Why is 10GbE STILL NOT Everywhere (especially on NAS)?

Why are NAS Systems not 10GbE as Standard Right Now?

It is 2025, yet the majority of NAS systems on the market continue to ship with 1GbE or, at best, 2.5GbE networking, leaving many users questioning why 10GbE has not become a standard feature. Over the past decade, the cost of 10GbE networking equipment, including switches, NICs, and adapters, has steadily declined, and the technology has long since moved from being an enterprise-only option into mainstream availability. Home labs, creative professionals, and small businesses are increasingly working with 4K and 8K media, large VM environments, and multi-terabyte datasets, all of which can easily saturate a 1GbE or even 2.5GbE connection. Despite this shift, when browsing the portfolios of Synology, QNAP, Asustor, TerraMaster, or even newer DIY-friendly NAS brands, the entry-level and mid-tier systems remain locked at bandwidth speeds that are already dwarfed by modern SSD arrays and multi-bay RAID configurations.

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This gap between user expectations and manufacturer offerings has become more striking as affordable consumer motherboards and even some mini-PCs now integrate 5GbE or 10GbE as standard. By contrast, NAS vendors still tend to position 10GbE as a high-end add-on or restrict it to flagship models, often requiring costly proprietary NIC upgrades. For the average buyer, this creates the perception that NAS devices are lagging behind broader networking trends and are artificially constrained to maintain price tiers. The reality is more complex. The question of why 10GbE has not become universal in NAS hardware cannot be answered solely by pointing to falling market prices of controllers and switches. Instead, the explanation lies in a mix of economics, hardware design limitations, CPU lane allocations, and the fact that networking itself is evolving beyond 10GbE into alternatives like 25GbE and USB4. All of these factors together show why the integration of 10GbE into NAS devices remains more complicated than it may first appear.

Discussing the Issue / Barriers to Manufacturers

One of the most persistent barriers to universal 10GbE adoption in NAS systems is the economic reality of how these devices are positioned. Vendors like Synology, QNAP, and Asustor operate in a layered product ecosystem, where each tier is designed to push customers toward more expensive models. Entry-level devices often compete on affordability rather than raw performance, meaning that features like 10GbE are deliberately held back to differentiate mid-range and enterprise systems. The actual bill of materials (BOM) cost for including 10GbE hardware is lower than it was five years ago, but manufacturers still view it as a premium feature that justifies higher price points. By holding 10GbE in reserve for upper tiers, vendors protect their margins, avoid cannibalising sales of more profitable models, and keep upgrade paths clear for customers as their needs grow. This is not simply technical gatekeeping but a conscious market segmentation strategy.

A second, more technical challenge comes from CPU and chipset design. The processors used in affordable NAS devices are almost always low-power embedded models—Intel Celeron, Atom, or entry-level AMD Ryzen Embedded chips—which provide only a limited number of PCIe lanes. These lanes must be distributed across storage controllers, NVMe slots, expansion slots, and network interfaces. Introducing 10GbE requires not only dedicating at least two, and often four, PCIe lanes, but also ensuring that the CPU can handle the higher throughput without becoming the bottleneck. If a vendor reallocates lanes to add 10GbE, they may have to reduce the number of NVMe slots, cut down on SATA ports, or compromise expansion card bandwidth. For many manufacturers, it is simpler to leave 10GbE out of the base design than to risk producing a system that looks good on paper but struggles to deliver in practice.

Beyond lane allocation, there is also the issue of power, thermals, and board layout. 10GbE controllers typically draw more power and generate more heat than 1GbE or 2.5GbE chips. In compact NAS enclosures designed for low-noise operation, this can force more aggressive cooling solutions or tighter thermal management. For brands already working within strict acoustic and energy efficiency limits, especially in home or small office NAS devices, the integration of 10GbE becomes a balancing act between speed and stability. Higher thermal load can also reduce the overall lifespan of components or require larger enclosures, both of which erode the appeal of entry-level systems where buyers expect compact and efficient designs.

Another factor that discourages widespread 10GbE adoption is ecosystem alignment. NAS vendors are keenly aware that a large percentage of their target audience does not yet operate in 10GbE-ready environments. Even though 10GbE switches and NICs are more affordable in 2025, many households and small offices still rely on routers and switches with 1GbE or 2.5GbE uplinks. For these users, the inclusion of 10GbE would have little practical benefit, since the rest of the network infrastructure cannot support it. From the manufacturer’s perspective, bundling 10GbE into a device that will simply be throttled by the customer’s network backbone risks making the feature look pointless, or worse, “non-functional.” As such, 10GbE tends to be reserved for prosumer and enterprise segments, where it is more likely that users already have or are willing to invest in compatible infrastructure.

Finally, there is a subtle but important business factor at play: vendor ecosystems and upsell opportunities. Many NAS brands sell proprietary 10GbE upgrade cards or branded NICs, which can only be used with their systems. By omitting onboard 10GbE but providing expansion slots, vendors create an additional revenue stream while giving customers flexibility to upgrade later. This model also ensures that users who truly require 10GbE end up spending more within the brand’s ecosystem, while casual buyers stick to lower-cost systems that do not overdeliver. In this sense, the absence of 10GbE on affordable NAS units is not only about technical limitations, but also about preserving a staged upgrade model that aligns with each brand’s long-term revenue strategy.

The Solution – How Can 10GbE Be More Accessible?

The landscape for 10GbE networking hardware has improved significantly in the last few years, with controllers becoming cheaper, more efficient, and easier to integrate into consumer systems. Early 10GbE relied heavily on costly Intel or Mellanox chipsets designed primarily for enterprise servers, often priced in the hundreds of dollars per card. Today, vendors such as Realtek, Aquantia (now under Marvell), and Broadcom produce consumer-focused 10GbE controllers that are smaller, run cooler, and consume less power. These newer chipsets are also designed to integrate more smoothly with mainstream CPUs and motherboards, reducing the need for complex PCB layouts. The result has been a marked reduction in the cost of standalone NICs and USB-to-10GbE adapters, which now frequently sell for under $100, making them accessible even for home users experimenting with faster networking.

Even with this progress, manufacturers remain hesitant to make 10GbE a baseline feature across all NAS devices. Part of the reason lies in how modern NAS systems must juggle limited resources. As CPUs have shifted to PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5, the available bandwidth has increased, but vendors are also using these lanes to expand NVMe storage pools, enable GPU acceleration, or add AI-focused co-processors for surveillance, indexing, or media analysis. In many cases, vendors see greater value in offering more M.2 slots, dual PCIe expansion options, or flexible NIC bays than in permanently dedicating space to 10GbE. This explains why hybrid designs are now common: devices shipping with 2.5GbE or 5GbE onboard, with a dedicated slot for an optional 10GbE card. Such configurations give users a faster-than-gigabit baseline, but also keep upgrade paths open for power users who truly need multi-gigabit networking.

The state of 10GbE is also being influenced by the rapid adoption of adjacent technologies. 2.5GbE has become the de facto standard in new consumer motherboards and mid-tier switches, offering a cheap and widely compatible upgrade path for everyday users who want more than 1GbE without changing their cabling. At the other end of the spectrum, higher-speed networking such as 25GbE or 40GbE is filtering down from data centres to advanced prosumer setups, while direct-connect solutions like Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 offer bandwidth well beyond 10GbE with less CPU overhead and simpler plug-and-play deployment. Software optimisation is also playing a role: modern NAS operating systems increasingly support IP over Thunderbolt or USB4, which provides a parallel path to multi-gigabit performance without the traditional reliance on Ethernet standards. As a result, 10GbE finds itself squeezed in the middle—too expensive to be a no-brainer at the entry level, but increasingly overshadowed by faster alternatives at the top end. It remains a critical sweet spot for small businesses and creative professionals, but its window of dominance is being challenged by the pace of networking innovation.

Verdict and Conclusion – Buy a 10GbE NAS Now or Wait?

The question of why 10GbE has not become a standard feature across NAS devices in 2025 does not have a single answer, but rather a convergence of factors. Manufacturers face technical challenges in CPU lane allocation, thermal management, and system design, while also making deliberate market choices to protect product segmentation and encourage upsell opportunities. At the same time, 10GbE sits in an awkward position within the networking landscape: cheaper and more efficient than ever, yet increasingly bypassed by the widespread adoption of 2.5GbE on the low end and the emergence of 25GbE, Thunderbolt, and USB4 on the high end. For now, this means that 10GbE remains reserved for higher-tier NAS systems where the hardware can genuinely sustain its throughput and where the user base is prepared to invest in compatible infrastructure. While prices will continue to fall and adoption will grow, it is unlikely that every NAS will adopt 10GbE as standard before other technologies begin to replace it as the next performance baseline.

5 affordable Turnkey 10GbE NAS Solutions (Between $499 and $699)

For years, 10GbE networking has been seen as a premium feature reserved for high-end or enterprise-grade NAS devices, often pushing total system costs well beyond the reach of home users and small businesses. However, as controller prices have dropped and demand for faster data transfers has grown, a new wave of affordable NAS solutions has started to appear with built-in 10GbE. These systems no longer require expensive proprietary upgrade cards or third-party NICs, and many sit comfortably below the $699 / £599 price point. They cover a range of use cases, from compact SSD-based NAS devices to rackmount storage appliances and versatile desktop units. Below is a selection of some of the most notable options currently available, each offering a balance of performance, connectivity, and affordability for users who want to move beyond 1GbE or 2.5GbE without breaking the bank.

UniFi UNAS Pro (7-Bay, Rackmount)

I keep coming back to two words for the UniFi UNAS Pro—fundamentals and consistency. UniFi has clearly focused on making this system a strong addition to their ecosystem, prioritizing the essential storage needs of a NAS. They’ve succeeded in this, but comparisons with long-established competitors are inevitable. While solid, reliable, and stable, the UniFi UNAS Pro will take time to be competitive on the software front. If you’re deeply invested in the UniFi ecosystem, you’ll appreciate its ease of use and integration. However, outside of a UniFi network, it may feel feature-light compared to alternatives. The pricing is competitive for a launch product at $499, and while it’s not the best NAS on the market, it’s the most user-friendly and UniFi-ready. It will likely satisfy many users’ needs. I can certainly see this being integrated into existing UniFi networks as a 2nd stage backup alongside their already existing 3rd party NAS solution, with the potential to graduating to their primary storage as Ubiquiti continue to evolve this platform above and beyond the fundamentals their have nailed down in the UNAS Pro system.

  • Approx. Price: $499 / £400

  • Specs: ARM Cortex-A57 quad-core CPU, 8 GB RAM, seven 2.5″/3.5″ SATA bays, 1×10GbE SFP+ and 1×1GbE.

  • Why It Stands Out: Exceptional price-to-performance for pure storage needs. Lacks advanced multimedia or container apps but ideal for high-speed backups in a rackmount setup.

BUILD QUALITY - 10/10
HARDWARE - 7/10
PERFORMANCE - 7/10
PRICE - 9/10
VALUE - 8/10


8.2
PROS
👍🏻Nails down the fundamentals of NAS Storage very well
👍🏻Easy to use GUI and well suited in the UniFi Ecosystem/UX
👍🏻Complete Offline Use is supported
👍🏻Use of a UI account is NOT compulsory
👍🏻Excellently deployed Snapshot Features
👍🏻10GbE out-the-box
👍🏻Open HDD Compatibility, but also 1st party options too
👍🏻Backup and Restoration Options Nailed down perfectly
👍🏻Very power efficient and CPU/, Memory utilization rarely high
👍🏻Compact, Quite and well designed chassis
👍🏻The LCD controls are completely \'different level\' compared to other brands in the market
👍🏻Promised competitive pricing
👍🏻FAST deployment (3-5mins tops)
👍🏻Reactive Storage expandability and easy-to-understand storage failover options
👍🏻Mobile app deployment is intuitive/fast
👍🏻Feels stable, secure and reliable at all times
👍🏻Performance is respectable (considering SATA Bay count and CPU) but also sustained performance is very good
👍🏻Single screen dashboard is clear and intuitive
👍🏻Ditto for the native file explorer
CONS
👎🏻7 Bays is a bit unusual, plus feels like the existing UNVR with different firmware
👎🏻Additional App installation (eg. \'Protect\') not currently supported. So no container support for 3rd party apps
👎🏻Network Controls are limited
👎🏻Works at it\'s best in an existing UniFi managed network, feels a little limited in \'standalone\'
👎🏻Multiple storage pools not supported (nor is RAID 0)
👎🏻Lack of Scheduled On/Off
👎🏻Lack of redundant PSU
👎🏻Only 1 10Gb port and 1x 1GbE, no USBs for expanded storage or an expansion


 

Asustor Flashstor 12 Gen 1 (Compact NVMe NAS)

The Asustor Flashstor Gen 2 12-Bay NAS is a robust and versatile solution for users with demanding storage needs. Its combination of high-performance hardware, extensive connectivity options, and compact design makes it a standout choice for content creators, small businesses, and enthusiasts. With dual 10GbE ports, USB 4.0 connectivity, and support for up to 12 M.2 NVMe drives, it offers exceptional speed and scalability. While the device has a few quirks, such as its mixed PCIe slot speeds and lack of M.2 heat sinks, these are manageable with proper planning and aftermarket solutions. The Flashstor Gen 2 excels in raw performance, handling intensive workflows with ease and maintaining low noise levels even under load. Its power efficiency and robust thermal management further enhance its appeal for 24/7 operation. For users prioritizing hardware capabilities and performance, the Flashstor Gen 2 delivers on its promises. While its complexity may deter less experienced users, those with the technical expertise to configure and optimize the system will find it a valuable addition to their workflow.

  • Approx. Price: $750 / £600

  • Specs: Intel Celeron N5105, 12×M.2 NVMe slots, single 10GbE port, compact form factor.

  • Notable Traits: High-density SSD storage in a small desktop chassis. Excellent value for SSD-heavy builds.

SOFTWARE - 6/10
HARDWARE - 9/10
PERFORMANCE - 10/10
PRICE - 7/10
VALUE - 8/10


8.0
PROS
👍🏻Exceptional Performance: Dual 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports and USB 4.0 connectivity deliver fast and reliable data transfer speeds, ideal for 4K editing and collaborative environments.
👍🏻Extensive Storage Options: Supports up to 12 M.2 NVMe SSDs, allowing for large-scale, high-speed storage arrays.
👍🏻ECC Memory Support: Includes 16GB of DDR5-4800 ECC memory (expandable to 64GB), ensuring data integrity for critical applications.
👍🏻Compact Design: Small footprint makes it perfect for workspaces with limited room.
👍🏻Quiet Operation: Dual-fan system keeps noise levels low, even under heavy loads.
👍🏻Flexible Connectivity: Features two USB 4.0 Type-C ports and three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports for direct storage access and peripheral integration.
👍🏻Power Efficiency: Low power consumption (32.2W idle, 56W under load) makes it economical to run, even for 24/7 operation.
👍🏻Thermal Management Enhancements: Dual fans and copper heat pipes efficiently dissipate heat, ensuring stable performance.
👍🏻Support for Third-Party Operating Systems: Compatible with platforms like TrueNAS and Unraid for advanced customization.
CONS
👎🏻Mixed PCIe Slot Speeds: Inconsistent PCIe bandwidth across M.2 slots complicates unified RAID configurations.
👎🏻Lack of M.2 Heat Sinks: NVMe slots do not include heat sinks, requiring aftermarket cooling solutions for intensive workloads.
👎🏻No Integrated Graphics: The AMD Ryzen V3C14 processor lacks integrated graphics, limiting hardware transcoding and multimedia capabilities.
👎🏻Steep Price: The 12-bay model’s cost ($1,300–$1,400) and the six-bay version’s lack of ECC memory make them expensive compared to alternatives.


 

UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus

BOTTOM LINE – The UGREEN NASYnc DXP4800 Plus does not feel ‘finished’ yet and still needs more time in the over, but UGREEN have been very clear with me that this product is not intended for release and fulfilment till summer 2024 and improvements, optimization and product completion is still in progress. Judging the UGREEN NAS systems, when what we have is a pre-release and pre-crowdfunding sample, was always going to be tough. The DXP4800 PLUS is a very well put-together NAS solution, arriving with a fantastic launching price point (arguably even at its RRP for the hardware on offer). UGREEN has clearly made efforts here to carve out their own style, adding their own aesthetic to the traditional 4-bay server box design that plagues NAS boxes at this scale. Equally, although they are not the first brand to consider Kickstarter/Crowdfunding for launching a new product in the NAS/personal-cloud sector, this is easily one of the most confident entries I have seen yet. The fact that this system arrives on the market primarily as a crowdfunded solution (though almost certainly, if successful, will roll out at traditional retail) is definitely going to give users some pause for thought. Equally, the UGREEN NAS software, still in beta at the time of writing, although very responsive and nailing down the basics, still feels like it needs more work to compete with the bigger boys at Synology and QNAP. Hardware architecture, scalability, and performance are all pretty impressive, though the performance of the Gen 4×4 M.2 NVMe slots didn’t seem to hit the numbers I was expecting. Perhaps a question of PCIe bottlenecking internally, or a need for further tweaking and optimization as the system continues development. Bottom line, with expected software updates to roll out closer to launch and fulfillment, such as an expanded App center and mobile client, the UGREEN DXP4800 Plus is definitely a device worth keeping an eye on in the growing Turnkey and semi-DIY NAS market. As an alternative to public cloud services, this is a no-brainer and worth the entry price point. As an alternative to established Turnkey NAS Solutions, we will hold off judgment till it is publicly released.

  • Approx. Price: $595 / £475

  • Specs: Intel Pentium Gold 8505 (6-thread), 8 GB DDR5, 4×SATA + 2×M.2 slots, 1×10GbE and 1×2.5GbE, plus HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, and SD reader.

  • Why It’s Attractive: Well-rounded design with rich connectivity and media support, undercuts most rivals on price and features.

SOFTWARE - 6/10
HARDWARE - 9/10
PERFORMANCE - 6/10
PRICE - 9/10
VALUE - 8/10


7.6
PROS
👍🏻Exceptional Hardware for the Price
👍🏻4 HDDs + 2x Gen 4x4 M.2 in 1 box under $400
👍🏻Good Balanced CPU choice in the Pentium Gold 8505
👍🏻10GbE and 2.5GbE as standard
👍🏻An SD Card Slot (wielrd rare!)
👍🏻10/10 Build Quality
👍🏻Great Scalability
👍🏻Fantastic Mobile Application (even vs Synology and QNAP etc)
👍🏻Desktop/Browser GUI shows promise
👍🏻Established Brand entering the NAS Market
👍🏻Not too noisy (comparatively)
👍🏻Very Appealing retail package+accessories
CONS
👎🏻10GbE Performance was underwhelming
👎🏻Crowdfunding choice is confusing
👎🏻Software (still in Beta) is still far from ready 22/3/24
👎🏻non-UGREEN PSU is unexpected
👎🏻


 

TerraMaster F4-424 Max / F6-424 Max

The TerraMaster F4-424 Max is a robust 4-bay NAS system that offers a powerful mix of features and flexibility for a wide range of tasks. Powered by the Intel i5-1235U CPU with 10 cores and 12 threads, the F4-424 Max excels at resource-intensive applications such as Plex media streaming, 4K hardware transcoding, and virtual machine hosting. Its dual M.2 NVMe slots running at PCIe Gen 4 speeds significantly improve storage performance, especially when used for caching, while the two 10GbE ports offer high-speed networking environments, allowing for 20Gbps throughput via link aggregation.

In terms of software, TOS 6 brings notable improvements, although it still lags behind the more polished ecosystems of Synology DSM and QNAP QTS. That said, TerraMaster’s continuous software evolution with each new version of TOS ensures that users have access to more robust tools and security features. For its price point of $899.99, the F4-424 Max is a compelling option for those seeking high-performance NAS solutions with scalability in mind. While the Pro model offers competitive performance, the Max takes it a step further with advanced networking, making it ideal for environments where speed is a priority.

  • Approx. Price: $675 / £550 (F4-424 Max, during sale) – $899 / £700 (F6-424 Max, regular)

  • Specs: Intel Core i5-1235U (10-core), 8 GB RAM, dual 10GbE ports, dual M.2, with 4 or 6 SATA bays depending on model.

  • Why It Helps: The F4-424 Max frequently drops below the $800 mark in promotions, offering unusually strong CPU performance and dual 10GbE at a mid-range price point.

Where to Buy?

Terramaster F4-424 Max ($899 Amazon)HERETerramaster F4-424 Max ($799 Aliexpress) – HERE

SOFTWARE - 6/10
HARDWARE - 9/10
PERFORMANCE - 9/10
PRICE - 9/10
VALUE - 8/10


8.2
PROS
👍🏻Powerful Hardware: Intel i5-1235U with 10 cores and 12 threads for resource-heavy tasks.
👍🏻Dual 10GbE Ports: High-speed networking capabilities with link aggregation for up to 20Gbps, ideal for large file transfers.
👍🏻PCIe Gen 4 NVMe Support: Two M.2 NVMe slots offering exceptional performance for caching or additional high-speed storage.
👍🏻Efficient Cooling: The large 120mm fan ensures quiet and effective cooling, making it suitable for home and office environments.
👍🏻Improved TOS 6 Software: Enhancements in GUI, backup tools, and overall security bring TOS closer to its competitors.
CONS
👎🏻Higher Price Tag: At $899.99, it’s more expensive than TerraMaster’s other models, which may deter budget-conscious buyers.
👎🏻No PCIe Expansion: Lack of a PCIe slot limits potential for future upgrades, such as adding 10GbE cards or more M.2 drives.
👎🏻Presentation: The software has improved a lot, but still feels inconsistent in places compared with alternatives from brands such as Synology and QNAP.

 


Summary Table

 

Model 10GbE Ports Price (USD) Under $800? Highlights
UniFi UNAS Pro 1×10GbE SFP+ ~$499 Yes Rackmount, high bay count, pure storage
Asustor Flashstor 12 Gen 1 1×10GbE ~$750 Yes 12×M.2 NVMe, SSD-focused design
UGREEN DXP4800 Plus 1×10GbE + 1×2.5GbE ~$595 Yes Versatile ports, compact and affordable
QNAP TS-332X 1×10GbE SFP+ ~$600–700 Yes Entry-level 10GbE desktop NAS
TerraMaster F4-424 Max 2×10GbE ~$675 (sale) Yes Strong CPU, 4-bay, Plex-friendly
TerraMaster F6-424 Max 2×10GbE ~$899 No 6-bay version, exceeds budget

 

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      53 thoughts on “Why is 10GbE STILL NOT Everywhere (especially on NAS)?

      1. Quite disappionting to me. I hoped, I could move from Synology to Terramaster but as I see, Terramaster TOS has NO option at all for data security features like Volume/Folder Encryption!?! How on earth..? _(°°.)_/
        Yes, I could install an other OS like TrueNAS, but then I would loose the greatest advantage of Terramaster – the TRAID option like the Synology SHR. Because if the space is getting short, I would not like to buy ALL drives new and bigger to get more volume space.*

        Is there any other NAS provider or OS out there, that gives me both – flexible RAIDs AND Volume/Folder Encryption …without “dongle”ing me to ‘their certified’ harddrives like Synology?

        * Besides, that’s why I don’t agree with You over the 4bay as a better option. 2 free bays for a hundret bucks are MUCH cheaper (especially in TRAID) while using an older already existing hdd in a free slot, than buying one or more bigger hdd (at least two if there is no already unused TRAID space available) to expand volume space!
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      2. Sadly there are only F6-424 MAX reviews available. No reviews of the MUCH cheaper F6-424. Admitted – It has a weaker processor and all that stuff, but it’s about half the price of the MAX version. Certainly for people with a tight budget that look for a cheaper storage device it should be very interesting.
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      3. Awesome video—really appreciate you putting this together! I’m only considering TerraMaster because of the Hybrid RAID option. Mixing drives is such a useful feature. That said, I’m a bit let down that the Pro version doesn’t include a 14th-gen i5 or i7. I totally get having an entry-level and a high-end model, but the high-end should feel like overkill—in a good way.

        QNAP seems to be getting it. Synology still doesn’t. TerraMaster is close, but not quite there yet… though I do see some solid progress. Just beef up the CPU to an i7 that would be great in my opinion.
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      4. I have been running my F6 424 MAX a month now and I must say it’s an excellent little box. I haven’t even bothered trying the stock OS. I bought it to run TrueNAS Scale, and so it does. Took ten minutes to set up and has been running flawlessly since. I upgraded the RAM to 64 GB and the M.2 slots I use for read and write caching. Unfortunately that leaves me without a drive for the OS, so I have a Samsung T7 drive dingling outside, which doesn’t look too good. I might try do something about that some year. I did consider building my own NAS from parts, but after adding together all pieces needed, there isn’t very much to save, and it will end up with a bigger box. There’s pros and cons with both, but I am really happy. In fact, to the extent I bought another of their boxes – a plain F4 424 to use as a backup for the big one. I run mirrored vdevs (“RAID10”) in a 3×2 configuration of 16 TB each in the main box, and 2×2 of 24 TB in the backup, adding up to the same amount of storage. The total sum left some holes in the pocket, but this is a great start to get rid of the cloud services.
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      5. I need help with this. I just got this 3 days ago and I am STRUGGLING to find ANY solution to get write speeds over 80mb/s
        Raid-0 is supposed to be # of drives times write speed, so 2 Ironwolf 22tb drives should give me write speeds of 400 mbps.
        I am connected to a gigabit lan hub with an appropriate RJ45 (both from PC and from the hub to the terramaster).

        Forums have been obtuse, unhelpful and downright insulting, and not finding any clear information on websearches either.
        I’m new with raid things, so maybe there’s a trick for performance. I am expecting 4 more 22tb drives shortly and planning Raid-10, normally this should give me a 50% increase on current raid-0 with 2 drives.

        But if anyone as good tricks to kick the speed up, let me know. I find 80mb/s aggravating as a write speed.
        Any help appreciated, as I am not impressed so far.
        REPLY ON YOUTUBE

      6. New to the nas world.

        Thinking of getting this but watching videos when adding drives it asked to wipe them.

        I plan to add 2 drives at first filled with movies I don’t want to lose them.

        Will this be the case?
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      7. Any chance you have or will try TrueNAS Scale, to determine drive availability & or support for the Network adapters, USB support, maybe Video Drivers for the HDMI etc.
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      8. One thing about DDR5, it does have on chip ECC, so it is somewhat better than non-ECC DDR4. They definitely missed the boat on Thunderbolt 4. the CPU and BIOS even support Thunderbolt 4, even if they raised the price $100, they would have had a price point catagory killer.
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      9. I own the F6-424 non Max with the N97 processor running TrueNAS. I am satisfied with it and the price was excellent. I believe if Aoostar offered their WTR Pro with 6 bays, they’d charge a similar enough price.
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      10. Read the official forums before buying it. The bios is locked, they support the devices only for 2 years. And this particular model is made of thin plastic with lots of ugly supports on the inside. Not the quality for the price
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      11. Highly recommend this NAS, great hardware at a small & quiet form factor. I haven’t used the TOS software, I immediately booted using Unraid instead which I also recommend. I run Plex (with impressive transcoding leveraging the integrated graphics of this Intel CPU), HomeAssistant, etc, this thing can handle it without breaking a sweat. Synology seems to be moving away from Intel CPUs, from a hardware spec perspective at this form factor size I think this is the best option.
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      12. I’d always like built for use NAS, but so much more expensive than my pc nas build… not sure if the power savings will make up the difference very quickly.
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      13. Using a f4 pro with n305. Just for exploring all i am learning:
        Installed proxmox and indeed using the hdmi for a mate-desktop over it.
        Only downside, It has 2 different raid-controllers (2×2) so use virtual truenas with 2 zfs-pools.
        So far a really good allrounder for learning. Speed is not that important at moment and later-on will probably end up with truenas baremetal or Tos for only NAS. Curious how those raid-controllers will function.
        As substitute for a self-made, time wasting N305-motherboard with all it’s pittfalls (also raid 5+1 , nvme shared with Pci-slots) this Terramaster works great so far.
        Will probably use this as backup NAS in future and end up with a P520 to go a step up with more horsepower.
        Great videos Rob (every July being attacked by seagulls when putting clothes to dry) greetings from Spain.
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      14. im very very close to getting their new 12 bay unit because of synology dragging their feet and hybrid raid being so important to me, im just worried about software glitches/security holes, this is the only thing im worried about
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      15. I think, I might be the target audience of that NAS and maybe can help some others decide:
        TL;DR: If you can afford it, like a pre-built solution for a NAS, have no need for virtualization on a NAS and have a reliability over features mindset, you might want to buy it.

        I bought this NAS some months ago and can say that most of the negative points were a positive for me:
        – 6 instead of 4 bays for 100 is fine for me and most other vendors ask for more for that upgrade
        – The “old” CPU was the main reason I chose Terramaster and not some other vendor, since it is still a series where Intel had no degradation issues
        – Intel was chosen should I decide in the future to re-purpose it as a jellyfin server for transcoding
        – The HDMI port is exactly what it should be (for me) on a device like this: a console (for TrueNAS in my case) and nothing else.

        The other two negatives I can kinda agree with or at least am ambivalent about. Yes, I upgraded to 64GB of RAM just to be on the safe side and hate to waste a perfecctly fine 8GB stick. For me, and I can only speak for me, this is a good solution. As an IT guy, I don’t like to combine too many features in one device – especially a NAS – and for that this device is kinda perfect. I have old HP Microservers with TrueNAS on them running for about 10 years now – with Intel G2020T and AMD N40L. And they do what they are there for: Being NASs. Reliability over features. And I hope this NAS will do the same and give me 10 years plus of storage service. If you want an all-in-one device, the newer ASUS or UGREEN stuff might be more interesting for you.
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      16. Purchased the F4-424 Pro 16gb last week for £471 (20% off voucher) on Amazon, wasn’t impressed with TOS so threw Unraid on it… brilliant little nas now.
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      17. I am currently torn between the F4-424 and building my own NAS, and your 5 Reasons Not To are very helpful. I may end up spending a little more, but I think now I’m edging towards having a newer CPU and USB 4.0 connectivity. Terramaster produce great compact NAS at an affordable price, but for my tinkering I think I prefer the old school rack storage case with my own choice of (upgradable) CPU and motherboard in the back. It will cost me more power and space, but I’m okay with that – others mileage may vary.
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      18. @nascompares Aside from the upcoming N5 Pro, which OEM nas system offers a more modern cpu (not an N-series chip) with an Intel iGPU for Plex/Jellyfin for a similar price?
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      19. Subtitle keeps translating the product as ‘Terror ‘Master’ . Must mean that if you are worried about storage, this device will sooth your worries.
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      20. It looks nice, and it should be a call for Synology. QNAP has the QNAP TS-h973AX with 10gbit, it has far less CPU but more bays and with 8GB is a little bit cheaper. The QNAP also is not built by a company that has a review board of the CCP inside the company having the last call about every single decision made. The QNAP also supports two U.2 bays and has a fall better OS. synology has the Synology DiskStation DS1621+ has less RAM and one has to add the 10gbit ethernet.
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      21. it just seems like the Unas and installing your own OS on it may be the best all the road if you wish to stay away from Synlogy. The hardware on that Ugreen is just awesome. Terramaster seems like it as well. .. Hmm decisions, decisions.
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      22. Thank you for a good preview of this Terramaster NAS. I got this for about a week ago after some comparing between different Synology as I had 213j and 718p before. I got mine from Amazon and did not see the difference in price between the k4 and 6 bay that big but I would rather prefer to have an option to have it without memory. That 4GB usb memory have I removed because I choose to install Truenas scale on it. Must say as a user of Synology so it very different and not that easy to get everything to work as I’m used to on the Synology 718+

        I think Truenas have made a good open system with decent hardware. Would have been nice to be able to use ECC memory but that is as I understand it only available on AMD based system.

        Dust filter have been good to have but I haven’t seen any NAS with that future.

        Don’t remember the name of the YouTube channel but there is one guy who is part L1 tech that used this Terramaster with 2 pics of 48GB memory to a total of 96GB of memory. Might be overkill but I might test it if I see someone else report successes on that. To much ain’t enough ????
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      23. BeWare of TOS. Unless you are about to Unraid it or sth, its useless as TOS is totally unreliable. Otherwise is very good hardware with supremly bad software.
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      24. Initially it looks great *but* that CPU represents a huge red flag, it’s age plus the limit of 64GB when more modern CPS give 192GB? Not good. I can understand why but this more of a Plus than a Max model compare to the standard. You gain 64GB vs 32 GB, 2 x 10 Gb vs 2 x 2.5Gb and 2 x PCIe 4 x4 vs 2 x PCIe 3 x1 plus more cores, with the problem that you can really use them. (VMs limited by memory)
        If they did a barebones 14th gen with an extra 2 x 2.5 SATA bays, for boot OS it becomes a real game changer
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      25. Many thanks for this vid, Rob. I’ve been looking at buying this as I’m upgrading my network to 10gbe, so need a NAS with 10gbe capability, and this fits my needs perfectly. I just need to find a vid on migrating Plex settings from one NASto another ????
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      26. i have the f2 424, best dual-bay nas that i’ve ever had, a beast; (and technically is 4 slot, cause of the 2 nvme); this have even a better cpu so, ANOTHER BEAST.
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      27. I have problems with the price, the old processor, lack of ram, and that it os made in China. Makes me worry they built in a backdoor for hacking by the ccp. I am looking at building my own server rack nas using a 14th gen intel processor.
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