Terramaster F4-424 Max Review: This 10GBE 4-Bay plex nas destroys DS923+ Disstation
Whereas Terramaster all the time had a wide selection of price range -centered fashions, the model undertook an formidable adjustment final yr in an effort to purpose for the excessive -level section. I examined All-F8 SSD Plus when debuting, and I left pondering that the model did a terrific job not solely on the {hardware} aspect but additionally the software program.
With F4-424 Max, Terramaster is seeking to proceed that second. NAS with 4 bay has the perfect {hardware} package deal in its class, together with two 10gbe ports, a ten -core intel core i5 1235u platform, 8 GB of up to date RAM and 4 conventional automotive bays along with two M.2 video games.
Mix it with modifications in TOS 6 software program, and the F4-424 Max has the potential to be the most effective 4 NAS breast fashions you should purchase at this time, particularly in case you are seeking to construct a excessive Plex server. I used NAS for greater than two months, and that is why I believe it is a better option than DS923+Disstation.
Terramaster F4-424 Max: Value and Availability
Terramaster found F4-424 Max in This fall 2024, and NAS is now globally accessible. It’s packaged for $ 899 in Amazon, and if you do not want a 10gbe double connection, there’s a F4-424 customary with double ports of two.5gbe costing $ 499. This variant is powered by Intel N95 and shares the same design. There’s additionally a professional F4-424 that has a core i3-n305 reminiscence and 16 GB together with the two.5gbe double connection, and this mannequin is $ 649.
| CATEGORY | Terramaster F4-424 Max |
|---|---|
| The interior bay of the automotive | 4 (22tb every bay), HDD 3.5 inches, HDD/SSD with 2.5 inches, M.2 storage |
| Community interface | 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB | 2 x USB-a 3.1 Gen2, 1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen2 |
| Esata ports | ❌ |
| Pictur | ❌ |
| CPU | 10-Bekma 4.4GHz Intel Core I5 1235u |
| Transkoding plex | Sure, as much as 8k |
| Mugue | 8 GB DDR5 Non-ECC pre-installed, two SO-DIMM slots, complete as much as 64 GB |
| M.2 slots | 2 x Gen 4 2280 slots, storage |
| File system | EXT4 Normal, btrfs |
| cooling | 1 x 120 mm fan, 21dba |
| proportions | 154 x 179 x 222 mm |
Terramaster F4-424 Max: Design
Earlier terramaster gives had been distinguished due to their particular aluminum closures, and whereas the design was intriguing, they didn’t have the perfect thermal effectivity. The model is addressing that with F4-424 Max switching to a extra modest aesthetic, with a black chassis that doesn’t appeal to a lot consideration.
What is obvious is that the perimeters are ventilated – much like what you get with DS923+ – permitting the circulation of the perfect air in NAS. The server is smaller than different 4 NAS breast fashions I’ve just lately examined, and as all the time occurs with terramaster, you get a 120W exterior brick.
I additionally like that there’s now a 120 mm fan within the again, and does a implausible job guaranteeing that the discs don’t overheat. As an added bonus, it’s not completed aloud. Terramaster has a brand new design for automotive bays as effectively, with a swimming mechanism that’s straightforward to make use of. The model lastly switched to a automotive set up with out instruments, and this makes slotting on HDD 3.5 inches considerably simpler.
Outdoors, there’s not far more within the entrance. You get the same old standing LEDs, and whereas most NAS fashions have a USB port that lets you insert a automotive, it’s not so right here – all ports are positioned within the again. It’s fascinating that even the facility button is within the again, with a terramaster who chooses to go together with a clear ahead view that doesn’t look too busy.
Modifications in design give vital advantages. The F4-424 max has a lot better air flow, and the chassis doesn’t keep a lot, mixing within the background.
Terramaster F4-424 Max: Ports and Connectivity
After all, the truth that you take two 10 gigabit ports in the back of NAS is the most important differentiation, and provides it a particular benefit – particularly while you assume DS923+ has twin ethernet connections. You don’t get the flexibility so as to add an extra port, however this shouldn’t be a matter for anybody who considers this nas; With an addressable bunch of 20GBPS, it’s not crucial to fret in regards to the community connection that’s the barrier.
There are two USB ports together with a USB-C port, and all three get 10 GBPS band widths. I wish to see the USB-C connector on the entrance as this makes the outer discs lighter, however as well as, I’ve no downside with the portion of the port.
NAS comes with 8 GB of pre-installed non-ECC reminiscence, which receives certainly one of two So-Dimm slots accessible. You’ll be able to flip off the reminiscence modules and improve it to 64 GB (32 GB in every slot) if you wish to achieve this. There are additionally two M.2 Gen 4 slots, and they’re simply accessible by sliding the left aspect panel.
The Eachdo Bay of the automotive accommodates 22TB NAS HDDS, so complete addressable storage is 88TB excluding M.2 Bays. If you’re pondering of happening this street, I like to recommend 22TB Ironwolf professional drives; I exploit these in my major na, and they’re scary.
Terramaster F4-424 Max: Actual World Testing
Allowed by Intel’s 10-Core Alder Lake Core I5 1235U with built-in iris, there isn’t any lack of vitality right here. If something, NAS is among the finest of each 4 Bay server that I’ve examined, and has had many outstanding merchandise over the previous two years.
There are not any issues in each day use, and whether it is executing a VM or managing a large plex library, NAS simply bubbles by the required duties. Has {hardware} transcoding and reaches no effort to transcoduce 4K video, and I didn’t see any points on this regard.
In the same approach, I’ve not seen any issues with file transfers, with nas able to saturating the width of the ironwolf discs with relative ease. You have to to make use of M.2 discs like WD SN850X to totally profit from the 10GBE connection.
TOS 6 software program is a lot better than earlier repetitions, and also you get native prospects for many companies, together with media broadcasting, knowledge assist and digital machines. You additionally get Docker container, so you’ll be able to simply set up nearly any service you want if not accessible as a typical.
The one problem on this space is that software program tends to ever be unsuitable, and cellular prospects are nowhere as polished as different manufacturers. Whereas there’s a photograph consumer, he has not one of the superior options you get with disk fashions.
It’s clear that Terramaster nonetheless has some software program work, however I’ll admit that TOS 6 is a step ahead – it offers a cleaner interface and has a lot better usability. There’s additionally the truth that if you don’t like software program, you’ll be able to merely set up the NAS Truinas scale.
Terramaster F4-424 Max: Options
Two years after its launch, the DS923+ Disstation remains to be a wonderful alternative as a result of software program applications set. Undoubtedly left behind when it comes to device-any different nas I’ve examined has higher links-but inflexible rock software program companies mixed with highly effective cellular prospects make DS923+ a sexy alternative, and it does a terrific job as a plex server.
Terramaster F4-424 Max: Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You want a strong 4 breast server
- You need 10GBE connection as customary
- Want {hardware} that may final a decade
You shouldn’t purchase this if:
- You need the perfect software program on this class
- You want a terrific worth
Outdoors of some software program obstacles, there’s not a lot guilty Max F4-424. {Hardware} is clearly the primary level of sale, and the inclusion of double 10GBE ports together with highly effective intel chips and up to date reminiscence makes it a implausible alternative in order for you the perfect plex.
Whereas Tos 6 software program is a lot better than earlier repetitions, it’s nonetheless lacking in that little polish, and if you don’t like pre-installed software program, you’ll be able to flip yourself-and that’s enticing in itself. I’m going to put in Truver and write a characteristic speaking about the way it holds in opposition to Tos 6, however the truth that you are able to do that is in itself a terrific job.
The F4-424 Max doesn’t have sufficient value-focused costs like its predecessors, however enhancements in {hardware} and software program extension make it a superb normal alternative nonetheless.
The F4-424 Max has the perfect normal system on this section, and the software program updates make it a terrific alternative in the event you want a strong 10gbe Plex server.
