Buying a NAS in 2026 means choosing between Synology's polished DSM software and QNAP's hardware-heavy approach. The DS923+ runs on AMD Ryzen R1600 and maxes out with an expansion bay. The TS-464 packs an Intel N5105 quad-core and a built-in HDMI output for direct playback. Both are excellent. Which one fits your use case is worth thinking through carefully.
Synology DS923+
We'd lean Synology for ease of setup and long-term software support. DSM is the most polished NAS OS available, Synology's app ecosystem is comprehensive, and the DS923+ is expandable to 9 bays with the DX517. The QNAP TS-464 wins if you want hardware video transcoding and plan to use the NAS as a media server with direct display output.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Synology DS923+ | QNAP TS-464 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen R1600 (dual-core 2.6 GHz) | Intel Celeron N5105 (quad-core 2.0 GHz) |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4 (upgradeable to 32 GB) | 4 GB DDR4 (upgradeable to 16 GB) |
| Drive Bays | 4 (expandable to 9) | 4 |
| M.2 NVMe Cache Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Network Ports | 2x 2.5 GbE | 2x 2.5 GbE |
| Hardware Transcoding | No | Yes (Intel Quick Sync) |
| HDMI Output | No | Yes |
| Approx. Price | ~$550 | ~$450 |
Software: DSM vs QTS
Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM 7.2) is, in our view, the best NAS operating system available. It's organized, fast, and its web UI feels like a desktop app. First-time setup for a new user takes under 20 minutes. Synology's Package Center includes Photo Station, Drive, Video Station, Moments, and a full surveillance suite.
QNAP's QTS is more powerful on paper — virtual machines, container stations, and a more flexible app ecosystem. The cost is UI complexity. New users on r/homelab consistently report QTS taking longer to get comfortable with.
Performance and Transcoding
The QNAP TS-464's Intel N5105 includes Intel UHD graphics with hardware video decoding acceleration. In Plex testing, it handles 4K HEVC transcoding to 1080p without breaking a sweat — something the DS923+'s AMD Ryzen R1600 struggles with since it lacks a GPU.
For file throughput, both NAS devices deliver sequential reads and writes well above 1 Gbps on their 2.5 GbE ports. The TS-464 has dual 2.5 GbE built-in; the DS923+ also comes with dual 2.5 GbE.
Expandability
The DS923+ supports expansion with Synology's DX517 unit (five extra bays) via PCIe. That gives you a 9-drive capacity path, which is exceptional for a 4-bay enclosure. The TS-464 doesn't support a Synology-style expansion unit.
Both units have an M.2 NVMe slot for SSD caching (read cache or read-write cache). Using an NVMe SSD as a read cache meaningfully speeds up frequently accessed files.
Reliability and Support
Synology's DSM update cadence is reliable and the company maintains strong backward compatibility. If a NAS is going to sit in your closet for five years unattended, Synology's track record gives more confidence.
QNAP has had security vulnerability incidents — some serious — over the past few years. Their patches have been timely, but the frequency of incidents is worth noting if the NAS will be internet-accessible.
Synology DS923+ Strengths
- DSM is the most polished NAS OS available
- Expandable to 9 bays with DX517
- Stronger long-term security track record
- Comprehensive app ecosystem (Photos, Drive, Video Station)
QNAP TS-464 Strengths
- Intel hardware video transcoding (4K HEVC)
- HDMI output for direct TV connection
- Lower price
- More flexible container and VM support
Synology DS923+ Weaknesses
- No hardware video transcoding GPU
- AMD R1600 struggles with 4K Plex transcoding
- Expansion unit (DX517) adds significant cost
QNAP TS-464 Weaknesses
- QTS UI is more complex for new users
- History of security vulnerabilities (ransomware attacks on exposed QNAP NAS)
- No DX-style expansion path
Best For
- a: First-time NAS buyers, photo backup users, small businesses, anyone who values simplicity and long-term reliability
- b: Media server users, Plex hosts who need 4K transcoding, home theater setups with direct TV connection
FAQ
Do I need to buy Synology drives for the DS923+?
No. Most standard NAS drives work fine. Synology's compatibility list is a starting point, not a requirement. WD Red Pro, Seagate IronWolf, and Toshiba N300 are all common choices.
Is Plex really that much better on the TS-464?
If you're transcoding 4K video for multiple simultaneous users, yes — significantly. If you're doing direct play on compatible clients (most modern TVs and streaming sticks), both NAS devices handle it fine.
Can either NAS be a cloud backup destination?
Yes. Both support rsync-based backup, and both can back up to Backblaze B2, AWS S3, and other cloud providers. Synology's Hyper Backup is more user-friendly.