As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (Also includes AliExpress affiliate links.)
QNAP TS-873U vs QNAP TVS-972XU
The quick verdict
- Lower power drawQNAP TVS-972XUdraws 72.2 W, 31.7 W less than the TS-873U
- Leads on more specsQNAP TVS-972XU5 of 6 differing specs (drive bays 9, boost clock 3.6 GHz)
- Best forTS-873U 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-873U leads on 1 (LAN ports) and the QNAP TVS-972XU on 5 (drive bays, boost clock, weight, and 2 more). On our 10GbE video editing index, the TS-873U scores 94/100 against 80/100.
Using the 13 specs published on QNAP's official hardware specification pages, here is how the QNAP TS-873U and QNAP TVS-972XU compare. Drive bays: the TVS-972XU at 9 bays versus 8 bays for the TS-873U, 1 bay more. Among 219 QNAP models, the TVS-972XU ranks in the top 29% and the TS-873U in the top 35%. The TVS-972XU leads on boost clock, 3.6 GHz to 2.1 GHz, 1.7x. Among 201 QNAP models, the TVS-972XU ranks in the top 20% and the TS-873U in the bottom 31%. On LAN ports, the TS-873U posts 6 ports and the TVS-972XU 4 ports, a gap of 2 ports. Among 219 QNAP models, the TS-873U ranks in the top 1% and the TVS-972XU in the top 18%. Weight: the TVS-972XU at 7.48 kg versus 9.85 kg for the TS-873U, 2.37 kg lower (1.3x). Among 212 QNAP models, the TVS-972XU ranks in the top 45% and the TS-873U in the bottom 36%.
Key differences 3
VolumeTVS-972XU leads
- TVS-972XU 10.1 L vs the TS-873U at 22.9 L
- the TVS-972XU: 12.8 L smaller
- among 217 QNAP models: TVS-972XU in the top 39%, TS-873U in the bottom 28%
12.8 L smaller on the shelf
Boost clockTVS-972XU leads
- TVS-972XU 3.6 GHz vs the TS-873U at 2.1 GHz
- the TVS-972XU is 1.7x higher
- among 201 QNAP models: TVS-972XU in the top 20%, TS-873U in the bottom 31%
LAN portsTS-873U leads
- TS-873U 6 ports vs the TVS-972XU at 4 ports
- the TS-873U has 1.5x the LAN ports
- among 219 QNAP models: TS-873U in the top 1%, TVS-972XU in the top 18%
6 ports for link bonding or separate networks
Key specs at a glance
| Spec | TS-873U | TVS-972XU |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 22.9 Lbottom 28% | 10.1 LWINtop 39% |
| Boost clock | 2.1 GHzbottom 31% | 3.6 GHzWINtop 20% |
| LAN ports | 6WINtop 1% | 4top 18% |
| Operating power | 103.9 Wbottom 25% | 72.2 WWINbottom 41% |
| Weight | 9.85 kgbottom 36% | 7.48 kgWINtop 45% |
| Drive bays | 8top 35% | 9WINtop 29% |
Show every spec
| Spec | TS-873U | TVS-972XU |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 8top 35% | 9WINtop 29% |
| CPU cores | 4top 22% | 4top 22% |
| Boost clock | 2.1 GHzbottom 31% | 3.6 GHzWINtop 20% |
| Base RAM | 4 GBbottom 47% | 4 GBbottom 47% |
| Max RAM | 64 GBtop 19% | 64 GBtop 19% |
| Max LAN speed | 10 Gbpstop 2% | 10 Gbpstop 2% |
| LAN ports | 6WINtop 1% | 4top 18% |
| M.2 slots | 2top 4% | – |
| PCIe slots | 1top 49% | 1top 49% |
| USB ports | 6top 4% | 6top 4% |
| Weight | 9.85 kgbottom 36% | 7.48 kgWINtop 45% |
| Volume | 22.9 Lbottom 28% | 10.1 LWINtop 39% |
| Operating power | 103.9 Wbottom 25% | 72.2 WWINbottom 41% |
| Warranty | 3 yrtop 7% | 3 yrtop 7% |
| Metric (0–100) | TS-873U | TVS-972XU |
|---|---|---|
| Performance percentile | 65.4 | 73.4WIN |
| Lightness percentile | 35.5 | 55.2WIN |
| Compactness percentile | 23.4 | 60.6WIN |
| Home media server fit | No data | 26 |
| Small office fit | 100 | 100 |
| 10GbE video editing fit | 94WIN | 80 |
| Low-power compact 24/7 fit | 0 | 0 |
The details
How to choose
- LAN ports matters most → the TS-873U (6 ports vs 4 ports)
- Volume matters most → the TVS-972XU (10.1 L vs 22.9 L)
More TVS-972XU leads
- Operating power: 72.2 W vs 103.9 W
- Weight: 7.48 kg vs 9.85 kg
- Drive bays: 9 bays vs 8 bays
Combined metrics
- Total built-in LAN bandwidth (sum of port speeds): TS-873U 24 Gbps vs 22 Gbps
- Operating power per bay: TVS-972XU 8.02 W vs 13 W
Combined metrics
- Weight per bay: TVS-972XU 0.83 kg vs 1.23 kg
- Memory headroom (max minus base): 60 GB on both
Same on both
- CPU cores 4, base RAM 4 GB, max RAM 64 GB, max LAN speed 10 Gbps
- PCIe slots 1, USB ports 6, warranty 3 years
Use-case scores
- 10GbE video editing: TS-873U 94 vs 80
Variant TVS-972XU-RP
- matches the TVS-972XU on drive bays, CPU cores, boost clock, and 7 more but differs on weight (8.63 kg vs 7.48 kg), volume (10.6 L vs 10.1 L), and operating power (70.4 W vs 72.2 W).
- Where values differ, this comparison does not carry over to the TVS-972XU-RP.
Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.
FAQ
- Which has more drive bays, the QNAP TS-873U or the QNAP TVS-972XU?
- The TVS-972XU, with 9 bays against 8 bays for the TS-873U.
- Which draws less power, the QNAP TS-873U or the QNAP TVS-972XU?
- The TVS-972XU, with 72.2 W against 103.9 W for the TS-873U.
- Which is lighter, the QNAP TS-873U or the QNAP TVS-972XU?
- The TVS-972XU, with 7.48 kg against 9.85 kg for the TS-873U.
- Which use cases suit the QNAP TS-873U and the QNAP TVS-972XU?
- 10GbE video editing: the TS-873U. (based on our own use-case index)