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QNAP TS-473 vs QNAP TS-473A
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-473Adraws 29.8 W, 26.4 W less than the TS-473
- Leads on more specsQNAP TS-473A6 of 8 differing specs (boost clock 2.2 GHz, base RAM 8 GB)
- Best forTS-473A for anyone running it 24/7 on little power
Rankings and scores come from the specs alone and are not affected by affiliate commissions.
Spec ruler
In short
Bottom line. Of the 8 specs that differ, the QNAP TS-473 leads on 2 (LAN ports and weight) and the QNAP TS-473A on 6 (boost clock, base RAM, max LAN speed, and 3 more). On our home media server index, the TS-473A scores 80/100 against 76/100.
Using the 14 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-473 and QNAP TS-473A compare. Boost clock: the TS-473A at 2.2 GHz versus 2.1 GHz for the TS-473, 0.1 GHz higher. Among 201 QNAP models, the TS-473A ranks in the bottom 37% and the TS-473 in the bottom 31%. The TS-473A leads on base RAM, 8 GB to 4 GB, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-473A ranks in the top 23% and the TS-473 in the bottom 47%. On max LAN speed, the TS-473A posts 2.5 Gbps and the TS-473 1 Gbps, a gap of 1.5 Gbps. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-473A ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-473 in the bottom 22%. LAN ports: the TS-473 at 4 ports versus 2 ports for the TS-473A, 2 ports more (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-473 ranks in the top 18% and the TS-473A in the bottom 38%.
Key differences 3
Max LAN speedTS-473A leads
- TS-473A 2.5 Gbps vs the TS-473 at 1 Gbps
- the TS-473A is 2.5x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-473A in the bottom 48%, TS-473 in the bottom 22%
100 GB copy: about 5 min vs about 13 min (theoretical)
Base RAMTS-473A leads
- TS-473A 8 GB vs the TS-473 at 4 GB
- the TS-473A has 2.0x the base RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-473A in the top 23%, TS-473 in the bottom 47%
8 GB out of the box for several apps
LAN portsTS-473 leads
- TS-473 4 ports vs the TS-473A at 2 ports
- the TS-473 has 2.0x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-473 in the top 18%, TS-473A in the bottom 38%
4 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-473 | TS-473A |
|---|---|---|
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 8 GBWINtop 23% |
| LAN ports | 4WINtop 18% | 2bottom 38% |
| Operating power | 56.2 Wtop 46% | 29.8 WWINtop 20% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Weight | 4.9 kgWINtop 30% | 5.54 kgtop 33% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-473 | TS-473A |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 4bottom 35% | 4bottom 35% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 2.1 GHzbottom 31% | 2.2 GHzWINbottom 37% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 8 GBWINtop 23% |
| Max RAM | 64 GBtop 19% | 64 GBtop 19% |
| Max LAN speed | 1 Gbpsbottom 22% | 2.5 GbpsWINbottom 48% |
| LAN ports | 4WINtop 18% | 2bottom 38% |
| M.2 slots | 2top 4% | 2top 4% |
| PCIe slots | 2top 21% | 2top 21% |
| USB ports | 4top 35% | 4top 35% |
| Weight | 4.9 kgWINtop 30% | 5.54 kgtop 33% |
| Volume | 10.5 Ltop 41% | 10 LWINtop 37% |
| Operating power | 56.2 Wtop 46% | 29.8 WWINtop 20% |
| Warranty | 2 yrbottom 35% | 3 yrWINtop 7% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-473 | TS-473A |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 37 | 46.9WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 69.9WIN | 67.3 |
| Compactness percentile | 59.5 | 62.5WIN |
| Home media server fit | 76 | 80WIN |
| Small office fit | 52 | 72WIN |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 43 | 45WIN |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 34 | 56WIN |
The details
How to choose
- LAN ports matters most → the TS-473 (4 ports vs 2 ports)
- Max LAN speed matters most → the TS-473A (2.5 Gbps vs 1 Gbps)
More TS-473 leads
- Weight: 4.9 kg vs 5.54 kg
More TS-473A leads (performance and memory)
- Boost clock: 2.2 GHz vs 2.1 GHz
More TS-473A leads (size, power and warranty)
- Operating power: 29.8 W vs 56.2 W
- Warranty: 3 years vs 2 years
- Volume: 10 L vs 10.5 L
Combined metrics
- Expansion slots in total (M.2 plus PCIe): 4 on both
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-473A 5 Gbps vs 4 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-473A 7.45 W vs 14.1 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TS-473 1.23 kg vs 1.39 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-473 60 GB vs 56 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 4, CPU cores 4, max RAM 64 GB
- M.2 slots 2, PCIe slots 2, USB ports 4
Use-case scores
- Home media server: TS-473A 80 vs 76
- Small-office file server: TS-473A 72 vs 52
Use-case scores
- 10GbE video editing: TS-473A 45 vs 43
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-473A 56 vs 34
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-473 or the QNAP TS-473A?
- The TS-473A, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the TS-473.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-473 or the QNAP TS-473A?
- The TS-473A, with 29.8 W against 56.2 W for the TS-473.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-473 or the QNAP TS-473A?
- The TS-473, with 4.9 kg against 5.54 kg for the TS-473A.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-473 and the QNAP TS-473A?
- A home media server: the TS-473A. A small-office file server: the TS-473A. Low-power compact 24/7 use: the TS-473A. (based on our own use-case index)