New Terramaster F8 SSD and F8 SSD PLUS NAS Revealed

New F8 8-Bay M.2 NVMe SSD SSD from Terramaster Coming later in 2024

IMPORTANT – Terramaster F8 SSD PLUS Review NOW LIVE – You Can Read it HERE

I’ve recently gathered some intriguing information about the upcoming Terramaster F8 SSD and F8 SSD PLUS Desktop NAS devices. These devices are slated to launch in September 2024, though this date is still tentative. Pricing details have not been officially confirmed, but temporary Amazon pages suggest that the F8 SSD will be priced at $999, while the F8 SSD PLUS will be $1299. Both devices are set to feature eight M.2 NVMe SSD bays, and they will come in a new, much smaller casing compared to other devices in Terramaster’s portfolio. This new form factor could make them a more appealing choice for those with limited space but requiring high-performance storage solutions.

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NOTE – Regarding the Terramaster NAS and SSD Giveaway

(Take from the Terramaster Competition page). HERE

IMPORTANT – Terramaster F8 SSD PLUS Review NOW LIVE – You Can Read it HERE

Terramaster F8 SSD PLUS NAS Review – Conclusion and Verdict

You really have to give Terramaster credit here for this system. With so many brands trying to enter the world of dedicated flash SSD storage in the last year or so, the F8 SSD Plus is hands down one of the most impressively designed options out there. Somehow arriving with more storage than most options out there, whilst also being the smallest. Long-time storage veterans are definitely going to ponder temperatures and operational heat when the system has been up and running for long periods of time, but Terramaster has clearly factored this in too with a vast amount of tactical heatsink placement, angled airflow, and painfully necessary SSD performance reductions in order to stop the cart before the horse bolts in terms of heat! The Terramaster F8 SSD Plus is by no means a perfect SSD NAS! Not by a long shot in fact! As long as you keep it realistic in terms of what you expect an eight-bay SSD system of this scale and price point to be able to do, I do not think you will be disappointed! Just make sure to remember that this is not an enterprise piece of kit, and is geared far more towards the prosumer, the enthusiast, and perhaps the small/medium business user.

Content creators, photographers, videographers, and those that want to manage a fast-moving database in a small group of users are definitely going to feel the benefits of the F8 SSD Plus. But the absence of higher-tier business features in terms of hardware, such as ECC memory and no network failover out of the box, are going to be a pain for those bigger users that have bigger demands. The TOS 6 software is, on the whole, better than it’s ever been in terms of feature set, functionality, and responsiveness. I am still not really in love with the “Windows 11” aesthetic, and definitely miss the TOS 5 desktop style that has become something of a staple of the NAS software industry, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. At this point, there really are very few things available in the NAS market in terms of software that are not available here. A flexible RAID system in T-Raid, support of BTRFS, a multi-tiered backup software, multiple client tools, support of Write Once Read Many, volume encryption, two-factor authentication, isolation mode, the list goes on and on. It would be easy to critique the system in saying that it lacks ZFS (with numerous inline features that really benefit SSD use), but then you also remember that Terramaster allows users to use third-party operating systems like UnRAID and TrueNAS, which means that these are not completely off the table anyway!

Overall, I’ve got to say that the Terramaster F8 SSD Plus is a fantastically capable, affordable, and impressive desktop flash NAS system, and in a growing competitive marketplace for these kinds of devices, Terramaster has done a phenomenal job in their introduction of a new SSD-targeted solution in their portfolio. It may lack some of the software pizzazz of a Synology or aggressive hardware of a QNAP, but it manages to do its own thing very well, and as long as you keep your expectations realistic, this is a phenomenal NAS for 2024/2025.

PROs of the F8 SSD PLUS NAS	CONs of the F8 SSD PLUS NAS
Compact Size with High Storage Capacity: Despite its small footprint, the F8 SSD Plus can accommodate up to 8 M.2 SSDs, providing significant storage in a compact form factor. Effective Heat Management: The system features strategic heatsink placement, angled airflow, and SSD performance adjustments to manage heat efficiently. Affordable Price Point: Offers a cost-effective solution for a flash NAS system, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Versatile Use: Suitable for prosumers, enthusiasts, small to medium businesses, content creators, photographers, videographers, and those managing fast-moving databases. Improved TOS 6 Software: The latest TOS 6 software version includes a broad range of features such as RAID support, BTRFS, multi-tiered backup, and more. Support for Third-Party Operating Systems: Users can install third-party NAS software like UnRAID and TrueNAS, offering flexibility and customization options. Low Power Consumption: Utilizes an efficient Intel N305 i3 processor, which keeps power usage low while still delivering adequate performance. Quiet Operation: Despite being a pure SSD system, the fan noise is minimal, making it suitable for quieter environments. Good Connectivity Options: Includes a 10 GbE port and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, allowing for a range of external connections and expansions. Environmentally Conscious Design: The packaging is mostly recyclable, and the use of external PSUs can help reduce heat and potential e-waste.	Lacks High-End Business Features: Missing enterprise-level features such as ECC memory and network failover, which are important for more demanding business environments. Single 10 GbE Port: Only one network port limits redundancy and failover options, potentially creating a bottleneck for data transfer. Aesthetic and UI Concerns: The new “Windows 11” aesthetic of TOS 6 may not appeal to all users, and the lack of the familiar TOS 5 desktop style might be a drawback for some. No Native ZFS Support: Although there are alternative file systems available, the absence of native ZFS support, which benefits SSD use with features like data integrity and snapshot capabilities, may be seen as a limitation.

2. Post your thoughts and guesses on TerraMaster’s official social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube), or share them on your own social media along with the event images. Invite your friends to like, comment, and share. Your feedback, ideas, and creativity, along with the exposure and engagement generated for this campaign, will serve as important considerations for prize selection.

The Prizes:

• Special prize for one winner: TerraMaster F4-424 (worth $499)
• Participation prize for 10 winners: 250GB WD RED NVMe SSD at ($69)

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One of the standout features of these new NAS devices is the potential inclusion of 10GbE networking capabilities. However, it’s not clear if both models will feature this. The inclusion of 10GbE would significantly enhance data transfer speeds, making these NAS devices suitable for more demanding applications such as video editing and large-scale data backups. The F8 SSD and F8 SSD PLUS are mentioned to have 16GB of DDR5 memory, but it is not confirmed what each device will actually ship with or whether they will have one or two SODIMM slots. This memory detail leaves room for speculation on how these devices might cater to different market needs, potentially offering upgrade options for users who require more memory for intensive tasks.

The CPU choice for these devices is particularly interesting. It is suspected that the F8 models will utilize the Intel N305 8 Core i3 Alder Lake processor. This CPU, part of Intel’s N-series, is a mobile segment processor with 8 cores and 8 threads, boasting a max turbo frequency of 3.80 GHz. Given its capabilities, this processor could make the F8 SSD and F8 SSD PLUS quite powerful for their intended use cases, especially for those needing high-speed storage and efficient processing power. The N305’s support for DDR5 memory and integrated Intel UHD graphics further enhances its suitability for a NAS device, ensuring it can handle both storage and light processing tasks effectively.

Speculating on the differences between the F8 SSD and the F8 SSD PLUS, it’s possible that the non-PLUS version might have a less powerful CPU or different networking capabilities. For instance, while the F8 SSD PLUS might feature the N305 CPU and 10GbE networking, the regular F8 SSD could potentially have a lower-end CPU, such as the N100 or N95, and perhaps only 2.5GbE networking options. These differences would help cater to different user needs and price points, making the lineup more versatile. This tiered approach allows Terramaster to offer solutions that appeal both to budget-conscious consumers and those looking for top-tier performance.

The memory configuration is another area where we might see differences between the two models. The F8 SSD PLUS, with its higher price point, could offer more advanced memory options, such as higher base memory or additional SODIMM slots for easier upgrades. This would make the PLUS model more attractive to users who plan to use their NAS for more memory-intensive applications, such as running virtual machines or high-definition video streaming. On the other hand, the regular F8 SSD might stick to a single SODIMM slot or offer less base memory to keep costs down. In 2024, the affordability of 10GbE NAS devices has significantly improved, making it much easier for consumers to access high-speed networking solutions. A prime example is the MW-N100-NAS motherboard, an ITX form factor motherboard that includes both a CPU and networking capabilities for just around $120. This motherboard features the N100 CPU, which offers a solid balance of performance and efficiency, and it also supports 10GbE networking right out of the box. The affordability and integration of these features into a single, compact motherboard highlight the broader trend of decreasing costs and increasing accessibility of high-speed networking technology. Furthermore, it is anticipated that a version of this motherboard will eventually incorporate the N305 CPU, enhancing its performance capabilities while maintaining its cost-effectiveness. This progression not only reflects advancements in technology but also underscores the growing demand for affordable, high-speed NAS solutions in both consumer and small business markets. The availability of such cost-effective hardware solutions makes it feasible for more users to upgrade their network infrastructure, ensuring faster data transfer speeds and improved overall efficiency in data management tasks.

Find out more about the Topton MW-N100-NAS Mobo HERE

Comparing these new models to the existing Terramaster F4-424 and F4-424 Pro provides some context. The F4-424 features a 4-core N95 CPU, while the F4-424 Pro uses the same N305 i3 CPU suspected for the F8 models and comes with more memory. This suggests that the new F8 devices could follow a similar pattern, with the PLUS model offering enhanced performance and features over the standard model. The memory and CPU differences between the F4-424 and F4-424 Pro might hint at similar distinctions in the F8 lineup. The F4-424 and F4-424 Pro have set a precedent for how Terramaster differentiates between base and premium models, likely reflecting a strategy they will continue with the F8 series.

In terms of storage, both F8 SSD models are expected to have eight NVMe SSD bays, optimized for high-speed performance. This is a significant upgrade from the F4-424 series, which might appeal to users who need even more robust and faster storage solutions. The NVMe SSDs will provide much faster read and write speeds compared to traditional SATA SSDs, making these new NAS devices particularly suitable for environments where speed is critical. Additionally, the new, smaller casing for the F8 series could make these devices more suitable for home or small office environments where space is at a premium. The compact design does not seem to compromise on performance, promising a high-power solution in a small form factor. Al that said, we also have to realistically expect the M.2 NVMe SSD bays to be PCIe Gen 3×1 speed each. Not only because of system temperatures in such a confined space, but also because there are only 9 lanes to play with on the N305.

The increasing affordability of 10GbE technology also plays into the potential appeal of the F8 series. With the recently released MW-N100-NAS motherboard on AliExpress, which includes a 10GbE port and support for the N305 CPU, it’s becoming more feasible to include high-speed networking in consumer NAS devices. This trend suggests that Terramaster’s new devices will be well-positioned in the market, offering advanced features at a competitive price. As 10GbE becomes more common, users will expect to see it in mid-range and high-end NAS devices, making it a crucial feature for Terramaster to include in their new models.

Lastly, there’s an interesting giveaway related to these new Terramaster devices. Terramaster will be giving away an F4-424 NAS and 10x M.2 NVMe SSDs in a soon to be announced giveaway related to a user survey regarding what users ‘WANT’ in their NAS systems. The giveaway invites participants to share their ideas on what their ideal NAS would feature in terms of hardware and software. Details on this giveaway are still to be confirmed, but it presents a great opportunity for users to engage with the brand and potentially win some high-performance hardware. Overall, while there are still many details to be confirmed, the Terramaster F8 SSD and F8 SSD PLUS seem poised to offer significant improvements in performance and features, potentially setting a new standard in the NAS market. As we await further official information, the speculation based on available details suggests that these devices will be a significant step forward in terms of speed, capacity, and overall functionality. This table summarizes the potential differences between the F8 SSD and F8 SSD PLUS, providing a clearer picture of how these models might differentiate themselves in terms of hardware and capabilities.

Estimated Hardware Specifications Table (MASSIVELY ‘TBC’)

Feature	F8 SSD	F8 SSD PLUS
Price	$999	$1299
CPU	Intel N100 / N95 (speculated)	Intel N305 (8 Core i3)
Memory	8-16GB DDR5	16-32GB DDR5
Storage Bays	8x M.2 NVMe SSD	8x M.2 NVMe SSD
Networking	2.5GbE x2?	10GbE
Launch Date	September 2024 (TBC)	September 2024 (TBC)

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