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QNAP TS-231P3 vs QNAP TS-251B
The quick verdict
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-231P35 of 8 differing specs (CPU cores 4, max LAN speed 2.5 Gbps)
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-231P3 leads on 5 (CPU cores, max LAN speed, LAN ports, and 2 more) and the QNAP TS-251B on 2 (boost clock and USB ports); 1 is within 2%. On our small-office file server index, the TS-231P3 scores 46/100 against 26/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-231P3 and QNAP TS-251B compare. CPU cores: the TS-231P3 at 4 cores versus 2 cores for the TS-251B, 2 cores more (2.0x). Among 204 QNAP models, the TS-231P3 ranks in the top 22% and the TS-251B in the bottom 9%. The TS-251B leads on boost clock, 2.5 GHz to 1.7 GHz, 1.5x. Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-251B ranks in the bottom 45% and the TS-231P3 in the bottom 19%. On max LAN speed, the TS-231P3 posts 2.5 Gbps and the TS-251B 1 Gbps, a gap of 1.5 Gbps. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-231P3 ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-251B in the bottom 22%. LAN ports: the TS-231P3 at 2 ports versus 1 port for the TS-251B, 1 port more (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-231P3 ranks in the bottom 38% and the TS-251B in the bottom 8%.
Key differences 3
Max LAN speedTS-231P3 leads
- TS-231P3 2.5 Gbps vs the TS-251B at 1 Gbps
- the TS-231P3 is 2.5x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-231P3 in the bottom 48%, TS-251B in the bottom 22%
100 GB copy: about 5 min vs about 13 min (theoretical)
CPU coresTS-231P3 leads
- TS-231P3 4 cores vs the TS-251B at 2 cores
- the TS-231P3 has 2.0x the CPU cores
- among 204 QNAP models: TS-231P3 in the top 22%, TS-251B in the bottom 9%
4 cores for backups and transcodes at once
LAN portsTS-231P3 leads
- TS-231P3 2 ports vs the TS-251B at 1 port
- the TS-231P3 has 2.0x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-231P3 in the bottom 38%, TS-251B in the bottom 8%
2 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-231P3 | TS-251B |
|---|---|---|
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% |
| CPU cores | 4WINtop 22% | 2bottom 9% |
| LAN ports | 2WINbottom 38% | 1bottom 8% |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.5 GHzWINbottom 45% |
| Volume | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-231P3 | TS-251B |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4WINtop 22% | 2bottom 9% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2.5 GHzWINbottom 45% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 4 GBbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% | 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 kgWINtop 4% | 1.53 kgtop 6% |
| Volume | 3.71 LWINtop 6% | 3.99 Ltop 9% |
| Operating power | 15.6 Wtop 7% | 15.3 Wtop 6% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-231P3 | TS-251B |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 11.7WIN | 7.3 |
| Lightness percentile | 95.7WIN | 94.3 |
| Compactness percentile | 94.2WIN | 90.3 |
| Home media server fit | No data | 72 |
| Small office fit | 46WIN | 26 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 2 | 21WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 80 | 80 |
The details
How to choose
- Max LAN speed matters most → the TS-231P3 (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps)
- USB ports matters most → the TS-251B (5 ports vs 3 ports)
More TS-231P3 leads
- Volume: 3.71 L vs 3.99 L
- Weight: 1.46 kg vs 1.53 kg
More TS-251B leads
- USB ports: 5 ports vs 3 ports
- Boost clock: 2.5 GHz vs 1.7 GHz
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-231P3 3.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-251B 7.63 W vs 7.8 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-231P3 0.73 kg vs 0.77 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): 4 GB on both
Within 2%
- Operating power: TS-231P3 15.6 W, TS-251B 15.3 W
Same on both
- drive bays 2, base RAM 4 GB, max RAM 8 GB, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-231P3 46 vs 26
- 10GbE video editing: TS-251B 21 vs 2
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-231P3 or the QNAP TS-251B?
- The TS-231P3, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the TS-251B.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-231P3 or the QNAP TS-251B?
- The TS-231P3, with 1.46 kg against 1.53 kg for the TS-251B.