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QNAP TS-231P2 vs QNAP TS-453BE
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-231P2draws 23.7 W, 6.4 W less than the TS-453BE
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-453BE4 of 7 differing specs (drive bays 4, boost clock 2.3 GHz)
- Best forTS-231P2 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 7 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-231P2 leads on 3 (weight, volume, and operating power) and the QNAP TS-453BE on 4 (drive bays, boost clock, base RAM, and 1 more). On our small-office file server index, the TS-453BE scores 40/100 against 26/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-231P2 and QNAP TS-453BE compare. Drive bays: the TS-453BE at 4 bays versus 2 bays for the TS-231P2, 2 bays more (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-453BE ranks in the bottom 35% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 11%. The TS-453BE leads on boost clock, 2.3 GHz to 1.7 GHz, 1.4x. Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-453BE ranks in the bottom 44% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 19%. On base RAM, the TS-453BE posts 2 GB and the TS-231P2 1 GB, a gap of 1 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-453BE ranks in the bottom 14% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 6%. USB ports: the TS-453BE at 5 ports versus 3 ports for the TS-231P2, 2 ports more (1.7x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-453BE ranks in the top 18% and the TS-231P2 in the bottom 27%.
Key differences 3
Drive baysTS-453BE leads
- TS-453BE 4 bays vs the TS-231P2 at 2 bays
- the TS-453BE has 2.0x the drive bays
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-453BE in the bottom 35%, TS-231P2 in the bottom 11%
With 8 TB drives: 32 TB vs 16 TB raw
Base RAMTS-453BE leads
- TS-453BE 2 GB vs the TS-231P2 at 1 GB
- the TS-453BE has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-453BE in the bottom 14%, TS-231P2 in the bottom 6%
2 GB out of the box for several apps
VolumeTS-231P2 leads
- TS-231P2 3.78 L vs the TS-453BE at 6.46 L
- the TS-231P2: 2.68 L smaller
- among 217 QNAP models: TS-231P2 in the top 7%, TS-453BE in the top 24%
2.68 L smaller on the shelf
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-231P2 | TS-453BE |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 4WINbottom 35% |
| Base RAM | 1 GBbottom 6% | 2 GBWINbottom 14% |
| Volume | 3.78 LWINtop 7% | 6.46 Ltop 24% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Weight | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% | 2.37 kgtop 16% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.3 GHzWINbottom 44% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-231P2 | TS-453BE |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 4WINbottom 35% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.3 GHzWINbottom 44% |
| Base RAM | 1 GBbottom 6% | 2 GBWINbottom 14% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| LAN ports | 2bottom 38% | 2bottom 38% |
| M.2 slots | – | 0bottom 46% |
| PCIe slots | – | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Weight | 1.46 kgWINtop 4% | 2.37 kgtop 16% |
| Volume | 3.78 LWINtop 7% | 6.46 Ltop 24% |
| Operating power | 23.7 WWINtop 11% | 30 Wtop 20% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-231P2 | TS-453BE |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 9.1 | 17.2WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 95.7WIN | 84.1 |
| Compactness percentile | 92.8WIN | 76.2 |
| Home media server fit | No data | 92 |
| Small office fit | 26 | 40WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2 | 23WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 74WIN | 63 |
The details
How to choose
- Volume matters most → the TS-231P2 (3.78 L vs 6.46 L)
- Drive bays matters most → the TS-453BE (4 bays vs 2 bays)
More TS-231P2 leads
- Weight: 1.46 kg vs 2.37 kg
- Operating power: 23.7 W vs 30 W
More TS-453BE leads
- USB ports: 5 ports vs 3 ports
- Boost clock: 2.3 GHz vs 1.7 GHz
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): 2 Gbps on both
- Operating power per bay: TS-453BE 7.51 W vs 11.8 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-453BE 0.59 kg vs 0.73 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-231P2 7 GB vs 6 GB
Same on both
- CPU cores 4, max RAM 8 GB, max LAN speed 1 Gbps
- LAN ports 2, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-453BE 40 vs 26
- 10GbE video editing: TS-453BE 23 vs 2
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-231P2 74 vs 63
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which has more drive bays, the QNAP TS-231P2 or the QNAP TS-453BE?
- The TS-453BE, with 4 bays against 2 bays for the TS-231P2.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-231P2 or the QNAP TS-453BE?
- The TS-231P2, with 23.7 W against 30 W for the TS-453BE.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-231P2 or the QNAP TS-453BE?
- The TS-231P2, with 1.46 kg against 2.37 kg for the TS-453BE.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-231P2 and the QNAP TS-453BE?
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-231P2. (based on our own use-case index)