QNAP TS-464: 4-Bay NAS with Docker, HDMI & PCIe Slot

The QNAP TS-464 combines four drive bays with Docker support, an HDMI 2.0 output, and a PCIe expansion slot-all in a single device starting at €649. Its two native 2.5-GbE ports deliver capabilities that comparable Synology models still lack to this day. For homelab enthusiasts and edge computing scenarios demanding more than just file storage, the TS-464 is the most hardware-flexible option in the 4-bay class.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Intel Celeron N5095/N5105 (4 cores, 4 threads, up to 2.9 GHz) with AES-NI hardware encryption. TDP ranges from 10 to 15 watts (QNAP).
• Two M.2-2280 NVMe slots (PCIe Gen 3 x1) for SSD caching or standalone storage pools. One PCIe Gen 3 x2 slot for 10GbE network cards or QM2 expansion modules.
• HDMI 2.0 with 4K output-a feature absent across Synology’s entire current Plus series-enabling the TS-464 to serve as a kiosk display or local media server.
• Container Station supports Docker, Docker Compose, LXD, and Kata Containers, designed to run 10 to 15 lightweight containers simultaneously (StorageReview, 2024).
• Idle power consumption without drives: 11.3 watts. With four HDDs under load: approximately 40 watts (StorageReview, QNAP datasheet).

Hardware: What’s Under the Hood

QNAP equips the TS-464 with either an Intel Celeron N5095 or N5105, depending on the production batch. Both chips belong to the Jasper Lake family, featuring four cores with four threads and boosting up to 2.9 GHz. In practice, the difference between these two steppings is negligible: identical architecture, identical TDP, and identical performance class. Both support AES-NI for hardware-accelerated encryption and Intel VT-x for processor-level virtualization.

QNAP offers two RAM configurations: 4 GB (TS-464-4G) and 8 GB (TS-464-8G), both using DDR4 SO-DIMMs. Two slots allow expansion up to a maximum of 16 GB. Users planning serious use of Container Station should allocate at least 8 GB. The 4 GB variant suffices for basic file serving but quickly hits its limits with more than five containers.

The four 3.5-inch SATA bays also accommodate 2.5-inch drives. Two M.2-2280 NVMe slots can be used either as SSD cache or as a standalone storage pool. However, there’s a limitation QNAP doesn’t prominently disclose: the M.2 slots are connected via PCIe Gen 3 x1, capping sequential throughput at roughly 1,000 MB/s per slot. This is sufficient for SSD caching but becomes a bottleneck when using a dedicated NVMe pool as primary Docker volume storage.

The real expansion option lies in the rear-mounted PCIe Gen 3 x2 slot, which accepts low-profile cards-such as 10GbE NICs, QM2 combo cards (which integrate additional M.2 slots and networking in a single module), or USB 3.2 expansion cards. This allows the TS-464 to be upgraded according to evolving needs without requiring a new device-a flexibility Synology’s DS423+ simply doesn’t offer.

HDMI 2.0: What Synology Doesn’t Offer

The HDMI 2.0 output with 4K support is the feature that most clearly distinguishes the TS-464 from Synology’s current lineup. No existing Synology Plus model includes an HDMI port-whereas QNAP has made it standard.

Three concrete use cases highlight the value of this HDMI output: First, local media playback via Plex, Jellyfin, or QNAP’s own HD Station directly on a connected TV or monitor-without requiring a separate client device. Second, enterprise kiosk applications: dashboards, monitoring displays, or digital signage screens powered directly by the NAS. Third, local administration: QTS can be used as a full desktop environment over HDMI, complete with a web browser and terminal access.

For platform engineering teams managing edge locations, the HDMI output eliminates an entire hardware component: the local display client. This reduces costs, maintenance overhead, and potential points of failure.

Container Station: Docker Without VM Overhead

QNAP’s Container Station in QTS 5.x supports Docker, Docker Compose, LXD, and Kata Containers. Its integration goes deeper than Synology’s Container Manager: QNAP allows direct access to the Docker CLI via SSH, supports Docker networking (Bridge, Host, MACVLAN), and provides a graphical interface for image management and container configuration.

In practice, StorageReview and the QNAP community report stable operation with 10 to 15 lightweight containers running simultaneously on the 8 GB model. A typical homelab setup-featuring Traefik as a reverse proxy, Grafana for monitoring, Pi-hole for DNS filtering, and a local Git server-runs without issues. However, the Celeron N5095 isn’t designed for compute-intensive workloads like local AI inference; for such tasks, a dedicated mini-server is recommended.

A key difference from Synology: QNAP allows container volumes to be created directly on the Btrfs or ext4 file system. The combination of NVMe cache (via M.2 slots) and SATA bulk storage can be configured granularly-placing container data on fast flash storage while archiving data resides on HDDs. Users leveraging Docker Compose for microservice stacks can define volume mounts directly onto specific storage pools within their Compose files.

QuTS hero-QNAP’s ZFS-based operating system-is available as an alternative firmware starting with QTS 5.2.1. This brings ZFS features such as inline deduplication, compression, and advanced snapshot management. However, switching from QTS to QuTS hero requires reformatting all volumes; live migration isn’t supported.

What the TS-464 doesn’t offer: Virtualization Station (QNAP’s KVM-based virtual machine solution) is not officially supported on the TS-x64 series. Supported models include the TS-x51, TS-x70, and TS-x79 lines. Users requiring full-fledged VMs must opt for a higher-end model or an alternative solution. For most container workloads, however, this isn’t a drawback-Docker meets the need effectively.

Networking: Native 2.5GbE, 10GbE Optional

The TS-464 comes standard with two 2.5-GbE RJ45 ports. Using link aggregation (port trunking), this delivers a theoretical throughput of 5 Gbit/s-sufficient to fully saturate the sequential performance of four SATA HDDs in RAID 5. In its RAID 5 configuration, StorageReview measured approximately 370 MB/s read and 280 MB/s write over a single 2.5GbE link-figures that push right up against the physical limit of 2.5 Gbit/s.

By comparison, Synology’s DS423+ and DS923+ ship with 1-GbE ports in their base configurations. To get 2.5GbE or higher on Synology systems, you’ll need either the newer DS1525+ or a separate network card installed in a PCIe slot. The TS-464 includes 2.5GbE out of the box, leaving its PCIe slot free for 10GbE or other expansions.

The PCIe Gen 3 x2 slot enables expansion to 10GbE via QNAP’s QXG-10G1T or compatible third-party cards. Alternatively, the slot can accommodate a QM2 card, which combines additional M.2 slots and 10GbE in a single module. Users running the TS-464 as a central storage node in a homelab cluster can thus ensure high-speed connectivity to 10GbE-capable switches or mini-servers like the Minisforum MS-01.

QNAP TS-464 vs. Synology: The Honest Comparison

The core question with any 4-bay NAS purchase: QNAP or Synology? Both have their strengths-the right choice depends on your priorities.

QNAP wins on hardware features: faster networking out of the box, HDMI output, and more flexible expansion options. Synology leads in software stability and ecosystem maturity: DSM is widely regarded as more refined than QTS, and Synology’s apps-such as Hyper Backup, Surveillance Station, and Active Backup-are better integrated. Updates also follow a more predictable schedule. If you want a NAS that just works reliably with minimal maintenance, Synology is the safer bet. But if you need greater hardware flexibility and don’t mind occasional manual tuning, QNAP delivers more value for your money.

Pricing Overview

The TS-464-8G currently costs around €649 without drives (Geizhals.de, as of April 2026). Adding four 8 TB HDDs (Seagate IronWolf, approximately €180 each) brings the total to roughly €1,369 for a setup offering 24 TB of net usable capacity in RAID 5. The 10GbE expansion card QXG-10G1T adds another €100, and upgrading RAM to 16 GB costs about €40.

Compared to cloud storage: 24 TB on AWS S3 Standard costs approximately $555 per month. The TS-464 pays for itself in under three months with local access. For teams looking to combine a local Docker host with persistent storage, this represents a cost-efficient alternative to separate compute and storage appliances.

Who the TS-464 is worth it for-and who should look elsewhere

Conclusion

The QNAP TS-464 is the NAS for users who want more than just file storage but can’t install a rack-mounted system. Its combination of Docker support, HDMI output, PCIe expandability, and native 2.5GbE isn’t matched by any other vendor in the 4-bay class. Synology delivers a better software experience; QNAP offers the superior hardware platform.

If you’re looking for a local Docker host with integrated storage, want to display a monitoring dashboard directly via HDMI, or need the PCIe slot for 10GbE networking, the TS-464 handles all these scenarios without compromise. However, if your primary goal is a reliable backup system requiring minimal maintenance, Synology remains the better choice. Starting at €649 for the 8 GB model, the TS-464 nonetheless delivers strong value for the hardware capabilities it brings to the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

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