ASUSTOR Flashstor 6 Gen2 FS6806X evaluation: Is this all-flash NAS the actual deal?

ASUSTOR did an incredible job overhauling its product portfolio during the last two years, and the model is now a legit contender for those who’re all in favour of establishing a house NAS system. The Flashstor 6 Gen2 FS6806X is geared toward these trying to change to SSDs because the default medium of storage, and the all-flash NAS comes with six M.2 slots and 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.

There are respectable decisions on this class now, and having examined TerraMaster’s F8 SSD Plus final yr, I used to be eager on seeing what ASUSTOR brings to the desk. The model is doing significantly better with its software program efforts, and its cellular purchasers are in a good state.

If you are prepared to change to SSD storage and desire a highly effective residence server, that is what you are getting with the FS6806X.

ASUSTOR Flashstor 6 Gen2 FS6806X: Pricing and availability

ASUSTOR unveiled the Flashstor 6 Gen2 in November 2024, and the NAS is now obtainable globally. The FS6806X mannequin I’m testing has six M.2 slots and retails for $999 on Amazon, and ASUSTOR additionally has a 12-drive mannequin dubbed the Flashstor 12 Pro Gen2 FS6812X that prices $1,399.

In my view, the 6-bay FD6806X must be greater than ample, contemplating you’ll be able to add conventional HDD bays if you must by way of USB 4. Like the model’s different NAS programs, you get a typical three-year guarantee with both mannequin.

ASUSTOR Flashstor 6 Gen2 FS6806X: Design

The key good thing about an all-flash NAS is that it’s significantly smaller than a standard residence server because it does not have to accommodate 3.5-inch drive bays. ASUSTOR went with a horizontal design for the FS6806X, and the NAS jogs my memory of ASUS routers; the angular design is attribute of the model, and it appears to be like cool.

That stated, it’s greater than the F8 SSD Plus whereas not offering as many SSD slots. You get six M.2 slots on the underside, and I am unable to assist however really feel that ASUSTOR might have finished a greater job with the sizing of the NAS. Then there’s the placement of the buttons; I’ll admit that it took me an embarrassingly very long time to find the facility button (it is situated on the fitting).

The button glows (clearly), and aside from that, you simply get the same old standing indicators. There’s a dual-tone design with a brushed steel impact, however the chassis itself is made out of plastic. The construct high quality is not the perfect; there is a noticeable flex to the chassis, and it does not fairly have the identical sturdiness as different NAS fashions I examined.

There are different points with the design, notably with the M.2 drive bay; whereas most NAS programs use a standard screw to safe the SSD after it is put in, ASUSTOR went with a plastic backing system that simply does not measure up. I broke two mounts simply by pulling again after putting in SSDs, and it’s annoying. There’s a purpose each different SSD NAS on this class makes use of screws to mount NVMe drives, and I do not know why ASUSTOR determined to innovate on this space.

Thankfully, the model nailed the thermal administration, and the addition of a fan over the SSD slots ensures the drives do not overheat. I imagine the design wants an overhaul, and ASUSTOR must do higher with the construct high quality normally.

ASUSTOR Flashstor 6 Gen2 FS6806X: Ports and connectivity

The FS6806X does not have any shortcomings in the case of connectivity; the NAS has 10 Gigabit Ethernet as customary, and it has twin USB-C connectors primarily based on USB 4 ports alongside two USB-A ports that use the3.2 Gen2x1 customary. You even get a USB-A up entrance, and it is handy to again up exterior drives utilizing the connector.

The NAS is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core AMD Ryzen V3C14 platform, and it is not brief on energy. If something, it is likely one of the higher decisions on this class, and the one situation I’ve with ASUSTOR going with AMD is that there is not any {hardware} transcoding, so that you miss out on that capacity. If you are utilizing Plex and wish transcodes, you will have to get an Intel-based mannequin as a substitute, such because the F8 SSD Plus.

Other than that, you get 8GB of RAM put in out of the field, and because it makes use of common SO-DIMM slots, you’ll be able to change out reminiscence modules, with the NAS accommodating as much as 64GB.

ASUSTOR Flashstor 6 Gen2 FS6806X: Performance

Setting up the FS6806X is straightforward; simply slot within the drives, and you’ll configure ADM, the model’s software program. ASUSTOR did a significantly better job on this space within the final two years, and ADM has a good interface with loads of nice utilities. I used to be capable of arrange Plex and Tailscale with none points, and set up the same old slate of companies I take advantage of on with each NAS.

I slotted in WD SN770 drives and linked the NAS to my 10GbE community, and it did a incredible job. It held its personal towards the F8 SSD Plus on this space, and whereas there was a difficulty transferring a 240GB quantity of knowledge as soon as, I did not see any issues after beginning over.

The NAS does an excellent job as a Plex server; the native shopper does not have any issues as such, however you aren’t getting {hardware} transcoding. Outside of that, the FS6806X handles the same old duties with none points; backing up images and movies, accessing information outdoors the home, and customarily utilizing the drive as a media streaming system proved to be hassle-free.

ASUSTOR Flashstor 6 Gen2 FS6806X: The options

I nonetheless assume the F8 SSD Plus is the perfect all-flash NAS round; it does not value as a lot because the FS6806X, and also you get eight SSD slots alongside the identical 10GbE connectivity. There’s loads to love with the software program as effectively, and coming in at $799, the NAS is an effective worth.

ASUSTOR Flashstor 6 Gen2 (FS6806X): Should you purchase it?

You should purchase this if:

• You want a strong all-flash NAS
• You need 10GbE connectivity

You should not purchase this if:

• You need {hardware} transcoding in Plex
• You want the perfect worth

With SSDs getting reasonably priced, it is not that troublesome to arrange an all-flash NAS, and the FS6806X has the fundamentals lined. While I’m not a fan of the design, the NAS has good thermal administration, and that is what finally issues in an SSD enclosure. With 10GbE and USB 4, there are not any points with connectivity both.

ASUSTOR is making optimistic strides with its software program, and whereas there are nonetheless a couple of tough edges, it is in a significantly better place than earlier years. Ultimately, there is not something incorrect with the FS6806X as such, but it surely is not fairly nearly as good a price because the F8 SSD Plus. The FS6806X will get a suggestion due to the {hardware} and connectivity, and if you wish to maximize worth, simply know that there are different decisions obtainable.