Yesterday, 12:46 PM
Synology DS923+:
Why: The DS923+ is a solid choice for photographers, with support for RAID, cloud sync, and photo management. Its Intel Celeron J4125 processor provides good performance for multitasking and can handle Lightroom catalog syncing well. It also supports NVMe SSD caching for faster access to frequently used files.
Future-proofing: With expandability options for RAM (up to 32GB) and two extra bays, the DS923+ can grow with your needs in the next decade.
Synology Ecosystem: Given your familiarity with Synology, this would provide a seamless upgrade with the software you’re already using (PhotoStation, Cloud Station, etc.), plus good integration with cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft 365.
Budget: It falls within a reasonable range, but you might need to add more storage drives (you can always start with a few TBs and expand later).
QNAP TS-453D:
Why: If you’re open to QNAP, the TS-453D is a strong contender with a quad-core Intel Celeron processor, 2.5GbE network support, and expandability via M.2 SSD caching and extra RAM (up to 8GB). It’s great for file synchronization, cloud backups, and can handle your photography workflow efficiently.
Future-proofing: This model supports more RAM and expandable storage, and the 2.5GbE network is a nice touch for faster file transfers (useful as you upgrade your network in the future).
Software: The QTS system is robust and supports the apps you’ll need, including QSync, for cross-device syncing.
Terramaster F4-423:
Why: For a more budget-friendly option, Terramaster offers good performance and expandability, especially with the F4-423 model. It’s equipped with a Quad-Core Intel Celeron CPU, supports SSD caching, and has 4GB of RAM (expandable).
Budget: If you’re looking to stay on the more affordable side, this could give you plenty of storage space and features without breaking the bank.
Future-proofing: Though less premium than Synology or QNAP, it still offers expandability and decent performance for a growing home setup.
Network & Storage Considerations:
Since your network is 1Gbps wired and you’re using Wi-Fi 6, I’d suggest considering a NAS with 2.5GbE or 10GbE support in the future, especially if you’re working with larger RAW images or video files and need faster transfer speeds.
Your 12-14TB net storage should be achievable with the 4-bay options, and you can start with 2-4 drives and expand over time, depending on your growing storage needs.
Conclusion:
Given your current setup and needs, I’d recommend the Synology DS923+ as the most seamless upgrade if you’re comfortable with the Synology ecosystem. However, the QNAP TS-453D and Terramaster F4-423 also provide great options for both budget-conscious and performance-driven users.
Each of these models will serve you well for at least the next decade, but you may want to think about expanding your network (to 2.5GbE) and storage as your photography library grows.
Why: The DS923+ is a solid choice for photographers, with support for RAID, cloud sync, and photo management. Its Intel Celeron J4125 processor provides good performance for multitasking and can handle Lightroom catalog syncing well. It also supports NVMe SSD caching for faster access to frequently used files.
Future-proofing: With expandability options for RAM (up to 32GB) and two extra bays, the DS923+ can grow with your needs in the next decade.
Synology Ecosystem: Given your familiarity with Synology, this would provide a seamless upgrade with the software you’re already using (PhotoStation, Cloud Station, etc.), plus good integration with cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft 365.
Budget: It falls within a reasonable range, but you might need to add more storage drives (you can always start with a few TBs and expand later).
QNAP TS-453D:
Why: If you’re open to QNAP, the TS-453D is a strong contender with a quad-core Intel Celeron processor, 2.5GbE network support, and expandability via M.2 SSD caching and extra RAM (up to 8GB). It’s great for file synchronization, cloud backups, and can handle your photography workflow efficiently.
Future-proofing: This model supports more RAM and expandable storage, and the 2.5GbE network is a nice touch for faster file transfers (useful as you upgrade your network in the future).
Software: The QTS system is robust and supports the apps you’ll need, including QSync, for cross-device syncing.
Terramaster F4-423:
Why: For a more budget-friendly option, Terramaster offers good performance and expandability, especially with the F4-423 model. It’s equipped with a Quad-Core Intel Celeron CPU, supports SSD caching, and has 4GB of RAM (expandable).
Budget: If you’re looking to stay on the more affordable side, this could give you plenty of storage space and features without breaking the bank.
Future-proofing: Though less premium than Synology or QNAP, it still offers expandability and decent performance for a growing home setup.
Network & Storage Considerations:
Since your network is 1Gbps wired and you’re using Wi-Fi 6, I’d suggest considering a NAS with 2.5GbE or 10GbE support in the future, especially if you’re working with larger RAW images or video files and need faster transfer speeds.
Your 12-14TB net storage should be achievable with the 4-bay options, and you can start with 2-4 drives and expand over time, depending on your growing storage needs.
Conclusion:
Given your current setup and needs, I’d recommend the Synology DS923+ as the most seamless upgrade if you’re comfortable with the Synology ecosystem. However, the QNAP TS-453D and Terramaster F4-423 also provide great options for both budget-conscious and performance-driven users.
Each of these models will serve you well for at least the next decade, but you may want to think about expanding your network (to 2.5GbE) and storage as your photography library grows.