Can I edit 4K video directly off the Synology DS923+ or Asustor AS6704T?

Yes, provided you connect via at least a 2.5GbE or 10GbE network connection and configure your hard drives in a RAID array capable of sustained sequential read/write speeds over 300 MB/s.

Do both NAS units support M.2 NVMe SSD caching?

Yes. Both the Synology DS923+ and Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 feature internal M.2 NVMe slots that can be utilized for read/write caching or, in Asustor's case, high-speed storage volumes.

Which NAS is better for Plex media server transcoding?

The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (AS6704T) is generally better for Plex transcoding because its Intel Celeron processor features integrated Intel UHD Graphics, whereas the Synology DS923+'s AMD processor lacks an integrated GPU.

Synology DiskStation DS923+ vs. Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (AS6704T) NAS Comparison Report

Question: Should a content creator buy a 'Synology DiskStation DS923+' NAS or an 'Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2' (AS6704T) network-attached storage device for local media editing and automated backup, considering drive bay expansion limits, 10GbE network upgrade options, and snapshot security features?

Prepared by the ChoiceScore Research Desk · Editor-approved for the curated library · Reviewed August 4, 2026

It depends Choice Score: 78/100

Direct answer

For most content creators prioritizing out-of-the-box native 2.5GbE ports, hardware-accelerated media transcoding via an Intel CPU, and flexible M.2 NVMe drive pooling, the Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (AS6704T) is the superior choice, whereas the Synology DiskStation DS923+ suits users requiring ECC memory expansion and enterprise-grade software stability.

Summary

Selecting a network-attached storage (NAS) system for high-resolution local video editing and automated backup demands careful balancing of network throughput, internal expansion capability, and data protection mechanisms. The Synology DiskStation DS923+ features an AMD Ryzen embedded processor and native support for ECC RAM, though its 10GbE upgrade requires purchasing a proprietary network card that occupies its single PCIe slot. Conversely, the Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (AS6704T) relies on an Intel Celeron quad-core processor with dual built-in 2.5GbE ports and dual M.2 NVMe slots that support both caching and storage volumes, offering a more versatile hardware configuration for video workflows out of the box.

Choice Score breakdown

Network Upgrade Flexibility 75/100 — Asustor offers dual built-in 2.5GbE ports; Synology requires an add-in card for 10GbE.
Media Editing & Transcoding Performance 82/100 — Asustor's Intel chip supports hardware transcoding; Synology's AMD chip lacks integrated graphics.
Software Stability & Ecosystem 88/100 — Synology DSM ecosystem is widely regarded as the industry standard for polished reliability.
Expansion & Value 76/100 — Both support 4 primary bays, but Asustor provides more built-in features without extra dongles.

Best for / Not best for

Best for

Content creators working with 4K/8K video who want out-of-the-box 2.5GbE aggregation
Users looking for hardware transcoding via an Intel Celeron processor
Creators wanting M.2 NVMe SSD bays configurable as fast storage volumes

Not best for

Workflows requiring native 10GbE ports built directly onto the motherboard without expansion cards
Users who strictly require enterprise ECC memory protection paired with an Intel CPU

Scenarios

Asustor AS6704T for 4K Video Editing (75% likely)
Utilizing the Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 with dual 2.5GbE link aggregation and M.2 NVMe SSD cache/storage for active Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve timelines.
Synology DS923+ for Automated Backups and Archival (80% likely)
Deploying the Synology DS923+ with Active Backup for Business, utilizing its reliable AMD processor and expandable storage via DX517 units.
Upgrading Both Systems to 10GbE (65% likely)
Adding a 10GbE network interface card to the Synology DS923+ or utilizing USB/PCIe pathways on Asustor to test maximum theoretical bandwidth.

Calculations

Metric	Result	Formula
Estimated Network Transfer Time for 1TB Footage	53.3 minutes	data_size_gb / (network_speed_mbps / 8)
Max Raw Storage Capacity with 4x 20TB Drives (RAID 5)	60 TB usable storage	drive_capacity_tb * (bay_count - 1)
Total Bay Expansion Limit with Optional Expansion Unit	9 total bays (Synology DX517)	base_bays + expansion_unit_bays

Pros & cons

Pros

Asustor AS6704T features dual native 2.5GbE ports right out of the box for immediate link aggregation.
Asustor includes an Intel Celeron processor with integrated graphics, ideal for hardware video transcoding.
Synology DS923+ provides stellar software stability through DiskStation Manager (DSM) and robust Active Backup suites.
Both units support M.2 NVMe SSDs for caching or high-speed storage pools to accelerate editing workflows.

Cons

Synology DS923+ lacks an Intel integrated GPU, making hardware Plex/media transcoding less efficient.
Synology requires purchasing an add-in network card to achieve 10GbE speeds, occupying its only PCIe slot.
Asustor's ADM software ecosystem, while feature-rich, has a smaller community and fewer third-party packages than Synology DSM.
Neither device includes native built-in 10GbE ports without extra hardware adapters or specific model upgrades.

Assumptions

Network Speed Baseline: 2.5 GbE (2500 Mbps) — Reflects the standard native port speeds shipped with the Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 and standard multi-gig switches.
Drive Configuration: 4 x 3.5-inch NAS Hard Drives in RAID 5 — Standard configuration for balancing redundant data protection against maximum usable capacity for video editors.
Workload Type: Local 4K video editing and automated incremental workstation backups — Represents the primary performance bottleneck profile for modern digital content creators.

Practical next steps

Evaluate your editing workstations' existing network interfaces (Wi-Fi, 1GbE, 2.5GbE, or 10GbE).
Determine whether you require hardware media transcoding for Plex or remote proxy generation (favors Asustor).
Assess your need for long-term software support, enterprise backup packages, and ECC RAM reliability (favors Synology).
Choose hard drive capacities and configure RAID 5 or RAID 6 based on your data redundancy requirements.
Deploy the NAS, establish scheduled automated background backups, and map network shares directly to your video editing software.

Methodology

This comparative evaluation analyzes hardware specifications, processor capabilities, networking options, expansion limits, and software ecosystems for both the Synology DS923+ and Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2. Calculations are derived from standard network transfer formulas and RAID usable capacity standards to provide realistic performance expectations for digital content creators.

Sources

Sources support specific claims; they do not replace our analysis. Read the research and source standards.

FAQ

Can I edit 4K video directly off the Synology DS923+ or Asustor AS6704T?: Yes, provided you connect via at least a 2.5GbE or 10GbE network connection and configure your hard drives in a RAID array capable of sustained sequential read/write speeds over 300 MB/s.
Do both NAS units support M.2 NVMe SSD caching?: Yes. Both the Synology DS923+ and Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 feature internal M.2 NVMe slots that can be utilized for read/write caching or, in Asustor's case, high-speed storage volumes.
Which NAS is better for Plex media server transcoding?: The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (AS6704T) is generally better for Plex transcoding because its Intel Celeron processor features integrated Intel UHD Graphics, whereas the Synology DS923+'s AMD processor lacks an integrated GPU.

Related decisions

How do I configure link aggregation (LACP) between my NAS and a 2.5GbE switch?
Is RAID 5 enough data protection for professional video production archives?
What is the difference between using M.2 NVMe drives for cache versus storage pools in a NAS?

Disclaimers

Hardware specifications, pricing, and availability of network-attached storage components are subject to change by manufacturers.

Network performance speeds heavily depend on local router capabilities, switch infrastructure, Ethernet cable categories (e.g., Cat6/Cat7), and workstation hard drive read/write bottlenecks.