The catch
Synology DiskStation DS223
Virtual machines are a poor fit for the fixed memory.
Side by side
Synology DiskStation DS223 vs Synology DiskStation DS225+ Compared: 223 stays at 2GB, while 225+ leaves a route for upgrading RAM
Quick verdict
Fixed 2GB memory makes the DS223 a two-drive DSM backup appliance. Buyers who need an Intel platform, 2.5GbE or a supported RAM upgrade should look at the DS225+.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Protected capacity when all drives are 12TB
In this example, Synology DiskStation DS223 comes to 12TB and Synology DiskStation DS225+ to 12TB before formatting. Moving to another chassis does not add protected capacity.
Where this comes from
Suppose each SATA bay holds a supported 12TB disk. A two-bay RAID 1 gives the usable capacity of one disk. With three or more drives, RAID 5 usable TB = (drive count minus 1) × 12. The layout is only an illustration. It is not storage that comes included, and it is not a backup.
The catch
Synology DiskStation DS225+
The unit has no M.2 slots.
Synology DiskStation DS223
- Why pick it
- A fixed 2GB gigabit appliance is enough for your backups
- supported ram ceiling: you want 2GB
- The catch
- Virtual machines are a poor fit for the fixed memory.
Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Why pick it
- 2.5GbE, an Intel platform or expandable RAM is required
- supported ram ceiling: you want 6GB
- The catch
- The unit has no M.2 slots.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
Which of DS223 and DS225+ fits depends on protected storage, included networking and the exact SSD or application layout you need.
Stepping up to the Plus brings a faster port and a different application platform.
Day to day
How each one fits your routine
More than a gigabit socket is needed for a two-hour full backup
Moving a decimal 1TB over a single gigabit connection takes more than two hours, even before protocol overhead, so DS223 cannot meet that exact two-hour full-copy window. DS225+ includes a faster port worth investigating, though compatible source storage and networking are still required. DS223 is the choice if incremental backups or a longer schedule suit the household. DS225+ is the choice when the shorter wired window is a real requirement.
Where this comes from
1TB multiplied by eight, then divided by 1Gbps, comes to 8000 seconds, or about two hours thirteen minutes before overhead. The 2.5GbE model meets this link-rate requirement, but that does not guarantee the real backup completion time.
Fewer USB sockets for attached archives come with the faster model
Three physical connections go to a USB backup disk, an import SSD and a second archive disk. DS223 has three USB Gen1 ports and DS225+ has two. DS223 is the choice if that direct attachment layout matters and gigabit networking is enough. DS225+ is the choice for its faster network path, provided you budget for rotating connections or check a supported alternative for the third external device.
Where this comes from
The comparison rests on the published USB socket count of three versus two. A faster network model does not automatically take over every connection role of the older one. It implies no simultaneous transfer rate and no universal external-device compatibility.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Protected archive built from 12 TB disks filling every internal SATA bay
RAID 1 is used for two disks and RAID 5 for three or more in this example. Synology DiskStation DS223 gives 12TB and Synology DiskStation DS225+ gives 12TB before formatting. Changing chassis does not raise this protected capacity.
- Synology DiskStation DS223
- Similar
- Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Similar
A workstation already at the speed of the faster included Ethernet port
Included ports are rated 1GbE and 2.5GbE. Read the 100GB figure next to the actual client speed.
- Synology DiskStation DS223
- Good
- Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Better fit
Multiple local services dividing up the supplied RAM
Synology DiskStation DS223 has 2 GB RAM and supports 2 GB, and Synology DiskStation DS225+ has 2 GB and supports 6 GB. Compare the stated application memory requirement with the supplied configuration first, and only then budget for an upgrade. RAM capacity alone does not establish application speed.
- Synology DiskStation DS223
- Similar
- Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Similar
Get to a 4 GB memory requirement through a supported configuration
Suppose the selected applications specify a 4GB memory budget. The fixed 2GB of the DS223 cannot get there. The DS225+ also starts at 2GB, yet its documented 6GB ceiling gives it a supported upgrade route.
- Synology DiskStation DS223
- Not suitable
- Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Protected capacity when all drives are 12TB
In this example, Synology DiskStation DS223 comes to 12TB and Synology DiskStation DS225+ to 12TB before formatting. Moving to another chassis does not add protected capacity.
How we worked this out
Suppose each SATA bay holds a supported 12TB disk. A two-bay RAID 1 gives the usable capacity of one disk. With three or more drives, RAID 5 usable TB = (drive count minus 1) × 12. The layout is only an illustration. It is not storage that comes included, and it is not a backup.
100GB moved at the speed ceiling of the included port
Line rate sets a lower bound of 800 seconds for Synology DiskStation DS223 and 320 seconds for Synology DiskStation DS225+. Real copies take longer. Put a 1GbE client in the path and the bound is 800 seconds for both.
How we worked this out
Decimal 100GB × 8 = 800 gigabits. Take the fastest included port rate, 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps, and divide 800 by it. This lower-bound calculation ignores protocol overhead, optional adapters and aggregated ports.
The DS223 is ruled out by a 4GB memory requirement
Suppose the selected applications specify a 4GB memory budget. The fixed 2GB of the DS223 cannot get there. The DS225+ also starts at 2GB, yet its documented 6GB ceiling gives it a supported upgrade route.
How we worked this out
The scenario requires 4GB. DS223 tops out at 2GB, which is 2GB short. DS225+ has a documented maximum of 6GB, 2GB above the requirement. Actual module combinations and application support still need confirming.
Option A
Synology, DS223
Synology DiskStation DS223
A 2-bay chassis whose fastest documented network path is 1 Gbps.
- Best for
- A fixed 2GB gigabit appliance is enough for your backups
Facts we checked
- Fastest included Ethernet port: 1GbE
- Supported RAM ceiling: 2GB
- Processor: Realtek RTD1619B
- Physical network connections: One 1GbE port
Option B
Synology, DS225+
Synology DiskStation DS225+
A 2-bay chassis whose fastest documented network path is 2.5 Gbps.
- Best for
- 2.5GbE, an Intel platform or expandable RAM is required
Facts we checked
- Fastest included Ethernet port: 2.5GbE
- Supported RAM ceiling: 6GB
- Processor: Intel Celeron J4125
- Physical network connections: One 2.5GbE plus one 1GbE port
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Synology DiskStation DS223 | Synology DiskStation DS225+ | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest included Ethernet port | 1GbE | 2.5GbE | This port rate only helps a transfer if the client, switch and storage keep up. |
| Supported RAM ceiling | 2GB | 6GB | The manufacturer-supported upgrade ceiling for concurrent services is set by this. |
| Processor | Realtek RTD1619B | Intel Celeron J4125 | The platform determines the media engines, the application architecture and the concurrency. |
| Physical network connections | One 1GbE port | One 2.5GbE plus one 1GbE port | Physical wired segments can be kept apart on the DS225+, depending on the routing configuration. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Synology DiskStation DS223
- Gigabit limits how fast large files copy.
With Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Confirm that your disks are compatible before buying.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
A fixed 2GB gigabit appliance is enough for your backups
Go with Synology DiskStation DS223. A fixed 2 GB memory budget and gigabit Ethernet are what DS223 offers. It suits a basic archive only if the chosen services and restore workload stay inside those limits.
2.5GbE, an Intel platform or expandable RAM is required
Go with Synology DiskStation DS225+. With DS225+ come a 2.5 GbE interface and an Intel platform, plus memory that expands from 2 GB to 6 GB. An application requirement of 4 GB depends on that memory upgrade.
Decision guide
How to decide
First, pin down the storage layout you need
Fixed 2GB memory makes the DS223 a two-drive DSM backup appliance. Buyers who need an Intel platform, 2.5GbE or a supported RAM upgrade should look at the DS225+.
Count what the drive budget allows
Equal drives give the same mirrored capacity. If a full two-drive mirror is the only problem and the current bays support the drives you intend to use, spend on larger disks before changing chassis.
Look at the client and apps you will really use
Gigabit Ethernet is the limit on the DS223. The DS225+ can run 2.5GbE when the client and switch support it, and it keeps a separate 1GbE port. For large backup restores, that is a tangible network change.
What this page can’t tell you
- Capacity examples assume equal 12TB drives, counted before formatting, snapshots and filesystem overhead.
- Treat Ethernet calculations as lower bounds, since disk performance, network protocol and other traffic add time.
- Neither application speed nor a VM count follows from memory capacity alone.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synology DiskStation DS223 |
|
| |
| Synology DiskStation DS225+ |
|
|
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.
Synology DiskStation DS223
A fixed 2GB gigabit appliance is enough for your backups
See price & reviews on AmazonSynology DiskStation DS225+
2.5GbE, an Intel platform or expandable RAM is required
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money