Choosing the right 4-bay NAS for your photo and video archives requires balancing performance, ease of use, and future-proofing. For most home users, the Synology DiskStation DS920+ stands out with its powerful hardware and scalability. Creators and demanding professionals might prefer the Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T for its high-performance AMD processor and versatile connectivity. Meanwhile, those looking for straightforward, budget-friendly options might lean toward the Asustor Drivestor 4 Gen 2 AS1204T or the Synology DS423. Each choice involves tradeoffs between complexity, cost, and raw power, so understanding these differences will help you pick the best fit for your archive needs.
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Key Takeaways
- The Synology DS920+ offers a balanced mix of performance, expandability, and ease of use, making it ideal for growing archives.
- The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 is best suited for high-demand workloads like editing and virtualization, but at a higher cost.
- Budget-conscious users or those prioritizing simple setup may prefer the Asustor Drivestor 4 Gen 2 or Synology DS423, despite some limitations in scalability.
- Connectivity options like 2.5GbE and 10GbE are essential for fast transfers of large media files, especially for video editing workflows.
- Consider future needs—scalability, RAM, and software features—when choosing to ensure your archive can grow with your collection.
| Asustor Drivestor 4 Gen 2 AS1204T 4-Bay NAS, Quad-Core 1.7GHz, 2.5GbE, 1GB DDR4, USB 3.0, Diskless |  | Best Budget-Friendly for Basic Photo and Video Storage | Processor: Realtek RTD1619B 1.7GHz Quad-Core | RAM: 1GB DDR4 | Network: 2.5GbE Port | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T 4-Bay NAS Diskless |  | Best for High-Performance Demanding Workloads | Processor: AMD Ryzen 3.8GHz Quad-Core | Memory: 16GB ECC DDR5 | Drive Bays: 4 M.2 NVMe Slots | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Asustor Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T, 4-Bay NAS with Quad-Core Processor and 2.5GbE Network |  | Best for Easy Setup and Personal Cloud | Processor: Realtek quad-core | RAM: 2GB DDR4 | Bays: 4 | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Synology 4-Bay NAS DiskStation DS920+ (Diskless), 4GB DDR4 |  | Best for Scalability and Advanced Features | Drive Bays: 4 | Memory: 4GB DDR4 (expandable to 8GB) | Maximum Drives: 9 | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Synology DS423 4-Bay Diskless NAS for Backup, File Sharing, and Surveillance |  | Best for Versatile Home and Small Business Use | Number of Bays: 4 | Type: Diskless | Features: Private cloud, backup, surveillance | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| bay nas for photo and video archife | Processor |
|---|---|
| Asustor Drivestor 4 Gen 2 AS12 | Realtek RTD1619B 1.7GHz Quad-Core |
| Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS68 | AMD Ryzen 3.8GHz Quad-Core |
| Asustor Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 A | Realtek quad-core |
| Synology 4-Bay NAS DiskStation | Intel quad-core |
| Synology DS423 4-Bay Diskless | — |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Asustor Drivestor 4 Gen 2 AS1204T 4-Bay NAS, Quad-Core 1.7GHz, 2.5GbE, 1GB DDR4, USB 3.0, Diskless
The Asustor Drivestor 4 Gen 2 AS1204T is a solid choice for those starting their media archive or maintaining a small collection. It offers flexible RAID options and 4K media streaming, which are essential for media consumption. Compared to other options, its high-speed 2.5GbE network supports quicker file transfers, but the limited 1GB RAM may bottleneck performance during heavy multitasking or large data transfers. While it’s diskless, meaning additional purchase is necessary, its straightforward setup makes it appealing for users who want a reliable, affordable entry point into media storage.
Pros:- Affordable entry point with RAID support
- Supports 4K media streaming
- High-speed 2.5GbE networking for faster transfers
Cons:- Limited RAM may hinder multitasking
- Requires extra cost for drives
- Basic feature set for advanced users
Best for: Home users or small offices with modest media needs
Not ideal for: Heavy multitasking or professional editing workflows
- Processor:Realtek RTD1619B 1.7GHz Quad-Core
- RAM:1GB DDR4
- Network:2.5GbE Port
- Bays:4
- RAID Support:0/1/5/6/10
- Connectivity:3 USB 3.0 ports
Our verdict“A budget-friendly NAS that covers essential media storage needs but falls short for demanding workflows.”
Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T 4-Bay NAS Diskless
The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T caters to creators and professionals needing serious processing power. Its AMD Ryzen 3.8GHz quad-core processor and 16GB ECC DDR5 RAM support complex workflows like video editing, virtualization, and AI tasks. With dual 5GbE and 10GbE ports, it also excels in transferring large media files quickly, making it a compelling solution for those managing extensive archives. Compared with more consumer-focused options, this device emphasizes speed and scalability, but its premium price and complexity may deter casual users or those with simpler needs.
Pros:- Powerful AMD Ryzen processor
- Multiple M.2 NVMe slots for fast cache or storage
- Dual 5GbE & 10GbE ports for versatile connectivity
Cons:- Requires additional drives, increasing initial cost
- Complex setup for non-technical users
- Premium pricing may be prohibitive
Best for: Professional creators, video editors, and demanding workflows
Not ideal for: Casual users or those new to NAS management
- Processor:AMD Ryzen 3.8GHz Quad-Core
- Memory:16GB ECC DDR5
- Drive Bays:4 M.2 NVMe Slots
- Network Ports:Dual 5GbE & 10GbE
- Form Factor:Desktop
- Supported RAID:Various including RAID 0/1/5/6
Our verdict“A high-end NAS designed for intensive workloads, best suited for professional environments with demanding storage needs.”
Asustor Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T, 4-Bay NAS with Quad-Core Processor and 2.5GbE Network
The Asustor Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 AS3304T combines straightforward setup with decent performance for home media and backup needs. Its quad-core processor and 2.5GbE networking support faster data transfer, ideal for remote access and media streaming. The tool-free drive bays simplify installation, making it accessible for users unfamiliar with NAS hardware. However, with only 2GB RAM, it may struggle with multitasking or heavy media processing, making it less suitable for large-scale archives or professional editing.
Pros:- Easy tool-free drive installation
- Fast 2.5GbE network connectivity
- Supports multiple RAID configurations
Cons:- Limited to 2GB RAM
- No included drives, additional purchase needed
- Basic feature set for complex workflows
Best for: Home users needing simple, reliable media storage
Not ideal for: Heavy multitasking or enterprise use
- Processor:Realtek quad-core
- RAM:2GB DDR4
- Bays:4
- Network:2.5GbE Ethernet
- RAID Support:0, 1, 5, 6, JBOD
- Design:Tool-free drive bays
Our verdict“An easy-to-use NAS ideal for small-scale media storage and backup, with some performance limitations for heavy multitasking.”
Synology 4-Bay NAS DiskStation DS920+ (Diskless), 4GB DDR4
The Synology DS920+ is a versatile choice for growing archives needing advanced features. Its dual M.2 NVMe slots enable cache acceleration, significantly improving performance with large media files. The Intel quad-core processor with hardware encryption ensures secure, fast access for demanding tasks. With expandable RAM up to 8GB and support for up to 9 drives, it scales well for expanding collections. The device’s user-friendly interface and broad app ecosystem make it suitable for professionals and serious enthusiasts, but its higher price and potential complexity may be a barrier for casual users.
Pros:- Supports cache acceleration with NVMe SSDs
- Expandable RAM and scalable storage
- Powerful hardware encryption
Cons:- Requires additional licenses for some features
- Price can be high with upgrades
- More complex setup for beginners
Best for: Growing archives, professionals, and tech-savvy users
Not ideal for: Beginners or those with limited budgets
- Drive Bays:4
- Memory:4GB DDR4 (expandable to 8GB)
- Maximum Drives:9
- Processor:Intel quad-core
- Cache Slots:2 M.2 2280 NVMe
- Performance:Over 225 MB/s read/write
Our verdict“A scalable, feature-rich NAS that adapts to expanding media archives and demanding workflows, best for experienced users.”
Synology DS423 4-Bay Diskless NAS for Backup, File Sharing, and Surveillance
The Synology DS423 stands out for its simplicity and security features. Designed for backups, file sharing, and surveillance, it’s ideal for small offices or advanced home users. Its ability to support up to 30 IP cameras with optional licenses adds a surveillance edge, while its private cloud capabilities facilitate remote access. However, as a diskless model, additional hard drives are necessary, and some features might require technical setup, which could be challenging for less experienced users.
Pros:- Secure private cloud access
- Supports up to 30 IP cameras with licenses
- Good for backups and data protection
Cons:- Camera licenses extra
- No drives included, additional cost
- May need technical knowledge to set up
Best for: Home users or small businesses needing secure storage and surveillance
Not ideal for: Heavy media editing or large-scale professional workflows
- Number of Bays:4
- Type:Diskless
- Features:Private cloud, backup, surveillance
- Warranty:2 years
Our verdict“A versatile, security-conscious NAS suitable for backups, remote file sharing, and surveillance, with some setup complexity.”
How We Picked
To select these five NAS options, I evaluated their hardware performance, expandability, and suitability for photo and video archiving. I prioritized models with multiple drive bays, robust network connectivity, and features like hardware encryption or cache acceleration that benefit media workflows. Cost considerations and ease of setup also played roles, with a preference for devices that balance power and user-friendliness. I compared each device’s ability to handle large files, multitasking, and long-term scalability, ensuring these picks represent the best options for different types of users in 2026.
| bay nas for photo and video archife | Processor |
|---|---|
| Asustor Drivestor 4 Gen 2 AS12 | Realtek RTD1619B 1.7GHz Quad-Core |
| Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS68 | AMD Ryzen 3.8GHz Quad-Core |
| Asustor Drivestor 4 Pro Gen2 A | Realtek quad-core |
| Synology 4-Bay NAS DiskStation | Intel quad-core |
| Synology DS423 4-Bay Diskless | — |
Factors to Consider When Choosing 4 Bay Nas For Photo And Video Archives
Choosing the right 4-bay NAS for photo and video archives involves assessing your current and future needs. Factors like hardware performance, expandability, network speed, and ease of setup are key considerations. For those just starting out, simplicity and affordability might be most important, while professionals demand higher processing power and scalability. Here, I outline essential features and how they impact your decision-making process.Performance and Hardware
For media archiving, a NAS with a powerful processor and ample RAM ensures smooth handling of large files and multitasking. Devices with Intel or AMD processors and at least 4GB of RAM are better suited for editing workflows, while basic models with less RAM are fine for backups and simple storage.
Connectivity and Speed
Fast network interfaces like 2.5GbE or 10GbE make a significant difference when transferring large media files. If you regularly move high-resolution videos or large photo libraries, prioritize models with these features to reduce waiting times.
Scalability and Expandability
Look for options that support additional drives or cache SSDs. The ability to expand storage or add cache helps future-proof your archive, especially as your collection grows over time. Consider RAM upgrades if you anticipate heavy multitasking or editing.
Ease of Use and Features
For users new to NAS, models with intuitive interfaces and tool-free drive bays simplify setup. Advanced features like hardware encryption, remote access, and surveillance support add value but may require technical knowledge to fully utilize.
Budget and Value
While premium models offer more features and performance, budget options can still meet basic archiving needs. Balance the cost with your specific requirements—overpaying for unnecessary features can be avoided by clearly understanding your workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main advantage of a 4-bay NAS for media archives?
A 4-bay NAS provides a good balance of storage capacity and redundancy options, allowing you to configure RAID levels for data protection while maintaining enough space for large media collections. This setup supports scalable storage and reliable backups, which are essential for photo and video archives.
How important is network speed for media storage in a NAS?
Network speed is critical when transferring large files, especially high-resolution videos or extensive photo libraries. Models with 2.5GbE or 10GbE interfaces significantly reduce transfer times, making workflows more efficient and less frustrating for creative professionals.
Should I prioritize processing power or storage capacity?
It depends on your workflow. Creative professionals editing or working directly on media files benefit from higher processing power and RAM, while those mainly backing up or sharing files may prioritize storage capacity and redundancy. Ideally, a balance of both is best to future-proof your archive.
Are diskless NAS devices a good choice?
Diskless NAS devices offer flexibility and can be more cost-effective initially, but you’ll need to purchase drives separately. They are suitable if you already own compatible drives or want to choose specific storage options, though they may require more setup effort than pre-populated models.
What should I consider for future-proofing my NAS?
Look for models with expandability options, such as additional drive bays, RAM upgrades, and support for faster network interfaces. Choosing a device with scalable features ensures that your storage solution can grow alongside your media collection, saving you from premature obsolescence.
Conclusion
For casual users or those just starting their photo and video archives, budget-friendly options like the Asustor Drivestor 4 Gen 2 or Synology DS423 provide reliable performance without overwhelming complexity. Professionals or enthusiasts requiring robust workflows should consider the Synology DS920+ for its scalability or the Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 for maximum performance and expandability. Ultimately, your choice depends on current needs and future plans—match your workflow, budget, and growth expectations to the right device.
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