The catch
ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
Supplied memory is just 4 GB.
Side by side
ASUSTOR AS5404T vs QNAP TS-264 Compared: ASUSTOR holds four hard drives, and the starting link rate is the same for both
Quick verdict
Three or four internal hard drives, or four built-in NVMe slots with no expansion card, point to the AS5404T. If two hard drives are enough and you want 8 GB of supplied memory or a supported PCIe upgrade, choose the TS-264-8G. The built-in Ethernet ports run at the same link rate, so compare what you plan to add next.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A plan for three hard drives decides this choice early
Say you own two compatible hard drives and want a third one inside. AS5404T has a spare SATA position for it. TS-264 does not, though it still has two NVMe slots, because an M.2 socket cannot take that third hard drive.
Where this comes from
For AS5404T, 4 SATA bays - 2 occupied = 2 free. For TS-264, 2 SATA bays - 2 occupied = 0 free. NVMe positions take a different drive format.
The catch
QNAP TS-264-8G-US
Limited to two SATA bays and two built-in NVMe positions.
ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
- Why pick it
- Build up to an array of three or four hard drives
- Get four NVMe slots built in, no expansion card needed
- The catch
- Supplied memory is just 4 GB.
QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Why pick it
- Begin with 8 GB RAM and no memory to buy
- Leave PCIe open for a compatible faster network card
- The catch
- Limited to two SATA bays and two built-in NVMe positions.
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What this page compares
ASUSTOR AS5404T and QNAP TS-264 compared on hard-drive growth, NVMe apps and faster networking, to show which upgrade path fits your next storage project.
Three or four internal hard drives, or four built-in NVMe slots with no expansion card, point to the AS5404T. If two hard drives are enough and you want 8 GB of supplied memory or a supported PCIe upgrade, choose the TS-264-8G. The built-in Ethernet ports run at the same link rate, so compare what you plan to add next.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
My setup needs three or four internal hard drives
AS5404T alone has enough SATA bays.
- ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
- Better fit
- QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Not suitable
I want four built-in NVMe slots and no expansion card
Four come with ASUSTOR. QNAP starts with two, and adding two more takes a compatible card.
- ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
- Better fit
- QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Not suitable
Later I want to add a compatible PCIe network card
The card slot is on QNAP. Check the exact supported card, and the rest of the network too.
- ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
- Not suitable
- QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Depends
The selected base package has to include 8 GB RAM for me
ASUSTOR comes with 4 GB and needs an upgrade. Also confirm the hardware revision of the selected QNAP 8G.
- ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
- Not suitable
- QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
A plan for three hard drives decides this choice early
Say you own two compatible hard drives and want a third one inside. AS5404T has a spare SATA position for it. TS-264 does not, though it still has two NVMe slots, because an M.2 socket cannot take that third hard drive.
How we worked this out
For AS5404T, 4 SATA bays - 2 occupied = 2 free. For TS-264, 2 SATA bays - 2 occupied = 0 free. NVMe positions take a different drive format.
An extra card lets QNAP reach four NVMe positions
Four NVMe slots are on the ASUSTOR board. QNAP starts with two and supports QM2 cards that add another two. Its documented QM2-2P10G1TB option also adds a 10GbE port. A four-SSD plan is therefore possible on QNAP, but buying the enclosure alone does not get you that configuration.
How we worked this out
For QNAP, 2 built-in M.2 positions + 2 on a compatible QM2 card = 4. ASUSTOR supplies 4 with no card. The combined network-and-SSD card is documented by QNAP, and compatibility and PCIe bandwidth limits still apply.
An 8 GB app budget alters the first purchase and leaves the final ceiling alone
When your chosen applications require 8 GB of RAM, the selected current TS-264-8G already supplies it, while AS5404T needs a supported upgrade from 4 GB. Both document a 16 GB maximum, which means QNAP spares you an immediate upgrade and does not offer more ultimate memory capacity.
How we worked this out
8 GB required - 4 GB supplied on ASUSTOR = 4 GB short. The selected QNAP comes with 8 GB. Both current specifications list a 16 GB maximum.
Option A
ASUSTOR, AS5404T
ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
A 4-bay chassis whose fastest documented network path is 2.5 Gbps.
- Best for
- Build up to an array of three or four hard drives
Facts we checked
- SATA hard-drive bays: 4
- Built-in NVMe positions: 4
- Installed / maximum RAM: 4 GB / 16 GB
- Onboard Ethernet: Two 2.5GbE ports
Option B
QNAP, TS-264-8G-US
QNAP TS-264-8G-US
This two-bay NAS has two built-in NVMe slots, dual 2.5GbE and a PCIe slot that takes supported SSD or network expansion. The current 8G configuration selected here comes with 8 GB RAM.
- Best for
- Begin with 8 GB RAM and no memory to buy
Facts we checked
- SATA hard-drive bays: 2
- Built-in NVMe positions: 2
- Installed / maximum RAM: 8 GB / 16 GB on current SODIMM revision
- Onboard Ethernet: Two 2.5GbE ports
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2 | QNAP TS-264-8G-US | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SATA hard-drive bays | 4 | 2 | The internal hard-drive count on ASUSTOR can grow without giving up existing drives. |
| Built-in NVMe positions | 4 | 2 | A compatible optional QM2 card gives QNAP two more M.2 positions. |
| Installed / maximum RAM | 4 GB / 16 GB | 8 GB / 16 GB on current SODIMM revision | QNAP begins with more memory, yet its documented ceiling is no higher. |
| Built-in Ethernet | Two 2.5GbE ports | Two 2.5GbE ports | Neither one has 10GbE built in. |
| Internal PCIe card slot | None | One PCIe Gen 3 x2 | A documented route to compatible network expansion cards exists on QNAP. The card costs extra. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
- Without an internal PCIe network-card slot.
With QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Extra cost comes with a compatible expansion card and supporting network equipment.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
I want a minimum of three internal SATA hard drives
Go with ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2. Four bays are on AS5404T and two on TS-264.
My plan includes a PCIe network card and two hard drives are enough
Go with QNAP TS-264-8G-US. The internal card slot required comes with QNAP.
I want four hard-drive bays and an internal network-card slot together
Neither model fits. Those requirements are not combined in either model.
Decision guide
How to decide
Sketch the next storage layout before you shop
List how many hard drives and SSDs you expect to have installed at the same time, adding a future drive if you already know the archive will grow. That shows a bay shortage before you buy. A diskless enclosure with a lower offer can turn into the expensive choice if it has to be replaced to take the next hard drive.
A network upgrade covers the whole connection path
A compatible faster card is just one piece of the TS-264 upgrade. The computer, switch and cabling must support the intended connection too, and storage throughput and protocol overhead still count. If the client will stay on a 1GbE connection, there is no reason to buy the card just because a slot exists.
Confirm which memory revision the offer has
The TS-264-8G configuration used here has replaceable SODIMM memory, documented from January 2024. Check older revisions with the seller. Decide how much memory your applications need and then price any modules required. Their actual combined requirements matter more than how many applications there are.
What this page can’t tell you
- Storage figures assume compatible drives of equal capacity and decimal TB, counted before formatting, system space and metadata. RAID covers the drive failures it is specified for, but it does not replace a separate backup.
- Treat network figures as link rates. They are not measured file-transfer speeds. For the exact model you buy, check software support, memory revision, drive compatibility and the rest of the network.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the NAS devices we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2 |
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| QNAP TS-264-8G-US |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
ASUSTOR Nimbustor 4 Gen2
Build up to an array of three or four hard drives
See price & reviews on AmazonQNAP TS-264-8G-US
Begin with 8 GB RAM and no memory to buy
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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