Terramaster F4-424 Pro
Score: 87/100Buffalo TS3230DN
Score: 68/100Rankings
The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro is a high-performance 4-bay NAS aimed at business and media-centric use, featuring an 8-core Intel i3-N305 CPU, 32 GB DDR5 RAM and dual 2.5 GbE ports, supporting 4K 60 fps transcoding and NVMe caching.
The TeraStation 3230DN is a compact 2-bay NAS with 2.5 GbE networking and strong security features, aimed at small-to-medium businesses. It offers solid performance for basic workloads but is limited by modest RAM and lack of SSD caching.
| Attribute | | Buffalo TS3230DN |
|---|---|---|
88 TBbest | 16 TB | |
4best | 2 | |
2.5 Gbpsbest | 2.5 Gbpsbest | |
8best | 4 | |
32 GBbest | 2 GB | |
| ↓ lower better | 33 Wbest | — |
| ↓ lower better | 21 dBbest | — |
2 years | 3 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | Buffalo TS3230DN |
|---|---|---|
Security(1) | ||
OS Compatibility | TOS 5.0 | Windows 10/11/Server 2016/2019/2022, macOS 12+, Chrome OS |
Performance(3) | ||
CPU Model | Intel Core i3-N305 | Annapurna Labs Alpine AL524 |
CPU Cores | 8 | 4 |
System Memory (GB) | 32 GB | 2 GB |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 1.905 kg | 4.31 kg |
Warranty Period (years) | 2 years | 3 years |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Supported Network Protocols | IPv4/IPv6, CIFS/SMB, NFS, FTP, SFTP, HTTPS, SSH, iSCSI, SNMP | CIFS/SMB, AFP, FTP, FTPS, SFTP, NFS, TCP/IP, iSCSI |
Storage & Capacity(4) | ||
Maximum Raw Capacity (TB) | 88 TB | 16 TB |
Drive Bays | 4 | 2 |
RAID Support | TRAID, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10, JBOD, Single | RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, JBOD |
Supported Drive Types | 3.5" SATA HDD, 2.5" SATA HDD, SATA SSD | 3.5" SATA III |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the F4-424 Pro for its unmatched CPU power, abundant DDR5 memory, and advanced media capabilities such as 4K 60 fps transcoding with AV1 support. The dual M.2 slots and TRAID flexibility are highlighted as strong differentiators, while the plastic enclosure, lack of 10 GbE, and limited physical security features are noted as drawbacks.
Everyday users appreciate the fast performance, smooth 4K streaming, and the convenience of NVMe caching, often noting the ample RAM as a major plus. Recurring complaints focus on the non-upgradable memory, the cheap-feel plastic chassis, and the missing front USB and security lock.
Professional reviewers describe the TeraStation 3230DN as a reliable, secure and easy-to-deploy NAS for small businesses, emphasizing its 2.5 GbE networking, TAA compliance and closed-system security.
Everyday users are generally satisfied, praising the quick setup, fast 2.5 GbE transfers, robust ransomware protection and sturdy build, while noting limited memory and lack of SSD cache as drawbacks.
“Set up in under 30 minutes - works perfectly with our Windows and Mac network.”
“Love the 2.5GbE speed - file transfers are noticeably faster than our old 1GbE NAS.”
“The ransomware protection features give us peace of mind.”
