Best Network Attached Storages with 4GB RAM: 6 Spec-Based Picks

Quick picks

The best fit for you

• You need multi-gigabit networking and M.2 NVMe expansion. Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS It provides 2.5GbE and 5GbE ports alongside M.2 NVMe slots and 4GB RAM.
• You need maximum drive capacity in a server rack. Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS This short-depth rackmount model provides eight drive bays and 4GB RAM.
• You need native 10GbE networking in a desktop chassis. QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE Desktop NAS It features native 10GbE network connectivity and four drive bays in a desktop enclosure.
• You need dedicated NVMe SSD caching with multi-gigabit speeds. Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 4 M.2 NVMe Slots It features four M.2 NVMe slots, 10GbE connectivity, and four bays for storage expansion.

Our 6 picks

1 Best overall

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS

Best for: multi-gigabit networking and small-office surveillance

RAM Capacity

4GB RAM (what this guide is about)

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Network Connectivity

2x 2.5GbE

Processor

Quad-Core 2.0GHz

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS

The Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS provides 4GB of DDR4 memory paired with a 2.0GHz quad-core processor. You get dual 2.5GbE networking ports, three USB 3.2 connections, and two M.2 NVMe slots for solid-state storage. This unit fits your setup if you need multi-gigabit networking, reliable local file backups, and room for four drives inside a compact desktop chassis.

Pros

• 4GB DDR4 RAM paired with a 2.0GHz quad-core processor
• Two 2.5GbE network ports
• Two M.2 NVMe SSD slots
• Three USB 3.2 ports
• Includes four free IP camera surveillance licenses

Cons

• Limited to four primary drive bays
• Lacks native 10GbE connectivity

Good fit if

• You need dual 2.5GbE networking out of the box.
• You want M.2 NVMe slots alongside four drive bays.
• You plan to run IP cameras using the included licenses.

Skip if

• You need more than four drive bays.
• You require native 10GbE network transfer speeds.

Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with Dual 2.5GbE delivers multi-gigabit throughput, 4GB DDR4 memory, and dual M.2 NVMe expansion in a desktop chassis. It handles automated backups and local file hosting with balanced hardware specifications.

2 Best premium

Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS

Best for: shallow rack installations needing eight bays

RAM Capacity

4GB RAM (what this guide is about)

Drive Bays

8 Bay

Included Storage

Diskless

Dimensions

23 × 16.5 × 8.5 inches

View on Amazon: Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS

If you need high-capacity storage for a server rack, this Synology 8-bay rackmount unit provides 4GB of DDR4 memory and a compact 298 mm depth. It delivers transfer speeds up to 2,315 MB/s read and 1,147 MB/s write. You can expand networking using its PCIe slot or configure two units into a high-availability cluster, making it a practical fit if you manage multi-user network storage in shallow server cabinets.

Pros

• Short 298 mm depth fits compact rack cabinets
• Delivers up to 2,315 MB/s read and 1,147 MB/s write speeds
• PCIe slot accepts compatible SFP+ or RJ-45 cards
• Supports Synology High Availability clustering

Cons

• Drives are not included
• Requires optional PCIe card for high-speed SFP+ networking
• Rackmount form factor is not designed for desktop use

Good fit if

• You need an 8-bay chassis designed for shallow 298 mm racks.
• You plan to add a PCIe card for faster networking.
• You want to set up two units for high-availability failover.

Skip if

• You need a standalone desktop tower instead of a rackmount unit.
• You want storage drives included out of the box.

Verdict: Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS provides eight drive bays and PCIe expandability in a compact rackmount enclosure. It offers a solid 4GB memory baseline for multi-user storage deployments.

3 Best budget

QNAP 4-Bay 2.5GbE Desktop NAS

Best for: home multimedia streaming and 2.5GbE multi-client backups

RAM Capacity

4GB RAM (what this guide is about)

Drive Bays

4 Bay

Network Connectivity

1 x 2.5GbE, 1 x 1GbE

Processor

ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core 2.0GHz

Included Storage

Diskless

Dimensions

6.3 × 8.62 × 6.65 inches

View on Amazon: QNAP 4-Bay 2.5GbE Desktop NAS

This diskless 4-bay enclosure provides central storage for personal media and backups across your household network. It runs on an ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core 2.0GHz processor paired with 4 GB of DDR4 RAM. Network connections include one 2.5GbE port alongside a standard 1GbE port for multi-gigabit transfers. You also get integrated support for Apple Time Machine and QNAP NetBak Replicator to manage Windows and Mac system backups.

Pros

• ARM Cortex-A55 quad-core 2.0GHz processor
• 4 GB DDR4 RAM for file and media operations
• One 2.5GbE port plus one 1GbE network port
• Supports NetBak Replicator and macOS Time Machine

Cons

• ARM architecture rather than an x86 processor
• Ships diskless, requiring separate drive purchases
• Lacks native 10GbE connectivity

Good fit if

• You need four drive bays with 4 GB DDR4 RAM for home backups.
• You run a 2.5GbE local network for faster file transfers.
• You want native backup tools for Windows and Mac computers.

Skip if

• You require an x86 processor for specific software environments.
• You need a NAS that arrives pre-populated with hard drives.

Verdict: QNAP 4-Bay 2.5GbE Desktop NAS delivers 4 GB DDR4 memory and multi-gigabit networking for home storage and backups. It gives you quad-bay capacity and dual OS backup compatibility in a compact desktop chassis.

4 Also great

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 4 M.2 NVMe Slots

Best for: multi-gigabit networks and NVMe SSD caching

RAM Capacity

4GB RAM (what this guide is about)

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Network Connectivity

Dual 2.5GbE

Processor

Intel Celeron N5105

M.2 NVMe Slots

4 slots

Included Storage

No Drive

View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 4 M.2 NVMe Slots

This four-bay NAS features 4GB of DDR4 memory, an Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor, and dual 2.5GbE network ports. It includes four M.2 NVMe slots for cache or storage acceleration and a PCIe slot for upgrades. Memory expands up to 16GB. You get dedicated hardware transcoding for 4K video playback. This setup suits you if you need multi-gigabit speeds and fast SSD caching.

Pros

• Four M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slots for caching or acceleration
• Dual 2.5GbE network ports with link aggregation support
• Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor with 4K hardware transcoding
• PCIe expansion slot for an optional 10GbE network card
• DDR4 memory expandable up to 16GB

Cons

• Ships with 4GB of RAM instead of the 16GB maximum capacity
• Requires a separate PCIe card to enable 10GbE connectivity

Good fit if

• You need high-speed SSD caching using up to four M.2 NVMe drives.
• You want dual 2.5GbE network connectivity with link aggregation.
• You plan to stream 4K media using hardware transcoding.

Skip if

• You require native 10GbE networking without using an expansion card.
• You need more than four main storage drive bays.

Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 4 M.2 NVMe Slots provides strong local data speeds through dual 2.5GbE and substantial NVMe caching capacity. It offers reliable 4K media transcoding alongside room for PCIe network upgrades.

5 Also great

Synology 4-Bay Expandable NAS Enclosure

Best for: scalable storage and optional 10GbE networking

RAM Capacity

4GB RAM (what this guide is about)

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Included Storage

Diskless

Dimensions

6.54 × 7.83 × 8.78 inches

Weight

4.94 pounds

View on Amazon: Synology 4-Bay Expandable NAS Enclosure

This diskless 4-bay NAS pairs 4GB of DDR4 memory with two 1GbE network ports. You can scale storage from four drives up to nine bays by attaching a DX517 expansion unit. The chassis also accepts an optional 10GbE network upgrade module. It suits you if you need built-in photo management, virtualization, and flexible drive expansion.

Pros

• Expandable up to 9 drives with DX517 expansion unit
• Two 1GbE ports with optional 10GbE upgrade support
• 4GB DDR4 RAM pre-installed
• 3-year warranty coverage

Cons

• Ships without storage drives included
• Default network ports limited to 1GbE base speed
• 10GbE connectivity requires an optional add-on card

Good fit if

• You want the option to scale beyond 4 drives via an expansion unit.
• You plan to add 10GbE connectivity later when your network demands it.
• You need native tools for virtualization, surveillance, and photo backups.

Skip if

• You require pre-installed multi-gigabit networking out of the box.
• You want hard drives included with the enclosure.

Verdict: Synology DiskStation 4-Bay NAS fits users who want 4GB of RAM and standard 1GbE networking today, with the option to expand to nine drive bays and 10GbE speeds later.

6 Best desktop

QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE Desktop NAS

Best for: high-speed 10GbE SFP+ network setups

RAM Capacity

4GB RAM (what this guide is about)

Drive Bays

4 Bay

Network Connectivity

Single-port 10GbE SFP+, Dual 2.5GbE

Processor

Alpine AL524 Quad-core 2.0GHz

Included Storage

Diskless

Form Factor

Desktop

View on Amazon: QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE Desktop NAS

This 4-bay desktop NAS runs on an AnnapurnaLabs Alpine AL524 quad-core 2.0GHz processor and includes 4GB of DDR4 memory. For high-speed networking, you get a dedicated 10GbE SFP+ port alongside two 2.5GbE ports. A PCIe Gen 3 x4 slot allows future expansions like M.2 storage cards. This setup fits your needs if you require fast network transfers and multi-gigabit connectivity for desktop backups.

Pros

• Built-in 10GbE SFP+ port and dual 2.5GbE network ports
• Single PCIe Gen 3 x4 slot for network or storage expansion cards
• RAM upgradable to 16GB with optional ECC memory support
• Dual USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports with One Touch Copy

Cons

• 10GbE connectivity uses SFP+ rather than standard RJ-45 copper
• Requires a separate PCIe card to add M.2 SSD storage slots

Good fit if

• You need native 10GbE SFP+ and dual 2.5GbE networking out of the box.
• You plan to expand memory capacity up to 16GB with ECC support.
• You want PCIe Gen 3 x4 expansion flexibility in a compact four-bay footprint.

Skip if

• You need integrated M.2 slots without adding an expansion card.
• You require standard 10GBASE-T RJ-45 ports for your network cables.

Verdict: QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE Desktop NAS delivers multi-gigabit networking and PCIe expansion flexibility in a four-drive footprint.

Specifications side by side

How to Choose a 4GB NAS

1. Match Network Port Speeds

   Check the Ethernet transfer speeds supported by your local switch or router before choosing an enclosure. Standard gigabit ports limit sequential data transfers to roughly 125 megabytes per second. Upgrading to multi-gigabit connections, such as 2.5GbE or 10GbE, removes throughput bottlenecks during heavy file backups. If you operate high-bandwidth multi-client environments, units like the QNAP 4-Bay 10GbE Desktop NAS supply native 10GbE connectivity to sustain faster simultaneous read and write operations. Select the network interface speed that matches your existing switch hardware to prevent interface throttling.

2. Evaluate Dedicated Caching Slots

   Look for dedicated internal slots if you plan to accelerate frequent small-file operations. Solid-state drive caching improves read and write input-output response times for databases, indexing, and multi-user environments. Units like the Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay NAS with 4 M.2 NVMe Slots let you mount solid-state drives without occupying standard 3.5-inch hard drive bays. This separation preserves all primary storage bays for bulk hard drive capacities. If your daily workloads consist primarily of single large-file archival transfers, dedicated solid-state caching slots provide fewer practical performance benefits for your setup.

3. Review Expansion Slot Options

   Examine whether the chassis includes PCIe expansion slots for long-term hardware upgrades. Built-in network ports and storage interfaces meet standard baseline requirements, but extra slots allow you to adapt your setup over time. Installing an add-in card lets you add high-speed network interfaces or dedicated adapter cards when demand increases. For enterprise environments, the Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS includes PCIe expandability to support supplemental network configurations. Choose an enclosure with an accessible PCIe slot if you plan to upgrade network adapters or add specialized interface cards in future deployment phases.

4. Calculate Required Drive Bays

   Determine your total raw storage needs and preferred RAID configuration before deciding on bay capacity. Four-bay enclosures provide an efficient balance for home and small-office environments, allowing configurations like RAID 5 where one drive handles parity data. A model like the QNAP 4-Bay 2.5GbE Desktop NAS offers four bays to support fault-tolerant arrays while leaving desktop space open. Larger multi-bay enclosures allow RAID 6 configurations, which withstand two simultaneous drive failures. Calculate your usable volume after accounting for parity loss to ensure the physical bay count accommodates future volume growth.

5. Check Processor Core Count

   Evaluate processor core count when running multiple background services alongside basic file sharing. Systems equipped with quad-core processors handle continuous background tasks, including file indexing, containerized services, and automated backups, without degrading user transfer speeds. The Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS integrates four CPU cores to manage these active concurrent requests alongside its memory pool. If you only intend to run passive cold storage or schedule nighttime backups, dual-core architectures suffice. For continuous multi-client file transfers or automated synchronization tasks, prioritize quad-core processors to avoid CPU processing bottlenecks during high load.

6. Verify Dimensions and Clearances

   Check physical equipment dimensions and installation clearances before selecting a storage enclosure. Desktop chassis vary widely in footprint, requiring sufficient shelf space and adequate perimeter airflow to keep internal components cool. Rackmount enclosures require standardized server cabinets with compatible depth specifications to ensure secure mounting. Always verify the external length, width, and height against your designated storage space. You must also account for rear cable clearances, such as Ethernet wiring and power adapter connections, ensuring adequate ventilation around the intake and exhaust fan grilles during continuous 24/7 drive operations.

Frequently asked questions

See also

• best NAS hard drives under 200
• best NAS hard drives under 300
• best mini PCs with 4GB RAM
• best heatsinks for RAM