TerraMaster TNAS F4-425 Plus: The Hybrid NAS for Power Users

The TerraMaster TNAS F4-425 Plus has emerged as a standout option for enthusiasts and small businesses seeking a versatile network-attached storage solution. Moving away from the plastic-heavy designs of previous generations, this “Plus” model features a premium extruded aluminum chassis that offers improved rigidity and heat dissipation. It’s a hybrid powerhouse that balances traditional bulk storage with high-speed modern internals.

At the heart of the F4-425 Plus is the Intel Processor N150, a quad-core chip from the Twin Lake generation. While it’s an entry-level mobile CPU, it provides a significant performance boost over the older N5095 models and includes integrated UHD Graphics. This makes it a capable machine for 4K video transcoding, ideal for hosting personal media libraries via apps like Plex or Jellyfin.

The storage configuration is where this NAS truly shines. It features a “3+4” bay design: four traditional 3.5-inch SATA bays for high-capacity hard drives and three internal M.2 2280 NVMe slots. Unlike many competitors that restrict NVMe slots to caching only, TerraMaster allows users to configure these SSDs as independent high-speed storage pools, perfect for running virtual machines or Docker containers.

Memory and networking have also seen major upgrades. The unit comes standard with 16GB of DDR5 memory—a generous amount compared to the industry standard—and is expandable up to 32GB. On the back, you’ll find dual 5GbE ports. When utilizing SMB Multichannel or network bonding, these ports can achieve sequential speeds of over 1,000 MB/s, effectively eliminating the bottlenecks often found in standard Gigabit setups.

Software-wise, the device runs on TerraMaster’s latest TOS 6 operating system. The interface is more modern and responsive, offering features like the Business Backup Suite, snapshot protection, and AI-powered photo management. While the ecosystem is still maturing compared to long-standing rivals, the inclusion of robust Docker support and native VirtualBox integration makes it a flexible “DIY playground” for tech-savvy users.

Overall, the TerraMaster F4-425 Plus positions itself as a high-value alternative to more expensive flagship models. By combining premium build quality with a unique hybrid storage architecture and fast networking, it offers a future-proof foundation for anyone looking to build a resilient, high-performance home lab or media hub.

Source: Guru3D