Table of Contents
QNAP TS-464-8G NAS Review UK (2025) – Tested & Rated
The QNAP TS-464-8G NAS arrived at my desk three weeks ago, and I’ve been running it as my primary network storage solution ever since. QNAP’s reputation for building robust NAS devices is well-established, but this particular model caught my attention with its dual 2.5GbE ports and Intel quad-core processor. At £499.99, it sits firmly in the prosumer territory – not quite enterprise pricing, but well beyond basic home storage options.
QNAP TS-464-8G, 4-Bay Affordable NAS, High Performance Desktop NAS, Intel Quad-core CPU, 2 x M.2 PCle Slots, Dual 2.5GbE, 8GB RAM
- TS-264 / TS-464 / TS-664 are as fast as a single-port 10GbE NAS with up to 589 MB/s transfer speeds by setting port trunking with the two built-in 2.5GbE (2.5G/1G/100M) ports.
- Perform additional tasks, stream more media, and have more services running with an Intel quad-core processor optimised for multitasking.
- Built-in GPU for enhanced video conversion, allowing videos to be smoothly streamed from the NAS to mobile devices.
- If two M.2 slots aren’t enough, install a QM2 PCIe expansion card for more M.2 SSD slots.
- Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) ports allow faster backup to/from USB devices.
Price checked: 18 Dec 2025 | Affiliate link
📸 Product Gallery
View all available images of QNAP TS-464-8G, 4-Bay Affordable NAS, High Performance Desktop NAS, Intel Quad-core CPU, 2 x M.2 PCle Slots, Dual 2.5GbE, 8GB RAM
📋 Product Specifications
Physical Dimensions
Product Information
What makes this 4-bay NAS device particularly interesting is the combination of performance features that typically appear on more expensive units. The built-in GPU for video transcoding, expandable M.2 SSD slots, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports suggest QNAP is targeting users who need more than simple file storage. Whether that justifies the price depends on your specific requirements, which I’ll explore throughout this review.
Key Takeaways
- Best for: Home users and small offices needing fast network storage with media transcoding capabilities
- Price: £499.99 (premium value for feature set)
- Rating: 4.5/5 from 212 verified buyers
- Standout feature: Dual 2.5GbE ports delivering up to 589 MB/s through port trunking
The QNAP TS-464-8G NAS is a genuinely capable high-performance network storage solution that delivers on its speed promises. At £499.99, it represents a solid investment for users running Plex servers, photographers managing large RAW file libraries, or small offices needing reliable centralised storage with room to grow.
What I Tested: My Methodology
The QNAP TS-464-8G has been running continuously in my home office for three weeks, populated with four Western Digital Red Plus 4TB drives in RAID 5 configuration. My testing environment includes a network switch with 2.5GbE ports, allowing me to properly evaluate the port trunking capabilities.
Daily tasks included transferring 4K video files from my editing workstation, streaming content through Plex to multiple devices simultaneously, and running automated backups from three computers. I also tested Docker container performance, virtual machine hosting through Virtualization Station, and the Surveillance Station application with two IP cameras recording continuously.
Network transfer speeds were measured using CrystalDiskMark and real-world file transfers, whilst power consumption was monitored with a plug-in meter. The unit ran 24/7 throughout testing, giving me accurate data on noise levels, heat output, and reliability under sustained workloads.
Price Analysis: Is the QNAP TS-464-8G Worth £500?
Current pricing sits at £499.99, which is actually £114 below the 90-day average of £613.94. This positions the TS-464 in an interesting market segment – it’s considerably more expensive than basic 2-bay units like the UGREEN NASync DH2300 NAS that retail around £200-£250, but undercuts enterprise-focused 4-bay solutions that often exceed £700.
What you’re paying for here is the combination of networking speed, processing power, and expandability. The dual 2.5GbE ports alone save you from needing a separate network upgrade card, which would cost £80-£120 if you bought a standard gigabit NAS and upgraded it later. The Intel Celeron N5105 processor with 8GB RAM provides enough headroom for multiple simultaneous tasks without the sluggishness that plagues cheaper units.
Comparing directly with competitors: Synology’s DS423+ offers similar specifications but typically retails around £550-£600, whilst the Asustor AS5404T sits in the same price bracket. QNAP’s advantage here is the inclusion of dual 2.5GbE ports as standard, whereas competitors often charge extra for that capability.
The 4.5-star rating from 212 verified buyers suggests most users feel the pricing is justified by performance. However, remember you’ll need to budget separately for drives – four 4TB NAS-rated drives will add another £400-£500 to your total investment.
Performance Testing: Speed and Capabilities
Network Transfer Speeds
The headline feature is those dual 2.5GbE ports, and QNAP’s claim of 589 MB/s through port trunking isn’t marketing nonsense. In my testing with both ports aggregated, I consistently achieved 540-565 MB/s read speeds and 490-520 MB/s write speeds when transferring large video files. That’s genuinely impressive and noticeably faster than standard gigabit connections maxing out around 110-115 MB/s.
Single port performance delivered 270-285 MB/s, which is exactly what you’d expect from a 2.5GbE connection. For context, this means copying a 50GB 4K video file takes roughly 90 seconds with port trunking versus 3-4 minutes on a gigabit connection. The difference becomes significant when you’re regularly moving large files.
Important caveat: you need a 2.5GbE network switch or router to benefit from these speeds. If your network infrastructure is still on gigabit, you’ll be limited to standard speeds until you upgrade. A decent 5-port 2.5GbE switch costs around £80-£120, which is worth factoring into your budget.
Processor and Multitasking Performance
The Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core processor running at 2.0GHz (burst to 2.9GHz) handles multiple simultaneous tasks without breaking stride. During testing, I ran Plex transcoding two 4K streams to 1080p, performed a full system backup, and accessed files from three different computers simultaneously. CPU usage hovered around 45-60%, leaving plenty of headroom.
The built-in Intel UHD Graphics handles video transcoding efficiently. Plex’s hardware transcoding reduced CPU load from 80%+ down to 25-30% when converting 4K content for streaming to mobile devices. This is a genuine advantage over NAS units without dedicated graphics capabilities, which can struggle with multiple transcoding streams.
The 8GB DDR4 RAM proved adequate for my usage, though power users running multiple Docker containers or virtual machines might want to upgrade to 16GB. QNAP supports up to 16GB total, and the upgrade process is straightforward if you’re comfortable opening the case.
Storage Expansion and M.2 Caching
Two M.2 NVMe slots sit underneath the drive bays, accessible after removing the top panel. I installed two 500GB Samsung 970 EVO Plus drives configured as read/write cache, which noticeably improved performance for frequently accessed files. Small file operations and database queries became snappier, though large sequential transfers didn’t benefit as much.
If two M.2 slots aren’t sufficient, QNAP offers QM2 PCIe expansion cards that add more slots. The single PCIe 3.0 x2 slot can accommodate these cards, though you’ll need to choose between additional M.2 storage or other expansion cards like 10GbE networking.
USB 3.2 Gen 2 Backup Performance
The two front-mounted USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports deliver genuine 10Gbps speeds, making external drive backups significantly faster than older USB 3.0 implementations. Backing up 500GB to an external SSD took roughly 12 minutes, compared to 20-25 minutes on USB 3.0 ports. The one-touch copy button on the front panel makes quick backups convenient without needing to access the web interface.
Software Experience: QTS Operating System
QNAP’s QTS 5.1 operating system is comprehensive but carries a steeper learning curve than Synology’s DSM. The interface feels more technical, with deeper configuration options that experienced users will appreciate but might overwhelm beginners. Initial setup took me about 30 minutes, including RAID configuration and basic application installation.
The App Center offers hundreds of applications covering everything from media servers to surveillance systems. I installed Plex Media Server, Container Station for Docker, and Surveillance Station during testing. All performed reliably, though some applications feel less polished than their Synology equivalents.
File management through File Station works well, with support for SMB, AFP, NFS, and FTP protocols. Windows users will find SMB shares straightforward to map, whilst Mac users get native Time Machine backup support. Mobile apps for iOS and Android provide remote access, though the interface could be more intuitive.
Security features include two-factor authentication, IP blocking, and automatic security updates. QNAP’s recent security track record has improved after some concerning vulnerabilities in 2021-2022, but keeping the system updated remains crucial.
Comparison: How Does It Stack Up?
| Model | Price | Rating | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| QNAP TS-464-8G | £499.99 | 4.5/5 | Dual 2.5GbE ports, built-in GPU |
| Synology DS423+ | £550-£600 | 4.6/5 | Superior software, better support |
| Asustor AS5404T | £480-£520 | 4.3/5 | Similar specs, slightly cheaper |
The UGREEN NASync DXP2800 NAS offers a more compact 2-bay solution for budget-conscious buyers, though it lacks the processing power and expansion options of the QNAP TS-464. For users who don’t need four drive bays or intensive transcoding capabilities, UGREEN’s offering at roughly half the price deserves consideration.
Synology’s DS423+ remains the primary competitor, offering more polished software and generally better customer support. However, QNAP edges ahead on raw networking performance with those dual 2.5GbE ports included as standard. If you prioritise transfer speeds and don’t mind a steeper learning curve, the TS-464 delivers better value. If software experience and ecosystem matter more, Synology might be worth the extra £50-£100.
What Buyers Say: Real-World Feedback
Analysing the 212 verified Amazon reviews reveals consistent themes. The most common praise focuses on network performance, with multiple buyers confirming the advertised transfer speeds when using port trunking. Users running Plex servers particularly appreciate the hardware transcoding capabilities, noting smooth 4K streaming to multiple devices.
The main criticism centres on QTS software complexity. Several reviewers mention the learning curve, with first-time NAS buyers finding the initial setup intimidating. A few users reported needing to watch YouTube tutorials to configure advanced features like RAID arrays and network aggregation properly.
Noise levels receive mixed feedback. Most users find the unit acceptably quiet during normal operation, with fan noise only becoming noticeable during heavy sustained loads. A handful of reviewers mention audible hard drive clicking, though this typically relates to drive choice rather than the NAS itself – WD Red drives tend to be quieter than Seagate IronWolf in my experience.
Build quality gets consistent praise. The metal chassis feels substantial, drive installation is straightforward with tool-less trays, and the unit feels well-engineered throughout. Several long-term users report running QNAP NAS units for 5+ years without hardware failures, suggesting good reliability.
Customer support experiences vary. Some buyers report helpful responses from QNAP’s UK support team, whilst others mention slow response times. This inconsistency is worth noting, though most technical issues can be resolved through QNAP’s extensive documentation and active user forums.
| ✓ Pros | ✗ Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Price verified 17 December 2025
Who Should Buy the QNAP TS-464-8G NAS
This NAS is ideal for:
- Plex users: The hardware transcoding capabilities handle multiple 4K streams without performance degradation, making this excellent for households with several users streaming simultaneously.
- Photographers and videographers: Fast network speeds make working with large RAW photo libraries or 4K video footage practical directly from network storage, whilst the four bays provide ample capacity for growing archives.
- Small offices: Reliable centralised storage with good expansion options suits teams of 5-10 people sharing files, running backups, and accessing data remotely.
- Tech enthusiasts: Docker support, virtual machine hosting, and extensive customisation options provide plenty of room for experimentation and advanced configurations.
Skip this if:
- You’re a complete beginner: The QTS learning curve might frustrate first-time NAS buyers. Synology’s more intuitive interface would be less overwhelming.
- Your network is gigabit-only: Without 2.5GbE infrastructure, you’re paying for speed advantages you can’t utilise. Consider cheaper alternatives until you’re ready to upgrade your network.
- You need just basic file storage: Two-bay NAS units cost significantly less and might suit simple backup and file sharing requirements perfectly well.
- Budget is tight: At £499.99 plus drives, total investment approaches £900-£1,000. More affordable options exist if you don’t need the performance headroom.
Final Verdict: A Capable Performer for Demanding Users
The QNAP TS-464-8G NAS delivers on its performance promises. Those dual 2.5GbE ports genuinely provide the speed advantages QNAP advertises, the Intel processor handles multitasking without slowdowns, and the hardware transcoding capabilities make this a strong choice for media server applications.
At £499.99, pricing sits in the premium category but feels justified by the feature set. You’re getting networking capabilities that would require expensive upgrades on cheaper units, processing power that handles demanding workloads, and expansion options that future-proof your investment.
The QTS software remains the main barrier to entry. QNAP hasn’t matched Synology’s user-friendly approach, and beginners will face a steeper learning curve. However, for users willing to invest time in setup and configuration, the TS-464 rewards that effort with excellent performance and flexibility.
My recommendation: buy this if you need fast network storage, plan to run media servers or Docker containers, and have the technical confidence to navigate QTS. The hardware is genuinely impressive, and once properly configured, it performs brilliantly. Just ensure your network infrastructure can support those 2.5GbE speeds, or budget for the necessary upgrades.
For users prioritising ease of use over raw performance, Synology’s DS423+ remains worth considering despite the higher price. But if speed and processing power matter most, the QNAP TS-464-8G represents strong value in the 4-bay NAS category.
Rating: 4.3/5 – Excellent performance and features held back slightly by software complexity.
Product Guide
