Synology 8-Bay Rackmount NAS PCIe Alternatives: 6 Similar Picks Compared

How these alternatives compare to RS1226+

Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS

The Synology RS1221+ shares the eight-bay rackmount form factor but uses a different processor architecture. It provides 4 GB of RAM, matching the RS1226+ capacity. The key difference is the lack of built-in M.2 NVMe slots for caching. You must rely on external USB or PCIe expansion for faster read speeds. This model is shorter in depth, measuring 16.5 inches wide versus 17 inches on the original. It suits users who need clustering capabilities and fast sequential reads without the premium for the Ryzen CPU. If you do not need native NVMe caching, this unit offers similar storage density at a lower tier.

TERRAMASTER 8-Bay 2U Rackmount NAS

The TerraMaster U8-500 Plus distinguishes itself with significantly higher memory, offering 16 GB of RAM compared to the RS1226+ 4 GB. This makes it better for virtualization tasks or heavy database workloads. It features an Intel Core processor, which may appeal to users preferring that ecosystem. The chassis is a standard 2U rackmount design but is physically shorter in length. You gain substantial RAM headroom but may lose the specific ECC memory support found in the Synology model. This pick is ideal for users who prioritize raw processing power and memory capacity over the Synology ecosystem and its specific PCIe expansion options for networking.

UGREEN DXP8800 Ultra 8-Bay NAS

The UGREEN DXP8800 Ultra is a desktop unit rather than a rackmount system, making it unsuitable for server racks. It includes Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, a feature absent on the RS1226+. This interface offers high-speed data transfer for creative workflows. However, it lacks the eight-bay internal drive capacity of the original, offering less total storage density. You also get less RAM and no ECC support. This NAS is designed for creative teams needing direct high-speed connections to workstations. If you require rack mounting, eight bays, and PCIe expansion, this desktop-focused alternative does not meet your infrastructure needs.

QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS

The QNAP TS-673-4G provides four 1GbE ports instead of the RS1226+ dual 2.5GbE ports. This offers more physical network interfaces but at lower individual speeds. It includes 4 GB of RAM, matching the original capacity. The chassis is a desktop tower, not a rackmount unit, which changes installation requirements. You gain PCIe slots for 10GbE expansion, similar to the Synology flexibility. However, the lack of built-in M.2 slots and lower port speeds make it less ideal for high-throughput environments. This model suits users who need multiple standard Ethernet connections and do not require rack mounting or 2.5GbE native speeds.

Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay Dual 10GbE NAS

The Asustor AS6508T offers dual 10GbE ports, providing higher network bandwidth than the RS1226+ dual 2.5GbE setup. It includes 8 GB of RAM, double the original capacity. This unit is a desktop NAS, not a rackmount system. It features M.2 NVMe slots for caching, similar to the Synology. The processor is a quad-core design. You gain significant network speed and memory but lose the rackmount form factor and ECC RAM support. This pick is best for users who prioritize maximum network throughput and have desktop space available, rather than those needing standardized rack installation or Synology software features.

Synology 12-Bay Quad-Core NAS

The Synology DS2422+ offers twelve drive bays instead of eight, providing greater storage density. It uses a quad-core processor and includes 4 GB of RAM, matching the original memory capacity. This is a desktop unit, not a rackmount system, so it does not fit in standard server racks. It lacks the PCIe expansion slot found in the RS1226+, limiting hardware upgrade options. You gain four additional drive bays for massive storage but lose the ability to easily expand networking or caching via PCIe cards. This model suits users who need maximum internal storage capacity and do not require rack mounting or flexible hardware expansion.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

Synology 8-Bay Rackmount NAS with PCIe

Best for: Users needing PCIe expansion and M.2 caching

Drive Bays

8-Bay

Network Connectivity

2x 2.5GbE

Processor

AMD Ryzen V1500B

RAM Capacity

4GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: Synology 8-Bay Rackmount NAS with PCIe Affiliate link

The Synology RS1226+ is a 2U 8-bay rackmount NAS built for performance. It uses an AMD Ryzen V1500B 4-core CPU and 4 GB DDR4 ECC memory. You get dual 2.5GbE ports and two M.2 NVMe slots for caching. Throughput reaches 2,300 MB/s read and 1,500 MB/s write. It scales to 12 bays with an expansion unit. This unit suits users needing high I/O and PCIe expansion options.

Pros

• AMD Ryzen V1500B 4-core processor for strong compute power
• Dual 2.5GbE ports with PCIe 3.0 slot for 10/25GbE expansion
• Two built-in M.2 NVMe slots for SSD caching
• High throughput of 2,300 MB/s sequential read

Cons

• Only 4 GB RAM pre-installed, requiring upgrade for heavy loads
• Lacks dual 10GbE ports out of the box
• Diskless configuration means no drives are included

Good fit if

• You need PCIe expansion for high-speed network cards
• You want dedicated M.2 slots for caching without using drive bays
• You require ECC memory for data integrity

Skip if

• You need pre-installed storage drives
• You require 10GbE connectivity without adding a PCIe card
• You prefer a smaller 1U form factor

Verdict: Synology RS1226+ 8-Bay Rackmount NAS delivers robust performance with its Ryzen CPU and PCIe expansion. It is ideal for users who need flexible networking and caching options in a rackmount chassis.

2 Also great

Synology 8-Bay Short-Depth Rackmount NAS

Best for: Users needing fast read speeds and clustering

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

The Synology RS1221+ is an 8-bay rackmount NAS with 4GB of RAM. It delivers up to 2,315 MB/s read speeds. You can expand network performance by adding a PCIe SFP+ or RJ-45 card. The unit supports high availability clustering for uptime. Its compact depth fits tight server racks. It suits users needing fast local storage and reliable uptime.

Pros

• 8 drive bays for scalable storage
• Up to 2,315 MB/s read performance
• Supports PCIe network card expansion
• Enables high availability clustering

Cons

• Includes only 4GB of RAM
• Sold as diskless enclosure
• Limited to single CPU core architecture

Good fit if

• You need high read speeds for active files
• You want to add faster network cards
• You require high availability clustering

Skip if

• You need pre-installed hard drives
• You require more than 4GB of RAM
• You prefer a 1U rack form factor

Verdict: Synology 8-Bay RackStation RS1221+ NAS offers strong read speeds and clustering for uptime. It fits users who need fast access to active data and plan to add network cards.

3 Also great

TERRAMASTER 8-Bay 2U Rackmount NAS

Best for: High-RAM virtualization and backup servers

Drive Bays

8-Bay

Network Connectivity

Dual 10GbE

Processor

Intel Core i7 1255U

RAM Capacity

16GB DDR5

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: TERRAMASTER 8-Bay 2U Rackmount NAS Affiliate link

The TerraMaster U8-500 Plus is an 8-bay 2U rackmount NAS built for high-performance tasks. It features an Intel Core i7-1255U processor with 10 cores and 16GB of DDR5 RAM. Dual 10GbE ports provide up to 20Gbps bandwidth, supporting SMB multichannel for fast data transfer. This unit suits users needing robust backup solutions, virtualized environments, or high-speed video handling.

Pros

• 16GB DDR5 RAM capacity
• Intel Core i7-1255U 10-core processor
• Dual 10GbE Ethernet ports
• Two M.2 NVMe slots for caching

Cons

• Diskless design requires separate drive purchase
• Heavy 30.9-pound build for rack installation
• Limited to SATA drives in main bays

Good fit if

• You need 16GB of RAM for virtualization
• You require dual 10GbE network connectivity
• You manage high-throughput video or backup workloads

Skip if

• You prefer a pre-installed drive configuration
• You need USB DAS expansion only
• You want a lighter 1U form factor

Verdict: TerraMaster U8-500 Plus 8-Bay 16GB RAM delivers strong processing power and memory for demanding enterprise tasks. It fits users who prioritize RAM capacity and network speed over included storage.

4 Also great

UGREEN DXP8800 Ultra 8-Bay NAS

Best for: Creative teams needing Thunderbolt 4 and AI tools

Drive Bays

8-Bay

Network Connectivity

Dual 10GbE

Processor

Intel 150U

RAM Capacity

8GB DDR5

M.2 NVMe Slots

2 slots

Included Storage

Diskless

View on Amazon: UGREEN DXP8800 Ultra 8-Bay NAS Affiliate link

The UGREEN DXP8800 Ultra is an 8-bay NAS built for high-bandwidth workflows. It features dual 10GbE ports and two Thunderbolt 4 interfaces for fast data transfer. The Intel 150U processor and 8GB DDR5 memory support virtual machines and containers. You get up to 272TB of storage across SATA bays and M.2 slots. Local AI tools manage photos and surveillance footage efficiently.

Pros

• Dual 10GbE ports for high-speed network access
• Two Thunderbolt 4 ports for rapid media ingest
• Intel 150U CPU with 8GB expandable DDR5 memory
• Supports VMs, containers, and local AI photo management

Cons

• Only 8GB base RAM compared to 16GB in competitors
• No mention of included hard drives or SSDs
• 8-bay capacity is smaller than 12-bay alternatives

Good fit if

• You need Thunderbolt 4 connectivity for creative teams
• You require dual 10GbE ports for heavy file sharing
• You want to run VMs and local AI tools

Skip if

• You need more than 8 drive bays
• You require 16GB of RAM included with the system
• You prefer Synology or QNAP ecosystems

Verdict: UGREEN DXP8800 Ultra 8-Bay NAS fits studios needing Thunderbolt 4 speed and AI asset management, but lacks the RAM and capacity of larger rivals.

5 Best premium

QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS

Best for: Users needing four 1GbE ports

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 featuring an AMD R-Series quad-core processor and 4GB of DDR4 RAM. It includes four 1GbE LAN ports and two PCIe Gen3 slots for expansion. Dual M.2 slots support caching or storage pools. This unit suits users needing scalable storage with virtualization and containerized app support.

Pros

• Eight drive bays for large capacity
• Four 1GbE LAN ports
• Two PCIe Gen3 expansion slots
• Dual M.2 slots for caching

Cons

• Only 4GB RAM included
• 1GbE network speed only
• No 10GbE ports built-in

Good fit if

• You need multiple network ports
• You want PCIe expansion options
• You require local caching

Skip if

• You need 10GbE connectivity
• You want more than 4GB RAM
• You prefer rackmount form factor

Verdict: The QNAP TS-673-4G 8-Bay NAS fits users who need eight bays and four 1GbE ports. It suits those wanting PCIe expansion for 10GbE or graphics cards.

6 Best budget

Asustor Lockerstor 8-Bay Dual 10GbE NAS

Best for: Users needing dual 10GbE connectivity

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 enclosure designed for users needing high-speed connectivity. It features a Quad Core 2.1GHz Intel Atom C3538 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. The unit includes two 10GbE and two 2.5GbE interfaces, allowing for flexible network setups. This model suits those who require robust data throughput and multiple network options for their storage needs.

Pros

• Intel Atom C3538 Quad Core processor
• 8GB DDR4-2133 RAM
• Two 10GbE network interfaces
• Two 2.5GbE network interfaces

Cons

• No PCIe expansion slots mentioned
• Heavier at 13.7 pounds
• Larger footprint than desktop units

Good fit if

• You need dual 10GbE ports for high-speed transfers
• You want a dedicated 8-bay storage solution
• You prefer DDR4 memory for stability

Skip if

• You require PCIe expansion for add-in cards
• You need a compact desktop form factor
• You want a rackmount chassis

Verdict: Asustor Lockerstor 8 8-Bay NAS delivers strong network flexibility with its dual 10GbE ports and solid CPU performance. It fits users who prioritize bandwidth and dedicated 8-bay capacity over expandability or rack mounting.

7 Best 12-bay

Synology 12-Bay Quad-Core NAS

Best for: High-density storage 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 12-bay NAS offers double the capacity of the 8-bay units on this list. It includes a quad-core CPU and 4GB of DDR4 RAM. You can expand storage by connecting a DX1222 expansion unit for up to 24 drives. The system supports up to 32GB of RAM and 10/25GbE networking. It delivers up to 2,201 MB/s read speeds. This unit suits users needing high density and expandability.

Pros

• 12-bay drive capacity for high density
• Expandable to 24 bays with DX1222 unit
• Up to 2,201 MB/s sequential read speed
• Supports up to 32GB RAM and 10/25GbE

Cons

• Only 4GB RAM included at base
• Diskless design requires separate drives
• Larger physical footprint than 8-bay models

Good fit if

• You need more than 8 drive bays
• You plan to expand storage later
• You want high sequential read speeds

Skip if

• You prefer a pre-loaded drive unit
• You need more than 12 bays
• You want a smaller desktop footprint

Verdict: Synology 12-Bay DS2422+ NAS fits users who need high drive density and future expansion. It provides strong read speeds and flexible networking options for growing storage needs.

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See also

• durastar 8 alternatives
• stonestorm q670 8 bay NAS mini itx motherboard alternatives