06-13-2025, 01:50 PM
Both the Synology DS1819+ and QNAP TS-932PX-4G are solid options, but they suit slightly different use cases, so here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
Synology DS1819+ (Used)
Pros:
Excellent DSM software (very user-friendly and feature-rich)
8 bays for 3.5" drives — great for bulk storage
Supports expansion and upgrades (RAM, 10GbE card via PCIe)
Better app support and broader community
Cons:
No 2.5GbE or 10GbE out of the box (unless upgraded)
Used unit means no warranty and unknown drive hours
Intel Atom C3538 CPU (not ideal for heavy media transcoding)
QNAP TS-932PX-4G (New)
Pros:
2× 10GbE and 2× 2.5GbE ports built-in — excellent for futureproofing
Newer model = full warranty + newer hardware
5x 3.5" + 4x 2.5" bays — useful for mixed SSD + HDD setups
ARM-based Annapurna CPU is power-efficient
Cons:
QNAP’s software (QTS) is more complex and less polished than DSM
Fewer third-party apps compared to Synology
ARM CPU means no Plex hardware transcoding
Recommendation:
If you're looking for:
Simplicity, stability, DSM apps like Synology Photos, and large storage — the DS1819+ is the better choice if the used condition is good and you can upgrade the network card if needed.
If you're looking for:
New hardware with fast networking, lower power use, and don’t need Plex transcoding — go for the TS-932PX-4G.
Since both are around $700, the choice comes down to software preference (DSM vs QTS), need for 10GbE, and whether you're comfortable buying used.
Synology DS1819+ (Used)
Pros:
Excellent DSM software (very user-friendly and feature-rich)
8 bays for 3.5" drives — great for bulk storage
Supports expansion and upgrades (RAM, 10GbE card via PCIe)
Better app support and broader community
Cons:
No 2.5GbE or 10GbE out of the box (unless upgraded)
Used unit means no warranty and unknown drive hours
Intel Atom C3538 CPU (not ideal for heavy media transcoding)
QNAP TS-932PX-4G (New)
Pros:
2× 10GbE and 2× 2.5GbE ports built-in — excellent for futureproofing
Newer model = full warranty + newer hardware
5x 3.5" + 4x 2.5" bays — useful for mixed SSD + HDD setups
ARM-based Annapurna CPU is power-efficient
Cons:
QNAP’s software (QTS) is more complex and less polished than DSM
Fewer third-party apps compared to Synology
ARM CPU means no Plex hardware transcoding
Recommendation:
If you're looking for:
Simplicity, stability, DSM apps like Synology Photos, and large storage — the DS1819+ is the better choice if the used condition is good and you can upgrade the network card if needed.
If you're looking for:
New hardware with fast networking, lower power use, and don’t need Plex transcoding — go for the TS-932PX-4G.
Since both are around $700, the choice comes down to software preference (DSM vs QTS), need for 10GbE, and whether you're comfortable buying used.