Asustor AS5404T 4-Bay NAS - Compact Quad-Core Performance

In this review the Asustor AS5404T is evaluated for home prosumers and small offices that need a balance of local performance and flexibility. The unit stands out for its Quad-Core Intel Celeron N5105 processing and four M.2 NVMe slots, which make it compelling for users who want fast cache or pure NVMe storage in a compact four-bay chassis. Setup is generally straightforward, and the system is best chosen by those who prioritize network throughput and storage expandability over turnkey software polish.

Key Features

• Processor: The quad-core 10 nm Intel Celeron N5105 delivers efficient multi-threaded performance for file serving and light virtualization tasks.
• NVMe Storage: Four M.2 NVMe SSD slots allow for high-speed cache tiers or all-flash configurations to reduce latency and speed random I/O.
• Memory: With 4 GB of DDR4-2933 RAM installed, the system handles multiple services and concurrent users without immediate need for upgrades.
• Networking: Dual 2.5 GbE ports provide a clear upgrade path from gigabit networking and improve multi-client throughput on compatible switches.
• Expansion and I/O: Three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports at 10 Gbps simplify direct backups and fast external transfers to USB drives.
• Thermal design: M.2 SSD heat dissipation vents help maintain NVMe drive temperatures under sustained load.

Who It's For

The AS5404T is best suited to tech-savvy home users, creative professionals, and small teams who need fast local storage, multiple NVMe slots, and improved network speeds beyond gigabit Ethernet. Those running media servers, project collaboration, or small-scale virtual machines will appreciate the hardware headroom and dual 2.5 GbE ports.

Users who want a fully managed, maintenance-free appliance or who are uncomfortable troubleshooting OS or configuration issues may want to look elsewhere; the product is diskless and expects the buyer to supply drives and handle some setup. Also, organizations requiring enterprise-grade high-availability features should consider higher tier NAS models.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong on-paper performance with a modern Quad-Core Intel CPU for multitasking and local services.
• Four NVMe slots and good thermal vents enable very fast cache or all-flash layouts in a compact chassis.
• Dual 2.5 GbE and multiple 10 Gbps USB ports provide flexible, faster I/O for backups and network clients.

Cons

• Ships diskless, so initial cost includes drives and possible RAM upgrades to fit heavier workloads.
• Some customers report mixed functionality with the operating system losing settings, so occasional configuration troubleshooting may be required.

Specifications

Model	AS5404T (diskless)
CPU	Quad-Core Intel Celeron N5105 (10 nm)
Memory	4 GB DDR4-2933 RAM
Drive Bays	4-bay chassis with 4x M.2 NVMe slots
Network	Dual 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports
USB	3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)
Wake Options	Supports Wake on LAN and Wake on WAN

Our Verdict

The Asustor AS5404T is a well-rounded 4-bay NAS for advanced home users and small teams who need fast local storage and modern networking without a large rack footprint. Its CPU, NVMe capacity, and 2.5 GbE make it good value for those who will install drives and manage settings; buyers seeking a plug-and-play, maintenance-free experience should evaluate needs carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it include hard drives?
No, this model is diskless and requires the user to install 3.5in or 2.5in drives plus any NVMe SSDs for the M.2 slots.

Can I use all four M.2 slots for an all-NVMe setup?
Yes, the unit provides 4x M.2 slots suitable for NVMe SSDs for cache or full NVMe arrays, with thermal vents to aid cooling.

Is the RAM upgradable?
The system ships with 4 GB DDR4-2933 RAM and can be upgraded if you need more headroom for heavier services or virtualization.