Synology is aware of find out how to make a nice house NAS server, and within the final 12 months, the model has diversified its portfolio fairly considerably. The model’s technique is much like telephone producers like Xiaomi that roll out a number of units at comparable worth factors, with a singular function to distinguish the telephone from its siblings.
That is the easiest way to consider the DiskStation DS423+. The 4-bay NAS server sits in the course of the model’s Plus portfolio, however in contrast to the DiskStation DS723+ or DS923+, it would not run the AMD Ryzen R1600 — it makes use of Intel’s Celeron J4125 as a substitute. That is the identical chipset that was used within the DiskStation DS920+ and different fashions within the DSx20 sequence, so it’s a identified amount.
And by utilizing Intel {hardware}, Synology is offering a NAS server that has an built-in GPU, making it an amazing alternative for Plex media streaming. If something, the DS423+ is sort of an identical to the DS920+, but it surely would not have an eSATA port, there’s simply 2GB of RAM out of the field, and you aren’t getting multi-Gigabit connectivity.
I used the NAS alongside the DS723+ and DS923+, and for those who’re seeking to choose up a brand new NAS server, that is what it is advisable to know in regards to the DiskStation DS423+.
Synology DiskStation DS423+: Pricing and launch date
Synology launched the DiskStation DS423+ in early 2023, and the NAS is now obtainable globally. It’s obtainable for $514 on Amazon, however you can get your fingers on it for the listed $499 worth at B&H in addition to Newegg. The NAS comes with an ordinary three-year guarantee.
| Class | Synology DiskStation DS423+ |
|---|---|
| Inner Drive Bays | 4 (18TB every bay), 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5-inch SSD |
| Community Interface | 2 x Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 |
| eSATA Ports | ❌ |
| PCIe | ❌ |
| CPU | 64-bit Quad-core Intel Celeron J4125 |
| Plex Transcoding | Sure |
| RAM | 2GB DDR4 non-ECC, soldered, SODIMM slot as much as 4GB |
| M.2 Slots | Two |
| File System | EXT4, Btrfs |
| Cooling | 2 x 92mm fan, 19.8dBA |
| Extensibility | ❌ |
| Dimensions | 166 x 199 x 223 mm |
| Weight | 4.8lb, 2.18kg |
Synology DiskStation DS423+: Design and options
I am not going to speak in regards to the design an excessive amount of because the DiskStation DS423+ is nearly an identical to the DS923+. Synology has a longtime design language, and the model would not wish to make any adjustments. That mentioned, the design blends in simply, and it has good air flow due to grilles on the edges that ship passive airflow, and twin 92mm followers on the again that run quiet.
The followers are solely audible when the NAS is underneath heavy load, and even then, they do not actually get loud. There are 4 drive bays on the entrance, and you may slot in 3.5-inch onerous drives with none instruments. You get LED indicators for the HDDs and an general standing indicator gentle to the proper, and the DS423+ branding together with the ability button is positioned on the backside.
The unit itself would not take up an excessive amount of room, and as is the case with each NAS server, you may want to scrub it commonly to make sure mud would not get contained in the chassis. I simply energy down the NAS and use a handheld vacuum to scrub the vents alongside the edges and the again.
Whereas the design will not win any awards, it supplies a dependable housing for the onerous drives, and that is mainly what you want a NAS to do, so I haven’t got any negatives right here.
Synology DiskStation DS423+: Connectivity
The DiskStation DS423+ has twin Gigabit Ethernet ports on the again, and they are often linked collectively by way of Hyperlink Aggregation. Most NAS producers have switched to 2.5GbE ports as commonplace on this section, however Synology would not see the worth in offering multi-Gigabit connectivity, so that you’re restricted to Gigabit Ethernet.
With multi-Gigabit web connections now a actuality, it’s shortsighted from Synology to not present at the very least 2.5GbE as commonplace on its Plus fashions. What’s extra egregious is that the DS423+ misses out on PCIe connectivity, so there is not a manner so as to add a 2.5GbE or 10GbE networking card do you have to want to take action sooner or later — you may must get the DS923+ if you’d like to have the ability to swap.
You get twin USB-A ports, and aside from that, there is not a lot else on the DS423+. I’d have appreciated to see an eSATA port right here as it might have made the NAS way more extensible, however once more, that function is lacking.
Synology DiskStation DS423+: Efficiency
Plenty of what I wrote in my DiskStation DS920+ assessment is related right here, as a result of the DS423+ is successfully the identical mannequin with much less RAM and no extensibility. In case you have the DS920+, there actually isn’t any cause to contemplate the DS423+ — if something, you have got the higher server.
That mentioned, the DS423+ is simply as dependable, and regardless that it has simply 2GB of RAM, it runs the web-based DiskStation Supervisor (DSM) OS with none points in any respect. You’ll need so as to add one other RAM module for those who intend to run a variety of containers that make the most of reminiscence, however in common use with the likes of Plex and different utilities put in, the reminiscence is greater than satisfactory.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals: the DS423+ is powered by Intel’s 64-bit quad-core Celeron J4125, and it goes as much as 2.0GHz. You get 2GB of RAM that is soldered to the mainboard, and there is a SO-DIMM slot obtainable if it is advisable to improve the reminiscence. This takes in an extra 4GB, so the full reminiscence on the NAS goes as much as 6GB.
There are two M.2 slots on the backside, and in contrast to the DS920+, you’ll be able to truly use these drives to retailer knowledge. The DS423+ homes as much as 18TB drives within the drive bays, and for those who’re eyeing this NAS, I would recommend getting 6TB IronWolf drives or greater. I have been utilizing a dozen IronWolf drives for the higher a part of a decade now, and so they’ve been dependable. They’re additionally on the official drive checklist, together with the finest NAS onerous drives from WD and Toshiba.
In day by day use, there aren’t any points with the DS423+. The NAS runs DSM 7.2 with out breaking a sweat, and Synology’s software program is the explanation why its NAS servers promote so effectively. You get an intensive suite of options, and as that is the Plus mannequin, you do not miss out on any software program companies — you’ll be able to run containers, digital machines, and absolutely anything the model presents on this section.
The perfect use case for this explicit NAS is as a Plex media server. Whereas a local Plex shopper is on the market on all NAS servers, the DS923+ will get hardware-assisted transcoding due to the built-in GPU, and that could be a big deal. You may want to make use of Plex Go to make the most of the function, and for those who’ve obtained an older media library and must transcode content material earlier than sending it to shopper units, the DS423+ is the default alternative.
The NAS does an amazing job in different areas as effectively, and is an efficient alternative if you wish to again up pictures and movies out of your telephones and paperwork out of your Home windows and macOS machines. The software program suite is one of the best within the business, and whereas the {hardware} clearly has limitations, it is the robustness of the software program that makes the DS423+ an amazing product.
Synology DiskStation DS423+: The competitors
For those who do not want a number of the superior options and simply desire a 4-bay house server to retailer knowledge and stream media, the common DiskStation DS423 is a superb various. The DS423 prices simply $369, and that is a significantly better worth contemplating you continue to get all of the software program options. It additionally has 2GB of RAM, and whereas the Realtek {hardware} would not have Plex transcodes, it does an excellent job streaming excessive bitrate media content material. For those who need not transcode, the DS423 is a more sensible choice.
However for those who want the extensibility of eSATA and wish to add a 10GbE networking card in a while, you have to to contemplate the DiskStation DS923+. It’s obtainable for $599, however you get 4GB of RAM, and arguably higher {hardware} within the Ryzen R1600. The draw back is that you just miss out on Plex transcodes; that’s restricted to Intel {hardware}, so if this can be a requirement, the DS423+ is the best way to go. For those who do not want the function, I extremely recommend getting the DS923+ as a substitute — it’s my go-to alternative for a 4-bay NAS.
Synology DiskStation DS423+: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You need hardware-assisted transcoding in Plex
- You want a dependable 4-bay NAS
- You need one of the best software program options
You should not purchase this if:
- You want multi-Gigabit connectivity
- You wish to add onerous drives later
In the end, the DiskStation DS423+ is designed to fill a distinct segment. Through the use of the older Intel Celeron J4125 as a substitute of the Ryzen R1600, Synology is catering to these customers that want hardware-based transcoding. Whereas it serves that utility significantly effectively, it is not pretty much as good because the DS923+ or DS723+ in different areas; you miss out on the flexibility so as to add extra drives over eSATA, there’s restricted reminiscence, and you can’t swap to a 10GbE networking card.
For those who’re on an older NAS server and have a sizeable Plex library that wants {hardware} transcoding, then sure, it is best to get the DiskStation DS423+. For those who do not want the function, you are higher off trying on the different fashions within the model’s portfolio — the DiskStation DS423 is a greater worth, and the DS923+ offers you a lot extra at an extra $100.
Synology DiskStation DS423+
The DiskStation DS423+ is actually a DS920+ with restricted reminiscence, however it’s nonetheless a sensible choice for those who want a Plex server with {hardware} transcodes.
