This can be a condensed model of the overview of the Ugreen NASync DXP4800 Plus which I wrote on mightygadget.co.uk
I’ve been testing the Ugreen NASync DXP4800 Plus for a number of weeks now, and it’s an fascinating proposition within the more and more aggressive NAS market. After being pleasantly stunned by the ARM-based DH4300 Plus regardless of its restricted app ecosystem, I used to be eager to see what Ugreen may do with correct Intel {hardware}. The DXP4800 Plus represents a big step up in each value and efficiency, that includes an Intel Pentium Gold 8505, 10 gigabit networking, and the identical UGOS working system that I’ve grown aware of.
At £540 road value (RRP £600), this four-bay NAS sits in direct competitors with established gamers like Synology and QNAP, while undercutting them on {hardware} specs. The query is whether or not the superior {hardware} can overcome the comparatively immature software program platform.
{Hardware} and Construct High quality
The DXP4800 Plus feels correctly premium with its predominantly aluminium chassis measuring roughly 26cm x 18cm x 18cm. It’s noticeably higher constructed than Ugreen’s cheaper ARM fashions, although I’d say the drive trays themselves are a slight weak level. They’re plastic slightly than the steel trays you’d discover on a Synology DS920+, however they work completely positive with a tool-free mounting system for 3.5-inch drives. You’ll want screws for two.5-inch drives, although Ugreen thoughtfully features a screwdriver.
The entrance panel homes the 4 drive bays with particular person locking mechanisms and keys – maybe overkill for residence use however good to have. You get USB-C, USB-A, and an SD card reader on the entrance, which I discover genuinely helpful. With the ability to straight import images from an SD card with out trying to find adapters is one thing extra NAS producers ought to take into account.
Around the again, issues get extra fascinating. There’s an HDMI port supporting 4K at 60Hz, three extra USB ports, and crucially, each 2.5GbE and 10GbE ethernet ports. The inclusion of 10GbE as commonplace is critical – you’d want to purchase an enlargement card for many competing fashions at this value level. My solely actual gripe with the bodily design is the exterior energy adapter. Fairly than utilizing their very own wonderful energy provides, Ugreen has opted for a non-branded HuntKey 150W unit. It really works positive, however it seems like a missed alternative.
One characteristic I notably admire is the magnetic mud filter protecting the 140mm rear fan. That is commonplace on respectable PC circumstances however surprisingly uncommon on NAS items, regardless of them operating constantly and accumulating much more mud. The fan connects through a regular 4-pin connector, making alternative easy if wanted.
Efficiency and Specs
The Intel Pentium Gold 8505 is a hybrid processor with one efficiency core and 4 effectivity cores, paired with 8GB of DDR5 RAM that’s expandable to 64GB. This can be a huge improve from the Rockchip ARM processors in Ugreen’s cheaper fashions, and importantly, it consists of Intel Fast Sync for {hardware} video transcoding.
In real-world testing, I noticed constant 500-600MB/s switch speeds over 10GbE with a RAID 5 array of spinning drives. That’s precisely what you’d count on – the bottleneck right here is the mechanical drives, not the community connection. To place this in perspective, my previous TerraMaster F4-422 with its Intel Celeron J3455 may barely handle half these speeds regardless of additionally having 10GbE.
The 2 M.2 slots are correct Gen 4 x4 connections, which is genuinely spectacular. Many producers downgrade these to Gen 3 x2 and even x1 to avoid wasting on PCIe lanes. Establishing SSD caching took me a couple of minutes to determine – you have to go into Storage, discover your pool, and use the three-dot menu to allow it. Ugreen recommends under-provisioning to 80% capability for reliability, which appears wise.
UGOS Software program Expertise
The working system stays the weakest hyperlink within the Ugreen ecosystem, although it’s completely practical for fundamental NAS duties. The interface clearly takes inspiration from Synology’s DSM, presenting a desktop-like atmosphere the place a number of functions can run concurrently. It really works effectively sufficient, however it lacks the polish and depth of extra mature platforms.
App availability is proscribed in comparison with Synology or QNAP. You get the necessities like file sharing, backup utilities, and an honest picture administration app, however you’re lacking common choices like Plex (although Jellyfin works through Docker), the arr-stack for media automation, and helpful community instruments like Pi-hole or Tailscale. The inclusion of Docker does assist significantly – I managed to get Dockge operating through SSH, which gives a cleaner interface for container administration than the essential built-in instruments.
The Photograph app deserves credit score for making an attempt to supply a real Google Photographs different with on-device AI processing. Face recognition, object detection, and scene categorisation all work, although not as precisely as cloud companies. Processing my 220,000 picture library for face recognition took about 12 hours – a big enchancment over the 36 hours on the ARM-based DH4300 Plus. The Intel model additionally provides pet recognition, delicate content material detection, and surprisingly, customized mannequin coaching the place you’ll be able to educate it to recognise particular objects with not less than 10 pattern images.
Media Server Capabilities
That is the place the Intel platform actually shines. The Pentium Gold 8505 helps Intel Fast Sync model 8, offering {hardware} acceleration for virtually each trendy video codec together with HEVC and AV1. In testing with Jellyfin, I may transcode a 4K HEVC file to 1080p H.264 in real-time with CPU utilization barely touching 20%. Two simultaneous 1080p transcodes maintained equally low utilization.
Curiously, Ugreen’s built-in media participant is surprisingly succesful. Mixed with the HDMI output, you would theoretically use this as each your media server and a fundamental residence theatre PC. The fan stays quiet sufficient that it wouldn’t be intrusive subsequent to a TV, although I’d nonetheless choose a devoted streaming system for the lounge.
Getting {hardware} transcoding working in Docker containers requires passing by the iGPU system, which isn’t instantly apparent from the UGOS interface. You’ll have to both edit configurations through command line or use a instrument like Portainer to set this up correctly.
Different Working Programs
Not like the ARM fashions, this Intel-based NAS can run different working programs like Unraid, TrueNAS, or Proxmox. The method is extra concerned than merely swapping a USB drive like I did with my TerraMaster, however it’s nonetheless manageable. You must entry the BIOS to disable the NVMe boot drive containing UGOS, then proceed along with your chosen OS set up.
Ugreen has clarified that putting in different working programs received’t void the {hardware} guarantee, which is reassuring. For a lot of consumers, this flexibility is perhaps the important thing promoting level – you’re primarily getting a well-built small kind issue PC with hot-swap drive bays and 10GbE networking.
Energy Consumption and Working Prices
Utilizing my TP-Hyperlink Tapo P110M good plug for monitoring, I measured energy consumption between 39W and 45W throughout typical use, rising to round 64W below heavy load. That’s roughly double the ARM-based DH4300 Plus however nonetheless cheap for the efficiency on provide.
At 40W common consumption operating 24/7, you’re taking a look at roughly 350kWh yearly. Within the UK at present charges round 24p per kWh, that’s about £84 per 12 months in electrical energy – practically double the DH4300’s £45 however akin to different Intel-based NAS items. The Synology DS920+ sometimes makes use of 30-35W, so that you’re paying a small premium for the additional efficiency.
Noise ranges are acceptable with the 140mm fan barely audible at idle. Below load it turns into extra noticeable however by no means intrusive. Drive noise is definitely extra important than fan noise – you’ll hear occasional searching for sounds throughout intensive operations, however nothing extreme for a tool which may reside in an workplace or spare room.
Market Place and Worth
At £540, the DXP4800 Plus faces stiff competitors. The Minisforum MS-01, whereas not strictly a NAS, affords related Intel {hardware} with 10GbE for across the similar value, although you’d want so as to add drives and configure your personal software program. TerraMaster’s F4-424 Max at £700 affords an Intel i5-1235U and twin 10GbE, however that’s a big value leap.
Synology’s DS923+ at roughly £550 provides you inferior {hardware} – an AMD Ryzen V1500B, 4GB RAM, and solely 2.5GbE networking – however you get the mature DSM ecosystem and assured long-term help. That’s the trade-off you’re making with Ugreen: superior {hardware} at aggressive costs versus a much less mature software program platform.
Remaining Verdict
I’m genuinely impressed with what Ugreen has achieved right here. The {hardware} is superb for the value – you’d battle to construct one thing equal your self for much less, particularly when you issue within the 10GbE networking. The construct high quality is strong, the efficiency is powerful, and options just like the SD card reader and dirt filter present consideration to sensible particulars.
UGOS stays the limiting issue. It’s completely satisfactory for fundamental NAS duties and the Docker help helps overcome some limitations, however it could actually’t match the ecosystem and polish of Synology DSM or the flexibleness of one thing like Unraid. The power to put in different working programs does present an escape route if UGOS doesn’t meet your wants.
For somebody wanting a robust, reasonably priced NAS primarily for file storage, backup, and media serving, the DXP4800 Plus is simple to advocate. The 10GbE networking alone makes it engaging for anybody with a quick residence community, and the Intel Fast Sync help means it’ll deal with media transcoding brilliantly. Should you’re snug with some command-line work to increase performance through Docker, otherwise you’re planning to put in Unraid anyway, it’s a superb alternative.
Nonetheless, if you’d like a real equipment expertise with in depth app help and minimal fiddling, you is perhaps higher served by Synology regardless of the inferior {hardware}. The DXP4800 Plus occupies an fascinating center floor – extra succesful than fundamental NAS items however requiring extra technical data to completely exploit its potential.
