Synology is aware of learn how to make an incredible house NAS server, and within the final 12 months, the model has diversified its portfolio fairly considerably. The model’s technique is just like telephone producers like Xiaomi that roll out a number of gadgets at comparable value factors, with a singular function to distinguish the telephone from its siblings.That’s one of the simplest ways to consider the DiskStation DS423+. The 4-bay NAS server sits in the midst 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 an alternative. That’s 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 incredible alternative for Plex media streaming. If something, the DS423+ is almost equivalent to the DS920+, nevertheless it would not have an eSATA port, there’s simply 2GB of RAM out of the field, and you do not get multi-Gigabit connectivity.I used the NAS alongside the DS723+ and DS923+, and if you happen to’re trying to decide up a brand new NAS server, that is what you could know in regards to the DiskStation DS423+.Synology DiskStation DS423+: Pricing and launch date(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Synology launched the DiskStation DS423+ in early 2023, and the NAS is now out there globally. It is accessible for $514 on Amazon, however you’ll get your arms on it for the listed $499 value at B&H in addition to Newegg. The NAS comes with a regular three-year guarantee.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySynology DiskStation DS423+Internal Drive BaysFour (18TB every bay), 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5-inch SSDNetwork Interface2 x Gigabit EthernetUSB Ports2 x USB 3.1 Gen1eSATA Ports❌PCIe❌CPU64-bit Quad-core Intel Celeron J4125Plex TranscodingYesRAM2GB DDR4 non-ECC, soldered, SODIMM slot as much as 4GBM.2 SlotsTwoFile SystemEXT4, BtrfsCooling2 x 92mm fan, 19.8dBAExtensibility❌Dimensions166 x 199 x 223 mmWeight4.8lb, 2.18kgSynology DiskStation DS423+: Design and options(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)I’m not going to speak in regards to the design an excessive amount of because the DiskStation DS423+ is nearly equivalent to the DS923+. Synology has a longtime design language, and the model would not prefer to make any adjustments. That mentioned, the design blends in simply, and it has good air flow because of grilles on the edges that ship passive airflow, and twin 92mm followers on the again that run quiet.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)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’ll slot in 3.5-inch arduous drives with none instruments. You get LED indicators for the HDDs and an general standing indicator gentle to the best, and the DS423+ branding together with the ability button is positioned on the backside.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The unit itself would not take up an excessive amount of room, and as is the case with each NAS server, you will want to scrub it recurrently 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.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)While the design will not win any awards, it supplies a dependable housing for the arduous drives, and that is principally what you want a NAS to do, so I haven’t got any negatives right here.Synology DiskStation DS423+: Connectivity(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The DiskStation DS423+ has twin Gigabit Ethernet ports on the again, and they are often linked collectively by way of Link Aggregation. Most NAS producers have switched to 2.5GbE ports as commonplace on this phase, however Synology would not see the worth in offering multi-Gigabit connectivity, so that you’re restricted to Gigabit Ethernet.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)With multi-Gigabit web connections now a actuality, it’s shortsighted from Synology to not present a minimum of 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 will must get the DS923+ if you’d like to have the ability to swap.You get twin USB-A ports, and apart from that, there is not a lot else on the DS423+. I might have appreciated to see an eSATA port right here as it could have made the NAS way more extensible, however once more, that function is lacking.Synology DiskStation DS423+: Performance(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)A number of what I wrote in my DiskStation DS920+ evaluate is related right here, as a result of the DS423+ is successfully the identical mannequin with much less RAM and no extensibility. If you may have the DS920+, there actually is not any purpose to think about the DS423+ — if something, you may have the higher server.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)That mentioned, the DS423+ is simply as dependable, and although it has simply 2GB of RAM, it runs the web-based DiskStation Manager (DSM) OS with none points by any means. You might want to add one other RAM module if you happen to intend to run quite a lot 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 out there if you could improve the reminiscence. This takes in a further 4GB, so the whole reminiscence on the NAS goes as much as 6GB.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There are two M.2 slots on the backside, and in contrast to the DS920+, you may really use these drives to retailer knowledge. The DS423+ homes as much as 18TB drives within the drive bays, and if you happen to’re eyeing this NAS, I’d counsel getting 6TB IronWolf drives or larger. I’ve 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 most effective NAS arduous drives from WD and Toshiba.In each 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 may run containers, digital machines, and absolutely anything the model provides on this phase.The finest use case for this explicit NAS is as a Plex media server. While a local Plex consumer is accessible on all NAS servers, the DS923+ will get hardware-assisted transcoding because of the built-in GPU, and that could be a enormous deal. You’ll want to make use of Plex Pass to reap the benefits of the function, and if you happen to’ve bought an older media library and need to transcode content material earlier than sending it to consumer gadgets, the DS423+ is the default alternative.The NAS does an incredible job in different areas as effectively, and is an effective alternative if you wish to again up pictures and movies out of your telephones and paperwork out of your Windows and macOS machines. The software program suite is the most effective within the business, and whereas the {hardware} clearly has limitations, it is the robustness of the software program that makes the DS423+ an incredible product.Synology DiskStation DS423+: The competitors(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)If you do not want a few of the superior options and simply need a 4-bay house server to retailer knowledge and stream media, the common DiskStation DS423 is a good various. The DS423 prices simply $369, and that is a a lot 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 a superb job streaming excessive bitrate media content material. If you need not transcode, the DS423 is a more sensible choice.But if you happen to want the extensibility of eSATA and need to add a 10GbE networking card in a while, you have to to think about the DiskStation DS923+. It is accessible 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 way in which to go. If you do not want the function, I extremely counsel getting the DS923+ as an alternative — it’s my go-to alternative for a 4-bay NAS.Synology DiskStation DS423+: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You should purchase this if:You need hardware-assisted transcoding in PlexYou want a dependable 4-bay NASYou need the most effective software program optionsYou should not purchase this if:You want multi-Gigabit connectivityYou need to add arduous drives laterUltimately, the DiskStation DS423+ is designed to fill a distinct segment. By utilizing the older Intel Celeron J4125 as an alternative of the Ryzen R1600, Synology is catering to these customers that want hardware-based transcoding. While it serves that utility significantly effectively, it is not nearly as good because the DS923+ or DS723+ in different areas; you miss out on the power so as to add further drives over eSATA, there’s restricted reminiscence, and you can not swap to a 10GbE networking card.If you are on an older NAS server and have a sizeable Plex library that wants {hardware} transcoding, then sure, you must get the DiskStation DS423+. If you do not want the function, you are higher off wanting 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 a further $100.
Synology DiskStation DS423+
The DiskStation DS423+ is basically a DS920+ with restricted reminiscence, however it’s nonetheless a sensible choice if you happen to want a Plex server with {hardware} transcodes.