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QNAP TS-216G vs QNAP TS-230
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-230draws 12.3 W, 1.6 W less than the TS-216G
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-216G6 of 8 differing specs (boost clock 2 GHz, base RAM 4 GB)
- Best forTS-230 for anyone running it 24/7 on little power
Rankings and scores come from the specs alone and are not affected by affiliate commissions.
Spec ruler
In short
Bottom line. Of the 8 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-216G leads on 6 (boost clock, base RAM, max RAM, and 3 more) and the QNAP TS-230 on 2 (volume and operating power). On our small-office file server index, the TS-216G scores 42/100 against 18/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-216G and QNAP TS-230 compare. Boost clock: the TS-216G at 2 GHz versus 1.4 GHz for the TS-230, 0.6 GHz higher (1.4x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-216G ranks in the bottom 27% and the TS-230 in the bottom 3%. The TS-216G leads on base RAM, 4 GB to 2 GB, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-216G ranks in the bottom 47% and the TS-230 in the bottom 14%. On max RAM, the TS-216G posts 4 GB and the TS-230 2 GB, a gap of 2 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-216G ranks in the bottom 8% and the TS-230 in the bottom 6%. Max LAN speed: the TS-216G at 2.5 Gbps versus 1 Gbps for the TS-230, 1.5 Gbps higher (2.5x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-216G ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-230 in the bottom 22%.
Key differences 3
Max LAN speedTS-216G leads
- TS-216G 2.5 Gbps vs the TS-230 at 1 Gbps
- the TS-216G is 2.5x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-216G in the bottom 48%, TS-230 in the bottom 22%
100 GB copy: about 5 min vs about 13 min (theoretical)
Base RAMTS-216G leads
- TS-216G 4 GB vs the TS-230 at 2 GB
- the TS-216G has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-216G in the bottom 47%, TS-230 in the bottom 14%
4 GB out of the box for several apps
Max RAMTS-216G leads
- TS-216G 4 GB vs the TS-230 at 2 GB
- the TS-216G has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-216G in the bottom 8%, TS-230 in the bottom 6%
Upgradable to 4 GB later
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-216G | TS-230 |
|---|---|---|
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBWINbottom 47% | 2 GBbottom 14% |
| Max RAM | 4 GBWINbottom 8% | 2 GBbottom 6% |
| LAN ports | 2WINbottom 38% | 1bottom 8% |
| Boost clock | 2 GHzWINbottom 27% | 1.4 GHzbottom 3% |
| Volume | 3.71 Ltop 6% | 2.66 LWINtop 3% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-216G | TS-230 |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 2 GHzWINbottom 27% | 1.4 GHzbottom 3% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBWINbottom 47% | 2 GBbottom 14% |
| Max RAM | 4 GBWINbottom 8% | 2 GBbottom 6% |
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| LAN ports | 2WINbottom 38% | 1bottom 8% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 3bottom 27% |
| Weight | 1.45 kgWINtop 4% | 1.98 kgtop 10% |
| Volume | 3.71 Ltop 6% | 2.66 LWINtop 3% |
| Operating power | 13.9 Wtop 5% | 12.3 WWINtop 4% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-216G | TS-230 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 10.4WIN | 4.9 |
| Lightness percentile | 96.7WIN | 90 |
| Compactness percentile | 94.2 | 97.2WIN |
| Small office fit | 42WIN | 18 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2WIN | 1 |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 81 | 85WIN |
The details
How to choose
- Max LAN speed matters most → the TS-216G (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps)
- Volume matters most → the TS-230 (2.66 L vs 3.71 L)
More TS-216G leads
- LAN ports: 2 ports vs 1 port
- Boost clock: 2 GHz vs 1.4 GHz
- Weight: 1.45 kg vs 1.98 kg
More TS-230 leads
- Volume: 2.66 L vs 3.71 L
- Operating power: 12.3 W vs 13.9 W
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-216G 3.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-230 6.14 W vs 6.95 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-216G 0.73 kg vs 0.99 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): 0 GB on both
Same on both
- drive bays 2, CPU cores 4, USB ports 3, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-216G 42 vs 18
- 10GbE video editing: TS-216G 2 vs 1
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-230 85 vs 81
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which has the faster built-in LAN, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-230?
- The TS-216G, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the TS-230.
- Which takes more RAM, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-230?
- The TS-216G, with 4 GB against 2 GB for the TS-230.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-230?
- The TS-230, with 12.3 W against 13.9 W for the TS-216G.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-216G or the QNAP TS-230?
- The TS-216G, with 1.45 kg against 1.98 kg for the TS-230.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-216G and the QNAP TS-230?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-230. (based on our own use-case index)