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QNAP TS-431KX vs QNAP TS-432X
The quick verdict
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-432X4 of 6 differing specs (boost clock 2 GHz, base RAM 4 GB)
- Best forTS-432X for creators moving large video files fast
Rankings and scores come from the specs alone and are not affected by affiliate commissions.
Spec ruler
In short
Bottom line. Of the 6 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-431KX leads on 2 (USB ports and volume) and the QNAP TS-432X on 4 (boost clock, base RAM, max RAM, and 1 more). On our small-office file server index, the TS-432X scores 64/100 against 60/100.
Using the 11 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-431KX and QNAP TS-432X compare. Boost clock: the TS-432X at 2 GHz versus 1.7 GHz for the TS-431KX, 0.3 GHz higher (1.2x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-432X ranks in the bottom 27% and the TS-431KX in the bottom 19%. The TS-432X leads on base RAM, 4 GB to 2 GB, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-432X ranks in the bottom 47% and the TS-431KX in the bottom 14%. On max RAM, the TS-432X posts 16 GB and the TS-431KX 8 GB, a gap of 8 GB. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-432X ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-431KX in the bottom 25%. USB ports: the TS-431KX at 3 ports versus 2 ports for the TS-432X, 1 port more (1.5x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-431KX ranks in the bottom 27% and the TS-432X in the bottom 9%.
Key differences 3
Base RAMTS-432X leads
- TS-432X 4 GB vs the TS-431KX at 2 GB
- the TS-432X has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-432X in the bottom 47%, TS-431KX in the bottom 14%
4 GB out of the box for several apps
Max RAMTS-432X leads
- TS-432X 16 GB vs the TS-431KX at 8 GB
- the TS-432X has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-432X in the bottom 48%, TS-431KX in the bottom 25%
Upgradable to 16 GB later
WeightTS-432X leads
- TS-432X 1.99 kg vs the TS-431KX at 3.47 kg
- the TS-432X: 1.48 kg lighter
- among 212 QNAP models: TS-432X in the top 11%, TS-431KX in the top 23%
1.48 kg lighter (about 1 1.5 L bottles)
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-431KX | TS-432X |
|---|---|---|
| Base RAM | 2 GBbottom 14% | 4 GBWINbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 16 GBWINbottom 48% |
| Weight | 3.47 kgtop 23% | 1.99 kgWINtop 11% |
| USB ports | 3WINbottom 27% | 2bottom 9% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2 GHzWINbottom 27% |
| Volume | 5.83 LWINtop 17% | 6.35 Ltop 22% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-431KX | TS-432X |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 4bottom 35% | 4bottom 35% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 2 GHzWINbottom 27% |
| Base RAM | 2 GBbottom 14% | 4 GBWINbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 16 GBWINbottom 48% |
| Max LAN speed | 10 Gbpstop 2% | 10 Gbpstop 2% |
| LAN ports | 3bottom 48% | 3bottom 48% |
| PCIe slots | – | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 3WINbottom 27% | 2bottom 9% |
| Weight | 3.47 kgtop 23% | 1.99 kgWINtop 11% |
| Volume | 5.83 LWINtop 17% | 6.35 Ltop 22% |
| Operating power | 26.7 Wtop 16% | – |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-431KX | TS-432X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 33.3 | 54.4WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 77.5 | 89.6WIN |
| Compactness percentile | 82.2WIN | 77.8 |
| Small office fit | 60 | 64WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 52 | 76WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 67 | No data |
The details
How to choose
- USB ports matters most → the TS-431KX (3 ports vs 2 ports)
- Base RAM matters most → the TS-432X (4 GB vs 2 GB)
More TS-431KX leads
- USB ports: 3 ports vs 2 ports
- Volume: 5.83 L vs 6.35 L
More TS-432X leads
- Boost clock: 2 GHz vs 1.7 GHz
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-432X 15 Gbps vs 12 Gbps
- Weight per bay: TS-432X 0.5 kg vs 0.87 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-432X 12 GB vs 6 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 4, CPU cores 4, max LAN speed 10 Gbps
- LAN ports 3, warranty 2 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-432X 64 vs 60
- 10GbE video editing: TS-432X 76 vs 52
Variant TS-431X2
- matches the TS-431KX on drive bays, CPU cores, boost clock, and 6 more but differs on weight (2.01 kg vs 3.47 kg), volume (5.92 L vs 5.83 L), and operating power (26.2 W vs 26.7 W).
- Where values differ, this comparison does not carry over to the TS-431X2.
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-431KX or the QNAP TS-432X?
- The TS-432X, with 16 GB against 8 GB for the TS-431KX.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-431KX or the QNAP TS-432X?
- The TS-432X, with 1.99 kg against 3.47 kg for the TS-431KX.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-431KX and the QNAP TS-432X?
- A small-office file server: the TS-432X. 10GbE video editing: the TS-432X. (based on our own use-case index)