QNAP TS-464 vs Synology DS923+
The QNAP TS-464 and Synology DS923+ are both compact 4-bay NAS systems designed for small offices and home use. The TS-464 emphasizes raw processing power and expandability, while the DS923+ focuses on ease of use and software maturity through its established DSM operating system.
QNAP TS-464
A 4-bay NAS with Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor, supporting up to 32GB RAM and dual 2.5GbE ports. Designed for general-purpose storage, multimedia, and light virtualization workloads.
Processor
Intel Celeron N5105 (quad-core, 2.0 GHz)
Maximum RAM
32GB DDR4
Network
Dual 2.5GbE RJ-45
Bays
4 × 3.5" SATA
Price Range
$400–$500 USD
Pros
- Faster processor with better multitasking and transcoding performance
- Dual 2.5GbE network ports for faster data transfer out of the box
- More expandable with additional USB ports and better third-party app ecosystem
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for new users due to QTS interface complexity
- Smaller community support compared to Synology
- Higher power consumption than comparable Synology models
Synology DS923+
A 4-bay NAS powered by AMD Ryzen R1600 dual-core processor with 2GB onboard RAM, upgradeable to 16GB. Optimized for media management, backup, and containerized workloads via DSM 7.
Processor
AMD Ryzen R1600 (dual-core, 3.6 GHz)
Maximum RAM
16GB DDR4
Network
1× 1GbE + 1× 10GbE (optional expansion)
Bays
4 × 3.5" SATA
Price Range
$450–$550 USD
Pros
- Industry-leading DSM operating system with intuitive UI and extensive third-party app support
- Significantly lower power consumption and quieter operation
- Larger community, more online guides, and superior official support
Cons
- Dual-core processor is slower than TS-464 for CPU-intensive tasks
- Single 1GbE network port limits initial throughput (second port requires upgrade)
- RAM upgrades more expensive due to proprietary SODIMM slot
Synology DS923+ wins
DS923+ wins for most users due to superior software maturity, energy efficiency, and support ecosystem, despite lower raw CPU performance.
QNAP TS-464
Best for power users needing fast transcoding, 4K media workflows, and maximum RAM expansion.
Synology DS923+
Best for home office and small business backup, media management, and 24/7 low-power operation.
Performance & Processing Power
CPU Performance
TS-464's quad-core Intel processor outperforms DS923+'s dual-core Ryzen for parallel workloads and transcoding.
Network Speed
TS-464 includes dual 2.5GbE by default; DS923+ ships with single 1GbE and requires add-on for 10GbE support.
RAM Upgradability
TS-464 supports up to 32GB via standard SODIMM slots; DS923+ maxes at 16GB with proprietary SODIMM pricing.
Power Efficiency
DS923+ consumes ~40% less power due to lower-power AMD processor and optimized DSM firmware.
User Interface
DSM 7 is more intuitive and beginner-friendly; QTS requires steeper learning curve for new NAS users.
Software Ecosystem
Synology's app ecosystem is larger with more regularly updated packages; QNAP's options are growing but fewer in quantity.
Hardware & Specifications Comparison
| Aspect | QNAP TS-464 | Synology DS923+ |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N5105 (4 cores, 2.0 GHz) | AMD Ryzen R1600 (2 cores, 3.6 GHz) |
| Onboard/Max RAM | 2GB / 32GB DDR4 SODIMM | 2GB / 16GB DDR4 SODIMM |
| Network Ports | 2× 2.5GbE RJ-45 | 1× 1GbE + 1× 10GbE (optional M.2 SSD slot) |
| Drive Bays | 4× 3.5" SATA | 4× 3.5" SATA |
| Idle Power Consumption | ~30W | ~20W |
| Operating System | QTS (customizable, open) | DSM 7 (polished, closed-source) |
Use Case & Value Assessment
Choose the TS-464 if you need raw processing power for 4K transcoding, virtualization, or running Docker containers at scale; its quad-core processor and 32GB RAM ceiling make it suitable for power users and small business deployments. The DS923+ is ideal for home users, small offices prioritizing ease of setup and low power bills; DSM's app ecosystem and industry-leading support make it the more reliable choice for typical backup, media, and file-sharing scenarios.
When to choose each
Choose QNAP TS-464 if…
Best for power users needing fast transcoding, 4K media workflows, and maximum RAM expansion.
Choose Synology DS923+ if…
Best for home office and small business backup, media management, and 24/7 low-power operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The TS-464 is better due to its quad-core Intel processor and 32GB RAM ceiling, which handle parallel encoding tasks more efficiently. The DS923+'s dual-core design makes it slower for CPU-intensive video processing.
Synology's DSM 7 is more beginner-friendly with a polished UI and larger app catalog; QNAP's QTS is more open but has a steeper learning curve. DSM is generally considered more stable for home/small-office use.
The DS923+ uses ~20W idle power versus the TS-464's ~30W, saving roughly $15–25/year in electricity. Over 5 years, this offset makes the DS923+ more cost-effective despite similar purchase prices.
Sources & references
Suggested sources to verify product details, pricing, reviews, and specifications.
- OfficialQNAP TS-464 Official Specifications
Processor, RAM, network, and power specifications for TS-464
- ReferenceQNAP TS-464 Review | PCMag
... Designed for small businesses ... TS-464 ($549) is <strong>a versatile four-bay network attached storage (NAS) devic
- ReferenceQNAP TS-464 NAS Review – NAS Compares
That shouldn’t be a surprise really, as the rest of the hardware industry improves in power, performance and efficiency,