Asustor 6-Bay NAS Quad M.2 Review (2026): A Spec-Based Look

What stands out

• Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor for multitasking
• Six SATA bays plus four M.2 NVMe slots
• Dual 2.5GbE Ethernet ports for high-speed networking
• 8GB DDR4 RAM expandable to 16GB
• Hardware transcoding support for 4K media playback

Who it fits

Key specs explained

Processor: Intel Celeron N5105

This quad-core chip handles file management and media streaming without slowing down. You can run Plex or virtual machines smoothly. It supports hardware transcoding for 4K video. This level of processing power suits users who need reliable daily performance. Compare this against older dual-core models if you plan to stream high-resolution content.

Drive Bays: 6-Bay

You can install up to six SATA hard drives for bulk storage. This capacity is ideal for large media libraries or backup archives. The six-bay layout offers flexibility for RAID configurations. If you need more space, look at eight-bay or ten-bay models. This setup balances high capacity with a manageable physical footprint for home offices.

M.2 NVMe Slots: 4 slots

These four slots allow you to add fast NVMe SSDs. You can use them for caching or all-flash acceleration. This boosts read and write speeds for active files. It complements the slower SATA drives in the main bays. If you work with large video files, these slots provide the speed needed for smooth editing and playback workflows.

Network Connectivity: Dual 2.5GbE

Two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports offer faster data transfer than standard Gigabit ports. You can bond them for higher throughput or use one for internet and one for local traffic. This speed helps when moving large files between computers. Compare this to single Gigabit ports if you have a fast home network. It reduces transfer times significantly for heavy workloads.

Design and Build Overview

According to the listing, this Asustor NAS measures 3.61 inches in width, 2.76 inches in length, and 3.57 inches in height. It weighs 10.8 pounds. The chassis is finished in black. This compact form factor allows you to place the unit on a desk or in a standard rack space without consuming excessive floor area. The solid build suggests it can handle continuous operation while maintaining stability during vibration from spinning drives.

The layout prioritizes hybrid storage flexibility. You get six bays for SATA drives and four dedicated M.2 NVMe slots. This arrangement lets you combine high-capacity mechanical drives with fast solid-state storage for caching or all-flash acceleration. The inclusion of an HDMI port on the hardware interface means you can connect a monitor directly for local management, which is useful for initial setup or troubleshooting without needing a separate computer.

Network connectivity is handled by dual 2.5GbE ports. This design choice supports link aggregation or failover, providing higher throughput for large file transfers. The unit also features a PCIe slot, allowing you to add a 10GbE upgrade card later. This expandability ensures the hardware can adapt to growing bandwidth needs. The overall design focuses on durability and future-proofing, making it suitable for content creators who require reliable, high-speed access to their data archives.

Setup and Everyday Use

Setting up this Asustor NAS involves installing your preferred storage drives into the six SATA bays and four M.2 NVMe slots. The unit ships diskless, so you must provide the drives yourself. You can configure the M.2 slots for caching or all-flash acceleration to boost performance. The dual 2.5GbE ports require compatible network equipment to realize their speed benefits. If you need even higher throughput, the PCIe slot allows for a 10GbE upgrade card. The system comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which you can expand to 16GB for heavier workloads like virtualization or Docker containers. This memory ensures smooth multitasking when running multiple services simultaneously.

Daily use centers on high-throughput tasks. The Intel Celeron N5105 processor handles file management and media streaming efficiently. You can stream 4K video with hardware transcoding, making it suitable for Plex servers and smart TVs. The hybrid storage design lets you balance capacity with speed. Large files reside on SATA drives, while frequently accessed data can sit on NVMe SSDs. The dual network ports offer redundancy and increased bandwidth for small businesses or creators. You manage the system through Asustor’s software, which supports virtualization and backup tasks. The hardware interface includes HDMI for direct display output if needed. This setup suits users who need reliable, fast storage without sacrificing drive capacity. The expandable RAM and PCIe options ensure the NAS can grow with your needs over time.

Before you buy this NAS

This Asustor model ships diskless, meaning you must purchase drives separately. You need six SATA hard drives and four M.2 NVMe SSDs to fill all slots. Ensure your NVMe drives are compatible with your intended use, whether for caching or all-flash acceleration. The unit includes 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which is expandable to 16GB. If you plan to run virtual machines or Docker containers, you should upgrade the memory. Network connectivity relies on dual 2.5GbE ports. You may want a compatible switch to utilize these speeds fully. A PCIe slot allows for a 10GbE upgrade later. This device fits well among other options in NAS Drives & Hard Drives for users needing hybrid storage. Regular firmware updates are essential for security. Keep the unit in a well-ventilated area to manage heat from the Intel Celeron N5105 processor.

Check before you buy

• Purchase six SATA drives for the main bays.
• Acquire four M.2 NVMe SSDs for fast storage.
• Verify RAM expansion needs for virtualization workloads.
• Check switch compatibility for dual 2.5GbE ports.
• Confirm PCIe slot availability for future 10GbE upgrades.

The product at a glance

1

Asustor 6-Bay NAS with Quad M.2 NVMe Slots

Best for: media creators needing fast hybrid storage

Drive Bays

6-Bay

Network Connectivity

Dual 2.5GbE

Processor

Intel Celeron N5105

RAM Capacity

8GB DDR4

M.2 NVMe Slots

4 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: Asustor 6-Bay NAS with Quad M.2 NVMe Slots Affiliate link

The Asustor AS6706T is a 6-bay NAS with an Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor. It includes four M.2 NVMe slots and dual 2.5GbE ports. The unit ships with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, expandable to 16GB. This setup supports virtualization and 4K media streaming. It suits content creators needing fast local storage and network throughput for heavy workloads.

Pros

• Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor for robust performance
• Four M.2 NVMe slots for hybrid or all-flash storage
• Dual 2.5GbE ports for faster data transfer speeds
• 8GB DDR4 RAM expandable to 16GB for multitasking

Cons

• Limited to 2.5GbE speeds without a PCIe expansion card
• 8GB base RAM may require upgrade for heavy virtualization
• No mention of included hard drives or NVMe SSDs

Good fit if

• You need high-speed local storage for large media files
• You plan to run Docker containers or virtual machines
• You want to expand network speed with a PCIe card

Skip if

• You require 10GbE connectivity out of the box
• You are looking for a pre-loaded drive solution
• You need a compact unit under 3 pounds

Verdict: Asustor AS6706T 6-Bay NAS offers strong processing power and flexible storage options for users who prioritize speed and expandability over plug-and-play simplicity.

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