Week 14 Tech Roundup – QNAP QTS Update, 128GB DDR5-8000, WD 26TB AI HDD, SoftRAID 8.5

Recent tech news covers a range of storage and networking advancements. QNAP released a QTS update enhancing security and network features, while also discontinuing Google Photos backup in MARS due to API changes, and announcing new dual-port 10GbE network cards. OWC launched SoftRAID 8.5 with improved compatibility and new Jellyfish shared storage systems alongside Thunderbolt 5 solutions and an LTO archive product. In memory and storage, G.Skill unveiled high-capacity DDR5 memory kits, Lexar shipped a 1TB microSD Express card, and Western Digital introduced a 26TB Purple Pro HDD. Meanwhile, a Kingston Fury Renegade G5 SSD series with high transfer speeds was leaked, and a Chinese startup DapuStor released a massive 122.88TB SSD. Other updates include Unraid OS 7.1.0 beta 2 with wireless support, a redesigned Plex mobile app, and Intel finalising its NAND business sale to SK Hynix. Finally, a new OpenWRT Two router with advanced networking capabilities was announced.

1. QNAP Releases QTS 5.2.4.3092 Firmware Update

QNAP has launched QTS 5.2.4.3092 (build 20250403), introducing critical fixes and enhancements for various NAS devices, including the QBoat Sunny, TS-128A, TS-228A, TS-212P3, TS-130 D1 Rev-B, TS-231P3, and TS-431P3.

Key Improvements:

• Enhanced DHCP server creation and editing: administrators can now reserve IPs during server setup.
• DHCP server setup is now allowed even when the adapter uses a dynamic IP, though static IPs remain recommended.
• Adapter connection statuses are visible under “Network > Interfaces > Thunderbolt.”
• Updated Western Digital Device Analytics (WDDA) to version 8.70.5 for better reliability.

Fixes Include:

• RAID group and shared folder errors occurring after firmware updates.
• ARM-based NAS inability to join Windows Server 2025 domains.
• System freezes due to rare kernel-mode SMB daemon bugs.
• Multiple user interface bugs, including issues in French language settings.
• Fixes for misleading firmware update alerts and incorrect DNS/port trunking status reporting post-reboot.
• Enhanced WebDAV performance and improved login authentication logic.

2. G.SKILL Debuts World’s First 128GB DDR5-8000 Kit

G.SKILL has set a new benchmark in memory performance with the launch of the first high-capacity overclocked memory kit: DDR5-8000 with 128GB total capacity (64GB x2). Validated on the ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E APEX motherboard paired with an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, this kit pushes the boundaries of speed and capacity for workstations and power users.

Additional Announcement: G.SKILL also introduced a DDR5-9000 kit rated at CL48-64-64 with 64GB total capacity (32GB x2). This configuration was tested on the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z890 APEX with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265K processor.

These new kits are designed for high-performance computing, content creation, AI workloads, and memory-intensive applications.

3. Trump Tariffs Set to Increase PC Costs by 20–45%

The US government’s newly imposed tariffs target PC components from China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Vietnam—excluding semiconductors for now. The added cost pressure will significantly affect system integrators and PC builders.

Industry Voices:

• Wallace Santos, CEO of Maingear, expects a 20–25% rise in PC prices.
• Kelt Reeves from Falcon Northwest highlighted the lack of US-based alternatives for most PC components.
• Jon Bach, Puget Systems, estimated a 20–45% increase by June 2025, with some absorption possible.
• Gary Shapiro, CTA CEO, criticized the move as inflationary and potentially recession-inducing.

With GPU shortages and rising costs, integrators fear higher build prices and limited availability of essential components.

4. OWC Launches SoftRAID 8.5 + Archive & Thunderbolt 5 Solutions

OWC announced a major update to its cross-platform RAID solution—SoftRAID 8.5—offering stability improvements and expanded compatibility for macOS and Windows.

macOS Enhancements:

• RAID 4/5 fault tolerance enhancements, dynamic rebuild on error detection.
• Stability boosts when disks/enclosures disconnect.

Windows Enhancements:

• Ability to mount Mac-created SoftRAID volumes.
• RAID 1+0 drive flexibility and expanded Volume Shadow Copy support.

New Hardware Products:

• OWC Archive Pro Ethernet: LTO-based NAS backup solution with ATTO XstreamCORE 8100T, supporting up to 4 SAS drives over 10Gb iSCSI, 45TB per tape.
• OWC ThunderBlade X12: High-speed Thunderbolt 5 RAID unit for 4K–12K RAW video with 96TB capacity.
• Also showcased: Thunderbolt 5 Hubs, Atlas Memory cards, Envoy Ultra SSD, Express 1M2 USB4 SSD, ThunderBay Flex 8.

5. QNAP Announces End of Life (EOL) Products

QNAP has confirmed the discontinuation of several popular NAS units, network cards, RAM modules, and accessories.

NAS Models Discontinued:

• TS-855eU-RP-8G, TS-855eU-8G
• QuCPE-7012-D2123IT-8G-US (Xeon D-2123IT)
• QuCPE-7012-D2146NT-32G-US (Xeon D-2146IT)

Memory Modules:

• RAM-16GDR4ECT0-RD-2400, RAM-8GDR4ECT0-RD-2400

High-End NAS Units:

• TNS-h1083X-E2236-16G (Xeon E-2236)
• TNS-h1083X-E2234-8G (Xeon E-2234)

Switches and Expansion Cards:

• QSW-M2108-2S, QSW-M2108-2C
• QM2-4P-384 (Quad M.2 Gen3 x4 PCIe card)

Customers are encouraged to contact QNAP support for replacements.

6. Lexar Unveils 1TB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2

Lexar has released the world’s first 1TB microSD Express card compatible with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and other handhelds.

Key Specs:

• 900MB/s read and 600MB/s write (PCIe 3.0, NVMe 1.3)
• Backward-compatible with UHS-I/II
• Targeted at AAA mobile games and future-proofed hardware
• Prices: $49.99 (256GB), $99.99 (512GB), $199.99 (1TB)

7. Western Digital Launches 26TB WD Purple Pro HDD

Western Digital expands its Purple Pro lineup with a new 26TB model optimized for AI-based surveillance.

Technical Highlights:

• 11-disk CMR architecture
• 7200 RPM, 512MB cache
• Supports 64 HD or 32 AI camera streams (AllFrame AI)
• 550TB/year workload, MTBF of 2.5 million hours
• Power usage: 6.2W active, 5.7W idle

8. QNAP Dual-Port 10GbE Card with RDMA & SR-IOV

QNAP unveiled the QXG-10G2SF-NXE, a dual-port 10GbE SFP+ PCIe Gen3 x8 expansion card.

Powered by Broadcom 57412:

• RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) support for reduced latency
• SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) for hypervisor efficiency
• Compatible with QNAP TS-x64/x64U series and PCs with Windows/Linux

9. Seagate Finalizes $8.85B Intevac NAND Deal

Seagate completed its acquisition of Intevac Inc. through a two-phase transaction totaling $8.85B.

Key Points:

• Phase 1: Acquired SSD division and Dalian, China NAND plant (now Solidigm)
• Phase 2: Paid $1.9B for NAND IP, R&D, and staff
• Intevac is now fully integrated into Seagate
• Intevac shares have been delisted from Nasdaq

10. ASUSTOR AiVideos 1.0 for Android TV

ASUSTOR’s AiVideos app now features:

• Brand-new UI for Android TV/Google TV
• Wake-on-LAN (WOL) support
• Embedded media playback engine
• Chromecast and DLNA streaming
• Improved multilingual subtitle/audio channel handling

11. Kingston Fury Renegade G5 SSD Series Leak

Kingston’s Fury Renegade G5 PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSDs have been leaked ahead of launch:

Specs:

• Up to 14,800 MB/s read, 14,000 MB/s write
• Powered by Silicon Motion SM2508 controller
• SKUs: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
• Direct competitor to Samsung 9100 PRO series

12. QNAP MARS Drops Google Photos Backup Support

QNAP’s MARS (Multi-Application Recovery Service) v1.2.0 will no longer support Google Photos backup due to API changes from Google.

Impact:

• Existing backups remain accessible
• Future backups must use Google Takeout manually

13. DapuStor Launches 122.88TB QLC SSD

DapuStor’s J5060 QLC SSD with 122.88TB capacity is now available (China-only for now).

Performance:

• Read/Write: 7.3GB/s / 6.8GB/s
• Random 4K Reads: 1.5M IOPS
• Low power: 13W active, 2.5W idle
• Targets data centers and enterprise storage

14. QNAP Qsirch Adds AI RAG Search

QNAP’s Qsirch 5.6.0 introduces RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) Search, leveraging cloud-based LLMs.

Features:

• Integrates OpenAI, Gemini, Azure OpenAI, DeepSeek, and xAi Grok
• File format filtering (Word, Excel, PDF, .eml, etc.)
• Traceable search results with source references
• Multilingual support (23 languages)

15. OpenWRT Two Router Announced with Wi-Fi 7 and More Ports

OpenWRT Two aims to improve on the OpenWRT One’s limitations:

Specs:

• MediaTek MT7988 CPU
• Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz)
• Ports: 4x 2.5GbE, 1x 5GbE, 1x 10Gb SFP+, 2x 1GbE
• Partnered with GL.iNet for manufacturing
• ETA: Late 2025, MSRP ~$250

That wraps up this week’s packed NAS and storage tech headlines! Stay tuned to NAScompares.com for reviews, updates, and expert breakdowns of all the latest hardware innovations.

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