QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached vs QNAP TS-1655-8G-US 16 Bay high: Spec Comparison
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This comparison covers the qnap 4 bay USB c direct attached vs ts 1655 8g us 16 bay high. Both devices are built by QNAP and support SATA drives for storage. The main difference is their role. The first is a direct-attached storage unit for expanding capacity. The second is a full network-attached server with its own processor and network ports. You need to decide if you want a simple expansion or a complete network system.
Key differences
| Aspect | QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage | QNAP 16-Bay Hybrid NAS with Atom 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | 4-Bay DAS | 16-Bay NAS |
| Processor | Not listed | Intel Atom 8-core |
| RAM | Not listed | 8GB DDR4 |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Dual 2.5GbE |
| Drive Capacity | 4 bays | 16 bays |
Which one should you choose?
Choose QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage if
- You need a simple plug-and-play expansion for an existing NAS.
- You want a locked, portable storage solution for backup.
- You prefer a smaller, black desktop device.
Choose QNAP 16-Bay Hybrid NAS with Atom 8-Core if
- You require a standalone server with its own CPU and RAM.
- You need dual 2.5GbE ports for faster network transfers.
- You want to store up to 16 drives in one unit.
Verdict: Choose the TR-004 if you simply need more local storage for a computer or NAS. Choose the TS-1655 if you need a powerful, standalone server with its own processor and network capabilities. The TR-004 is a peripheral; the TS-1655 is a complete system.
Storage Capacity and Connectivity Specs
Number of Drive Bays
The QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage offers four drive slots. It supports 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA drives. The unit comes with four 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives pre-installed. This provides 12TB of total storage right out of the box. In contrast, the QNAP TS-1655-8G-US is a 16-bay system. It holds twelve 3.5-inch and four 2.5-inch SATA drives. This allows for significantly higher capacity potential. You can fill all sixteen slots for massive storage. The TS-1655 does not include drives in its base configuration. You must purchase hard drives separately to populate the bays.
Hardware Interface and Connectivity
The QNAP 4-Bay uses a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface via USB Type-C. It connects directly to your computer. This makes it a Direct Attached Storage device. It includes a USB Type-C to Type-A cable for older ports. The QNAP TS-1655-8G-US connects via network ports. It features dual 2.5GbE RJ45 ports. These ports accelerate file access and large transfers over a network. The TS-1655 also has dual M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 3 slots. These allow for SSD cache or storage pools. The 4-Bay lacks network ports and M.2 slots. It relies entirely on the USB connection for data transfer.
RAM Capacity
RAM is crucial for caching and system performance. The QNAP TS-1655-8G-US comes with 8GB of UDIMM DDR4 RAM. This memory is upgradable to 128GB. It also supports ECC memory for data integrity. The QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage does not list any RAM specifications. As a simple DAS, it likely relies on the host computer for processing. It does not have user-upgradeable memory. The TS-1655 has a clear advantage here. Its substantial and expandable RAM supports complex tasks. It handles virtualization and intensive file access better than a simple DAS.
Processor and Performance
The QNAP TS-1655-8G-US is powered by an Intel Atom C-5125 processor. This is an 8-core CPU with burst speeds up to 2.8GHz. This hardware manages network traffic and RAID operations independently. The QNAP 4-Bay does not list an internal processor. It acts as a bridge for data transfer. The host computer handles all processing tasks. The TS-1655 can run applications and services on its own. The 4-Bay is limited to storage expansion. It cannot perform independent network or application tasks. The TS-1655 offers far more computational power for enterprise tasks.
RAID Support
The QNAP 4-Bay supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and JBOD. This protection is managed by the connected computer or the unit's simple controller. The drives are pre-configured in RAID 5. The QNAP TS-1655-8G-US is a NAS. It supports advanced RAID configurations typical of network storage. While specific RAID levels are not listed in the provided data, NAS systems generally offer more flexible RAID options. The 4-Bay is limited to four drives. The TS-1655 can manage RAID across sixteen drives. This allows for more robust data protection schemes. The TS-1655 provides greater flexibility for large-scale data redundancy.
Which QNAP model fits your needs?
Users needing simple plug-and-play external storage
Choose the 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage if you want immediate usability without complex setup. It arrives with four 4TB drives pre-configured in RAID 5, giving you 12TB of ready-to-use space. The USB Type-C connection allows you to plug it directly into Windows, macOS, or Linux systems. This model is ideal for backing up existing NAS data or expanding capacity for a single computer without managing a full network server.
Professionals requiring high capacity and processing power
Select the TS-1655-8G-US if you need a high-performance network-attached storage solution. This unit features sixteen drive bays, accepting twelve 3.5-inch and four 2.5-inch SATA drives for massive storage potential. It is powered by an Intel Atom 8-core processor and includes 8GB of upgradable ECC RAM. The dual 2.5GbE ports accelerate large file transfers and virtualization tasks, making it suitable for intensive workloads and multimedia management.
Users needing SSD cache acceleration options
The TS-1655-8G-US is the better choice if you plan to use solid-state drives for caching. It includes dual M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 3 slots that allow you to implement SSD cache acceleration or create an SSD storage pool. This setup significantly speeds up access to frequently used data. The hardware supports advanced features like Coral M.2 acceleration for image recognition, providing flexibility that the direct-attached USB-C model does not offer.
The products compared
QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage
Best for: expanding QNAP NAS capacity or backup
- Drive Bays
- 4-Bay
- Included Storage
- 12TB
- RAID Support
- RAID 0, 1, 5, JBOD
View on Amazon: QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage Affiliate link
The QNAP TR-004 is a 4-bay direct-attached storage device designed for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It comes with 12TB of pre-installed Seagate IronWolf drives configured in RAID 5. The unit connects via USB 3.2 Gen 1 over USB Type-C. It supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and JBOD modes. This setup helps you expand NAS capacity or serve as external backup storage for your existing QNAP system.
Pros
- Includes 12TB of pre-installed storage in RAID 5
- USB Type-C connection for modern devices
- Lockable drive bays for physical security
- Supports 3.5 and 2.5-inch SATA drives
Cons
- Only 4 drive bays limit total capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 offers slower transfer speeds
- No mention of built-in network ports
Good fit if
- You need to expand your QNAP NAS storage
- You want pre-configured RAID 5 for data safety
- You use Windows, macOS, or Linux
Skip if
- You require high-speed 10GbE networking
- You need more than 4 drive bays
- You want a standalone network-attached storage unit
Verdict: The QNAP TR-004 4-Bay USB-C DAS is a secure, pre-configured storage expansion for QNAP users. It fits those who need extra capacity or backup space without managing complex network setups.
QNAP 16-Bay Hybrid NAS with Atom 8-Core
Best for: high-density storage and hybrid caching
- Drive Bays
- 16 Bay
- Network Connectivity
- Dual 2.5GbE
- Processor
- Intel Atom C-5125
- RAM Capacity
- 8GB DDR4
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- Dual M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 3
- Processor Cores
- 8-Core
View on Amazon: QNAP 16-Bay Hybrid NAS with Atom 8-Core Affiliate link
This 16-bay NAS uses an Intel Atom 8-core processor and 8GB of upgradable RAM. It holds twelve 3.5-inch and four 2.5-inch drives. Dual 2.5GbE ports and two M.2 NVMe slots help with speed. It suits users needing high storage density and hybrid caching for intensive tasks.
Pros
- 16 drive bays for massive capacity
- 8-core Intel Atom C-5125 processor
- Dual 2.5GbE network ports
- Two M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 3 slots
Cons
- Large physical footprint at 19 inches high
- Base RAM is 8GB, requiring upgrade for heavy workloads
- Limited to SATA drive interfaces for main storage
Good fit if
- You need to store hundreds of terabytes on one device
- You want to use SSD caching for faster access
- You run virtualization or multimedia workflows
Skip if
- You have limited desk or rack space
- You only need a single drive bay
- You require Thunderbolt connectivity
Verdict: QNAP TS-1655 16-Bay Hybrid NAS is a dense storage solution for users who need maximum drive capacity and hybrid caching capabilities in a single chassis.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | QNAP 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage | QNAP 16-Bay Hybrid NAS with Atom 8-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Bays | 4-Bay | 16 Bay |
| Network Connectivity | not stated | Dual 2.5GbE |
| Processor | not stated | Intel Atom C-5125 |
| RAM Capacity | not stated | 8GB DDR4 |
| M.2 NVMe Slots | not stated | Dual M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 3 |
| Included Storage | 12TB | not stated |
| RAID Support | RAID 0, 1, 5, JBOD | not stated |
| Number of Bays | 4-Bay | not stated |
| Processor Cores | not stated | 8-Core |
| Dimensions | not stated | 20 × 18 × 19 inches |
| Size | 4 Bay | 16U x 3.5" x 16" |
| Color | Black | Coral |
| Model | TR-004 | TS-1655-8G-US |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the QNAP 4-Bay USB-C DAS as a standalone network storage device?
No, this unit is designed as a direct-attached storage device. It connects directly to your computer via USB-C rather than attaching to your network. You use it to expand capacity for a specific host or as a backup target for QNAP NAS systems. It does not function as a network-attached storage server on its own.
What are the physical dimensions of the 16-Bay TS-1655?
The TS-1655-8G-US is a large chassis measuring 18 inches in width, 19 inches in height, and 20 inches in length. It is designed for high-density storage needs. This size accommodates sixteen drive bays and requires significant desk or rack space compared to smaller direct-attached units.
Does the 16-Bay NAS support hybrid caching?
Yes, the TS-1655-8G-US supports hybrid caching capabilities. This feature allows you to use faster drives, such as SSDs, to cache data for the slower HDDs in the array. This improves read and write performance for frequently accessed files while maintaining high storage capacity.
How many processor cores does the TS-1655 have?
The TS-1655-8G-US features an 8-core Atom processor. This multi-core architecture handles the demands of managing sixteen drives and network traffic simultaneously. It provides the processing power needed for high-density storage operations and hybrid caching tasks without becoming a bottleneck.
What network speeds does the 16-Bay model support?
The TS-1655-8G-US supports 5GbE and 2.5GbE network connectivity. These speeds allow for faster data transfer over your local network compared to standard Gigabit connections. This is beneficial for users who need to move large files quickly between their computer and the storage unit.
Is the 4-Bay DAS pre-configured for immediate use?
Yes, the QNAP TR-004 arrives pre-configured. It comes with four 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives installed. The system is set up in RAID 5, providing 12TB of usable storage right out of the box. You can plug it in and start using it immediately.
Can I mix 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives in the 4-Bay unit?
Yes, the 4-Bay USB-C Direct Attached Storage supports both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SATA drives. This flexibility allows you to use larger capacity hard drives or smaller, faster solid-state drives. You can mix drive types to balance performance and storage capacity according to your needs.