Synology DiskStation DS1621+ review: Synology's first AMD-powered NAS is one powerful box of tricks
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Fundamental
AMD is making gains across the board with more affordable desktop processors, as well as more expensive offerings. The company is also competing once again in the notebook market, but there's a segment we've overlooked, and that's network-attached storage enclosures. It turns out, AMD is also making processors for NAS, and Synology just released 1.
The new DiskStation DS1621+ isn't powered by Intel, but AMD instead. What does this mean for average NAS use, and does this switch brand the DS16212+ an automatic contender for best NAS for domicile or best NAS for Plex? This review will run y'all through our findings and so you lot tin can see if it's what yous need in an enclosure.
AMD NAS
Synology DiskStation DS1621+
Lesser line: Synology managed to cram plenty of features inside the DiskStation DS1621+, including an AMD processor, 4GB of DDR4 ECC RAM, six drive bays, and Thou.2 slots. There's and then much to dear about this enclosure, but it falls a niggling short in some areas that prevent information technology from beingness perfect.
Pros
- Six drive bays
- Good value
- Upgradable RAM
- AMD Ryzen V1500B CPU
- Good connectivity
Cons
- Sluggish multimedia performance
- M.ii slots for cache only
- Slower USB 3.0 ports
- 10Gb LAN requires PCIe card
Synology DiskStation DS1621+ tech specs
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Cardinal
The highlight feature of this NAS is — of course — the AMD CPU. Information technology's a Ryzen, only non quite the same Ryzen you'd observe on a desktop or laptop PC. This is a smaller embedded processor with a TDP rating of just 16W. Compare that to the W of the AMD Ryzen three 3100, and you'll see the clear departure in capabilities.
| Category | TerraMaster F2-422 |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen V1500B |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM (max 32 GB) |
| Drive bays | 6x (SSD/HDD) |
| Capacity | 96 TB |
| Cooling | 2x 92 mm fan |
| Ports | 4x 1Gb LAN 2x eSATA 3x USB three.0 |
| PCIe | 1x Gen3 x8 slot (x4 link) |
| Power draw | ~51.22 West |
| Dimensions | 166 x 282 x 243 mm (6.53 x 11.10 ten 9.56 inches) |
| Weight | 5.1 kg (11.24 lbs) |
| Price | $800 |
As well as the AMD CPU, we've got 4GB of DDR4 RAM as standard, and this isn't but any mere DDR4 RAM, but error-correcting code (ECC) that can detect any errors during operation. This is a clear example of the more than enterprise and enthusiast feature set Synology tried to include with the DS1621+. However, it falls a little short in some areas like video transcoding back up and LAN connectivity.
Synology DiskStation DS1621+ pattern and features
Before we get to expect at the DS1621+, it'southward important we analyze the packaging to ensure no impairment is sustained during transit. Luckily, every bit is the example with all of Synology's enclosures, there's more plenty loftier-quality foam here to proceed the enclosure safe. Since this is a six-bay NAS, information technology's quite the unit coming in at 5kg.
There's plenty to similar most Synology'due south offset AMD NAS enclosure.
Provided alongside the NAS are a power string, two RJ-45 CAT networking cables, some drive screws, and bay lock keys. For the design, the DS1621+ looks identical to the DS1618+, and at that place'southward not a lot different, so if you put the two together, you wouldn't be able to tell them apart. It's but when yous turn the enclosures effectually to look at the rear are things a fiddling new with the DS1621+.
The front houses all vi drive bays with the usual locking mechanism nosotros'd find in a Synology NAS enclosure. There's also a power push button and a few LED indicators for NAS status and activity. While the drive trophy themselves are plastic, Synology'southward trophy are commonly rated among the best in the manufacture, but not quite every bit good as some of the metal offerings out there.
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Key
Finally, for the front, there's a USB three.0 port underneath the front bay. The sides and peak are completely clean, aside from subtle Synology branding that double upwards every bit vents on either side of the unit. The rear of the DS1621+ is where y'all'll observe the array of ports and expansion in the form of 4 1Gb LAN ports, ii USB iii.0 ports, 2 eSATA ports, and a single PCIe expansion slot.
To go along everything cool are 2 92mm fans on the rear of the NAS, which draw air through the enclosure using the aforementioned drive bays and side vents. At that place are no grit filters, so you will need to open the bays and remove the drives to requite the inside a quick clean. Overall, it's a well-designed NAS that fits correct at dwelling house in Synology's catalog of NAS.
Synology DiskStation DS1621+ Setup and operation
It's Ryzen, but non quite the Ryzen nosotros were hoping for. Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
Synology's DiskStation Managing director (or DSM for short) is the Linux-based operating organisation that will be running everything, and information technology's as brilliant equally ever. You tin essentially go from unboxing to up and running in a thing of minutes, even including the creation of a Synology account for more than convenient external access.
If yous've never used DSM before, it's very much similar Windows x, but slightly more limited and running in your favorite browser. After switching on the DS1621+, you simply load the IP into your browser, and the sorcerer will run you through the initial setup procedure. I recommend creating the aforementioned Synology business relationship, which can help yous maintain access to your NAS from the outside globe.
It's piece of cake to install apps, check how the NAS is performing, manage storage pools, and much more with DSM. It's oft ranked equally the best NAS experience in the business, and I would agree. The OS runs smoothly on the AMD Ryzen processor.
Setting up a Synology NAS enclosure with DSM is an absolute breeze.
The Synology DiskStation DS1621+ has a full of six bays that support a capacity of up to 96TB. This is a substantial amount of storage space. But if y'all somehow manage to fill this up, there are e'er the two eSATA ports on the rear. These allow for upward to two DX517 expansion units from Symbology to be connected to the enclosure, both bringing a further 10 bays to the table. With all these devices continued, the capacity goes upwards to a whopping 276TB.
At that place are two M.ii slots set to go, but these are simply express to interim equally a faster ways of data admission through caching for installed mechanical drives. Y'all won't be able to install two 8TB Sabrent M.2 SSDs and apply them for storage. But even so, the DDR4 RAM with ECC more than makes up for this, thanks to the AMD Ryzen CPU.
This ECC RAM can be upgraded to a whopping 32GB, which is impressive for a NAS. If you program on doing some virtual hosting with machines alongside some file storing, this is a perfect way to create the ideal environment for both. And that AMDM Ryzen CPU will be more than up to the task, cheers to its pretty expert enshroud and four cores with eight threads to work with.
You may experience the 1Gb port configuration isn't quite upward to par, but so long as yous have the necessary network infrastructure at mitt, it'south possible to link all the ports up for better bandwidth. Fifty-fifty still, for deject storage and for keeping all your files and backups safe, this NAS is more than well-equipped for the task.
It's only when you endeavour and do something like stream 4K content through Plex with transcoding practice things get a little too much. I'm impressed by the AMD Ryzen processor likewise. Information technology's nowhere almost what's on offer by Intel. Intel'southward Celeron family has both integrated graphics and better performance. Nonetheless, for the lower price and better efficiency for continuous operation, this is a perfect processor for file storage.
Should you lot buy the Synology DiskStation DS1621+?
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
Who it'due south for
- If you lot need 10Gb network speeds
- If you desire a capable mid-tier NAS
- If y'all desire to set up a home file server
- If y'all plan on using virtual machines
- If you want a compact NAS for the abode role
Who information technology isn't for
- If y'all need HDMI out
- If you want to stream 4K content
Synology took the excellent DiskStation DS1618+ and swapped out the Intel Atom processor for AMD Ryzen. While it's non quite the AMD Ryzen NAS we all dream of with integrated graphics for top-notch Plex support, it's a good stride in the right direction for anyone looking for file storage.
Vi drive bays, an efficient low-power processor with 4 cores and hyperthreading, upgradable 4GB of ECC DDR4 RAM, and a PCIe slot that can be used to add together 10Gb networking make the DS1621+ a great upgrade. If all you need is an expansive ways for storing all your data, you should look no farther as this enclosure has everything you demand.
If you were expecting AMD Ryzen in its embedded form to blow everything else out of the water, you'll need to concord off until we run across more capable Ryzen CPUs striking this segment of the market. If you lot desire to take the best possible Plex experience, Intel is notwithstanding the way to go, and you can find far better NAS for Plex at lower toll points.
AMD NAS
Synology DiskStation DS1621+
Synology's get-go AMD NAS
Always dreamt about a NAS powered past AMD Ryzen processors? The DS1621+ is precisely that, only it's not quite the Ryzen NAS we expected. Still, it's a solid workhorse with enough of potential.
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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/synology-diskstation-ds1621-review
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