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QNAP TS-431XEU vs QNAP TS-432XU
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-431XEUdraws 31 W, 2.2 W less than the TS-432XU
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-431XEU3 of 5 differing specs (weight 5 kg, volume 5.42 L)
- Best forTS-432XU 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-431XEU leads on 3 (weight, volume, and operating power) and the QNAP TS-432XU on 2 (max RAM and LAN ports). On our small-office file server index, the TS-432XU scores 64/100 against 60/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-431XEU and QNAP TS-432XU compare. Max RAM: the TS-432XU at 16 GB versus 8 GB for the TS-431XEU, 8 GB higher (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-432XU ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-431XEU in the bottom 25%. The TS-432XU leads on LAN ports, 4 ports to 3 ports, 1.3x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-432XU ranks in the top 18% and the TS-431XEU in the bottom 48%. On weight, the TS-431XEU posts 5 kg and the TS-432XU 6.54 kg, a gap of 1.54 kg. Among 212 QNAP models, the TS-431XEU ranks in the top 33% and the TS-432XU in the top 37%. Volume: the TS-431XEU at 5.42 L versus 9.64 L for the TS-432XU, 4.22 L lower (1.8x). Among 217 QNAP models, the TS-431XEU ranks in the top 12% and the TS-432XU in the top 35%.
Key differences 3
Max RAMTS-432XU leads
- TS-432XU 16 GB vs the TS-431XEU at 8 GB
- the TS-432XU has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-432XU in the bottom 48%, TS-431XEU in the bottom 25%
Upgradable to 16 GB later
VolumeTS-431XEU leads
- TS-431XEU 5.42 L vs the TS-432XU at 9.64 L
- the TS-431XEU: 4.22 L smaller
- among 217 QNAP models: TS-431XEU in the top 12%, TS-432XU in the top 35%
4.22 L smaller on the shelf
LAN portsTS-432XU leads
- TS-432XU 4 ports vs the TS-431XEU at 3 ports
- the TS-432XU has 1.3x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-432XU in the top 18%, TS-431XEU in the bottom 48%
4 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-431XEU | TS-432XU |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 16 GBWINbottom 48% |
| Volume | 5.42 LWINtop 12% | 9.64 Ltop 35% |
| LAN ports | 3bottom 48% | 4WINtop 18% |
| Weight | 5 kgWINtop 33% | 6.54 kgtop 37% |
| Operating power | 31 WWINtop 22% | 33.2 Wtop 24% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-431XEU | TS-432XU |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 4bottom 35% | 4bottom 35% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% | 1.7 GHzbottom 19% |
| Base RAM | 2 GBbottom 14% | 2 GBbottom 14% |
| Max RAM | 8 GBbottom 25% | 16 GBWINbottom 48% |
| Max LAN speed | 10 Gbpstop 2% | 10 Gbpstop 2% |
| LAN ports | 3bottom 48% | 4WINtop 18% |
| M.2 slots | – | 0bottom 46% |
| PCIe slots | – | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 4top 35% | 4top 35% |
| Weight | 5 kgWINtop 33% | 6.54 kgtop 37% |
| Volume | 5.42 LWINtop 12% | 9.64 Ltop 35% |
| Operating power | 31 WWINtop 22% | 33.2 Wtop 24% |
| Warranty | 3 yrtop 7% | 3 yrtop 7% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-431XEU | TS-432XU |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 33.3 | 46.9WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 67.8WIN | 63.5 |
| Compactness percentile | 88WIN | 64.6 |
| Small office fit | 60 | 64WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 52 | 74WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 24WIN | 14 |
The details
How to choose
- Volume matters most → the TS-431XEU (5.42 L vs 9.64 L)
- Max RAM matters most → the TS-432XU (16 GB vs 8 GB)
More TS-431XEU leads
- Weight: 5 kg vs 6.54 kg
- Operating power: 31 W vs 33.2 W
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-432XU 22 Gbps vs 12 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-431XEU 7.75 W vs 8.3 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-431XEU 1.25 kg vs 1.64 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-432XU 14 GB vs 6 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 4, CPU cores 4, boost clock 1.7 GHz, base RAM 2 GB
- max LAN speed 10 Gbps, USB ports 4, warranty 3 years
Use-case scores
- Small-office file server: TS-432XU 64 vs 60
- 10GbE video editing: TS-432XU 74 vs 52
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-431XEU 24 vs 14
Variant TS-432PXU
- matches the TS-432XU on drive bays, CPU cores, boost clock, and 8 more but differs on weight (7.39 kg vs 6.54 kg), volume (8.92 L vs 9.64 L), and operating power (39.6 W vs 33.2 W).
- Where values differ, this comparison does not carry over to the TS-432PXU.
Variant TS-432PXU-RP
- matches the TS-432XU on drive bays, CPU cores, boost clock, and 8 more but differs on weight (9.08 kg vs 6.54 kg), volume (8.92 L vs 9.64 L), and operating power (53.3 W vs 33.2 W).
- Where values differ, this comparison does not carry over to the TS-432PXU-RP.
Other variants of the TS-432XU
- TS-432XU-RP (check each model's spec sheet for differences).
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-431XEU or the QNAP TS-432XU?
- The TS-432XU, with 16 GB against 8 GB for the TS-431XEU.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-431XEU or the QNAP TS-432XU?
- The TS-431XEU, with 31 W against 33.2 W for the TS-432XU.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-431XEU or the QNAP TS-432XU?
- The TS-431XEU, with 5 kg against 6.54 kg for the TS-432XU.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-431XEU and the QNAP TS-432XU?
- A small-office file server: the TS-432XU. 10GbE video editing: the TS-432XU. (based on our own use-case index)