While TerraMaster at all times had a wide variety of budget-focused fashions, the model undertook an bold overhaul final 12 months in a bid to focus on the high-end section. I examined the all-flash F8 SSD Plus when it debuted, and got here away pondering the model did a terrific job not simply on the {hardware} facet, but in addition the software program.
With the F4-424 Max, TerraMaster is seeking to proceed that momentum. The 4-bay NAS has the most effective {hardware} package deal in its class, together with two 10GbE ports, a 10-core Intel Core i5 1235U platform, 8GB of upgradeable RAM, and 4 conventional drive bays along with two M.2 slots.
Combine that with the adjustments to TOS 6 software program, and the F4-424 Max has the potential to be among the finest 4-bay NAS fashions you should purchase at the moment, significantly should you’re seeking to construct a high-end Plex server. I used the NAS for over two months, and here is why I believe it’s a more sensible choice than the DiskStation DS923+.
TerraMaster F4-424 Max: Pricing and availability
TerraMaster unveiled the F4-424 Max in This fall 2024, and the NAS is now obtainable globally. It retails for $899 on Amazon, and should you do not want twin 10GbE connectivity, there’s a typical F4-424 with twin 2.5GbE ports that prices $499. This variant is powered by the Intel N95 and shares the same design. There’s additionally an F4-424 Pro that has a Core i3-N305 and 16GB of reminiscence together with twin 2.5GbE connectivity, and that mannequin is $649.
| Category | TerraMaster F4-424 Max |
|---|---|
| Internal drive bays | Four (22TB every bay), 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5-inch HDD/SSD, M.2 storage |
| Network interface | 2 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| USB ports | 2 x USB-A 3.1 Gen2, 1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen2 |
| eSATA ports | ❌ |
| PCIe | ❌ |
| CPU | 10-core 4.4GHz Intel Core i5 1235U |
| Plex transcoding | Yes, as much as 8K |
| RAM | 8GB DDR5 non-ECC pre-installed, two SO-DIMM slots, as much as 64GB whole |
| M.2 slots | 2 x Gen 4 2280 slots, storage |
| File system | Standard EXT4, Btrfs |
| Cooling | 1 x 120mm fan, 21dBA |
| Dimensions | 154 x 179 x 222 mm |
TerraMaster F4-424 Max: Design
TerraMaster’s earlier choices stood out due to their distinctive aluminum enclosures, and whereas the design was intriguing, they did not have the most effective thermal effectivity. The model is addressing that with the F4-424 Max by switching to a extra modest aesthetic, with a black chassis that does not entice as a lot consideration.
What’s notable is that the perimeters are ventilated — much like what you get with the DS923+ — permitting higher airflow into the NAS. The server is smaller than different 4-bay NAS fashions I examined lately, and as is at all times the case with TerraMaster, you get a 120W exterior energy brick.
I additionally like that there is now a 120mm fan on the again, and it does a incredible job making certain the drives do not overheat. As an added bonus, it would not get loud both. TerraMaster has a brand new design for the drive bays as nicely, with a push-to-latch mechanism that is simple to make use of. The model lastly switched to a tool-free drive set up, and this makes slotting in 3.5-inch HDDs considerably simpler.
Outside of that, there is not a lot else on the entrance. You get the standard standing LEDs, and whereas most NAS fashions have a USB port that permits you to plug in a drive, that is not the case right here — all of the ports are positioned on the again. Interestingly, even the facility button is on the again, with TerraMaster opting to go along with a clear lookup entrance that does not look too busy.
The adjustments to the design ship significant advantages. The F4-424 Max has a lot better air flow, and the chassis would not stand out fairly as a lot, mixing into the background.
TerraMaster F4-424 Max: Ports and connectivity
Obviously, the truth that you are getting two 10 Gigabit ports in the back of the NAS is the largest differentiator, and it provides it a definite edge — significantly when you think about that the DS923+ has twin Ethernet connectivity. You do not get the power so as to add a further port, however that should not be a difficulty to anybody contemplating this NAS; with a 20Gbps addressable bandwidth, you do not have to fret in regards to the community connection being the bottleneck.
There are two USB-A ports alongside a USB-C port, and all three get 10Gbps bandwidth. I might have preferred to see the USB-C connector on the entrance as that makes connecting exterior drives simpler, however aside from that, I haven’t got any issues with the port choice.
The NAS comes with 8GB of DDR5 non-ECC reminiscence pre-installed, which takes up one of many two SO-DIMM slots obtainable. You can change out the reminiscence modules and enhance it to 64GB (32GB in every slot) must you want to take action. There are two M.2 Gen 4 slots obtainable as nicely, they usually’re simply accessible by sliding the left facet panel.
Each drive bay accommodates 22TB NAS HDDs, so the entire addressable storage is 88TB with out together with the M.2 bays. If you’re pondering of going this route, I like to recommend 22TB IronWolf Pro drives; I take advantage of these in my fundamental NAS, they usually’re terrific.
TerraMaster F4-424 Max: Real-world testing
Powered by Intel’s 10-core Alder Lake Core i5 1235U with built-in Iris Xe, there’s no scarcity of energy right here. If something, the NAS is among the many better of any 4-bay server I examined, and there have been loads of standout merchandise during the last two years.
There are not any points in each day use, and whether or not it is operating a VM or managing an in depth Plex library, the NAS simply breezes via demanding duties. It has {hardware} transcoding and effortlessly manages to transcode 4K movies, and I did not see any points on this regard.
In the same vein, I did not discover any issues with file transfers, with the NAS in a position to saturate the bandwidth of the IronWolf drives with relative ease. You’ll ideally want to make use of M.2 drives just like the WD SN850X to take full benefit of the 10GbE connectivity.
The TOS 6 software program is a lot better than earlier iterations, and also you get native purchasers for many utilities, together with media streaming, backing up information, and digital machines. You get Docker containerization as nicely, so you possibly can simply set up nearly any service you want if it is not obtainable as normal.
The solely situation on this space is that the software program tends to be buggy at occasions, and the cell purchasers aren’t wherever as polished as different manufacturers. While there’s a Photos shopper, it would not have any of the superior options you get with DiskStation fashions.
It’s clear that TerraMaster nonetheless has some work to do with the software program, however I’ll admit that TOS 6 is a step ahead — it delivers a cleaner interface and has a lot better usability. There’s additionally the truth that should you do not just like the software program, you possibly can simply set up TrueNAS Scale on the NAS.
TerraMaster F4-424 Max: The alternate options
Two years after its launch, the DiskStation DS923+ continues to be a terrific alternative because of the software program feature-set. It undoubtedly lags behind by way of the {hardware} — each different NAS I examined has higher connectivity — however the rock-solid software program utilities mixed with the strong cell purchasers make the DS923+ an attractive alternative, and it does a terrific job as a Plex server.
TerraMaster F4-424 Max: Should you purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You want a strong 4-bay server
- You need 10GbE connectivity as normal
- You want {hardware} that may final a decade
You should not purchase this if:
- You need the most effective software program on this class
- You want a terrific worth
Outside of some software program drawbacks, there is not a lot to fault with the F4-424 Max. The {hardware} is clearly the primary promoting level, and the inclusion of twin 10GbE ports together with the highly effective Intel chipset and upgradeable reminiscence makes it a incredible alternative in order for you the most effective Plex NAS.
While the TOS 6 software program is a lot better than earlier iterations, it is nonetheless lacking that last little bit of polish, and should you do not just like the pre-installed software program, you possibly can roll your individual — and that is engaging in its personal proper. I’m going to put in TrueNAS and write a function speaking about the way it holds up in opposition to TOS 6, however the truth that you are able to do so is in itself an enormous deal.
The F4-424 Max would not fairly have the identical value-focused pricing as its predecessors, however the upgrades to the {hardware} and software program extensibility make it a superb total alternative nonetheless.
