The catch
Synology DiskStation DS725+
Gigabit is the limit for the second Ethernet socket.
Side by side
Synology DS725+ vs QNAP TS-264 Compared: A PCIe network upgrade, or more supported ECC RAM
Quick verdict
A two-drive DSM system that needs ECC memory, or a supported memory capacity above 16 GB, calls for the DS725+. If two native 2.5GbE ports, 8 GB supplied RAM or a supported PCIe network card fit your plan, choose the selected TS-264-8G. Two SATA bays and two NVMe sockets come on both, so the difference lies in memory and connection options.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Unequal ceilings can sit on two Ethernet sockets
One fast 2.5GbE port and one Gigabit port come with DS725+, while both TS-264 ports are 2.5GbE.
Where this comes from
A conflicting marketing sentence about the ports on DS725+ is resolved by its detailed table and rear overview.
The catch
QNAP TS-264-8G-US
Memory is stated to top out at 16 GB.
Synology DiskStation DS725+
- Why pick it
- Rely on documented ECC memory and a supported 32 GB ceiling
- Stay on DSM with the optional DX525 expansion path
- The catch
- Gigabit is the limit for the second Ethernet socket.
QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Why pick it
- Go in with 8 GB and two native 2.5GbE ports
- Put in a supported 10GbE PCIe adapter
- The catch
- Memory is stated to top out at 16 GB.
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What this page compares
Two-drive storage, asymmetric Ethernet ports, a 10GbE card and memory beyond 16 GB: DS725+ and TS-264 side by side.
A two-drive DSM system that needs ECC memory, or a supported memory capacity above 16 GB, calls for the DS725+. If two native 2.5GbE ports, 8 GB supplied RAM or a supported PCIe network card fit your plan, choose the selected TS-264-8G. Two SATA bays and two NVMe sockets come on both, so the difference lies in memory and connection options.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Run two separate native 2.5GbE links
One Gigabit port is on DS725+.
- Synology DiskStation DS725+
- Caution
- QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Better fit
Put in a supported internal 10GbE card
The card slot comes with TS-264.
- Synology DiskStation DS725+
- Not suitable
- QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Better fit
Map out a supported 24 GB memory configuration
A 16 GB maximum is published for TS-264.
- Synology DiskStation DS725+
- Better fit
- QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Not suitable
Begin with a minimum of 8 GB and no RAM to buy
The selected TS-264 variant comes with 8 GB.
- Synology DiskStation DS725+
- Caution
- QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Unequal ceilings can sit on two Ethernet sockets
One fast 2.5GbE port and one Gigabit port come with DS725+, while both TS-264 ports are 2.5GbE.
How we worked this out
A conflicting marketing sentence about the ports on DS725+ is resolved by its detailed table and rear overview.
A planned 10GbE upgrade depends on the QNAP slot
A Gen3 x2 PCIe slot and a documented compatible 10GbE adapter path come with TS-264. DS725+ lists no comparable slot.
How we worked this out
Until additional supported network hardware is considered, both original packages stay below 10GbE.
Memory-heavy work flips the expansion advantage
TS-264 publishes 16 GB, and DS725+ supports 32 GB. Even so, TS-264 starts with twice the supplied RAM.
How we worked this out
A target of 24 GB is over 16 GB yet under 32 GB. The selected packages come with 4 GB and 8 GB.
Option A
Synology, DS725+
Synology DiskStation DS725+
This two-bay DSM system has ECC memory and two NVMe sockets, with a separate DX525 as the expansion path.
- Best for
- Rely on documented ECC memory and a supported 32 GB ceiling
Facts we checked
- Storage positions inside: Two SATA and two NVMe
- Built-in Ethernet: One 2.5GbE and one 1GbE
- Memory installed: 4 GB DDR4 ECC
- Largest supported memory: 32 GB
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
- Go in with 8 GB and two native 2.5GbE ports
Facts we checked
- Storage positions inside: Two SATA and two NVMe
- Built-in Ethernet: Two 2.5GbE
- Memory installed in the selected TS-264-8G: 8 GB DDR4
- Largest supported memory: 16 GB
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Synology DiskStation DS725+ | QNAP TS-264-8G-US | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal storage positions | Two SATA and two NVMe | Two SATA and two NVMe | The connector counts inside the chassis are the same on both. |
| Native Ethernet | One 2.5GbE and one 1GbE | Two 2.5GbE | The choice shifts with a second fast wired segment. |
| Installed memory | 4 GB DDR4 ECC | 8 GB DDR4 in the selected TS-264-8G | The initial basket changes with an 8 GB starting requirement. |
| Supported memory maximum | 32 GB | 16 GB | One ceiling is exceeded by a documented 24 GB requirement. |
| General-purpose PCIe slot | None listed | One Gen3 x2 slot | The documented add-in network-card path is on QNAP. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Synology DiskStation DS725+
- Just 4 GB of RAM comes in the original package.
With QNAP TS-264-8G-US
- An extra compatible card is required for a 10GbE connection.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
I require supported RAM above 16 GB
Go with Synology DiskStation DS725+. A 32 GB ceiling is published for DS725+.
I want dual 2.5GbE, or else a compatible PCIe adapter
Go with QNAP TS-264-8G-US. Those hardware paths come with TS-264.
The original chassis has to hold four SATA drives for me
Neither model fits. Each chassis has two bays.
Decision guide
How to decide
Unequal ceilings can sit on two Ethernet sockets
On the TS-264, a workstation on one port and a separate 2.5GbE LAN on the other can both use matching rated interfaces. The DS725+ limits one of those physical connections to Gigabit. Plan addressing and network services carefully. Neither port setup automatically makes a single-client connection equal to the sum of both rates.
A planned 10GbE upgrade depends on the QNAP slot
Should the NAS need an internal 10GbE card later, the TS-264 supplies the relevant expansion route. Put the supported card and the client-side network path in the plan. The two NVMe sockets in the DS725+ are no substitute for a general-purpose network-card slot. Do not assume a USB connector creates an officially supported 10GbE upgrade.
Memory-heavy work flips the expansion advantage
When a supported application needs 24 GB, the DS725+ is the documented capacity fit after a memory upgrade. When the starting requirement is 8 GB, the TS-264 already includes the required amount, whereas Synology needs more RAM. Confirm the software platform first. RAM capacity arithmetic does not prove that a particular container or virtual machine will run acceptably.
What this page can’t tell you
- Storage, application, transcoding and noise were never tested side by side. Network claims for the DS725+ come from its detailed specification table.
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 DS725+ |
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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.
Synology DiskStation DS725+
Rely on documented ECC memory and a supported 32 GB ceiling
See price & reviews on AmazonQNAP TS-264-8G-US
Go in with 8 GB and two native 2.5GbE ports
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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