Asustor AS5404T: A Powerful 4-Bay NAS for Gamers and Enthusiasts

The Asustor AS5404T Nimbustor 4 Gen2 is a compelling option for anyone looking to build a robust NAS system, particularly for gaming and media streaming. Priced at £515.00, this NAS offers a competitive feature set and is currently at its all-time low, down from its RRP of £529.00, representing a 3% saving. With a rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 363 reviews, it has garnered positive feedback, but it’s essential to consider its capabilities and potential limitations before making a purchase.

Key Features and Specifications

The AS5404T is powered by a Quad-Core 10nm Intel Celeron N5105 CPU, clocked at 2.0GHz, providing a solid foundation for multitasking and intensive applications. It comes equipped with 4GB DDR4-2933 RAM, which is expandable, allowing for improved performance when running applications like Plex or Docker containers. The inclusion of four M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs is a significant highlight, enabling you to take advantage of faster data access speeds and caching, which is crucial for both gaming and media streaming.

Network connectivity is well catered for with two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, facilitating link aggregation for increased bandwidth or redundancy. Additionally, the device includes three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, offering up to 10 Gbit/s transfer speeds for external devices.

Performance Assessment

In real-world performance tests, users have reported excellent data transfer speeds thanks to the dual 2.5GbE ports, allowing for effective streaming of 4K content and seamless access to media libraries. The ability to install NVMe SSDs enhances the NAS’s responsiveness, with many users noting reduced load times when accessing large media files. However, the initial 4GB RAM can be limiting for users who plan to run multiple applications simultaneously, particularly virtual machines or containerized services, which may necessitate an upgrade.

Build Quality

The build quality is robust, with a design that combines aesthetics suitable for home environments with practicality. The NAS is compact, fitting comfortably into most setups, and the cooling system has been reported as efficient, keeping the device cool even under heavy loads. However, users should note that the lack of a hot-swappable drive bay could be a drawback, as it requires downtime to replace or upgrade drives.

Value for Money

At £515.00, the AS5404T offers strong value compared to its competitors. The Synology DS224+, priced at £466.64, is a viable option but lacks the same level of performance and expandability, particularly in terms of NVMe support. The Synology DS223J, at £179.97, is significantly cheaper but offers far fewer features and lower performance, making it suited for basic file storage rather than advanced tasks.

Competitive Context

In a category where performance and features can vary significantly, the AS5404T ranks well. While the Buffalo LinkStation 210 at £237.22 offers budget-friendly storage, it lacks the versatility and performance needed for more demanding applications.

Conclusion

The Asustor AS5404T is an excellent choice for gamers, media enthusiasts, and small businesses looking for a high-performance NAS solution. However, users seeking a budget option or those who do not require extensive capabilities may find more suitable alternatives elsewhere. The investment in this NAS pays off in terms of speed, expandability, and overall functionality, making it a standout in the 4-bay NAS market.