01
Number of drive bays
The number of bays defines how many drives you can install in the server. In recent market listings, entry-level models offer two bays, mid-range configurations provide eight, and the most expandable solutions reach up to twenty-four bays. The more bays you have, the greater your total capacity and the higher the redundancy levels you can configure to protect your data. This criterion matters most if you anticipate significant data growth or wish to organise multiple independent volumes across different purposes.
Market median: 8
02
Processor power
The NAS processor handles network requests, file transfers and applications such as video transcoding or virtualisation. The core count indicates the capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. The simplest models include two cores, versatile servers count six, and high-end configurations reach sixteen cores. A high score on this criterion ensures the server responds quickly even when several users access data at once or when demanding services run in the background. It becomes crucial for intensive multitasking or resource-heavy applications.
Market median: 6
03
RAM capacity
RAM allows the server to cache frequently accessed files and run applications without slowdown. Entry-level configurations carry four gigabytes, mid-range models climb to thirty-two gigabytes, and professional servers reach one hundred and twenty-eight gigabytes. Generous memory speeds up transfers, improves responsiveness during multiple accesses and enables virtual machines or containers. This criterion becomes decisive if you share the NAS among many users or install services beyond simple storage, such as media servers or development environments.
Market median: 32 GB
04
Network connectivity
The number of Ethernet ports determines available bandwidth and the possibility of aggregating multiple connections to multiply throughput. Basic servers feature a single port, common models integrate two for easy link aggregation, and advanced configurations climb to six ports. Multiple ports also allow segmenting traffic between different networks or guaranteeing redundancy if a cable fails. This criterion weighs heavily if you regularly transfer large volumes or if several workstations request the server simultaneously, particularly in professional environments.
Market median: 2
05
Installation and setup
A NAS drive is configured via a web interface accessible from any browser on the local network. You create storage volumes, define access permissions for each user and activate desired services such as file sharing, automatic backup or cloud synchronisation. Remember to configure a RAID protection level suited to your needs to avoid data loss if a drive fails. Most systems offer wizards that simplify initial setup, even without particular technical expertise, guiding you through essential choices step by step.
Benchmarks based on 30 recent market listings, collected on 4 October 2026.