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QNAP TS-431X3 vs QNAP TS-432X
The quick verdict
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-432X3 of 5 differing specs (boost clock 2 GHz, max RAM 16 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 5 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-431X3 leads on 2 (USB ports and volume) and the QNAP TS-432X on 3 (boost clock, max RAM, and weight). 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-431X3 and QNAP TS-432X compare. Boost clock: the TS-432X at 2 GHz versus 1.7 GHz for the TS-431X3, 0.3 GHz higher (1.2x). Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-432X ranks in the bottom 27% and the TS-431X3 in the bottom 19%. The TS-432X leads on max RAM, 16 GB to 8 GB, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-432X ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-431X3 in the bottom 25%. On USB ports, the TS-431X3 posts 3 ports and the TS-432X 2 ports, a gap of 1 port. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-431X3 ranks in the bottom 27% and the TS-432X in the bottom 9%. Weight: the TS-432X at 1.99 kg versus 3.19 kg for the TS-431X3, 1.2 kg lower (1.6x). Among 212 QNAP models, the TS-432X ranks in the top 11% and the TS-431X3 in the top 22%.
Key differences 3
Max RAMTS-432X leads
- TS-432X 16 GB vs the TS-431X3 at 8 GB
- the TS-432X has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-432X in the bottom 48%, TS-431X3 in the bottom 25%
Upgradable to 16 GB later
WeightTS-432X leads
- TS-432X 1.99 kg vs the TS-431X3 at 3.19 kg
- the TS-432X: 1.2 kg lighter
- among 212 QNAP models: TS-432X in the top 11%, TS-431X3 in the top 22%
1.2 kg lighter (about 1 1.5 L bottles)
USB portsTS-431X3 leads
- TS-431X3 3 ports vs the TS-432X at 2 ports
- the TS-431X3 has 1.5x the USB ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-431X3 in the bottom 27%, TS-432X in the bottom 9%
1 more USB for drives or a UPS
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-431X3 | TS-432X |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 16 GBWINbottom 48% |
| Weight | 3.19 kgtop 22% | 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-431X3 | 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 | 4 GBbottom 47% | 4 GBbottom 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 | 3.19 kgtop 22% | 1.99 kgWINtop 11% |
| Volume | 5.83 LWINtop 17% | 6.35 Ltop 22% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-431X3 | TS-432X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 33.3 | 54.4WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 78.2 | 89.6WIN |
| Compactness percentile | 82.2WIN | 77.8 |
| Small office fit | 60 | 64WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 52 | 76WIN |
The details
How to choose
- USB ports matters most → the TS-431X3 (3 ports vs 2 ports)
- Max RAM matters most → the TS-432X (16 GB vs 8 GB)
More TS-431X3 leads
- 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 13.5 Gbps
- Weight per bay: TS-432X 0.5 kg vs 0.8 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-432X 12 GB vs 4 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 4, CPU cores 4, base RAM 4 GB
- 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
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-431X3 or the QNAP TS-432X?
- The TS-432X, with 16 GB against 8 GB for the TS-431X3.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-431X3 or the QNAP TS-432X?
- The TS-432X, with 1.99 kg against 3.19 kg for the TS-431X3.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-431X3 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)