QNAP vs LincPlus: NAS Devices Compared by Specs
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You are comparing the QNAP TS-673-4G against the LincPlus LincStation N2 in this QNAP vs LincPlus NAS device review. Both units offer robust storage options for home or small office use. The main difference lies in their architecture and connectivity. QNAP provides a traditional 8-bay design with standard Gigabit Ethernet. LincPlus delivers a compact 6-bay system with modern 10GbE speeds and high-capacity RAM. You should choose based on your need for drive count versus network speed.
Key differences
| Aspect | QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS | LincPlus 6-Bay 10GbE Hybrid NAS |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Bays | 8-Bay (6x SATA, 2x M.2) | 6-Bay (2x SATA, 4x M.2 NVMe) |
| RAM Capacity | 4GB DDR4 | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Network Connectivity | 4x 1GbE | 1x 10GbE |
| Processor | AMD RX-421ND Quad-core 2.1GHz | Intel N100 Quad-core 3.4GHz |
| Dimensions | 10.4 x 7.41 x 11 inches | 8.27 x 1.38 x 5.91 inches |
Which one should you choose?
Choose QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS if
- You need maximum raw storage capacity with eight drive bays.
- You prefer a traditional tower form factor for easy drive access.
- You require multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports for local network segmentation.
Choose LincPlus 6-Bay 10GbE Hybrid NAS if
- You prioritize fast 10GbE network transfers for large files.
- You want high RAM capacity for running many containers or VMs.
- You need a compact, low-profile device that saves desk space.
Verdict: Choose the QNAP if you need more physical drive bays for large media libraries. Pick the LincPlus if you value speed, modern RAM, and a small footprint for virtualization or editing.
QNAP vs LincPlus NAS Comparison
RAM capacity
The LincPlus LincStation N2 includes 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, which is significantly more than the QNAP TS-673-4G’s 4GB of DDR4 RAM. More RAM allows the LincPlus to handle more simultaneous Docker containers and virtual machines without slowing down. The QNAP unit is limited to 4GB in this specific model, though an 8GB option exists in other variations. For users running heavy multitasking workloads, the LincPlus offers a clear advantage in raw memory resources available for background processes and application caching.
number of bays
The QNAP TS-673-4G features eight drive bays, consisting of six standard 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch slots and two M.2 SATA slots. The LincPlus LincStation N2 provides six bays total, with two SATA slots and four M.2 NVMe slots. If you need maximum raw storage capacity for large media libraries or backups, the QNAP’s extra two SATA bays allow for higher total disk volume. However, the LincPlus prioritizes speed with four NVMe slots for caching or fast storage pools. The choice depends on whether you prioritize total capacity or access speed.
network connectivity
The LincPlus LincStation N2 comes with a built-in 10GbE port, offering four times the bandwidth of standard Gigabit Ethernet. This allows for much faster file transfers between the NAS and your local network devices. The QNAP TS-673-4G is equipped with four 1GbE ports, which can be bonded for redundancy or slight speed increases, but it lacks native 10GbE support in its base configuration. You would need to purchase additional PCIe expansion cards to reach 10GbE speeds with the QNAP. The LincPlus offers superior out-of-the-box network performance.
form factor
The LincPlus LincStation N2 is a compact, low-profile unit measuring 5.91 x 8.27 x 1.38 inches and weighing just 1.76 pounds. It is designed to fit easily on a desk or in tight spaces. In contrast, the QNAP TS-673-4G is a larger tower-style NAS, measuring 11 x 10.4 x 7.41 inches and weighing 12.3 pounds. The QNAP requires more floor space or shelf depth. If space is limited or you prefer a discreet desktop setup, the LincPlus is the more practical choice. The QNAP is better suited for dedicated server racks or larger workspaces.
hardware interface
The LincPlus LincStation N2 supports both SATA hard drives and M.2 NVMe SSDs, providing flexibility to mix high-capacity storage with high-speed flash memory. The QNAP TS-673-4G supports SATA drives and M.2 SATA SSDs. NVMe drives generally offer faster read and write speeds than SATA SSDs, making the LincPlus more suitable for intensive caching or application hosting. The QNAP’s PCIe slots allow for various expansion cards, including 10GbE or graphics cards for transcoding, but its native M.2 slots are limited to the slower SATA protocol. The LincPlus offers faster native storage interfaces.
Which NAS device fits your needs
Users needing high capacity for many drives
The QNAP TS-673-4G supports eight bays, offering more drive slots than the LincPlus. You can mix 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives for flexible storage scaling. Its four gigabit Ethernet ports provide solid network redundancy. This model suits those prioritizing raw disk space and traditional expansion options for centralized file sharing.
Creators needing fast local storage and RAM
The LincPlus LincStation N2 includes 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, far exceeding the QNAP’s 4GB. It features four M.2 NVMe slots for high-speed caching or storage pools. The Intel N100 processor handles multitasking efficiently. This setup is ideal for video editing, virtualization, and running multiple Docker containers without performance bottlenecks.
Users requiring ultra-fast network connectivity
The LincPlus LincStation N2 comes with a built-in 10GbE port, quadrupling transfer speeds over standard gigabit connections. This ensures rapid file access for large media files and collaborative work. The QNAP requires optional PCIe expansion for 10GbE. If you want native high-speed networking out of the box, this NAS is the better choice.
The products compared
QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS
Best for: High-capacity storage and media management
- 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 with a quad-core AMD processor and 4GB RAM. It includes four 1GbE ports and dual M.2 slots for caching. You can add 10GbE via PCIe expansion. This setup supports virtualization and media transcoding. It suits users needing high capacity and expandability for centralized storage and backup tasks.
Pros
- Eight drive bays for large storage pools
- Quad-core AMD processor for reliable performance
- Dual M.2 slots for SSD caching
- Supports NVIDIA GPU for 4K transcoding
- Four 1GbE ports with 10GbE expansion option
Cons
- Only 4GB RAM limits heavy containerized app usage
- Base network speed is limited to 1GbE
- Heavier and bulkier than compact 2-bay models
Good fit if
- You need eight drive bays for extensive storage
- You want to expand network speed with 10GbE
- You require hardware transcoding for media libraries
Skip if
- You require 10GbE connectivity without adding cards
- You need more than 4GB of RAM pre-installed
- You prefer a compact desktop footprint
Verdict: QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS fits users who need eight drive bays and expandable network speeds. It is a solid choice for centralized storage and media management.
LincPlus 6-Bay 10GbE Hybrid NAS
Best for: High-RAM NVMe NAS setups
- Drive Bays
- 6-Bay
- Network Connectivity
- 1x 10GbE
- Processor
- Intel N100
- RAM Capacity
- 16GB LPDDR5
- M.2 NVMe Slots
- 4 slots
- Included Storage
- Diskless
View on Amazon: LincPlus 6-Bay 10GbE Hybrid NAS Affiliate link
The LincPlus LincStation N2 is a 6-bay NAS featuring an Intel N100 processor and 16GB LPDDR5 RAM. It includes four M.2 NVMe slots and two SATA bays, plus a 10GbE port for fast transfers. It ships with an Unraid OS license, allowing mixed drive sizes. This compact unit suits users needing high memory and NVMe speed for media or virtualization.
Pros
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM for smooth multitasking
- 4 M.2 NVMe slots for fast storage
- 10GbE network port for rapid transfers
- Intel N100 processor up to 3.4GHz
Cons
- Only 2 SATA bays limit HDD capacity
- No mention of included hard drives
- Smaller drive count than 8-bay competitors
Good fit if
- You need high RAM for virtualization
- You want fast NVMe storage speeds
- You prefer Unraid OS flexibility
Skip if
- You require pre-installed hard drives
- You need more than 6 drive bays
- You want standard SATA-only configuration
Verdict: LincPlus LincStation N2 6-Bay NAS is a high-memory NAS for users prioritizing NVMe speed and Unraid flexibility over raw drive count. It fits tech enthusiasts building custom arrays with mixed drive types.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS | LincPlus 6-Bay 10GbE Hybrid NAS |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Bays | 6 Bay | 6-Bay |
| Network Connectivity | 4x GbE LAN | 1x 10GbE |
| Processor | not stated | Intel N100 |
| RAM Capacity | 4GB DDR4 | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| M.2 NVMe Slots | 2 slots | 4 slots |
| Included Storage | not stated | Diskless |
| Hardware Interface | not stated | SATA, M.2 NVMe |
| Number of Bays | 8-Bay | 6-Bay |
| Processor Cores | Quad-Core | not stated |
| Dimensions | 11 × 10.4 × 7.41 inches | 5.91 × 8.27 × 1.38 inches |
| Weight | 12.3 pounds | 1.76 pounds |
| Size | 4GB RAM | 5.9 x 8.2 x 1.5 inches |
| Color | Black | Neutral |
| Model | TS-673-4G-US | N2 |
Frequently asked questions
Which NAS has more drive bays?
The QNAP TS-673-4G offers eight drive bays, while the LincPlus LincStation N2 provides six. The QNAP unit is designed for users who need maximum storage capacity for many drives. The LincPlus focuses on fewer bays but includes NVMe slots for faster caching.
Does the LincPlus have faster network connectivity?
Yes, the LincPlus LincStation N2 features 10GbE network connectivity. The QNAP TS-673-4G is equipped with 1GbE ports. The 10GbE interface on the LincPlus allows for significantly higher data transfer speeds, which is beneficial for large file transfers and high-bandwidth media streaming.
What processor does the LincPlus use?
The LincPlus LincStation N2 uses an Intel N100 processor. This chip supports its high-memory architecture and NVMe capabilities. The QNAP TS-673-4G utilizes a quad-core processor, which handles its eight-bay storage management and general network tasks efficiently.
Is the QNAP better for media management?
The QNAP TS-673-4G is rated for high-capacity storage and media management. Its eight-bay design allows you to store extensive media libraries. The LincPlus is better suited for tech enthusiasts who prioritize NVMe speed and Unraid flexibility over raw drive count.
How big is the LincPlus NAS?
The LincPlus LincStation N2 measures 5.91 inches in length, 8.27 inches in width, and 1.38 inches in height. It weighs 1.76 pounds. This compact form factor makes it smaller and lighter than the QNAP TS-673-4G, which is larger and weighs 12.3 pounds.
Can I use NVMe drives in the LincPlus?
Yes, the LincPlus LincStation N2 supports M.2 NVMe drives alongside SATA hard drives. This hybrid design allows for fast caching or boot volumes. The QNAP TS-673-4G does not list NVMe support in its attributes, focusing instead on its eight SATA drive bays.