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QNAP TS-873A vs QNAP TVS-872N
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TS-873Adraws 54.1 W, 11 W less than the TVS-872N
- Spec leadeach leads on 4 of 8 differing specs
- Best forTS-873A for small offices sharing filesTVS-872N for people who keep movies and photos at home
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-873A leads on 4 (max RAM, volume, operating power, and 1 more) and the QNAP TVS-872N on 4 (max LAN speed, LAN ports, USB ports, and 1 more). On our home media server index, the TVS-872N scores 100/100 against 80/100.
Using the 12 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-873A and QNAP TVS-872N compare. Max RAM: the TS-873A at 64 GB versus 32 GB for the TVS-872N, 32 GB higher (2.0x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-873A ranks in the top 19% and the TVS-872N in the top 50%. The TVS-872N leads on max LAN speed, 5 Gbps to 2.5 Gbps, 2.0x. Among 219 QNAP models, the TVS-872N ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-873A in the bottom 48%. On LAN ports, the TVS-872N posts 3 ports and the TS-873A 2 ports, a gap of 1 port. Among 219 QNAP models, the TVS-872N ranks in the bottom 48% and the TS-873A in the bottom 38%. USB ports: the TVS-872N at 5 ports versus 4 ports for the TS-873A, 1 port more (1.2x). Among 219 QNAP models, the TVS-872N ranks in the top 18% and the TS-873A in the top 35%.
Key differences 3
Max RAMTS-873A leads
- TS-873A 64 GB vs the TVS-872N at 32 GB
- the TS-873A has 2.0x the max RAM
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-873A in the top 19%, TVS-872N in the top 50%
Upgradable to 64 GB later
Max LAN speedTVS-872N leads
- TVS-872N 5 Gbps vs the TS-873A at 2.5 Gbps
- the TVS-872N is 2.0x faster
- among 219 QNAP models: TVS-872N in the bottom 48%, TS-873A in the bottom 48%
100 GB copy: about 3 min vs about 5 min (theoretical)
LAN portsTVS-872N leads
- TVS-872N 3 ports vs the TS-873A at 2 ports
- the TVS-872N has 1.5x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TVS-872N in the bottom 48%, TS-873A in the bottom 38%
3 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-873A | TVS-872N |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM | 64 GBWINtop 19% | 32 GBtop 50% |
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 Gbpsbottom 48% | 5 GbpsWINbottom 48% |
| LAN ports | 2bottom 38% | 3WINbottom 48% |
| Warranty | 3 yrWINtop 7% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| USB ports | 4top 35% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Operating power | 54.1 WWINtop 41% | 65 Wbottom 48% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-873A | TVS-872N |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 8top 35% | 8top 35% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | – |
| Boost clock | 2.2 GHzbottom 37% | – |
| Base RAM | 8 GBtop 23% | 8 GBtop 23% |
| Max RAM | 64 GBWINtop 19% | 32 GBtop 50% |
| Max LAN speed | 2.5 Gbpsbottom 48% | 5 GbpsWINbottom 48% |
| LAN ports | 2bottom 38% | 3WINbottom 48% |
| M.2 slots | 2top 4% | 2top 4% |
| PCIe slots | 2top 21% | 2top 21% |
| USB ports | 4top 35% | 5WINtop 18% |
| Weight | 7.4 kgtop 43% | 7.06 kgWINtop 41% |
| Volume | 16.6 LWINbottom 45% | 17.3 Lbottom 41% |
| Operating power | 54.1 WWINtop 41% | 65 Wbottom 48% |
| Warranty | 3 yrWINtop 7% | 2 yrbottom 35% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-873A | TVS-872N |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 46.9 | No data |
| Lightness percentile | 56.9 | 59.5WIN |
| Compactness percentile | 43.8WIN | 39.4 |
| Home media server fit | 80 | 100WIN |
| Small office fit | 100WIN | 96 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 45 | No data |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 24WIN | 13 |
The details
How to choose
- Max RAM matters most → the TS-873A (64 GB vs 32 GB)
- Max LAN speed matters most → the TVS-872N (5 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps)
More TS-873A leads
- Warranty: 3 years vs 2 years
- Operating power: 54.1 W vs 65 W
- Volume: 16.6 L vs 17.3 L
More TVS-872N leads
- USB ports: 5 ports vs 4 ports
- Weight: 7.06 kg vs 7.4 kg
Combined metrics
- Expansion slots in total (M.2 plus PCIe): 4 on both
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TVS-872N 7 Gbps vs 5 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TS-873A 6.76 W vs 8.13 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TVS-872N 0.88 kg vs 0.93 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): TS-873A 56 GB vs 24 GB
Same on both
- drive bays 8, base RAM 8 GB, M.2 slots 2, PCIe slots 2
Use-case scores
- Home media server: TVS-872N 100 vs 80
- Small-office file server: TS-873A 100 vs 96
- Low-power compact 24/7 use: TS-873A 24 vs 13
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-873A or the QNAP TVS-872N?
- The TVS-872N, with 5 Gbps against 2.5 Gbps for the TS-873A.
- Which takes more RAM, the QNAP TS-873A or the QNAP TVS-872N?
- The TS-873A, with 64 GB against 32 GB for the TVS-872N.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-873A or the QNAP TVS-872N?
- The TS-873A, with 54.1 W against 65 W for the TVS-872N.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-873A or the QNAP TVS-872N?
- The TVS-872N, with 7.06 kg against 7.4 kg for the TS-873A.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-873A and the QNAP TVS-872N?
- A home media server: the TVS-872N. A small-office file server: the TS-873A. (based on our own use-case index)