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QNAP TS-253B vs QNAP TS-264
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-253Bdraws 20.4 W, 8.7 W less than the TS-264
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-2647 of 10 differing specs (boost clock 2.9 GHz, base RAM 8 GB)
- Best forTS-253B for anyone running it 24/7 on little powerTS-264 for small offices sharing files
Rankings and scores come from the specs alone and are not affected by affiliate commissions.
Spec ruler
In short
Bottom line. Of the 10 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-253B leads on 2 (USB ports and operating power) and the QNAP TS-264 on 7 (boost clock, base RAM, max RAM, and 4 more); 1 is within 2%. On our home media server index, the TS-264 scores 76/100 against 72/100.
Using the 14 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-253B and QNAP TS-264 compare. Boost clock: the TS-264 at 2.9 GHz versus 2.3 GHz for the TS-253B, 0.6 GHz higher (1.3x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-264 ranks in the top 39% and the TS-253B in the bottom 44%. The TS-264 leads on base RAM, 8 GB to 4 GB, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-264 ranks in the top 23% and the TS-253B in the bottom 47%. On max RAM, the TS-264 posts 16 GB and the TS-253B 8 GB, a gap of 8 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-264 ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-253B in the bottom 25%. Max LAN speed: the TS-264 at 2.5 Gbps versus 1 Gbps for the TS-253B, 1.5 Gbps higher (2.5x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-264 ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-253B in the bottom 22%.
Key differences 3
M.2 slotsTS-264 leads
- TS-264 2 slots vs the TS-253B at 0 slots
- the TS-264: 2 slots more
- among 136 QNAP models: TS-264 in the top 4%, TS-253B in the bottom 46%
2 M.2 SSD cache slot(s) speed up frequently used files
Max LAN speedTS-264 leads
- TS-264 2.5 Gbps vs the TS-253B at 1 Gbps
- the TS-264 is 2.5x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-264 in the bottom 48%, TS-253B in the bottom 22%
100 GB copy: about 5 min vs about 13 min (theoretical)
Base RAMTS-264 leads
- TS-264 8 GB vs the TS-253B at 4 GB
- the TS-264 has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-264 in the top 23%, TS-253B in the bottom 47%
8 GB out of the box for several apps
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-253B | TS-264 |
|---|---|---|
| M.2 slots | 0bottom 46% | 2WINtop 4% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 8 GBWINtop 23% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 16 GBWINbottom 48% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Operating power | 20.4 WWINtop 9% | 29.1 Wtop 19% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-253B | TS-264 |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2bottom 11% | 2bottom 11% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 2.3 GHzbottom 44% | 2.9 GHzWINtop 39% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 8 GBWINtop 23% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 16 GBWINbottom 48% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% |
| LAN ports | 2bottom 38% | 2bottom 38% |
| M.2 slots | 0bottom 46% | 2WINtop 4% |
| PCIe slots | 1top 49% | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 5WINtop 18% | 4top 35% |
| Weight | 1.67 kgtop 9% | 1.55 kgWINtop 7% |
| Volume | 3.99 Ltop 9% | 3.92 Ltop 8% |
| Operating power | 20.4 WWINtop 9% | 29.1 Wtop 19% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-253B | TS-264 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 17.2 | 39.6WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 91.2 | 93.6WIN |
| Compactness percentile | 90.3 | 91.9WIN |
| Home media server fit | 72 | 76WIN |
| Small office fit | 26 | 50WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 23 | 44WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 76WIN | 69 |
The details
How to choose
- Operating power matters most → the TS-253B (20.4 W vs 29.1 W)
- M.2 slots matters most → the TS-264 (2 slots vs 0 slots)
More TS-253B leads
- Operating power: 20.4 W vs 29.1 W
- USB ports: 5 ports vs 4 ports
More TS-264 leads (performance and memory)
- Max RAM: 16 GB vs 8 GB
- Boost clock: 2.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz
More TS-264 leads (size, power and warranty)
- Warranty: 3 years vs 2 years
- Weight: 1.55 kg vs 1.67 kg
Combined metrics
- Expansion slots in total (M.2 plus PCIe): TS-264 3 vs 1
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-264 5 Gbps vs 2 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-253B 10.2 W vs 14.5 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-264 0.78 kg vs 0.84 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-264 8 GB vs 4 GB
Within 2%
- Volume: TS-253B 3.99 L, TS-264 3.92 L
Same on both
- drive bays 2, CPU cores 4, LAN ports 2, PCIe slots 1
Use-case scores
- Home media server: TS-264 76 vs 72
- Small-office file server: TS-264 50 vs 26
Use-case scores
- 10GbE video editing: TS-264 44 vs 23
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-253B 76 vs 69
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-253B or the QNAP TS-264?
- The TS-264, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the TS-253B.
- Which takes more RAM, the QNAP TS-253B or the QNAP TS-264?
- The TS-264, with 16 GB against 8 GB for the TS-253B.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-253B or the QNAP TS-264?
- The TS-253B, with 20.4 W against 29.1 W for the TS-264.
- Which has more M.2 slots, the QNAP TS-253B or the QNAP TS-264?
- The TS-264, with 2 slots against 0 slots for the TS-253B.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-253B and the QNAP TS-264?
- A home media server: the TS-264. A small-office file server: the TS-264. Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-253B. (based on our own use-case index)