As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (Also includes AliExpress affiliate links.)
QNAP TS-332X vs QNAP TS-431X
The quick verdict
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-332X5 of 7 differing specs (CPU cores 4, base RAM 4 GB)
- Best forTS-332X for creators moving large video files fastTS-431X 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 7 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-332X leads on 5 (CPU cores, base RAM, max RAM, and 2 more) and the QNAP TS-431X on 1 (drive bays); 1 is within 2%. On our small-office file server index, the TS-431X scores 60/100 against 57/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-332X and QNAP TS-431X compare. Drive bays: the TS-431X at 4 bays versus 3 bays for the TS-332X, 1 bay more (1.3x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-431X ranks in the bottom 35% and the TS-332X in the bottom 12%. The TS-332X leads on CPU cores, 4 cores to 2 cores, 2.0x. Among 204 QNAP models, the TS-332X ranks in the top 22% and the TS-431X in the bottom 9%. On base RAM, the TS-332X posts 4 GB and the TS-431X 2 GB, a gap of 2 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-332X ranks in the bottom 47% and the TS-431X in the bottom 14%. Max RAM: the TS-332X at 16 GB versus 8 GB for the TS-431X, 8 GB higher (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-332X ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-431X in the bottom 25%.
Key differences 3
CPU coresTS-332X leads
- TS-332X 4 cores vs the TS-431X at 2 cores
- the TS-332X has 2.0x the CPU cores
- among 204 QNAP models: TS-332X in the top 22%, TS-431X in the bottom 9%
4 cores for backups and transcodes at once
Base RAMTS-332X leads
- TS-332X 4 GB vs the TS-431X at 2 GB
- the TS-332X has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-332X in the bottom 47%, TS-431X in the bottom 14%
4 GB out of the box for several apps
Max RAMTS-332X leads
- TS-332X 16 GB vs the TS-431X at 8 GB
- the TS-332X has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-332X in the bottom 48%, TS-431X in the bottom 25%
Upgradable to 16 GB later
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-332X | TS-431X |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores | 4WINtop 22% | 2bottom 9% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBWINbottom 47% | 2 GBbottom 14% |
| Max RAM | 16 GBWINbottom 48% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Drive bays | 3bottom 12% | 4WINbottom 35% |
| Weight | 1.64 kgWINtop 8% | 2.01 kgtop 12% |
| Volume | 5.54 LWINtop 15% | 5.92 Ltop 20% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-332X | TS-431X |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 3bottom 12% | 4WINbottom 35% |
| CPU cores | 4WINtop 22% | 2bottom 9% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBWINbottom 47% | 2 GBbottom 14% |
| Max RAM | 16 GBWINbottom 48% | 8 GBbottom 25% |
| Max LAN speed | 10 Gbpstop 2% | 10 Gbpstop 2% |
| LAN ports | 3bottom 48% | 3bottom 48% |
| M.2 slots | 3top 3% | – |
| USB ports | 3bottom 27% | 3bottom 27% |
| Weight | 1.64 kgWINtop 8% | 2.01 kgtop 12% |
| Volume | 5.54 LWINtop 15% | 5.92 Ltop 20% |
| Operating power | 26.2 Wtop 15% | 26.7 Wtop 16% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-332X | TS-431X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 56.8WIN | 21.9 |
| Lightness percentile | 92.4WIN | 87.9 |
| Compactness percentile | 85.2WIN | 79.9 |
| Small office fit | 57 | 60WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 80WIN | 49 |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 68WIN | 67 |
The details
How to choose
- CPU cores matters most → the TS-332X (4 cores vs 2 cores)
- Drive bays matters most → the TS-431X (4 bays vs 3 bays)
More TS-332X leads
- Weight: 1.64 kg vs 2.01 kg
- Volume: 5.54 L vs 5.92 L
More TS-431X leads
- Drive bays: 4 bays vs 3 bays
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): 12 Gbps on both
- Operating power per bay: TS-431X 6.68 W vs 8.74 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-431X 0.5 kg vs 0.55 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-332X 12 GB vs 6 GB
Within 2%
- Operating power: TS-332X 26.2 W, TS-431X 26.7 W
Same on both
- boost clock 1.7 GHz, max LAN speed 10 Gbps, LAN ports 3
- USB ports 3, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-431X 60 vs 57
- 10GbE video editing: TS-332X 80 vs 49
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-332X 68 vs 67
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-332X or the QNAP TS-431X?
- The TS-332X, with 16 GB against 8 GB for the TS-431X.
- Which has more drive bays, the QNAP TS-332X or the QNAP TS-431X?
- The TS-431X, with 4 bays against 3 bays for the TS-332X.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-332X or the QNAP TS-431X?
- The TS-332X, with 1.64 kg against 2.01 kg for the TS-431X.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-332X and the QNAP TS-431X?
- A small-office file server: the TS-431X. 10GbE video editing: the TS-332X. Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-332X. (based on our own use-case index)