TERRAMASTER F4-424 NAS Storage 4Bay - High Performance 2.5GbE

In this review the TERRAMASTER F4-424 is presented as a four-bay NAS aimed at small offices, creative teams, and tech-savvy home users who need faster multi-user file access and flexible caching. The bottom line: the F4-424 pairs a modern N95 quad-core CPU and 8GB of DDR5 memory with dual 2.5 GbE ports and M.2 NVMe slots to deliver noticeably quicker application responses and file throughput, making it worth considering for those who prioritize sustained performance and streamlined SSD installation.

Key Features

• CPU and Memory: The N95 quad-core CPU and 8GB DDR5 4800MHz memory provide strong single-device compute for database tasks and media services.
• Fast Networking: Dual 2.5 GbE ports with link aggregation enable higher concurrent throughput and better performance for multi-user environments.
• NVMe Caching: Dual M.2 NVMe slots allow SSD caching which speeds up application load times and improves responsiveness for frequently accessed files.
• Tool-free Installation: Tool-free drive trays and a side-sliding M.2 cover with hand-tightened screws make upgrading or adding storage quick and frustration free.
• Connectivity: Dual USB 3.2 10Gbps ports simplify fast transfers to external devices and backups without bottlenecks.
• Backup Options: Built-in snapshot, CloudSync and multiple TerraMaster backup apps give a range of centralized and duplicate backup workflows.

Who It's For

The F4-424 suits small teams and power users who need more than basic NAS throughput but do not require enterprise features such as ECC memory or redundant power supplies. Photographers, video editors working with compressed media, and small office servers will appreciate the faster PHP, database, and file retrieval speeds.

Users who rely on the absolute fastest boot times or want an appliance-grade build warranty should look elsewhere, as some customers report mixed experiences with boot speed and a range of comments on long-term build durability. For most SMB and home-lab use cases the feature set and upgrade paths are compelling.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Powerful combination of an N95 quad-core CPU and DDR5 memory for improved application responsiveness.
• Dual 2.5 GbE and link aggregation support boost multi-user file transfer performance.
• Easy, tool-free installation for 3.5in drives and a simple side-loading method for M.2 SSDs.
• Multiple backup options and snapshot support improve data protection workflows.

Cons

• Some users note slower boot speed and mixed reports on long-term build reliability compared with premium rack devices.
• Memory is non-ECC, which may be a limitation for users who need enterprise-level data integrity.

Specifications

CPU	N95 quad-core 3.4GHz turbo, integrated UHD GPU
Memory	8GB DDR5 4800MHz (non-ECC), upgradable to 32GB
Bays	4 drive bays (diskless)
Network	Dual 2.5 GbE ports, link aggregation supported
Storage Expansion	Dual M.2 NVMe slots for SSD caching
USB	Dual USB 3.2 10Gbps ports
RAID Support	RAID 0/1/5/6/10/JBOD/Single and TRAID

Our Verdict

The TERRAMASTER F4-424 is a strong midrange NAS for small teams and advanced home users who need faster application and file access without enterprise cost. It combines a modern CPU, DDR5 memory, NVMe caching, and 2.5 GbE networking to deliver noticeable real-world gains, and the tool-free installation makes upgrades painless. Consider alternatives only if boot speed or ECC memory are critical to your environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add SSD caching?
Yes. The unit includes dual M.2 NVMe slots designed for SSD caching to speed application and file access.

How many drives can I install?
It has four drive bays for 3.5in disks plus two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, and it ships diskless.

Is the RAM upgradeable?
Yes. The 8GB DDR5 is user-upgradable to a maximum of 32GB, but it is non-ECC memory.