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QNAP TS-231P2 vs QNAP TS-251D
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-251Ddraws 15.3 W, 8.4 W less than the TS-231P2
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-251D4 of 8 differing specs (boost clock 2.7 GHz, base RAM 4 GB)
- Best forTS-251D 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-231P2 leads on 3 (CPU cores, LAN ports, and volume) and the QNAP TS-251D on 4 (boost clock, base RAM, USB ports, and 1 more); 1 is within 2%. On our 10GbE video editing index, the TS-251D scores 22/100 against 2/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-231P2 and QNAP TS-251D compare. CPU cores: the TS-231P2 at 4 cores versus 2 cores for the TS-251D, 2 cores more (2.0x). Among 204 QNAP models, the TS-231P2 ranks in the top 22% and the TS-251D in the bottom 9%. The TS-251D leads on boost clock, 2.7 GHz to 1.7 GHz, 1.6x. Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-251D ranks in the top 49% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 19%. On base RAM, the TS-251D posts 4 GB and the TS-231P2 1 GB, a gap of 3 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-251D ranks in the bottom 47% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 6%. LAN ports: the TS-231P2 at 2 ports versus 1 port for the TS-251D, 1 port more (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-231P2 ranks in the bottom 38% and the TS-251D in the bottom 8%.
Key differences 3
Base RAMTS-251D leads
- TS-251D 4 GB vs the TS-231P2 at 1 GB
- the TS-251D has 4.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-251D in the bottom 47%, TS-231P2 in the bottom 6%
4 GB out of the box for several apps
CPU coresTS-231P2 leads
- TS-231P2 4 cores vs the TS-251D at 2 cores
- the TS-231P2 has 2.0x the CPU cores
- among 204 QNAP models: TS-231P2 in the top 22%, TS-251D in the bottom 9%
4 cores for backups and transcodes at once
LAN portsTS-231P2 leads
- TS-231P2 2 ports vs the TS-251D at 1 port
- the TS-231P2 has 2.0x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-231P2 in the bottom 38%, TS-251D in the bottom 8%
2 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-231P2 | TS-251D |
|---|---|---|
| Base RAM | 1 GBbottom 6% | 4 GBWINbottom 47% |
| CPU cores | 4WINtop 22% | 2bottom 9% |
| LAN ports | 2WINbottom 38% | 1bottom 8% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.7 GHzWINtop 49% |
| Operating power | 23.7 Wtop 11% | 15.3 WWINtop 6% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-231P2 | TS-251D |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4WINtop 22% | 2bottom 9% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.7 GHzWINtop 49% |
| Base RAM | 1 GBbottom 6% | 4 GBWINbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| LAN ports | 2WINbottom 38% | 1bottom 8% |
| M.2 slots | – | 0bottom 46% |
| PCIe slots | – | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Weight | 1.46 kgtop 4% | 1.48 kgtop 6% |
| Volume | 3.78 LWINtop 7% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 23.7 Wtop 11% | 15.3 WWINtop 6% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-231P2 | TS-251D |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 9.1WIN | 7.8 |
| Lightness percentile | 95.7WIN | 94.8 |
| Compactness percentile | 92.8WIN | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | No data | 72 |
| Small office fit | 26 | 26 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2 | 22WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 74 | 80WIN |
The details
How to choose
- CPU cores matters most → the TS-231P2 (4 cores vs 2 cores)
- Base RAM matters most → the TS-251D (4 GB vs 1 GB)
More TS-231P2 leads
- Volume: 3.78 L vs 3.99 L
More TS-251D leads
- USB ports: 5 ports vs 3 ports
- Boost clock: 2.7 GHz vs 1.7 GHz
- Operating power: 15.3 W vs 23.7 W
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-231P2 2 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-251D 7.63 W vs 11.8 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-231P2 0.73 kg vs 0.74 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-231P2 7 GB vs 4 GB
Within 2%
- Weight: TS-231P2 1.46 kg, TS-251D 1.48 kg
Same on both
- drive bays 2, max RAM 8 GB, max LAN speed 1 Gbps, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- 10GbE video editing: TS-251D 22 vs 2
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-251D 80 vs 74
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-231P2 or the QNAP TS-251D?
- The TS-251D, with 15.3 W against 23.7 W for the TS-231P2.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-231P2 and the QNAP TS-251D?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-251D. (based on our own use-case index)