Description
The QNAP TS-873A-SW5T bundle is a comprehensive networking and storage solution featuring the TS-873A 8-bay NAS and the QSW-1105-5T 2.5GbE unmanaged switch. Powered by an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B quad-core 2.2 GHz processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM (expandable to 64GB), this system is engineered for high-bandwidth applications, multi-user environments, and intensive backup tasks. The inclusion of the 2.5GbE switch allows users to immediately upgrade their local network infrastructure to 2.5x the speed of standard Gigabit Ethernet without complex configuration.
This product is for:
- Creative Professionals: High-speed 2.5GbE throughput allows for smooth 4K video editing and large asset management.
- IT Administrators: Robust support for VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft Hyper-V virtualization environments.
- Small to Medium Businesses: Secure data protection with ZFS-based QuTS hero for self-healing and data deduplication.
- Power Users and Home Labs: Dual PCIe Gen 3 slots and M.2 NVMe slots provide extensive customization for 10GbE or GPU passthrough.
- Data-Intensive Studios: The 8-bay capacity supports massive RAID arrays for centralized project storage and redundancy.
Detailed specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B (4-core/8-thread, 2.2 GHz).
- Memory: 8 GB SODIMM DDR4 (Supports ECC; maximum 64 GB via 2 x 32 GB).
- Drive Bays: 8 x 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s, 3Gb/s (compatible with 2.5-inch SSDs).
- M.2 Slots: 2 x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen3 x1 slots for NVMe SSD caching or storage pools.
- Networking: 2 x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (2.5G/1G/100M) on NAS; 5 x 2.5GbE ports on bundled switch.
- Expansion: 2 x PCIe Gen 3 x4 slots for 10GbE NICs, QM2 cards, or entry-level graphics cards.
Users benefit from the unique flexibility of QNAP's dual-OS support, allowing a choice between the app-rich QTS or the reliability-focused QuTS hero. The hardware architecture facilitates low-latency performance through dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots, which support Qtier auto-tiering technology to optimize storage efficiency. With three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and one Type-C port, peripheral data transfers reach up to 10Gbps, ensuring external backups are completed rapidly. The bundled QSW-1105-5T switch ensures that the NAS's dual 2.5GbE ports are fully utilized, providing a seamless high-speed bridge between the server and connected workstations.
Compared to standard 4-bay or 1GbE NAS units, the TS-873A offers double the drive density and significantly higher IOPS potential through its Ryzen architecture. While many competitors require additional investment for high-speed networking, this bundle includes the necessary 2.5GbE switch hardware in the box. The support for ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory further distinguishes this model from consumer-grade alternatives, making it a more reliable choice for mission-critical business data where bit-flip prevention is essential.
Q&A:
- Can I upgrade the RAM to ECC? Yes, the TS-873A supports up to 64GB of DDR4 ECC SODIMM memory, though you must use identical pairs for dual-channel configurations.
- Does this NAS support hardware video transcoding? The AMD Ryzen V1500B does not have integrated graphics; however, you can install a compatible NVIDIA graphics card in a PCIe slot for GPU passthrough and transcoding.
- What is the benefit of the bundled QSW-1105-5T switch? It allows you to connect multiple 2.5GbE devices (like the NAS and your PC) to achieve 250MB/s transfer speeds without needing to upgrade your entire building's wiring.
- Can I switch between QTS and QuTS hero? Yes, the NAS supports both, but switching operating systems requires reinitializing the drives and losing existing data, so it is best chosen during initial setup.
- Are M.2 SSDs included in the package? No, M.2 NVMe SSDs must be purchased separately. It is recommended to use heatsinks on M.2 drives to prevent thermal throttling during heavy workloads.
