not going to be the CPU, it will be the network connectivity. Earlier, I mentioned the RS2423+ and the new V1780B CPU it arrived with. Well, that wasn’t the only new change to form that it featured. It also featured 8GB memory (rather than the usual 4GB) and 10GbE out the gate, as opposed to 4x 1GbE as previously used. Now, that (at least in terms of SYnology) was a big step up. Adding double memory and adding 10 Gigabit, but keeping the same pricing as the previous generation was a solid/positive move. So, what about the DS1825+ NAS Network Connectivity? I think 8GB base level memory will happen – DSM has fast become so ‘background process’ heavy that 4GB for business use is already looking like the done thing (as also observed in the DS1522+ too). Plus, 4GB ECC and 8GB ECC, via a single module, will be a small price point for Synology in a new refresh. However, IF Synology keep the V1500B CPU in the 8-Bay Diskstation (again, I think likely), how do you differentiate it from the DS1821+ AND still keep it ‘below’ the DS1823xs+, without adding ‘too much’ (from a Synology brand perspective)? The easy answer is 10GbE. Adding 10GbE to the DS1825+ NAS seems like an easy way to make it a solid refresh over the DS1821+ – however, they probably CANNOT DO THAT, as that will IMMEDIATELY hit the DS1823xs+ USPs (aside from the memory and 5year warranty). Synology have been incredibly tactical over the years about their portfolio, spreading things out beating across tiers, product families and utilities. Realistically, they cannot add 10GbE to the DS1825+, without increasing the price OR reducing the price to maintain the overall Diskstation portfolio.

BUT… there is a 3rd option. 2.5GbE. Synology have been incredibly dismissive of 2.5GBASE-T in the last 5 years, whilst many other brands, ISP routers, consumer goods and more have begun to embrace it, as at the manufacture point, it is largely the same price to add a 2.5G NIC as a 1G NIC. Also, the V1500B (and V1780B for that matter) both support 2.5GbE protocols. I know this as 1) other V1500B/1780B systems in the market from competitors have featured native 2.5GbE, and 2) we highlighted this fact during our review of the DS1821+ back in 2021, stating “its a shame that Synology still restricts base level network connections at 4x 1GbE – here“, when the CPU supports 2.5GbE”. Given the increasing support of SMB multichannel on client systems (especially compared with the comparative messiness of LAG/Trunking in smaller setups), 2.5GbE is now a great deal more desirable. Also (this one is a little ‘inside baseball’), 2.5GBASE-T has appeared in a few official Synology places (inadvertently, I might add) and although this could easily be referring to an official USB-NIC, the brand has made strides to disable a lot of USB support in recent years (for reasons of security) and this would be counter to these efforts. I think it’s more likely than its ever been that Synology will finally begin embracing 2.5GbE and given the difficulty that a DS1825+ would have in it’s placement between the DS1821+ and the DS1825+, the only way that Synology could differential it would be 2.5GbE (short of a whole new CPU of course.. but that seems even less likely!).

When Do We Think We Will Hear More about the Synology DS1825+ NAS?

Right now, what we have here is an appearance of the DS1825+ model SKU on the official Synology product pages that was quickly removed, as well as mentioned of the product ID already in the past via download/resource pages (and of course, the delay of this system arriving as the predicted refresh of the DS1821+, released in Dec 2020). So, it’s all very murky! But, realistically, this product family is way, way to popular to be killed off and/or not refreshed, as the only alternative would be the more expensive DS1825+. Additionally, the DS18xx+ range has always arrived in the Autum of the year (going be the DS1821+. DS1819+, DS1817+, etc). So, I would predict the DS1825+ NAS arriving formally in late Q3/Q4 2024 (so Sept-Nov), and at a similar price to the DS1821+. Needless to say, as soon as I know more (as well as get a couple of other background bits confirmed), I will update this article, and share more. Don’t forget to subscribe to NASCompares below, or even just sign up for alerts to this article, to be the first in the know! Have a fantastic week!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
[contact-form-7]
Join Inner Circle

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.

WE LOVE COFFEE