Terramaster D8 Hybrid 10G DAS Review

Review of the Terramaster D8 Hybrid Storage System

What IS the D8 Hybrid and why is this brand’s newest device getting a lot of media attention of late? Terramaster has been a name in the world of NAS for quite a few years, but what about DAS? Unlike Network Attached Storage, Direct Attached Storage is something that is way, WAY more common and to try and stretch your muscles in this market requires something a little special. It would be unfair to say that Terramaster are new to this market, as they have actually been in this market with numerous USB and Thunderbolt solutions since around 2018/2019. Some of these were RAID enabled, some of them JBOD and thanks to their NAS systems being supporting USB Expansions, this has helped them create a neat crossover between their portfolio of devices. However, what can Terramater bring to the table in the heavy saturated world of USB storage? Well, the D8 is trying something different, with it’s 4 HDD and 4 NVMe USB-C 10Gb connected storage that is half JBOD (loose drives) and half RAID (supporting a mirror RAID on 2x HDDs). There are certainly pros and cons here, putting this much hybrid storage behind a USB connection, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of reliance of a client machine to manage the larger RAID options out there, but the burning question is… is the D8 Hybrid actually any good? Let’s discuss it in today’s review.

Find out more about the bigger Terramaster D8 Hybrid System HERE on Kickstarter

Note – You can watch the full YouTube Review and Benchmarks of the Terramaster D5 Hybrid storage system HERE

Terramaster D8 Hybrid Review – Quick Conclusion

The TerraMaster D8 Hybrid excels in blending the high capacity of HDDs with the quick data access speeds of SSDs, housed within a single, efficient unit. The system’s design emphasizes user-friendliness with features like tool-less drive installation and low operational noise, making it an excellent choice for a variety of settings, from busy office environments to quiet home use. However, potential users should weigh the impact of the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, which, while sufficient for many applications, might not meet the needs of those requiring the fastest possible data transfer speeds. The absence of Thunderbolt technology is a noted limitation, but this is reflected in the D8 Hybrid’s competitive pricing, which targets a segment of the market more concerned with value and reliability than with leading-edge performance. The TerraMaster D8 Hybrid offers a well-rounded solution for those seeking a storage system that combines large storage capacity with respectable speeds at a cost-effective price point. Its performance, although not pushing the upper limits of current technology, provides ample support for most professional and personal storage needs, making it a worthwhile investment for a broad range of users. The thoughtful design and practical features, coupled with the device’s solid build and reliable performance within its defined limits, establish the D8 Hybrid as a standout offering in its category.

HARDWARE - 7/10

PERFORMANCE - 7/10

PRICE - 10/10

VALUE - 9/10

SUSTAINED SPEED - 10/10

8.6

PROS

👍🏻Good sustained performance (if you preferred that to \'Peak\' performance
👍🏻Low Power Use and Low Noise
👍🏻Good internal processor choices, especially for the price point
👍🏻NAS Supported, so can be used as a tiered expansion box
👍🏻Very simple to use
👍🏻Mac/Windows Supported (even worked connected to my Android phone!)
👍🏻Almost completely toolless
👍🏻Solid build and good \'feel\'
👍🏻Supports 8TB M.2 NVMes (Tested Addlink A95 8TB 2280 NVMe)
👍🏻HDD Bay 1+2 are RAID Supported
👍🏻Affordable!

CONS

👎🏻Software is limited and Premium features require a subscription
👎🏻Peak performance is much lower than what you would expect, despite 3x1 speed (max 1GB) on each m.2
👎🏻USB 10Gb/s is going to be a bummer for those thinking about the real speed that 3x m.2 SSDs could hit. Disappointing that there is no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (40Gb/s) or USB4/TB4 Version

Introduction to the TerraMaster D8 Hybrid

The TerraMaster D8 Hybrid is engineered to cater to the evolving demands of personal and small business storage by amalgamating traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) with the swift, modern NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs).

This system includes four versatile SATA bays that support both 3.5″ and 2.5″ drives and four M.2 NVMe slots, offering a broad spectrum of storage options. It utilizes USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity, capable of reaching speeds up to 1000 MB/s. However, this setup prompts a discussion about the possible limitations of USB connectivity when used with high-performance storage technologies, potentially creating bottlenecks that could affect data transfer speeds.

Exploring the Design and Build

The D8 Hybrid showcases a durable and user-friendly design consistent with Terramaster’s latest NAS models. The system facilitates easy installation of drives with its tool-free “click and load” mechanism, suitable even for users without technical expertise.

The operational noise level is moderately low, which is a crucial consideration for use in shared spaces like small offices or home environments.

The storage solution accommodates up to four HDDs and four NVMe SSDs but opts out of including faster interface technologies such as Thunderbolt to maintain an affordable price point. This choice might restrict the performance potential of the system but makes the D8 Hybrid more accessible financially to a broader audience.

ASMedia and Realtek are two prominent players in the semiconductor industry, particularly known for their contributions to the development of chips that handle data connectivity and processing in various electronic devices.

ASMedia, a subsidiary of ASUS, specializes in high-speed interface technology, particularly USB and PCIe bridge solutions. Notably, their chips are pivotal in enhancing the performance of USB connections. For example, the ASM3042 is a significant advancement in their USB controller lineup, bridging PCI Express to USB3.2 and providing support for legacy USB functions. This chip showcases ASMedia’s capability to deliver high bandwidth and efficient power management, essential for maintaining low power consumption in various devices

In 2022, ASMedia became one of the first to introduce a USB4 host-controller, the ASM4242, designed to support high data transmission speeds up to 64 Gbps, making it backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and other protocols. The incorporation of ASMedia’s ASM4242, a high-performance USB4 host controller, into a device configuration represents a significant step towards future-proofing data transfer capabilities. The ASM4242 supports up to 64 Gbps of bandwidth, providing a robust solution for high-speed data, video, and power transmission over a single USB connection. This level of integration ensures that devices are not only meeting current standards but are also prepared for next-generation needs, with backward compatibility ensuring a broad range of device support.

Realtek’s contributions, while more commonly associated with their audio and network solutions, also extend to data interface technologies. Realtek chips are crucial for managing data transmission and ensuring compatibility across a vast ecosystem of computing and multimedia devices.

Their technology helps to stabilize and optimize the data flow, critical for the functionality of hybrid storage systems where data integrity and speed are paramount.

Detailed Performance Assessment

The performance of the D8 Hybrid was meticulously tested under various configurations to truly understand its capabilities and limitations. Configuring the device with two Seagate 24TB Ironwolf Pro Series HDDs in a RAID 0 setup, the system demonstrated robust performance with peak read/write speeds reaching 551/540MB/s.

Next up, to put this into perspective (and measure what that RAID 0 actually provided vs singular use), I ran the same tests with a single 24TB HDD. The results were notable and though unsurprisingly half that of the RAID 0 Dual Disk pool, did also give you a nice idea of what full hardware RAID on this device (or an externally managed RAID Controller/OS-RAID) could have given us.

Finally, I ran the same tests on a single M.2 NVMe SSD in Slot #1 if the system (a Kingston KC3000 M.2 NVMe) and the results was practical full saturation of the 10G USB connection. If we had used an external RAID controller/OS-RAID, we still would not have been able to escape the USB 3.2 Gen 2 1,000MB/s maximum,but it could have improved IOPS/latency further.

We have to look at this device as a JBOD (with a hint of a mirrored RAID) and therefore scale back our expectations a bit. With that in mind, I am happy with what the D8 Hybrid can do without a RAID in place. I could have managed this with my windows client and thrown on a few different RAID’s using software (softRAID or even just Disk Management and stripe etc), but that would limit the results to just my own system/setup. Overall, these numbers suggest a careful balance between performance and cost, ensuring adequate speed for standard tasks without the premium price tag associated with higher-end interfaces like Thunderbolt.

Is This a Comparative Market?

The D8 Hybrid is strategically positioned in the market to appeal to users who prioritize reliable performance over cutting-edge speed. It serves well for small to medium business applications, home offices, and creative professionals who require a dependable storage solution. The device offers an appealing alternative to more expensive options by providing sufficient speed for everyday tasks, including data backup and accessing large files, without compromising on quality or reliability.

Its cost-effectiveness paired with versatile storage capabilities makes the D8 Hybrid a formidable competitor in the hybrid storage market. It’s particularly attractive for budget-conscious buyers who still require a robust storage solution that can handle a mix of data types and usage scenarios.

Final Verdict and Conclusion of the Terramaster D8 Hybrid

The TerraMaster D8 Hybrid excels in blending the high capacity of HDDs with the quick data access speeds of SSDs, housed within a single, efficient unit. The system’s design emphasizes user-friendliness with features like tool-less drive installation and low operational noise, making it an excellent choice for a variety of settings, from busy office environments to quiet home use. However, potential users should weigh the impact of the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, which, while sufficient for many applications, might not meet the needs of those requiring the fastest possible data transfer speeds. The absence of Thunderbolt technology is a noted limitation, but this is reflected in the D8 Hybrid’s competitive pricing, which targets a segment of the market more concerned with value and reliability than with leading-edge performance. The TerraMaster D8 Hybrid offers a well-rounded solution for those seeking a storage system that combines large storage capacity with respectable speeds at a cost-effective price point. Its performance, although not pushing the upper limits of current technology, provides ample support for most professional and personal storage needs, making it a worthwhile investment for a broad range of users. The thoughtful design and practical features, coupled with the device’s solid build and reliable performance within its defined limits, establish the D8 Hybrid as a standout offering in its category.

The D8 Hybrid crowdfunding project has officially launched on the Kickstarter with up to 33% off. For more details, please visit:

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