À l'instar de son prédécesseur, Tormented Souls 2 entend parler aux nostalgiques des vieux jeux d'horreur. Au menu de ce jeu parfait pour Halloween : un tour d'horizon d'ambiances glauques, des monstres cauchemardesques, des énigmes bien pensées… Notre test.
Toujours porté par les équipes d’Obsidian Entertainment, The Outer Worlds 2 affine et enrichit tout ce qui faisait la force du premier opus. Sans bouleverser les codes de l'action-RPG narratif, les anciens créateurs de Fallout prouvent qu’ils maîtrisent toujours leur art : parfois, c'est bel et bien dans les vieux pots que l'on fait les meilleures soupes. Notre test.
Coulrophobes, aux abris ! Le clown le plus terrifiant de la pop culture est de retour sur le petit écran, avec la série Ça : Bienvenue à Derry. Diffusée dès le 27 octobre sur HBO Max, elle revient sur les origines du tueur au ballon rouge. Mais cette nouvelle adaptation du classique de Stephen King est-elle à la hauteur des attentes ? Voici notre critique, sans spoilers.
À 1 799 euros ou plus, le nouveau MacBook Pro de 14 pouces, toujours livré avec 512 Go de stockage, 16 Go de RAM et un écran Mini LED, s’impose une nouvelle fois comme un des meilleurs ordinateurs portables du marché. La différence entre la génération M4 et la génération M5 est difficile à percevoir au premier abord : tout se cache dans les performances.
Désormais commercialisé au tarif de 3 699 euros (3 999 euros auparavant), l’Apple Vision Pro deuxième du nom a pour principale nouveauté un accessoire : le « bandeau tissé à sangle double » (Dual Knit Band). Conçu pour mieux répartir le poids, il vise à éliminer l’inconfort du premier modèle, qui avait tant déçu les premiers clients. Le reste est technique, avec une puce M5 capable d’afficher plus de pixels et de réduire la consommation énergétique.
Le Minisforum M1 Pro est un mini PC polyvalent et performant, équipé d'un Intel Core Ultra 125H et de : USB4, OCulink (pour un eGPU), DDR5, Wi-Fi 7, etc...
The post Test Minisforum M1 Pro : un mini PC prêt à l’emploi ou en version barebone first appeared on IT-Connect.
13 ans après un troisième opus déjà pas fameux, Ninja Gaiden signe son grand retour avec une quatrième aventure en 3D. On attendait bien plus de l'association entre deux studios spécialistes du genre action. Notre test.
C’est la guerre chez les jouets ! Sur terre, en mer, dans les nuages et même dans l’espace, la bataille fait rage, dans Toy Battle, notre jeu de société de la semaine… et peut-être même de l’année ! Comment ça se joue ? Quel est notre avis ? On vous dit tout.
En 2025, les consoles portables ne se limitent plus à Nintendo : on trouve désormais des machines capables de faire tourner les jeux PC les plus exigeants ou de streamer sa bibliothèque Xbox. Face à une offre toujours plus large, il n’est pas toujours facile de s’y retrouver. Voici notre sélection des meilleures consoles portables que nous avons pu tester.
Quatre ans après le premier Kaamelott, Alexandre Astier revient dans un nouveau film, le 22 octobre 2025. Intitulé Kaamelott : Deuxième Volet Partie 1, le long-métrage remet en scène des héros bien connus de la saga, et des petits nouveaux. Mais un personnage pourtant essentiel n'est pas de la partie. Voici notre avis, sans spoilers, sur cette suite très attendue.
Test du OPPO Reno14 FS 5G : design premium, écran AMOLED 120 Hz, autonomie XXL et stockage 512 Go. Un milieu de gamme séduisant à 429 euros hors promotion !
The post Test OPPO Reno14 FS 5G : faut-il craquer pour ce smartphone ? first appeared on IT-Connect.
Découvrez la gamme RAPID Pro de chez EcoFlow, avec une batterie externe dotée d'un câble USB-C intégré et un chargeur de bureau 6-en-1 pour tous vos appareils.
The post Test EcoFlow RAPID Pro : un chargeur de bureau et une batterie externe haut de gamme first appeared on IT-Connect.
Le Geekom A9 MAX est une bête de course : il est ultra-réactif et parvient à faire tourner des jeux gourmands. Un mini PC redoutable dans de nombreux scénarios.
The post Test Geekom A9 Max : l’infatigable mini PC avec un AMD Ryzen AI 9 first appeared on IT-Connect.
Synology has long been regarded as one of the most user-friendly and reliable NAS brands in the market, balancing intuitive software with a wide hardware range that appeals to both home and business users. However, in recent years the company has taken an increasingly controversial path by enforcing strict compatibility requirements for hard drives and SSDs. Beginning with DSM 7 and escalating into the 2025 generation of devices, Synology now only certifies and supports its own branded storage media, effectively locking out many widely used alternatives from Seagate, Western Digital, and Toshiba. While Synology positions this move as a way to ensure system stability and consistency, the decision has sparked significant backlash among users who feel restricted in their options and burdened by higher costs. As competitors expand their ecosystems with more openness and flexibility, this proprietary approach risks damaging Synology’s reputation, raising questions about whether the company has prioritized profit margins over user choice.
The most immediate problem with Synology’s hard drive policy is the loss of flexibility that once made their systems so appealing. For years, customers could select from a wide range of industry-standard drives from Seagate, Western Digital, or Toshiba, tailoring storage to their budget, performance requirements, or regional availability. This freedom not only allowed users to balance cost and capacity, but also gave small businesses and home enthusiasts the ability to reuse existing drives, upgrade incrementally, or take advantage of promotions from different vendors. By restricting DSM compatibility to Synology-labelled drives, that flexibility is gone. For many users outside major markets, Synology’s drives are harder to source, priced higher than the competition, or limited in available capacities. What once felt like an open platform now increasingly resembles a closed ecosystem, where users must accept the vendor’s terms even if it means compromising on affordability or performance.
Another dimension of the problem lies in how Synology has communicated these changes, which many see as evasive or disingenuous. Officially, the company justifies the restriction as a move toward greater reliability and predictable system performance. The argument is that by narrowing the range of drives tested and supported, Synology can optimize DSM to work seamlessly with drives that have firmware tailored for its environment. In practice, though, the same underlying hardware often originates from Seagate or Toshiba, with only minor firmware adjustments and new branding. This creates a perception that Synology is overstating the technical benefits while quietly using the policy to secure higher margins. For long-time users, the contrast is stark: older models happily ran third-party drives with few issues, which makes the sudden insistence on “certification” seem less like an engineering requirement and more like a business maneuver. The result has been a significant erosion of trust between the company and its community.
The wider impact of this strategy has also been felt across the storage industry. Resellers have reported declining sales of Synology’s Plus series devices as customers explore alternatives such as QNAP, TrueNAS, or newer entrants like UGREEN and UniFi. For Synology, this shift is particularly damaging because its reputation has historically rested on attracting less technical buyers who value simplicity and reliability over DIY solutions. Now, even these entry-level and mid-range users are questioning whether they should commit to an ecosystem that limits their choice of drives and increases their costs. At the same time, hard drive manufacturers like Seagate and Western Digital are also affected, as Synology’s decision reduces the number of channels through which their products reach end customers. The ripple effect is therefore twofold: Synology risks alienating its base of loyal customers, while storage vendors lose a once-reliable partner, creating tension that could ultimately push more buyers toward competing NAS brands.
One path forward for Synology would be to adopt a hybrid compatibility model, where its own branded drives remain the recommended or default choice but third-party alternatives are still officially supported. This compromise has been proven by other vendors such as UniFi and QNAP, who sell their own labelled drives while maintaining compatibility lists for major manufacturers like Seagate, Western Digital, and Toshiba. By following this model, Synology could continue promoting the reliability benefits of its branded hardware without alienating customers who prefer flexibility. In practice, this would preserve a sense of choice for users while ensuring Synology can still highlight its “optimized” solutions as the safer, supported route.
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Finally, Synology could address the availability and pricing concerns around its own branded drives. In many regions, these drives are either difficult to source or significantly more expensive than equivalent Seagate or Western Digital models. Improving distribution channels, ensuring consistent stock, and narrowing the price gap would make the transition more palatable to users who are willing to adopt Synology’s ecosystem but feel penalized by limited access. By focusing on accessibility and fairness rather than exclusivity, Synology could rebuild goodwill while still driving revenue from its hardware strategy. Taken together, these steps would not fully reverse the controversy but would demonstrate responsiveness and provide a clearer path to balancing stability, customer choice, and profitability.
For users unwilling to accept Synology’s restrictive stance on storage media, the community has developed reliable workarounds that re-enable full functionality for third-party hard drives and SSDs. The most widely adopted method involves injecting a script into the NAS system that bypasses DSM’s compatibility database, allowing otherwise unsupported drives to be used for installation, storage pools, caching, and expansion. Synology’s 2025 Plus-series models, such as the DS925+, block DSM installation if only unverified drives are present and issue constant warnings in Storage Manager. To overcome this, users first employ a Telnet-based flag during initial setup that tricks DSM into accepting the installation, followed by a more permanent fix applied through SSH. At the heart of this solution is Dave Russell’s (007revad) GitHub project Synology_HDD_db, which modifies DSM’s internal drive compatibility files. Once downloaded and executed via SSH, the script detects the NAS model, DSM version, and connected drives, then patches the system to treat them as officially supported.
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The process is reversible, non-destructive, and works across multiple DSM versions, including DSM 7.2 and later. Additional features allow removal of persistent warning banners, full use of NVMe drives as storage volumes, and optional disabling of intrusive monitoring services like WDDA. To ensure ongoing stability, users can also configure a scheduled task in DSM’s Task Scheduler that re-applies the script at every boot, guaranteeing compatibility survives updates, reboots, or new drive insertions. While the script is robust and actively maintained, there are clear disclaimers: using it involves modifying system files, may void official Synology support, and should only be attempted by users confident with SSH and terminal commands who have reliable data backups. Nonetheless, for advanced users, system integrators, and enthusiasts, this community-driven solution has become the de facto method of restoring the freedom to use affordable and widely available third-party drives in modern Synology NAS systems.
Example of a 30TB Seagate HDD visible and functioning inside a Synology DS925+
Note – You can follow my guide on how to use this script modification (as well as outlining the pros and cons) HERE on the blog, or watch the video below:
Synology’s decision to enforce exclusive support for its own branded hard drives and SSDs marks one of the most controversial shifts in the company’s history, transforming how both long-time customers and potential buyers view the brand. For over a decade, Synology’s appeal rested on a combination of intuitive software, solid hardware, and flexibility in allowing users to choose their own storage media from trusted vendors like Seagate, Toshiba, and Western Digital. By removing that choice in the 2025 generation, Synology has fundamentally altered the value proposition of its systems, making them appear less like open storage platforms and more like tightly controlled appliances. While the company justifies the policy by citing stability, predictability, and reduced support overhead, many users interpret it as a profit-driven attempt to push proprietary drives into the market, especially since these are often rebranded versions of third-party disks with modified firmware and higher price tags.
The backlash has been considerable, with resellers and community forums reporting falling interest in Synology’s Plus-series devices, particularly among home and small business users who previously embraced them for affordability and ease of expansion. Competing NAS providers such as QNAP, TrueNAS, UGREEN, and UniFi have been quick to capitalize on the discontent, positioning themselves as more open alternatives that maintain compatibility with industry-standard drives. At the same time, the growth of unofficial solutions like Dave Russell’s compatibility script demonstrates how determined users are to regain control over their hardware, even at the risk of voiding warranty or stepping outside official support. This dynamic reflects a widening gap between Synology’s official direction and the needs of its customer base, many of whom would prefer to accept a disclaimer about using unverified drives rather than being forced into a closed ecosystem.
Ultimately, Synology now stands at a crossroads that will define its reputation in the storage industry for years to come. If it continues to double down on a closed, proprietary model, the company may secure short-term revenue through drive sales but risks long-term damage to its image and market share. On the other hand, reintroducing a more flexible, transparent approach—such as allowing user consent for unsupported drives or improving global pricing and availability of its own disks—could restore trust and preserve its standing as the NAS brand of choice for both novices and professionals. The availability of community workarounds ensures that frustrated users are not entirely locked out of their systems, but the very existence of these tools highlights how far Synology has drifted from its once customer-first ethos. The next few years will be crucial, as the company either adjusts course and strikes a balance between profitability and user freedom, or risks ceding ground to rivals who are eager to embrace the openness Synology has chosen to leave behind.
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Découvrez notre test du Geekom XT13 Pro : un mini PC puissant, économe en énergie, silencieux et compact, idéal pour la bureautique et le multimédia.
The post Test du Geekom XT13 Pro : un mini PC à 549 euros avec un Intel Core i9 first appeared on IT-Connect.
Le mini PC Geekom IT12 2025 Edition se décline en 4 versions, avec un rapport qualité/prix attractif et de bonnes performances. Voici notre avis complet.
The post Test Geekom IT12 2025 Edition – Mini PC first appeared on IT-Connect.
Test du NAS ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 (AS6804T) : un modèle puissant avec processeur Ryzen, RAM DDR5 ECC, et 4 interfaces réseau, y compris du 10 GbE.
The post Test NAS ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 (AS6804T) : réseau 5 GbE et 10 GbE, USB4, et SSD NVMe first appeared on IT-Connect.
The MINIROUTE N7 NAS motherboard, also sold under the CWWK brand, is a compact Mini-ITX board built around the AMD Ryzen 8845HS processor, targeting power users and professionals seeking a dense, high-performance platform for NAS or compact server deployments. With its Zen 4 architecture, integrated AMD Ryzen AI NPU (delivering up to 16 TOPS), and 8-core/16-thread configuration, the board aims to bridge the gap between consumer-grade ITX systems and commercial turnkey NAS solutions. It supports up to eight SATA drives via dual SFF-8643 ports, offers dual 10GbE RJ45 connections using Aquantia AQC113 controllers, and features modern expansion options including PCIe Gen 4, USB4 (40Gbps), and dual NVMe M.2 slots. The system is designed to accommodate DDR5 SO-DIMM memory up to 96GB (2×48GB), and includes support for triple 4K/8K video output. With a retail price of around $489–$509 depending on configuration, the N7 represents a fully DIY-focused solution, delivering a dense hardware feature set for users willing to assemble and fine-tune their own NAS stack. This review evaluates its physical design, storage implementation, hardware layout, connectivity, system performance under various workloads, and its broader viability as a platform for UnRAID, Proxmox, or ZimaOS deployments.
The MINIROUTE N7 (also marketed under the CWWK brand) delivers an unusually comprehensive blend of performance, connectivity, and storage capacity within the compact constraints of a Mini-ITX form factor, positioning it as one of the most capable motherboards in the DIY NAS and small-server market segment. Centered around the AMD Ryzen 8845HS processor, it provides 8 high-performance Zen 4 cores and 16 threads, along with full PCIe Gen 4 support, dual independent 10GbE RJ45 ports, native 8-bay SATA connectivity via SFF-8643, and dual M.2 NVMe slots running at full PCIe 4.0 ×4 speeds. This combination allows users to build a system capable of high-throughput file sharing, virtualized infrastructure, Docker containers, multimedia handling, and even AI-enhanced workloads if supported by the chosen software environment. Its inclusion of USB4 (40Gbps), bifurcation-ready PCIe x16 slot, and triple display outputs (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C with DP Alt Mode) gives it rare versatility, allowing it to serve simultaneously as a NAS, hypervisor, and local-access media or control interface. These features, delivered without the need for PCIe add-in cards or external HBA controllers, simplify the build process and reduce total system cost when compared to equivalent prebuilt systems or workstation boards.
However, these strengths come with notable considerations. The board’s baseline power consumption is significantly higher than what one might find in ARM-based or low-power x86 embedded solutions, and thermals can become a concern under sustained load unless paired with an appropriate LGA1700-compatible cooler and adequate case airflow. Official ECC memory support is absent, which may limit its suitability for enterprise deployments requiring strict data integrity, even though ECC modules are detected in BIOS and several Linux-based NAS OS environments. The SFF-8643 connectors, while efficient and space-saving, add complexity for first-time builders who are unfamiliar with breakout cables or SAS-style drive setups. Despite this, experienced users will find the trade-offs acceptable in light of the raw capability the board offers. Whether you’re deploying TrueNAS SCALE with multiple VMs, using Proxmox for containerized services, or running UnRAID with GPU pass-through and AI indexing, the N7 provides enough bandwidth, I/O, and compute power to support demanding workloads in a footprint small enough to fit in virtually any modern NAS enclosure. For builders who prioritize flexibility, performance, and dense integration over energy efficiency or plug-and-play simplicity, the N7 emerges as one of the most forward-looking DIY NAS platforms currently available.
BUILD QUALITY - 9/10
HARDWARE - 9/10PERFORMANCE - 8/10PRICE - 8/10VALUE - 8/10
8.4
PROS
High-Performance CPU: Ryzen 8845HS offers 8 cores, 16 threads, and strong single/multi-thread performance suitable for VMs and containers.Dual 10GbE Ports: Independent 10GbE NICs with full PCIe Gen 4 ×1 allocation allow high-throughput networking without contention.Support for 8 SATA Drives: Native 8-bay SATA support via dual SFF-8643 eliminates the need for add-on HBA cards in most NAS builds.Dual NVMe Gen 4 Slots: Two M.2 2280 slots support full PCIe Gen 4 ×4 speeds for fast boot, cache, or tiered storage.PCIe Gen 4 x16 Slot: Full-length slot with x8 signal and BIOS bifurcation enables GPU, RAID, or multi-NVMe card expansion.USB4 Support: Includes one 40Gbps USB-C port for high-speed external storage or passthrough options in advanced OS setups.Triple Display Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C (DP Alt Mode) support up to 8K for local GUI or media server applications.Compact ITX Layout: All features integrated into a 17cm × 17cm form factor, compatible with standard NAS and SFF cases.
CONS
No Official ECC Support: ECC DIMMs are detected but error correction is unverified, limiting its appeal in critical data environments. (correction, 8845HS Pro CPU DOES support ECC, not this one)Moderately High Power Consumption: Idle power (~25W) and load (>60W) exceed typical low-power NAS boards, requiring active cooling.SFF-8643 Complexity: Requires breakout cables and familiarity with SAS-style connectors, which may confuse first-time NAS builders.
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The MINIROUTE N7 adheres to the Mini-ITX standard with a footprint of 17 × 17 cm, making it compatible with a wide range of compact NAS and SFF (Small Form Factor) enclosures. Despite its small size, the board manages to integrate an unusually dense set of components, routing power and data traces efficiently around the central CPU socket and key interface headers. The board requires both a standard 24-pin ATX and 4-pin CPU power connector, which is a practical choice for users reusing off-the-shelf ATX PSUs. The component layout is designed for vertical airflow, which aligns well with tower-style NAS chassis using top-down cooling. Passive heat dissipation is supplemented by a large copper heatsink preinstalled over the CPU and chipset area, although users will need to add a compatible LGA1700 cooler for effective thermal management in prolonged workloads.
Drive connectivity on the N7 is handled via two onboard SFF-8643 ports, each supporting up to four SATA 3.0 devices through breakout cables. These mini-SAS connectors route through onboard ASMedia ASM1164 controllers and offer up to 6Gbps per port, enabling up to eight storage devices across a single board without the need for a separate HBA card. Each SFF-8643 port is linked to a PCIe Gen 3 x1 lane, which limits peak throughput to just under 1GB/s per group of four drives.
While this isn’t a bottleneck in typical NAS workloads involving sequential reads/writes from hard drives, it may constrain performance with large SSD arrays or heavy mixed IOPS usage. Included in the box are two breakout cables for converting the 8643 ports to 4 × SATA each, streamlining setup and making the N7 more appealing for users assembling 6- to 8-bay NAS systems without additional add-ons.
The N7’s decision to use SFF-8643 instead of individual SATA headers is a deliberate choice that favors a clean internal cable setup, particularly in compact NAS cases with limited clearance or rear-mounted drive cages. This design also supports the use of add-on expansion modules such as CWWK’s 6-bay carrier boards or U.2 and M.2 SATA-to-SFF adapters, adding deployment flexibility for those planning to use a mix of HDDs and SSDs.
During physical inspection and test installation, the SATA connectors routed cleanly to the front of the board, minimizing crossflow interference for cooling and allowing for unobstructed access to RAM and NVMe slots. This layout, while compact, doesn’t obstruct airflow or block RAM or PCIe slot access even when all drive connections are populated.
Storage expansion is also supported via two M.2 NVMe slots: one mounted on the top side of the board and one underneath. Both slots support 2280-length drives at PCIe Gen 4 x4 speeds, providing ample bandwidth for SSD caching or fast boot devices. These NVMe drives are independent of the SATA controller and do not share lanes with the PCIe or USB4 ports, according to observed behavior during SSD testing. Read speeds on Gen 4 drives approached 5.1 GB/s, while write speeds hovered around 4.6 GB/s under sequential workloads. Thermals for these slots will depend on case design and airflow, as there are no included heatsinks for the M.2 bays—something users building 24/7 systems will want to address through motherboard-side or chassis-side cooling accessories.
The storage layout and capacity potential make the N7 particularly well suited for software-defined storage platforms like TrueNAS SCALE, UnRAID, and ZimaOS. RAID arrays, SSD cache pools, and hybrid tiered storage setups can all be constructed using the eight SATA and two NVMe interfaces. Although bandwidth on the SFF-8643 links is limited compared to dedicated HBA cards, the simplicity and integration on a Mini-ITX board are notable advantages. For users building an 8-bay NAS that includes SSD-based caching or boot storage, the N7’s native options reduce both hardware complexity and overall build cost. The only notable storage-related limitation is the lack of support for hardware RAID or U.2 ports natively, but given its price and form factor, the board aligns well with the needs of most advanced DIY NAS builders.
At the center of the N7 motherboard is the AMD Ryzen 8845HS processor, a Zen 4-based 8-core, 16-thread CPU designed for high-efficiency performance in mobile and embedded systems. With a base clock of 3.8GHz and a maximum boost clock of 5.1GHz, this chip provides considerably more computational headroom than most processors found in pre-built NAS devices or ITX boards at this price point. Its multithreaded performance is particularly well-suited for tasks like virtualization, multi-user services, parallel Docker workloads, and software-defined storage management.
The CPU also integrates AMD’s Radeon 780M graphics engine, based on RDNA 3 architecture, with 12 GPU cores clocked at up to 2.7GHz, which is more than adequate for media playback, transcoding, or even light GPU-accelerated applications under supported environments.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the AMD Ryzen AI engine adds another dimension to its capabilities, offering up to 16 TOPS of local inference performance—opening the door for AI-driven surveillance, metadata tagging, and potentially video analytics if supported by the NAS OS or containers used.
Memory support is provided through two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, with default 5600MHz support and capacity up to 48GB per stick, enabling a maximum of 96GB of RAM. This high memory ceiling is advantageous for power users running memory-intensive services such as RAM-cached storage, ZFS-based deduplication, large-scale container deployments, or multiple virtual machines. Although the board does not officially support ECC memory, testing on platforms such as UnRAID and ZimaOS showed that ECC modules are recognized and initialized, albeit without clear confirmation of active error correction.
Later investigation showed that the PRO version of the 8845HS CPU does in fact support ECC, whereas the standard 8845HS here does not – which is a shame that there is not a separate configuration that includes this CPU available from the brand at an additional cost for users who consider ECC support a ‘deal breaker’. The SO-DIMM slots are well-positioned and unobstructed, allowing for tool-free upgrades or swaps without removing other components, which is especially important given the compact ITX layout and potential space constraints in NAS enclosures.
What sets the N7 apart from most Mini-ITX NAS boards is its thoughtful PCIe lane distribution, which takes full advantage of the 20 available PCIe Gen 4 lanes provided by the Ryzen 8845HS.
The full-length PCIe slot operates at Gen 4 x8 by default, but also supports bifurcation into dual x4 via BIOS for users installing expansion cards like dual-NVMe adapters or multi-port network cards.
Each M.2 NVMe slot is also connected via a dedicated PCIe Gen 4 x4 lane, ensuring maximum bandwidth of up to 8GB/s for modern SSDs, without any shared bandwidth with SATA or network interfaces.
The two onboard 10GbE RJ45 ports are served by separate Aquantia AQC113C controllers, each connected via their own PCIe Gen 4 x1 link, giving up to 2GB/s per port and ensuring full-duplex throughput without crosstalk.
This dedicated lane allocation across network, storage, and expansion interfaces is rare in compact boards and critical for users seeking consistent performance under concurrent high-load scenarios like multi-user file access, SSD-based caching, and active VM hosting.
| Category | Specification |
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| Model | MINIROUTE N7 / CWWK N7 NAS ITX Motherboard |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX (17 × 17 cm) |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 8845HS (8 cores / 16 threads, Zen 4, up to 5.1GHz) |
| GPU | AMD Radeon 780M (12 cores, up to 2.7GHz) |
| AI NPU | AMD Ryzen AI Engine (up to 16 TOPS) |
| Chipset | SoC (Integrated, no discrete chipset) |
| Memory Support | 2 × DDR5 SO-DIMM (up to 96GB total, 5600MHz, non-ECC officially) |
| M.2 Slots | 2 × M.2 2280 NVMe (PCIe Gen 4 ×4 each; top + rear-mounted) |
| SATA Ports | 2 × SFF-8643 (8 × SATA 6Gb/s total via included breakout cables) |
| SATA Controller | 2 × ASMedia ASM1164 (PCIe Gen 3 ×1 each) |
| PCIe Slot | 1 × PCIe x16 (Gen 4 ×8 signal; bifurcation to 2 × x4 supported) |
| Ethernet Ports | 2 × 10GbE RJ45 (Aquantia AQC113C-B1, auto-negotiating 10/5/2.5/1GbE/100M) |
| USB Ports | 1 × USB4 Type-C (40Gbps), 3 × USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps) |
| Internal USB | 1 × USB 3.0 header, 1 × USB 2.0 header, 1 × Type-E header |
| Audio | 1 × 3.5mm combo audio jack |
| Display Output | 1 × HDMI, 1 × DisplayPort, 1 × USB-C (Alt Mode); up to 8K supported |
| Power Input | 24-pin ATX + 4-pin CPU |
| Cooling | Passive copper heatsink (LGA1700-compatible; cooler not included) |
| Package Includes | 2 × SFF-8643 to 4×SATA cables, I/O shield, screws, warranty card |
The MINIROUTE N7 motherboard delivers a well-rounded set of connectivity options, with a clear emphasis on high-speed networking and data transfer—features that are increasingly essential in modern NAS environments. Dominating the rear I/O are two 10GbE RJ45 ports, each backed by an Aquantia AQC113C-B1 controller and connected via independent PCIe Gen 4 ×1 lanes. This design ensures that each network interface operates without contention, allowing for sustained full-duplex bandwidth on both ports simultaneously.
The ports support all major Ethernet standards from 100M up to 10Gbps, enabling the board to adapt to diverse infrastructure including SMB networks, prosumer switches, and enterprise environments with 10GBase-T. For users setting up link aggregation (LACP), isolated network zones (i.e., separation of iSCSI and SMB), or even point-to-point replication between servers, these dual interfaces offer deployment flexibility typically absent on most consumer-grade ITX boards. While copper 10GbE does introduce higher thermal output compared to SFP+, the choice improves compatibility for users relying on standard RJ45 cabling and avoids the cost of optical transceivers.
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On the USB front, the N7 integrates a versatile mix of legacy and next-generation interfaces to accommodate a range of peripheral scenarios. The single USB4 Type-C port supports up to 40Gbps data throughput, enabling fast access to NVMe-class external storage or high-resolution display output via DP Alt Mode. It also opens the door for emerging use cases such as external GPU enclosures, dock expansion, or USB4-to-10GbE adapters—particularly valuable for users running Linux distributions like ZimaOS or Proxmox, where hardware passthrough and device mapping are becoming more accessible.
Three additional USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps) Type-A ports are located on the rear I/O and work as expected for more common devices like USB storage drives, UPS interfaces, or external backup systems. Internally, the board offers a USB 3.0 header for front-panel case ports, a USB 2.0 header for basic boot/recovery drives, and a Type-E header compatible with front-panel USB-C or TPM modules. During testing, USB Ethernet dongles including Realtek-based 2.5GbE and 5GbE models were recognized immediately under supported NAS OS environments, and native USB boot was stable across ZimaOS, UnRAID, and TrueNAS.
Display and peripheral audio output are also included, which broadens the board’s versatility beyond a pure headless NAS application. The board features three display output options: HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C via DP Alt Mode, all of which are powered by the integrated Radeon 780M GPU. These outputs can drive up to three displays concurrently, with resolutions up to 4K on all three or up to 8K on select single-display configurations.
This makes the board suitable for tasks like media center builds, HTPC-NAS hybrids, or running direct-access GUIs for NAS software like UnRAID’s web dashboard or Proxmox’s virtual console. The inclusion of these outputs also benefits users setting up the board as a temporary workstation or using the NAS in roles that require visual monitoring, such as security recording or local video playback via Jellyfin. Finally, a 3.5mm combo audio jack is available for users needing direct analog audio output—for example, for alerts, monitoring systems, or simple desktop playback. While not essential for most server roles, these extras enhance the board’s adaptability for multi-role deployments.
The N7 motherboard, powered by the Ryzen 8845HS, exhibits performance characteristics closer to high-end desktop platforms than typical NAS or embedded ITX systems. Under idle conditions with no SATA drives connected, the system consumed around 25W of power—measured with the CPU utilization below 5%, one 10GbE port active but unused, and two NVMe SSDs idle. This baseline power draw is significantly higher than what one would expect from Intel N-series or low-wattage embedded solutions, but within expectations for an 8-core Zen 4 processor with multiple PCIe 4.0 devices powered.
During light workloads—such as file transfers, basic Docker container activity, and periodic system logging—power consumption rose to 35–40W, depending on active network interfaces and connected USB peripherals. Once under sustained load, such as running active VMs, accessing both NVMe drives simultaneously, and saturating both 10GbE ports, power consumption reached 62–64W, and could climb higher when SATA HDDs were connected. With full 8-bay drive setups, users should expect total system draw to increase by an additional 40–80W depending on drive type and workload.
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Thermal performance remained acceptable, but adequate cooling is essential. The preinstalled copper heatsink provides passive thermal coverage over the SoC, but a dedicated LGA1700-compatible active cooler is required for stable operation. During high CPU utilization tasks (including transcoding and virtualized workloads), the Ryzen 8845HS reached 75–85°C using a standard Jonsbo low-profile air cooler in a ventilated test chassis. NVMe thermals also hovered between 55–65°C under sustained read/write conditions, especially in the rear-mounted slot with limited airflow.
While the chipset and PCIe controllers did not show signs of throttling, compact case designs with poor airflow could reduce long-term reliability unless additional ventilation or targeted airflow is introduced. Thermal probes placed near the SFF-8643 headers showed localized warmth, but no hotspots significant enough to warrant concern, assuming the system is housed in a well-ventilated NAS chassis.
In real-world bandwidth testing, both 10GbE ports were able to sustain near line-rate transfers using iperf3 and large file transfers via Samba and NFS. When paired with two PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs, the system consistently achieved 5.0–5.1GB/s reads and 4.5–4.6GB/s writes under sequential file operations, using CrystalDiskMark and Linux-based fio. When both 10GbE ports were active and transferring simultaneously, total throughput approached 2.8–3.0GB/s across both interfaces, depending on storage configuration and NIC drivers.
The M.2 slots did not exhibit thermal throttling in short bursts, though write-heavy tasks over time may benefit from passive heatsinks or motherboard padding to manage drive temperatures. Notably, a minor anomaly was observed during direct SSD-to-SSD transfers within the system: despite both NVMe drives supporting Gen 4 x4, inter-drive transfers capped at ~900MB/s, suggesting a potential shared PCIe switch limitation or OS-layer bottleneck. However, this did not impact external transfer speeds or typical NAS operations.
For virtual machines and multimedia, the N7 showed strong capabilities. The Ryzen 8845HS handled 6 mixed windows and ubuntu simultaneous VMs with steady responsiveness and no observable instability in both Proxmox and UnRAID and could very easily have been scaled further, up to double figures with ease. CPU utilization remained below 60% during combined 6xVM and 2x 4K converted Jellyfin media playback testing. The integrated Radeon 780M GPU enabled smooth 1080p and 4K media playback using Jellyfin via hardware-accelerated rendering.
8K native playback was supported, though transcoding large 8K files pushed the CPU above 80% utilization, and real-time conversion proved unreliable. Light 4K transcoding was possible, though not as efficient as Intel Quick Sync or NVIDIA NVENC-based solutions. Still, for native playback and lightweight transcodes in a home or SMB setup, the board performs well. Combined with Docker and AI acceleration for metadata tagging or face recognition, the N7 can act as a capable hybrid NAS/media server platform when deployed with suitable software.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Idle Power Draw | ~25W (CPU < 5%, 2x NVMe, 1x 10GbE active, no SATA drives) |
| Moderate Workload Power | ~35–40W (light containers, USB, low network I/O) |
| Full Load Power Draw | ~62–64W (2x 10GbE, NVMe access, active VMs, high CPU usage) |
| 10GbE Performance | ~2.8–3.0GB/s aggregate (2x 10GbE fully saturated via SMB/NFS) |
| NVMe Sequential Read/Write | Read: 5.1GB/s, Write: 4.6GB/s (Gen 4 SSDs, CrystalDiskMark/fio) |
| Internal NVMe-to-NVMe Transfer | ~800–900MB/s max observed (possible shared path or kernel bottleneck) |
| Thermal Range (CPU) | 75–85°C under load with air cooler |
| Thermal Range (NVMe) | 55–65°C sustained load (rear slot runs warmer) |
| VM Performance | 5–6 simultaneous VMs stable (UnRAID, Proxmox) |
| Media Playback (Jellyfin) | Smooth 1080p/4K native, limited 8K transcoding |
The MINIROUTE N7 (also known as the CWWK N7) establishes itself as one of the most functionally complete and performance-oriented Mini-ITX NAS motherboards currently on the market, delivering a dense hardware feature set typically reserved for much larger or more expensive systems. Featuring the AMD Ryzen 8845HS with Zen 4 architecture, dual 10GbE ports, PCIe Gen 4 expansion, and native support for up to eight SATA drives via onboard SFF-8643, the N7 is aimed squarely at users building serious NAS and virtualization setups from the ground up. The inclusion of dual NVMe slots, USB4 support, and bifurcation-ready PCIe x16 further positions this board as a future-ready platform for mixed storage, networking, and container workloads. Unlike many boards in this category, which sacrifice PCIe allocation or require additional HBAs for full drive connectivity, the N7 manages to deliver everything natively within a compact 17 cm × 17 cm layout. Compatibility with UnRAID, Proxmox, TrueNAS SCALE, and ZimaOS means that users have a wide selection of operating environments to choose from, whether prioritizing containerized applications, VM infrastructure, or ZFS-based data integrity.
However, the board’s capability comes with caveats that will be more apparent to experienced system builders. Idle and load power consumption are significantly higher than N-series Intel or ARM SoCs, which may not suit deployments aiming for low-energy, 24/7 operation with minimal thermal output. Thermal demands on the CPU and M.2 storage require effective active cooling, particularly in enclosed NAS cases with limited airflow. Officially, there is no ECC memory support, and although the board recognizes ECC DIMMs in BIOS and some operating systems, the absence of validated error correction will deter users in environments where data integrity is mission-critical. Additionally, while the SFF-8643 layout enables clean cabling for up to eight SATA drives, it assumes familiarity with breakout cables or SAS-style enclosures—potentially adding complexity for users migrating from consumer-oriented boards with standard SATA headers. That said, for advanced NAS builders, home lab enthusiasts, or small-scale professionals seeking a board that combines workstation-grade power, native 10GbE networking, and dense storage connectivity, the N7 represents a well-balanced and highly flexible foundation. Its price may be higher than entry-level ITX boards, but for those seeking high-throughput and virtualized workflows in a compact format, it is one of the most capable DIY platforms currently available.
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| PROs of the N7 NAS Motherboard | CONs of the N7 NAS Motherboard |
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Note – there is a YouTube tutorial version of this guide HERE on the NASCompares YouTube Channel
Synology’s 2025 generation of NAS systems, such as the DS925+ and other Plus series models, introduced a more restrictive approach to drive compatibility. Unlike previous generations, these devices enforce a compatibility check that blocks or limits functionality when non-Synology hard drives or SSDs are used. As a result, users are unable to install DSM, create storage pools, or configure caching volumes using unverified drives. Even drives that work in earlier Synology models are now flagged as unsupported, resulting in persistent alerts or outright refusal to function. This guide provides a complete walkthrough for users who want to bypass those restrictions and enable full usage of third-party SATA and NVMe drives, including for pools, volumes, hot spares, and cache. It includes step-by-step instructions on how to install DSM with only unverified drives, how to remove system warnings, and how to automate the process for future updates or drive additions. The solutions here rely on trusted scripts developed by the Synology community and require minimal system modification, allowing users to regain control over their own hardware.
The ability to bypass Synology’s restrictive drive compatibility checks would not be possible without the extensive work of Dave Russell, widely known in the Synology community as 007revad. His GitHub project, Synology_HDD_db, is the basis for all the procedures outlined in this guide. The script he developed modifies DSM’s internal compatibility database, enabling full functionality for otherwise unsupported HDDs, SSDs, and NVMe drives. Dave has not only written and maintained this complex script, but also ensured that it works across different NAS models and DSM versions, including DSM 7.2 and newer. He continues to improve the tool in response to Synology firmware changes, regularly providing updates and extended options such as M.2 volume support and WDDA disablement. Users are strongly encouraged to consult the official GitHub repository, follow the provided documentation, and, where possible, support his ongoing work HERE, which remains freely available to the broader NAS community.
Modifying your Synology NAS to allow the use of unverified drives is not officially supported by Synology. By applying the changes described in this guide, you will be altering system files and bypassing built-in compatibility checks within DSM. While these changes are reversible and have been widely tested, doing so may void your Synology warranty or affect your ability to receive technical support from the manufacturer, even in cases unrelated to storage. Additionally, although the script-based method described here is non-destructive and has proven safe for many users, there is always a minimal risk of issues following DSM updates or hardware changes. You should not proceed unless you have full backups of your data and are comfortable with SSH and terminal operations. This guide is intended for advanced users, system integrators, or home NAS enthusiasts who understand the risks and accept responsibility for operating outside of official Synology support channels.
Synology’s 2025 and later Plus-series NAS systems will not allow DSM installation if only unverified drives are present. However, it is possible to bypass this limitation and install DSM without using any Synology-branded or officially supported drives. The method involves enabling Telnet access and overriding the drive compatibility check during the DSM installation process.
Physically set up your NAS
Connect the NAS to your local network using Ethernet.
Ensure the device is powered on, even if no drives are installed or only unverified drives are present.
Attempt initial DSM setup
Use Synology Assistant or go to http://find.synology.com to locate your NAS.
Proceed through the DSM installation wizard. You will likely encounter an error indicating that the inserted drive(s) are unsupported.
Enable Telnet access
In a browser, navigate to:http://<NAS-IP>:5000/webman/start_telnet.cgi
Replace <NAS-IP> with the actual IP address of your NAS.
Connect via Telnet
Open a Telnet client like PuTTY.
Enter your NAS IP address and connect via Telnet.
When prompted, use:
Username: root
Password: 101-0101 (default for this Telnet interface)
Bypass installation check
Enter the following command into the Telnet window:
Connexionwhile true; do touch /tmp/installable_check_pass; sleep 1; done
This creates a temporary flag that bypasses the system’s compatibility verification loop.
Return to the DSM install page
Refresh the browser window where you began the DSM setup.
DSM will now allow installation to proceed, even on unverified drives.
Finish DSM setup
Complete the DSM installation.
Create your admin user account when prompted.
You can now access the full DSM interface.
Once DSM is installed, you can proceed to apply the permanent drive compatibility fixes, create storage pools, and remove warning banners—all covered in the next section.
Once DSM is installed, unverified drives will still be blocked from creating storage pools, volumes, or caches. Even if the system boots, Storage Manager will display warnings or greyed-out options. To unlock full functionality, you must apply a community-developed script that updates DSM’s internal drive compatibility database. This section outlines how to download, apply, and validate that change.
root at this stage).sudo -i
mkdir -m775 /opt
cd /opt
curl -O "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/007revad/Synology_HDD_db/refs/heads/main/syno_hdd_db.sh"
curl -O "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/007revad/Synology_HDD_db/refs/heads/main/syno_hdd_vendor_ids.txt"
chmod 750 /opt/syno_hdd_db.sh
/opt/syno_hdd_db.sh
/usr/syno/bin/synosetkeyvalue /etc.defaults/synoinfo.conf support_disk_compatibility no
At this point, all third-party drives currently installed in the system will be fully usable and recognized as supported. The next section explains how to add additional unverified drives later and have them automatically accepted.
After your initial setup and database modification, any newly added unverified drives will still appear as unsupported in DSM until they are explicitly added to the modified compatibility database. This section outlines how to safely introduce new drives for RAID expansion, hot spare assignment, or disk replacement without encountering blockages or warning messages.
sudo -i
/opt and stored the script there:
cd /opt
./syno_hdd_db.sh
This process can be repeated anytime new unverified drives are introduced. However, to avoid having to manually re-run the script every time, the next section covers how to set up a scheduled task that automates this during every system boot.
Synology DSM updates or certain system operations can overwrite or reset the internal compatibility database, especially after version upgrades or service restarts. To ensure that unverified drives remain recognized and fully functional even after a reboot, you can configure a scheduled task that automatically re-applies the compatibility script at every startup.
Drive Compatibility Patch.root from the dropdown (this is essential for full system access).Boot-up so the script runs every time the NAS starts.
mkdir -m775 /opt
cd /opt || (echo "Failed to CD to /opt"; exit 1)
curl -O "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/007revad/Synology_HDD_db/refs/heads/main/syno_hdd_db.sh"
curl -O "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/007revad/Synology_HDD_db/refs/heads/main/syno_hdd_vendor_ids.txt"
chmod 750 /opt/syno_hdd_db.sh
/opt/syno_hdd_db.sh -e
-e flag for compatibility with scheduled tasks and email output (if enabled).
This scheduled task ensures long-term reliability and reduces the need for manual intervention whenever DSM is restarted, updated, or new drives are introduced.
Synology’s decision to restrict drive compatibility in its 2025 and later NAS models has complicated matters for users who prefer flexibility in their storage choices. However, through a combination of Telnet access, SSH scripting, and community-built tools like Dave Russell’s syno_hdd_db.sh, it is entirely possible to restore full drive functionality—even when using completely unverified SATA or NVMe devices. By following the steps outlined in this guide, users can install DSM on unverified drives, create storage pools, use SSDs for caching, and expand or modify their RAID configurations without limitations. Setting up an automated scheduled task further ensures these capabilities persist through reboots and DSM updates. While Synology may eventually broaden official support, this method provides a reliable and reversible way to maintain full control over your hardware today.
In practical terms, the DS925+ is the stronger out-of-the-box choice, especially for users who value simplicity, improved default performance, and do not anticipate needing higher-than-2.5GbE networking down the line. However, the long-term value proposition becomes murkier when you factor in the DS923+’s PCIe expansion, broader drive compatibility, and the potential price drops that will follow its ageing status in Synology’s lineup. In short, the DS925+ is the better NAS on day one—more powerful, faster, and quieter. But if you’re planning for day 1,000, it’s worth pausing to consider whether the expandability and media flexibility of the DS923+ may be a better fit for your storage and networking needs over the next five to seven years.
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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 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
Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver
Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here
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