TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro NAS Storage - 4Bay Core i3-N305 8-Core 8-Thread CPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 2.5GbE Port x 2, Network Attached Storage Peak Performance for Business (Diskless)

After deciding I needed to physically downsize my "NAS" from something in a full size ATX tower, I decided on buying a Terrmaster unit... I'd initially chosen the F4-423, as the fact it had enough HD slots for my storage requirements and NVMe slots matched exactly what I needed.What I didn't realise in January 2024 is that the F4-424 (and Pro) had recently been released, so having checked out the F4-424 Pro, I decided that was the one for me, as having a beefier CPU and 32GB memory as standard was what swung the deal over the "standard" F4-424!The hardware itself is fantastic really, an i3-N300 CPU, 32GB default memory option, 4x 3.5/2.5 drive bays and 2x NVMe drive slots.For what I need - storage of personal data, computer backups and media files, as well as the odd VM or Docker container, it's an excellent piece of kit really.Drive trays are toolless and incredibly easy to fit, and the task of adding NVMe drives has been made so much easier than the F4-423 by the change to a sliding cover the can be easily removed after taking two screws out. No more dismantling the case and board fully to get to the other side.It runs relatively quietly overall, and although it's possible to here mechanical drives spinning, it's virtually silent compared to my old box.I like it so much that I'm likely to pick up a F4-424 for some additional off site storage that doesn't need the grunt or extra memory of the Pro version.Highly recommended overall.

I recently purchased the TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro NAS Storage. As someone who has been building my own PCs and servers for about thirty-five years (starting from the then newly released 80386SX with 4MB RAM), I have a sensitivity to specifications and performance, honed over the years as computer power has transformed. I bought this NAS because it seemed to offer good value and specifications, which anything less would have caused me anxiety.Performance:The Core i3-N305 8-Core 8-Thread CPU, coupled with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, generally delivers good speed and responsiveness. I encountered two occasions during setup where it seemed to get into a tizzy and hung at 100% CPU for some minutes. However, after leaving it alone for about 5 to 10 minutes, it resumed normal operation. This didn’t seem to be related to disk access as the disks were on low usage and quiet at that time.Storage and Flexibility:With 4 bays, the F4-424 Pro offers the storage capacity I needed, provided I used large HDDs. I needed over 35TB of data storage at home. I chose Toshiba MG series 18TB Enterprise Internal Hard Drives (MG09ACA18TE) for their low power consumption, quiet operation, and great value per TB. I considered SSD and NVMe solutions, but HDDs were the only cost-effective option. The HDDs 5-year warranty and heavy workload capability going far beyond my needs, sealed the deal, and purchasing from Amazon gave me peace of mind. Installing these disks into this NAS was easy, and they are very quiet in operation. I don’t hear them when they are just spinning away. I started with three HDDs and then added an extra drive, so the RAID had to rebuild - it took about two days. You could hear it much of the time, but it was manageable, and it didn’t affect my work even though I am about five feet away from the NAS. The setup process was straightforward, and the flexibility to use different types of drives is a significant advantage, though I opted for four of the same.Efficiency:I considered repurposing one of my old PCs, equipped with a Gold-rated PSU and Ryzen 5600 CPU, for NAS use. However, after measuring power consumption, I found it significantly higher compared to a dedicated NAS, even with this PCs still having just NVMe drives and no added HDDs. The TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro, in contrast, is much more power-efficient, making it a more suitable solution for a home environment. It is plugged into a true sinewave UPS, showing a current draw of 15W, typically 23W, and occasionally peaking at about 53W. When the HDDs perform their periodic head movements, the consumption jumps to 23W, all of which is far lower than the PC so for 24/7/365 operation, I wanted efficiently and it is also a smart looking little NAS.Brand Comparison:I considered well-known brands such as Synology but could not justify paying all that money for such low-powered and outdated hardware. Of course, you are paying for the software, and the best hardware without usable software is useless. I was and remain slightly nervous about choosing TerraMaster, and I have experienced a few software issues. However, after formatting the disks into a single RAID configuration, setting up shares, and allocating storage to family members, I am happy with its performance. Most of the storage is dedicated to a PLEX server to digitise my physical library, making access much easier.Build Quality:The build quality of the TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro is excellent. It feels sturdy and well-constructed, giving me confidence in its durability. The cooling system has been efficient, keeping the drives and CPU at optimal temperatures and never being audible.Value for Money:Given its high-end specifications and performance, the F4-424 Pro offers good value for money. The key question is whether the software meets your needs.Conclusion:Overall, I recommend the TERRAMASTER F4-424 Pro NAS for its performance, flexibility, and value. I am keeping faith in TERRAMASTER that they will continue to develop the software and provide the hardware with the software it deserves. It works well enough for my current needs, but it would be nice to have more apps to consider and not worry about potential reliability issues. Several Apps are still in beta release state. So cautious recommendation.

Very easy to set up, this NAS has loads of functionality which is on par with much more expensive models by other manufacturers. The four bays provide plenty of storage capacity, and the dual RJ45 ports provide blazing fast connectivity, expecially if bonded. The NAS makes little-to no noise, and you can really only hear it when it is spinning the drives fast while executing resource-hungry tasks (media indexing if loads new files are added etc.) It barely ever skips a beat, thanks to a fairly powerful processor and 32GB of ram.