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QNAP TS-230 vs QNAP TS-231K
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-230draws 12.3 W, 3.3 W less than the TS-231K
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-2305 of 8 differing specs (base RAM 2 GB, max RAM 2 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-230 leads on 5 (base RAM, max RAM, USB ports, and 2 more) and the QNAP TS-231K on 3 (boost clock, LAN ports, and weight). On our small-office file server index, the TS-230 scores 18/100 against 14/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-230 and QNAP TS-231K compare. Boost clock: the TS-231K at 1.7 GHz versus 1.4 GHz for the TS-230, 0.3 GHz higher (1.2x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-231K ranks in the bottom 19% and the TS-230 in the bottom 3%. The TS-230 leads on base RAM, 2 GB to 1 GB, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-230 ranks in the bottom 14% and the TS-231K in the bottom 6%. On max RAM, the TS-230 posts 2 GB and the TS-231K 1 GB, a gap of 1 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-230 ranks in the bottom 6% and the TS-231K in the bottom 5%. LAN ports: the TS-231K at 2 ports versus 1 port for the TS-230, 1 port more (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-231K ranks in the bottom 38% and the TS-230 in the bottom 8%.
Key differences 3
Base RAMTS-230 leads
- TS-230 2 GB vs the TS-231K at 1 GB
- the TS-230 has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-230 in the bottom 14%, TS-231K in the bottom 6%
2 GB out of the box for several apps
Max RAMTS-230 leads
- TS-230 2 GB vs the TS-231K at 1 GB
- the TS-230 has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-230 in the bottom 6%, TS-231K in the bottom 5%
Upgradable to 2 GB later
LAN portsTS-231K leads
- TS-231K 2 ports vs the TS-230 at 1 port
- the TS-231K has 2.0x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-231K in the bottom 38%, TS-230 in the bottom 8%
2 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-230 | TS-231K |
|---|---|---|
| Base RAM | 2 GBWINbottom 14% | 1 GBbottom 6% |
| Max RAM | 2 GBWINbottom 6% | 1 GBbottom 5% |
| LAN ports | 1bottom 8% | 2WINbottom 38% |
| USB ports | 3WINbottom 27% | 2bottom 9% |
| Volume | 2.66 LWINtop 3% | 3.71 Ltop 6% |
| Weight | 1.98 kgtop 10% | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-230 | TS-231K |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 1.4 GHzbottom 3% | 1.7 GHzWINbottom 19% |
| Base RAM | 2 GBWINbottom 14% | 1 GBbottom 6% |
| Max RAM | 2 GBWINbottom 6% | 1 GBbottom 5% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| LAN ports | 1bottom 8% | 2WINbottom 38% |
| USB ports | 3WINbottom 27% | 2bottom 9% |
| Weight | 1.98 kgtop 10% | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% |
| Volume | 2.66 LWINtop 3% | 3.71 Ltop 6% |
| Operating power | 12.3 WWINtop 4% | 15.6 Wtop 7% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-230 | TS-231K |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 4.9WIN | 3.6 |
| Lightness percentile | 90 | 95.7WIN |
| Compactness percentile | 97.2WIN | 94.2 |
| Small office fit | 18WIN | 14 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 1 | 1 |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 85WIN | 80 |
The details
How to choose
- Base RAM matters most → the TS-230 (2 GB vs 1 GB)
- LAN ports matters most → the TS-231K (2 ports vs 1 port)
More TS-230 leads
- USB ports: 3 ports vs 2 ports
- Volume: 2.66 L vs 3.71 L
- Operating power: 12.3 W vs 15.6 W
More TS-231K leads
- Weight: 1.46 kg vs 1.98 kg
- Boost clock: 1.7 GHz vs 1.4 GHz
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-231K 2 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-230 6.14 W vs 7.8 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-231K 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, max LAN speed 1 Gbps, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-230 18 vs 14
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-230 85 vs 80
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which takes more RAM, the QNAP TS-230 or the QNAP TS-231K?
- The TS-230, with 2 GB against 1 GB for the TS-231K.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-230 or the QNAP TS-231K?
- The TS-230, with 12.3 W against 15.6 W for the TS-231K.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-230 or the QNAP TS-231K?
- The TS-231K, with 1.46 kg against 1.98 kg for the TS-230.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-230 and the QNAP TS-231K?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-230. (based on our own use-case index)