This is the DS923+ that is replacing the older DS920+ NAS. It is similar to its older sibling the DS920+ but the only main difference? Its processor. So why should you get the DS923+ instead of the older DS920+ ? Continue to read for more information.
Introduction to the DS923+ by Synology NAS
The Synology network-attached storage (NAS) DS923+ is a 4 bay NAS device capable of supporting up to 4 hard disk drives alone (or expandable with DX517 separately). The main difference between the DS923+ and the DS920+ ? The DS920+ uses an Intel Celeron J4125 4-core 2.0 GHz processor, whereas the DS932+ uses AMD RyzenTM R1600 dual-core (4-thread) processor.
So should you get the DS923+ or the DS920+ ? It depends on several factors. If you are looking for a newer device with better hardware and software support in the future, then you should get the latest Synology DS923+ model. This is because Synology provides excellent customer support for its users.
In addition to that, the newer DS923+ supports PCIe Expansion (1 x Gen3 x2 network upgrade slot) while the DS920+ does not. DS923+ also supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) (require separate purchase), while the DS920+ does not. It is a massive upgrade you get. With 10 GbE upgrade, you can transfer massive files much faster than you can without the upgrade.
However, if you could get a bargain deal from buying the older DS920+, it is also not a bad deal, since most of the time DS920+ is adequate for the regular home user. But if you are planning to use your network-attached storage (NAS) for the long term, then getting the newer updated DS923+ is much more recommended. As demand for storing 4K 8K videos and as we all know, iPhone cameras get upgraded even better year after year, the file size of images and videos gets massive!
Highlights of review DS923+ by Synology
- Processor – AMD RyzenTM R1600 dual-core (4-thread), max. boost clock up to 3.1 GHz
- Memory – 4 GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM (expandable up to 32 GB)
- Hard Disk Drive Slots – 4 x 3.5″ or 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD (Hot swappable),
2 x M.2 2280 NVMe SSD - Size – 11.34 x 10.47 x 9.65 inches
- Weight – 8.11 pounds
- LAN – 2 x 1GbE RJ-45, possible to upgrade to 10GbE (separately)
What you can do with the Synology NAS DS923+
Like its older sibling the DS920+, the DS923+ can run all the applications but at a faster speed and much more efficient.
- Photos – The Synology Photos app is considered superior to both iCloud and Google Photos. It allows users to store their photos and videos on their own network-attached storage device, avoiding the potential risks of using a third-party cloud server. In addition, the app has AI capabilities, such as the ability to automatically sort images by face recognition and location. This makes it easy to share similar photos with friends and family.
- Drive – The Synology Drive app offers advantages over storing data on the cloud. It allows users to have full ownership of their private data, access it remotely and securely, and share it easily. Like the Synology Photos app, it can be accessed on any operating system. This makes it a more secure and flexible option for storing and accessing data.
- Note – The Synology Note Station app makes taking notes efficient and convenient. In a meeting, users can quickly open the app on their Android or iPhone and take notes. When they are finished, the notes will automatically sync with their NAS, allowing them to access them later on a PC or Mac. This makes it easy to keep track of important information and ideas.
- Plex – This allows users to store their TV shows and movies on the NAS and watch them on a TV or mobile device using the Plex app. This provides a convenient and flexible way to access and enjoy media content.
- Surveillance – The Synology Surveillance Station app makes it easy to run surveillance on a NAS. It allows users to manage IP cameras and watch and record live videos. The app can be accessed using a web browser or a mobile device, such as the Synology DS Cam, for remote viewing. This provides a convenient and secure way to monitor a location from anywhere.
- Time Machine Backup – The Synology NAS allows users to easily and automatically backup their MacOS on the NAS. It offers the ability to schedule automatic backups and run them in the background without interruption. This provides a convenient and reliable way to ensure that important data is backed up and protected.
- Office Spreadsheet, Documents, Slides – The Synology NAS allows users to open and edit word documents, spreadsheets, and powerpoint slides on the NAS and collaborate with others in real-time. This is similar to using Google Docs, but offers better autonomy and privacy over the data. This makes it a convenient and secure way for teams to work on documents together.
- Calendar, Contacts, Email, Chat Server – Synology offers apps for calendars, contacts, email, and chat servers, which can be run locally on the NAS. This is useful for small business owners who want private control over their internal management and autonomy over their data without relying on third-party services. These apps provide a convenient and secure way to manage and communicate within a business.
- Apache, PHP, WordPress, Python, TeamViewer, Docker – The Synology NAS has the ability to easily run third-party apps, providing a wide range of possibilities. For example, users can host a WordPress blog on the NAS. This makes the NAS a versatile and powerful tool for running various applications and services.
How easy to operate the DS923+
When you receive your DS923+ NAS, it will come with a power adapter, power cord, LAN cable, screws, and hard drive tray keys. Before turning on the NAS, you should install the hard drives according to the instructions in the manual. The NAS supports both 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch hard drives. Once the hard drives are installed, connect the cords and LAN cables to the router.
Then, power on the device and install the DSM (DiskStation Manager) operating system. On a PC or Mac on the same network as the NAS, open a web browser and type in the specified URL to proceed with the onscreen setup procedure. Type find.synology.com or synologynas:5000 .(synologynas.local:5000 for Mac computers) and follow the instructions on the screen to continue.
Pros of owning the DS923+
You can insert up to 4 slots of hard disk drives onto the DS923+. This means if you will be able to store a lot of data by adding more hard drives. If 4 slots if not enough in the future, you can even add the Synology DX517 for additional 5 hard drives (total of 9 hard disk drives). So future upgrade capabilities is available in case you need more storage.
Of course, with the newer AMD processor, it can run apps faster. Encryption runs faster. Everything is faster. With the additional separate 10 GbE (10 gigabit) ethernet connection upgrade, files can be transferred 10X the speed compared with the default 1 Gb ethernet LAN port. In today’s world of 4K videos streaming and possibly even higher in the future, this DS923+ device is future proof. You will be able to use this device for at least 5 years or more before you need another upgrade.
Only downside? Possibly running Plex without transcoding ability on the AMD processor of the DS923+. But you will still be able to run Plex, only without the transcoding capability.
How to build your NAS Synology DS923+
When you buy a NAS, it will come without the hard drives installed. In order to set it up, you will need the following items
- NAS DS923+
- Hard disk drives (NAS grade) – eg. Seagate IronWolf or WD Red
- UPS (uninterruptible power supply) – to safeguard your NAS in the event of power failure
- High grade ethernet cables (preferably Cat 8)
- High speed internet
- High speed router
- Additional RAM memory (optional)
- 10GbE connection upgrade (optional)
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