Synology 4-Bay DiskStation DS925+ (Diskless)
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AI Verdict
A 4-bay NAS with dual 2.5GbE and an AMD Ryzen V1500B, ideal for home users or small businesses prioritizing Synology's software and direct-play media streaming.
This NAS is a strong contender if you're already invested in the Synology ecosystem and its software, and if your network infrastructure is built around 2.5GbE. However, the initial drive compatibility restrictions and the ongoing M.2 NVMe lock-in make it a less straightforward recommendation for users seeking maximum hardware flexibility or 10GbE speeds.
If you need faster than 2.5GbE or full freedom with M.2 NVMe drives, look for NAS models with a 10GbE upgrade slot or open M.2 compatibility.
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Pros
- Features dual 2.5GbE ports for network speeds above standard Gigabit Ethernet.
- Includes two M.2 NVMe slots that can be used for caching or storage, boosting performance.
- Powered by an AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core CPU with eight threads, offering improved processing power over older models.
- Offers the comprehensive Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) software suite for data management, backup, and surveillance.
- Supports tool-less installation for 3.5-inch HDDs, simplifying drive setup.
- Operates quietly, with reported noise levels around 20dB even under load.
Cons
- Initially restricted to Synology-branded hard drives, though this policy has seen some reversal for HDDs, M.2 NVMe slots remain locked to Synology drives.
- Lacks a PCIe network upgrade slot, meaning no option for 10GbE connectivity, capping network throughput at 2.5GbE.
- The AMD Ryzen V1500B CPU does not support hardware transcoding, limiting its efficiency for on-the-fly Plex media conversion.
- Comes with only 4GB of RAM out of the box, which may require an upgrade for demanding applications like Docker or extensive virtualization.
- The USB-C port is exclusively for connecting an expansion unit, not for general-purpose USB-C device connectivity.
Dimension Scores
Offers sequential read/write speeds of up to 522/565 MB/s and dual 2.5GbE ports, which is above standard Gigabit but not 10GbE performance.
Users report consistent and stable performance, particularly for tasks like Plex media serving, with the system proving reliable even under heavy use.
With four drive bays supporting up to 20TB HDDs each for a total of 80TB, and expandability to nine drives, it offers substantial storage growth.
Despite some relaxation for HDDs, the M.2 NVMe slots are still locked to Synology-branded drives, severely limiting user choice and potentially increasing costs.
Best For
- Home users and small businesses needing centralized file storage, sharing, and synchronization.
- Plex media server setups focused on direct playback of 4K content, without relying on transcoding.
- Implementing data protection, backup, and surveillance solutions using Synology's integrated software.
- Users who value Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) ecosystem and its extensive application library.
Not Recommended For
- Users requiring 10GbE network speeds for extremely fast data transfers, as it's limited to 2.5GbE.
- Individuals who prefer to use a wide range of third-party M.2 NVMe SSDs for caching or storage without vendor restrictions.
- Plex users who frequently need real-time video transcoding for various client devices due to the CPU's lack of hardware transcoding.
Watch Out For
- The M.2 NVMe slots are still restricted to Synology-branded SSDs, preventing the use of more affordable or higher-capacity third-party options for caching or storage.
- No 10GbE network upgrade option means your maximum wired network speed is 2.5GbE, which can be a bottleneck for large file transfers from fast drives.
- The AMD Ryzen V1500B processor lacks hardware transcoding capabilities, which will strain the CPU for on-the-fly video conversions, potentially leading to stuttering for multiple Plex streams.
- The included 4GB of RAM is often insufficient for running multiple Docker containers or virtual machines smoothly, necessitating an immediate upgrade for these use cases.
- The USB-C port on the device is solely for connecting a Synology expansion unit, not for general-purpose high-speed peripheral connections.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0C8S7SF4B |
| Size | 166 mm x 199 mm x 223 mm |
| Brand | Synology |
| Color | Black |
| Series | DS925+ 28067143 |
| Material | Metal, Plastic |
| Item Weight | 4.98 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Synology |
| Item model number | DS925+ |
| Product Dimensions | 8.78 x 7.83 x 6.54 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8.78 x 7.83 x 6.54 inches |
What Buyers Say
The biggest headache with the DS925+ has been Synology's controversial drive compatibility policy; while they've walked back some restrictions for HDDs, the M.2 NVMe slots are still locked to their own expensive drives, which is a real bummer for anyone trying to save a buck or use specific SSDs. People are definitely digging the dual 2.5GbE ports, finally getting speeds beyond old Gigabit, and the DSM software is still a crowd-pleaser for its ease of use and app selection. But don't expect it to transcode your entire 4K library on the fly for Plex, because that Ryzen V1500B CPU just doesn't have the hardware chops for it.
“Man, I really wanted to love this thing, but the M.2 drive lock-in is just infuriating, and not having 10GbE feels like a step backward when everyone else is moving forward. It's fast enough for my files, but that drive thing is a constant annoyance.”
Common Praise
- Dual 2.5GbE ports provide a noticeable speed bump over older Gigabit connections.
- Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) software is intuitive and offers a wide range of useful applications.
- Handles 4K high-bitrate content for direct Plex playback without issues.
- Operates with minimal noise, making it suitable for home office environments.
- Tool-less installation for 3.5-inch hard drives simplifies the setup process.
Common Complaints
- Initial and ongoing restrictions on using only Synology-branded M.2 NVMe SSDs for caching or storage.
- Absence of a 10GbE upgrade option limits maximum network throughput to 2.5GbE.
- The CPU lacks hardware transcoding, making it less ideal for demanding Plex transcoding scenarios.
- The base 4GB RAM is often insufficient for advanced use cases like Docker or virtualization, requiring an immediate upgrade.
- The USB-C port is dedicated solely to expansion units, not for general peripheral use.
Ownership Tips
- Upgrading the RAM beyond 4GB is almost a necessity if you plan on running anything beyond basic file serving, especially Docker containers.
- The 2.5GbE ports are a definite improvement, but you'll need compatible network gear (switches, client NICs) to actually see the benefit.
- Even with the drive compatibility changes, the M.2 NVMe restriction means you're stuck paying Synology prices for cache drives, which stings.
- The lack of hardware transcoding for Plex means you really need to ensure your client devices can direct play your media, or you'll be looking at a separate transcoding solution.
- The external power brick is a bit clunky, but the unit itself is surprisingly quiet, even with drives spinning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any hard drives with the DS925+?
While Synology initially restricted hard drive compatibility, they have since relaxed this policy for HDDs, allowing third-party drives. However, the M.2 NVMe slots still require Synology-branded SSDs for caching or storage.
Does the DS925+ support 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE)?
No, the DS925+ features dual 2.5GbE ports but does not include a PCIe slot for a 10GbE upgrade card, limiting its maximum network speed to 2.5GbE.
Is the DS925+ suitable for a Plex media server?
Yes, it excels as a Plex media server for direct playback of 4K content. However, its AMD Ryzen V1500B CPU lacks hardware transcoding, so it will struggle with real-time video conversion for multiple streams or unsupported formats.
How much RAM does the DS925+ come with, and can it be upgraded?
The DS925+ ships with 4GB of DDR4 ECC SODIMM RAM. It can be upgraded to a maximum of 32GB, which is often recommended for running Docker containers or virtual machines.
What is the maximum storage capacity of the DS925+?
The DS925+ supports up to 80TB of raw storage with four 20TB HDDs. It can also accommodate up to 1.6TB of M.2 NVMe SSD storage for caching or a separate volume.
How noisy is the Synology DS925+ during operation?
Users report the DS925+ runs very quietly, with Synology stating a noise level of just 20dB. The dual 92mm fans produce a quiet whooshing noise, and drive sounds are minimal.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device like this, you're essentially buying your own private cloud server. You need to think about how much storage you need right now and how much you might need in a few years – that's where the number of drive bays comes in. Also, consider how fast you need to access your files; network speed (like 2.5GbE or 10GbE) dictates how quickly data moves between your computer and the NAS. Finally, the software ecosystem is huge; Synology's DSM is a big draw for many because it makes managing everything pretty straightforward.
Capacity (4-bay, expandable to 9)
This tells you how many hard drives you can put in the box and how much total data you can store. More bays mean more storage potential and better data redundancy options (like RAID). Expanding to 9 drives means you can start small and add more storage as your needs grow, without buying a whole new unit.
Sequential Read/Write Throughput (522/565 MB/s)
Think of this as the maximum speed limit for moving files to and from the NAS. Higher numbers mean faster backups, quicker access to large video files, and smoother operation when multiple people are accessing data simultaneously. It's how quickly the NAS can 'read' data off the drives and 'write' data onto them.
Dual 2.5GbE ports
This is your network connection speed. Standard home networks are often 1GbE (Gigabit Ethernet). 2.5GbE is two and a half times faster, meaning files transfer much quicker if your other devices (computer, router) also support 2.5GbE. 'Dual' means you can connect it to two different network segments or use them for link aggregation for even more speed or redundancy.
M.2 NVMe slots for caching
These are like super-fast express lanes for frequently accessed data. Instead of always going to the slower, larger hard drives, the NAS can temporarily store popular files on these speedy NVMe SSDs. This makes things feel much snappier, especially for small, frequently used files or database operations.
Alternatives
If this model doesn't quite fit, look for NAS units that offer a 10GbE network upgrade option for maximum speed, or those with completely open compatibility for both HDDs and M.2 NVMe SSDs. For heavy media transcoding, prioritize models with CPUs that include integrated graphics or dedicated hardware transcoding engines.
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