Synology 8-Bay DiskStation DS1823xs+ (Diskless)
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AI Verdict
This 8-bay NAS with a 3.35GHz AMD Ryzen V1780B CPU and 10GbE is for businesses needing high-performance storage and willing to pay for Synology-exclusive drives.
This NAS is a strong performer for its intended business audience, offering 10GbE and ECC memory. However, the strict requirement for Synology-branded drives and lack of SHR support make it a poor fit for home users or those seeking more hardware flexibility.
If the drive lock-in is a deal-breaker, look for Synology's 'Plus' series models or other brands that offer broader drive compatibility.
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Pros
- Comes with an embedded 10GBase-T port for fast network transfers, achieving 9.3 Gbits/sec read and 9.2 Gbits/sec write in lab tests.
- Features 8GB DDR4 ECC RAM, expandable up to 32GB, for handling demanding business applications.
- Includes two M.2 NVMe SSD slots, usable for caching or creating fast storage pools.
- Supports attaching up to two Synology DX517 Expansion Units, expanding to 18 drive bays total.
- Offers license-free solutions for backup, replication, and recovery, protecting IT infrastructure.
- Designed for high uptime with hot-swappable drives and online volume expansion.
Cons
- Requires Synology-branded HDDs (HAT5300), SSDs (SAT5200), and NVMe SSDs (SNV3400) for full compatibility and support, which are significantly more expensive than third-party alternatives.
- Does not support Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), limiting flexibility for users accustomed to this feature.
- Users report 'annoying warnings and restricted functionality' or even inability to initialize with non-Synology drives.
- M.2 NVMe slots, while Gen 3 x4 hardware, may be throttled to 1000MB/s performance.
- Consumes more power, ranging from 35W to 54W, compared to some lower-end models.
Dimension Scores
Achieves 9.3 Gbits/sec sequential read and 9.2 Gbits/sec sequential write over 10GbE in lab tests.
Features ECC memory and hot-swappable drives, designed for high uptime in business environments, and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Offers 8 drive bays, expandable to 18 bays with two DX517 expansion units, providing substantial raw storage capacity.
Strictly requires Synology-branded drives for full functionality and support, severely limiting user choice and increasing cost.
Best For
- Small to medium businesses needing a central data storage solution with 10GbE connectivity.
- Environments requiring VM storage or surveillance management with high data throughput.
- Users who prioritize enterprise-grade features, ECC memory, and Synology's software ecosystem.
- Businesses with existing Synology infrastructure looking for an 8-bay upgrade for critical data.
Not Recommended For
- Home users or small offices on a budget, due to the premium price and mandatory Synology-branded drives.
- Anyone expecting to use their existing third-party hard drives without compatibility warnings or functional limitations.
- Users who rely on Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) for flexible volume management.
Watch Out For
- You're locked into Synology's own hard drives, SSDs, and NVMe drives; third-party drives cause 'annoying warnings and restricted functionality' and are not officially supported.
- The cost of populating all 8 bays with Synology's required drives can be double or more compared to using third-party drives, with a 16TB Synology drive costing around $1099 compared to $500 for an Exos 16TB drive.
- Migration from older Synology models using Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) is not straightforward, as the DS1823xs+ only supports standard RAID types.
- The M.2 NVMe slots, despite being Gen 3 x4, might limit performance to 1000MB/s, which could be a bottleneck for some high-speed applications.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0BSTNV5TG |
| Size | DS1823xs+ |
| Brand | Synology |
| Color | Black |
| Series | DS1823xs+ |
| Material | Metal |
| Item Weight | 16.53 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Synology |
| Item model number | DS1823xs+ |
| Product Dimensions | 14.57 x 18.11 x 12.6 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 14.57 x 18.11 x 12.6 inches |
What Buyers Say
The biggest sticking point for this NAS is definitely the drive compatibility; users are seriously annoyed about being forced to buy Synology's expensive drives, with some reporting that third-party drives won't even initialize or cause constant warnings. Despite that, people who commit to the Synology ecosystem praise its 10GbE performance and the robust DSM software. The lack of SHR support is also a frequent complaint, especially for those upgrading from older Synology units. It's clear this is aimed at a specific business user, not the average home lab enthusiast.
“Seriously, the drive lock-in is a total rip-off, but if you bite the bullet and buy their expensive disks, this thing flies on 10GbE and the software is just so good for my small business backups, even if I miss SHR like crazy.”
Common Praise
- Provides 10GbE connectivity, delivering fast data transfer speeds.
- The DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system is feature-rich and powerful for business applications.
- Easy setup process, with some users reporting it took less than 45 minutes to get running.
- The chassis design is considered well-built with good ventilation and not excessively noisy under normal loads.
- Offers comprehensive backup, replication, and recovery solutions without additional licenses.
Common Complaints
- Mandatory use of expensive Synology-branded hard drives, SSDs, and NVMe drives.
- Absence of Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) support, which is a drawback for many users.
- Third-party drives result in 'annoying warnings' and restricted functionality, including issues with RAID recovery or expansion.
- M.2 NVMe performance can be throttled to 1000MB/s, even with Gen 3 x4 hardware.
- Higher power consumption (35W-54W) compared to some other NAS models.
Ownership Tips
- You'll constantly see warnings in the DSM interface if you try to use non-Synology drives, which is super annoying.
- The fan noise is noticeable under heavy loads, especially if it's in a quiet office, but not unbearable.
- Setting up standard RAID can be less flexible than SHR if you're used to mixing drive sizes.
- The initial investment for the unit plus the required Synology drives is a significant upfront cost.
- The 10GbE port is a game-changer for large file transfers, but make sure your network infrastructure can actually handle it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any brand of hard drive with the Synology DS1823xs+?
No, the DS1823xs+ officially requires Synology-branded HDDs, SSDs, and NVMe drives. While other drives might physically fit, you'll encounter warnings and limited functionality, and Synology won't provide support.
Does this NAS support Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR)?
No, the DS1823xs+ does not support Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR). It only works with standard RAID configurations, which is a key difference from many consumer-oriented Synology models.
What kind of network connectivity does the DS1823xs+ have?
It comes with an embedded 10GBase-T port and two Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing high-speed network access for demanding tasks.
Can I expand the storage capacity beyond the 8 internal bays?
Yes, you can attach up to two Synology DX517 Expansion Units, bringing the total number of drive bays to 18.
Is the RAM upgradeable in the DS1823xs+?
Yes, the DS1823xs+ comes with 8GB DDR4 ECC RAM and can be upgraded to a maximum of 32GB, though Synology-branded memory is recommended for full support.
What are the M.2 NVMe slots for?
The two M.2 NVMe SSD slots can be used for creating fast storage pools or for SSD caching to accelerate read/write performance.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at a NAS like this, you're essentially buying a mini-server for your data. Don't just think about the box itself; the hard drives are a huge part of the total cost and performance. For this specific model, you need to understand that Synology wants you to use their drives, and straying from that path comes with headaches. Also, consider your network speed – a 10GbE port is awesome, but only if your router and other devices can keep up.
8-Bay Diskless
This means the unit has space for 8 hard drives, but it doesn't come with any. You have to buy them separately, and for this model, they need to be Synology-branded, which adds a lot to the price.
10GBase-T Port
This is a super-fast network connection, like a multi-lane highway for your data. It lets you transfer files much quicker than standard Gigabit Ethernet, but you need compatible network gear to take advantage of it.
DDR4 ECC RAM
ECC (Error-Correcting Code) RAM is like having a built-in spell checker for your computer's memory. It helps prevent data corruption, which is crucial for important business data, making your storage more reliable.
No Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR)
SHR is Synology's flexible RAID system that lets you mix and match different sized drives more easily. This model doesn't have it, so you're limited to traditional RAID types, which are less forgiving if you want to upgrade drives of different capacities later.
Alternatives
If the mandatory Synology drives and lack of SHR are deal-breakers, look for NAS units with broader third-party drive compatibility and support for flexible RAID configurations, or consider models from other brands that cater more to prosumer or small office needs without the enterprise-level drive restrictions.
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