QNAP TS-673-4G 8 Bay NAS Alternatives: 6 Similar Picks Compared

How the alternatives differ

Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay Dual 10GbE NAS

The Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay Dual 10GbE NAS offers dual 10GbE ports, providing faster network speeds than the QNAP's four 1GbE ports. It includes 8GB of RAM, doubling the QNAP's 4GB capacity for better multitasking. Both systems feature eight bays and quad-core processors. The Asustor uses M.2 NVMe interfaces for SSD caching, while the QNAP supports SATA SSDs. You should choose the Asustor if you need higher throughput and more memory for virtualization. The QNAP remains a better fit if you require dedicated GPU support for 4K video transcoding tasks.

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS

The Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS reduces capacity to four bays, making it significantly smaller than the eight-bay QNAP. It features 2.5GbE and 5GbE network ports, which are faster than the QNAP's 1GbE connections. Like the QNAP, it includes a quad-core processor and 4GB of RAM. The Asustor uses M.2 NVMe slots for caching, whereas the QNAP uses M.2 SATA slots. Pick this model if you need faster local networking and a compact footprint. The QNAP is better for users who need higher storage density and external GPU expansion for media processing.

Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS

The Synology RS1221+ is an 8-bay rackmount NAS designed for server environments, differing from the desktop QNAP model. It supports high availability clustering, a feature not listed for the QNAP. Both systems provide eight bays and 4GB of RAM. The Synology unit is larger and heavier, measuring 23 inches in length compared to the QNAP's 11 inches. It lacks the explicit GPU support found in the QNAP for transcoding. Choose the Synology if you need rackmount form factors and enterprise-grade redundancy. The QNAP is more suitable for desktop use with media server capabilities.

Synology 12-Bay Quad-Core NAS

The Synology DS2422+ expands capacity to 12 bays, offering more storage slots than the QNAP's eight bays. It includes 4GB of RAM and a quad-core processor, matching the QNAP's core specs. The Synology unit is much larger, weighing 20.9 pounds compared to the QNAP's 12.3 pounds. It focuses on raw sequential throughput and expansion flexibility. The QNAP provides NVIDIA GPU support for 4K transcoding, which the Synology does not list. Select the Synology if you need maximum drive capacity and scalability. The QNAP is better for users who prioritize media transcoding and PCIe expansion for graphics cards.

Synology 2-Bay 8TB NAS

The Synology DS223 8TB NAS is a 2-bay system with 8TB of pre-installed storage, drastically different from the QNAP's empty eight-bay design. It includes 2GB of RAM, half the QNAP's 4GB capacity. Both use quad-core processors and 1GbE network ports. The Synology is compact and lightweight, weighing 6.68 pounds versus the QNAP's 12.3 pounds. It is designed for basic file storage rather than high performance or expansion. Choose this model for simple home file sharing with included drives. The QNAP is better for users needing high capacity, RAM for virtualization, and GPU transcoding features.

Synology 2-Bay NAS with 8TB Storage

The Synology DS223j 8TB 2-Bay NAS offers 8TB of pre-installed storage in a two-bay form factor, unlike the QNAP's eight empty bays. It includes 2GB of RAM, which is less than the QNAP's 4GB. Both systems feature quad-core processors and 1GbE connectivity. The Synology unit is smaller and lighter, weighing 5.84 pounds compared to the QNAP's 12.3 pounds. It prioritizes a small footprint and basic file protection over performance. Pick this model for simple home office storage with included drives. The QNAP is superior for users requiring high capacity, expandability, and dedicated hardware for 4K video transcoding.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS

Best for: high capacity storage and media transcoding

Drive Bays

6 Bay

Network Connectivity

4x GbE LAN

RAM Capacity

4GB DDR4

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Number of Bays

8-Bay

Processor Cores

Quad-Core

View on Amazon: QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS Affiliate link

The QNAP TS-673-4G is an 8-bay NAS drive featuring an AMD R-Series quad-core processor running at 2.1 GHz. It includes 4GB of DDR4 RAM and four 1GbE LAN ports. You get two M.2 SSD slots for caching or storage expansion. This unit supports virtualization and containerized apps. It suits users needing scalable storage with hardware transcoding capabilities for media libraries.

Pros

• Eight drive bays for high capacity
• AMD R-Series quad-core 2.1 GHz CPU
• Dual M.2 SSD slots for caching
• Supports NVIDIA GT1030 for 4K transcoding

Cons

• Only 4GB RAM included
• Base network is limited to 1GbE
• No 10GbE ports on the main board

Good fit if

• You need eight drive bays
• You want hardware video transcoding
• You plan to add 10GbE later

Skip if

• You need built-in 10GbE
• You require more than 4GB RAM
• You want a 2-bay system

Verdict: The QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS fits users who need high capacity and media transcoding but can add 10GbE via expansion cards. It is a practical base for growing storage needs.

2 Also great

Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay Dual 10GbE NAS

Best for: High-speed 8-bay storage needs

Drive Bays

8-Bay

Network Connectivity

2x 10GbE, 2x 2.5GbE

Processor

Intel Atom C3538

RAM Capacity

8GB DDR4

Hardware Interface

M.2 NVMe

Processor Cores

Quad-Core

View on Amazon: Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay Dual 10GbE NAS Affiliate link

The Asustor Lockerstor 8 AS6508T is an 8-bay NAS built for high-speed data transfer. It features an Intel Atom C3538 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. The unit includes two 10GbE and two 2.5GbE ports for flexible networking. You get substantial storage capacity for large media libraries or business backups. This setup suits users who need robust hardware for demanding tasks without breaking the bank.

Pros

• 8GB DDR4 RAM for improved performance
• Dual 10GbE network interfaces
• Intel Atom C3538 quad-core CPU
• Supports eight 3.5-inch SATA drives

Cons

• Larger physical footprint at 11.5 inches wide
• Heavier build at 13.7 pounds
• No mention of included hard drives

Good fit if

• You require 10GbE connectivity for fast transfers
• You need an 8-bay storage solution
• You want high RAM capacity for virtualization

Skip if

• You need a compact 2-bay unit
• You prefer Synology software ecosystem
• You are limited to single 1GbE ports

Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 8 NAS delivers serious networking power with its dual 10GbE ports and ample RAM. It fits users who prioritize speed and capacity over a smaller form factor.

3 Best 4-bay

Asustor Lockerstor 4-Bay Quad-Core NAS

Best for: fast network transfers and SSD caching

Drive Bays

4-Bay

Network Connectivity

2x 2.5GbE

Processor

Quad-Core 2.0GHz

RAM Capacity

4GB DDR4

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

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

The Asustor Lockerstor 4 is a 4-bay NAS with a quad-core 2.0GHz processor and 4GB DDR4 RAM. It includes two M.2 NVMe slots and dual 2.5GbE ports for fast local transfers. This diskless unit suits users needing solid performance for virtualization or media streaming. It offers remote access and free IP camera licenses, making it a practical option for home or small office storage.

Pros

• Quad-core 2.0GHz processor handles virtualization tasks
• Dual 2.5GbE ports for faster network speeds
• Two M.2 NVMe slots for SSD caching
• Includes 4GB DDR4 RAM for multitasking
• Comes with 4 free IP camera licenses

Cons

• Smaller 4-bay capacity compared to 8-bay alternatives
• No 1GbE backup ports listed in specs
• Diskless design requires separate drive purchase

Good fit if

• You need faster-than-Gigabit network throughput
• You want to use NVMe SSDs for caching
• You require built-in IP camera surveillance support

Skip if

• You need more than four drive bays
• You require pre-installed storage drives
• You prefer 1GbE connectivity only

Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 4 2.5GbE NAS is a capable 4-bay solution for users prioritizing network speed and SSD caching over raw capacity. It fits those who need flexible storage expansion without the bulk of larger enclosures.

4 Also great

Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS

Best for: 8-bay rackmount storage with HA support

Drive Bays

8 Bay

Included Storage

Diskless

RAM Capacity

4GB RAM

Dimensions

23 × 16.5 × 8.5 inches

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

This is an 8-bay rackmount NAS from Synology. It includes 4GB of RAM and reaches up to 2,315 MB/s read speeds. The unit is diskless, so you add your own drives. It measures 16.5 by 8.5 inches. You can pair two units for high availability. This fits users needing dense storage in a rack.

Pros

• 8 drive bays for high capacity
• Up to 2,315 MB/s read performance
• 4GB RAM included
• Supports Synology High Availability clusters

Cons

• Diskless, requires separate drive purchase
• Large 16.5-inch width limits placement
• No internal SATA ports for expansion

Good fit if

• You need an 8-bay rackmount solution
• You want high sequential read speeds
• You require high availability clustering

Skip if

• You need pre-installed storage drives
• You have limited rack space width
• You prefer a compact desktop unit

Verdict: Synology 8-Bay RackStation RS1221+ delivers dense 8-bay storage with strong read speeds for rack environments. It suits admins needing high availability clustering without pre-loaded drives.

5 Best premium

Synology 12-Bay Quad-Core NAS

Best for: Users needing 12 bays and expansion

Drive Bays

12-Bay

Processor

Quad Core

RAM Capacity

4GB DDR4

Included Storage

Diskless

Dimensions

18.5 × 17 × 16.5 inches

Weight

20.9 pounds

View on Amazon: Synology 12-Bay Quad-Core NAS Affiliate link

This Synology DiskStation offers 12 drive bays and a quad-core processor with 4GB of RAM. It is diskless, meaning you install your own drives. The system supports up to 32GB of memory and NVMe SSD caching. It delivers sequential read speeds up to 2,201 MB/s. This unit suits users who need high capacity and expansion options beyond standard 8-bay models.

Pros

• 12 drive bays for high storage density
• Quad-core CPU with 4GB DDR4 RAM
• Supports expansion to 24 bays via DX1222
• Sequential read speeds up to 2,201 MB/s

Cons

• Diskless design requires separate drive purchase
• Limited to 4GB RAM at base configuration
• Large physical footprint at 17 inches wide

Good fit if

• You need more than 8 drive bays
• You want to expand storage to 24 bays
• You prefer high sequential read performance

Skip if

• You need a diskless unit with drives included
• You require more than 4GB of base RAM
• You have limited space for a 17-inch unit

Verdict: Synology 12-Bay DS2422+ NAS is a high-capacity storage solution for users who need to scale beyond 8 bays. It fits those who prioritize expansion flexibility and raw sequential throughput over included drives.

6 Best 2gb ram

Synology 2-Bay 8TB NAS

Best for: Basic home file storage

Drive Bays

2-Bay

Network Connectivity

1 x RJ-45 1GbE

Processor

Realtek RTD1619B

RAM Capacity

2 GB DDR4

Included Storage

8TB

Processor Cores

Quad-Core

View on Amazon: Synology 2-Bay 8TB NAS Affiliate link

The Synology DS223 is a 2-bay NAS bundle with 8TB of storage. It uses a Realtek RTD1619B quad-core processor running at 1.7 GHz and includes 2 GB of DDR4 RAM. You get one 1GbE LAN port and three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. This setup suits small offices or home users who need reliable file sharing and basic media streaming without complex configurations.

Pros

• Includes 8TB of pre-installed storage
• Realtek RTD1619B quad-core 1.7 GHz processor
• 2 GB DDR4 non-ECC system memory
• Three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports for backups

Cons

• Single 1GbE LAN port limits network speed
• Only two drive bays restrict expansion
• 2 GB RAM may struggle with heavy multitasking

Good fit if

• You need a simple, ready-to-use storage solution
• You have two or fewer hard drives to install
• You want a quiet device for home use

Skip if

• You require 10GbE network connectivity
• You need more than two drive bays
• You plan to run multiple virtual machines

Verdict: Synology DS223 8TB NAS is a compact entry point for basic file storage. It fits users who value simplicity over high performance.

7 Best budget

Synology 2-Bay NAS with 8TB Storage

Best for: Small home offices needing simple file storage

Drive Bays

2-Bay

Network Connectivity

1x 1GbE

Processor

Realtek RTD1619B

RAM Capacity

1GB DDR4

Included Storage

8TB

Processor Cores

Quad-Core

View on Amazon: Synology 2-Bay NAS with 8TB Storage Affiliate link

The Synology DS223j is a compact 2-bay NAS featuring a Realtek RTD1619B quad-core processor and 1GB of DDR4 RAM. It includes 8TB of storage via two 4TB drives and connects via a single 1GbE port. This setup suits users who need basic file sharing and light media management without the bulk of larger multi-bay systems.

Pros

• Realtek RTD1619B quad-core 1.7 GHz processor
• 1GB DDR4 non-ECC system memory
• Includes 8TB storage (2x 4TB drives)
• Dual USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
• Compact 2-bay design

Cons

• Single 1GbE LAN port limits network speed
• Only 1GB of RAM restricts heavy multitasking
• 2-bay capacity is small compared to 8-bay alternatives

Good fit if

• You need a simple, entry-level storage solution
• You prefer a compact device for limited space
• You only need to store up to 8TB of data

Skip if

• You require 10GbE or faster network connectivity
• You need to expand storage beyond two drives
• You plan to run resource-intensive virtual machines

Verdict: Synology DS223j 8TB 2-Bay NAS fits users who prioritize a small footprint and basic file protection over high performance or expansion options.

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Frequently asked questions

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