The catch
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
Installing the optional 10GbE upgrade means giving up all four built-in NVMe slots. Decide that before you put important work on those SSDs.
Side by side
ASUSTOR AS6704T v2 vs AS6804T: Gen3 puts 10GbE and the internal SSD workspace in one box
Quick verdict
The AS6804T is the right one if you want 10GbE and still want internal NVMe storage, since the AS6704T v2 gives up its M.2 board once the optional 10GbE card goes in. The AS6704T v2 fits when native 5GbE is sufficient and its documented HDMI output matters to you. Each holds four SATA drives. Keep in mind that Gen3 USB 4 does not work as a direct cable link to a Mac or PC.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Upgrading for editing can push the existing SSDs out
Say your family archive sits on SATA disks and your active video projects sit on NVMe. On Gen2+, adding the 10GbE card breaks that split because it takes out the SSD board. The AS6804T keeps native 10GbE and all four NVMe positions at once. Stick with Gen2+ if 5GbE already handles your working network, or if your storage plan has no need for internal NVMe.
Where this comes from
The conflict is over resources. The optional Gen2+ NIC takes the place of the M.2 daughterboard, whereas Gen3 networking is built in. That settles whether the two can coexist. It does not guarantee any editing speed. Back up before you change any storage configuration.
The catch
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
There is no HDMI output, and USB 4 does not connect straight to a Mac or PC. Check how your specific application workflow would run.
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
- Why pick it
- Native 5GbE is fine for your archive and SSD workspace, so you can skip the card that takes out the SSD board.
- You need the documented HDMI output, and you have confirmed that the ADM application you plan to use can handle the display task.
- The catch
- Installing the optional 10GbE upgrade means giving up all four built-in NVMe slots. Decide that before you put important work on those SSDs.
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Why pick it
- You want native 10GbE and all four internal NVMe positions to stay available.
- The services you plan to run need memory beyond the Gen2+ 16GB ceiling, and compatible RAM is a separate purchase.
- The catch
- There is no HDMI output, and USB 4 does not connect straight to a Mac or PC. Check how your specific application workflow would run.
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What this page compares
Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ against Gen3 for a home archive and an editing desk. Includes why a 10GbE upgrade can cost you four SSD slots, along with the RAM and HDMI limits.
Both are four-bay ASUSTOR enclosures, and the job is a shared home archive plus a desk that demands more. The question is whether Gen3 resolves an expansion conflict you have or only adds hardware your home won't use.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
10GbE and four installed NVMe drives must coexist
Gen2+ replaces the NVMe board to add its optional 10GbE card. Gen3 provides native 10GbE.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
- Not suitable
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Better fit
A verified HDMI application is part of the TV setup
Gen2+ has HDMI 2.0b. Gen3 has no HDMI output, so it cannot make that direct display connection.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
- Better fit
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Not suitable
The home network stays at 2.5GbE and memory demand is modest
Both cover that link rate and basic storage layout. The network alone gives no reason to pay for Gen3.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
- Good
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Good
A Mac must see the NAS as a directly attached USB 4 drive
Neither is documented for that job. Gen3 explicitly excludes Mac and PC USB 4 host-to-host networking.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
- Not suitable
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Upgrading for editing can push the existing SSDs out
Say your family archive sits on SATA disks and your active video projects sit on NVMe. On Gen2+, adding the 10GbE card breaks that split because it takes out the SSD board. The AS6804T keeps native 10GbE and all four NVMe positions at once. Stick with Gen2+ if 5GbE already handles your working network, or if your storage plan has no need for internal NVMe.
How we worked this out
The conflict is over resources. The optional Gen2+ NIC takes the place of the M.2 daughterboard, whereas Gen3 networking is built in. That settles whether the two can coexist. It does not guarantee any editing speed. Back up before you change any storage configuration.
A media shelf and a work desk may point to different generations
If your household wants a supported ADM display application running next to the TV, that is still a reason to choose Gen2+, which keeps HDMI. For that job, Gen3 needs a separate network playback route, even though it is the stronger network platform. Before buying either one for local playback, confirm the specific app and how the display behaves.
How we worked this out
The physical output difference is confirmed. HDMI by itself does not show that an app, codec, streaming service or remote control will work. No advantage in Plex stream count is claimed.
Running more services may mean more RAM without more furniture
Suppose backups have to keep running while the home-server applications you plan need more than 16GB of memory in total. Gen3 has a supported route up to 64GB in a body of the same size. If your services fit in 16GB, you don't need the upgrade. Be aware that installing non-ECC RAM would also forfeit the Gen3 ECC feature.
How we worked this out
The maximum is 16GB on Gen2+ and 64GB on Gen3, and the footprints are identical at 170 x 230 mm. A memory ceiling says nothing definite about VM capacity, CPU performance or end-to-end data protection.
Option A
ASUSTOR, AS6704T v2
Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
Native 5GbE is fine for your archive and SSD workspace, so you can skip the card that takes out the SSD board.
- Best for
- Native 5GbE is fine for your archive and SSD workspace, so you can skip the card that takes out the SSD board.
Facts we checked
- SSD storage after a network upgrade: Four SATA bays, four PCIe 3.0 x1 NVMe slots and two native 5GbE ports. Optional 10GbE requires removing the M.2 daughterboard.
- Application memory: Intel N5105. 4GB DDR4 supplied and 16GB maximum.
- Local display and external drives: HDMI 2.0b, two USB-A 10Gbps ports and one USB 2.0 port.
- Room on the shelf: 185.5 x 170 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Four SATA positions.
Option B
ASUSTOR, AS6804T
Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
You want native 10GbE and all four internal NVMe positions to stay available.
- Best for
- You want native 10GbE and all four internal NVMe positions to stay available.
Facts we checked
- SSD storage after a network upgrade: Four SATA bays and four PCIe 4.0 x1 NVMe slots, with two native 10GbE ports and two 5GbE ports.
- Application memory: Ryzen V3C14. 16GB ECC DDR5 supplied and 64GB maximum. Non-ECC memory disables ECC functionality.
- Local display and external drives: No HDMI. Two USB 4 ports for compatible external storage and three USB-A 10Gbps ports. USB 4 host-to-host networking to a Mac or PC is unsupported.
- Room on the shelf: 185.5 x 170 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Four SATA positions.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2 | ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSD storage after a network upgrade | Four SATA bays, four PCIe 3.0 x1 NVMe slots and two native 5GbE ports. Optional 10GbE requires removing the M.2 daughterboard. | Four SATA bays and four PCIe 4.0 x1 NVMe slots, with two native 10GbE ports and two 5GbE ports. | Gen3 wins by letting two planned jobs coexist. Comparing port speeds alone overlooks what Gen2+ gives up. |
| Application memory | Intel N5105. 4GB DDR4 supplied and 16GB maximum. | Ryzen V3C14. 16GB ECC DDR5 supplied and 64GB maximum. Non-ECC memory disables ECC functionality. | More drive capacity won't get you past a RAM ceiling. Size the memory to the services you run. |
| Local display and external drives | HDMI 2.0b, two USB-A 10Gbps ports and one USB 2.0 port. | No HDMI. Two USB 4 ports for compatible external storage and three USB-A 10Gbps ports. USB 4 host-to-host networking to a Mac or PC is unsupported. | A newer connector type does not make up for a missing display output or turn the unit into direct storage for a laptop. |
| Room on the shelf | 185.5 x 170 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Four SATA positions. | 185.5 x 170 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Four SATA positions. | The published body dimensions are the same for both. Leave room for cables, airflow and servicing with either. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
- Both are sold diskless. Before ordering, confirm the exact model suffix, the RAM supplied, the seller, the return terms and whether the unit qualifies for US warranty. Drives, optional cards and memory upgrades all cost extra.
With ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- 16GB of ECC memory comes in the box. Compatible drives, additional ECC RAM and a faster client network are separate costs.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Keep NVMe storage while moving the workstation to 10GbE
Go with ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T. Gen3 avoids the Gen2+ card-versus-SSD-board conflict.
Keep native 5GbE and a supported HDMI workflow
Go with ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2. Gen2+ retains the output Gen3 removes.
USB 4 must provide the direct computer connection
Neither model fits. Plan Ethernet or choose equipment explicitly documented for direct attachment.
Decision guide
Before you buy
You want your SSD workspace to be faster to reach, and you don’t want to tear that workspace apart to get there.
What this page can’t tell you
- The Ethernet numbers listed are link rates and not file-transfer speeds anyone measured. Bottlenecks can come from client adapters, switches, cabling, disks, file sizes or other work running at once.
- RAID, snapshots and ECC cannot do a separate backup’s job. Keep a tested copy outside the NAS, and shield it from the same accident or account compromise.
- Noise, Plex capacity and processing speed were not measured or compared.
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 Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2 |
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| |
| ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T |
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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 Lockerstor 4 Gen2+ AS6704T v2
Native 5GbE is fine for your archive and SSD workspace, so you can skip the card that takes out the SSD board.
You need the documented HDMI output, and you have confirmed that the ADM application you plan to use can handle the display task.
See price & reviews on AmazonASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
You want native 10GbE and all four internal NVMe positions to stay available.
The services you plan to run need memory beyond the Gen2+ 16GB ceiling, and compatible RAM is a separate purchase.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money