Flashstor Gen 2 vs Flashstor Gen 1 - Which Is Best?

[@JerrodLandon]

Btw I really have to say thank you for all the hard research and work you do. I have learned so much about NAS and buying and building advance from your expertise! 😊

[@JerrodLandon]

Thanks!

[@bobdgil]

I picked up a Flashstor 6 gen 2. I think it’s the sweet spot. Avoids the PCIe lane kerfuffle. Still has USB4 and 10GbE (I don’t need 2 Ethernet ports). I’m putting 3 8TB black drives in it to start and expand over time to max out around 40TB in a RAID5 or RAIDZ1 if I go TrueNAS. Also ordered 32GBx2 ECC. It’s going to slap.

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

Your support is extremely appreciated!

[@deanobeano319]

Jealous as!

[@bobdgil]

@@ASUSTOR_YT Apparently IP over USB does not work with Macs so I guess it’s not so great a solution for me after all.

[@privatename3621]

@@bobdgil Thanks for pointing this out. I saw a comment about that before. This is why I really scratch my head with Asustor when they do this sort of thing. That's a killer for many buyers, as is their decision to no include an integrated GPU in their Gen 3, which prevents me from getting that because I need the ability to automatically transcode non-native format files via a shared, internet-connected Plex server for family home movies across multiple different device types. So disappointing. They add a bunch of great stuff, but then kill it by removing critical features.

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

As always! Happy to hear your comments, questions, praise and criticism.

[@InterpretFootage]

NAS beginner here, can you for example install six NVME´s and use each one as a single disk, iow not RAID the disks?

[@tiebird]

@ASUSTOR_YT few questions: - are you going to add USB 4 eGPU support? - plans on other USB 4 connected systems, like new storage bays for HDDs? - external USB 4 (Q)SFP28 in the making or compatible (don't think they exist yet)?

[@puertadlm163]

Question. Can the front usb slot be programmed to copy what ever is inserted onto the array?

[@ThePaulpope]

Why don't you stop marketing on KZbin and instead make sure the Lockerstor Gen 3 is shipping with proper documentation? I've never seen a business screw up with so many own goals an new product launches

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

@@InterpretFootage Absolutely! You control how you want your storage to be!

[@aniodio]

Where do i get this hoodie? as a data engineer i really need one.

[@kruegdude]

Wanting to run Plex so you made my buying decision easy. Thanks! Now I’m off to figuring out memory upgrades.

[@michaelmanus7765]

I have the original Flashtor 6 - If I were to get the new model (either 6 or 12) is it possible to put the NVME from the original into the new model and not lose the data? I know this can be done with other makers such as QNAP in most instances if the "drives" are put into the same matching bays. Also, what is the best way to deal with heat in these newer models? As always, appreciate your time here and sharing your thoughts.

[@dahlgren]

I agree they should be named differently, and if they are targeting small businesses (as they advertise)then it should have a rack mount option.

[@amerabdo2532]

Hi, can you do a comparison between lincstation N1 and the flashstor gen 1 6 bay as the cost of both options is minimal and I am not sure if the software in the flashtor is better and is worth the extra cost, knowing that both are more than enough for my use.

[@kevinhughes9801]

Thank you can’t wait for full review. Like to hear your recommendations for drives for gen 2 also please

[@privatename3621]

At 10:22, you mention that the Gen 3 lacks an integrated GPU (unlike Gen 2), which is required for streaming transcoding of media content for Plex server use in many cases. This, for me, is a complete blocker. Why on earth would they do that? Just to save a few pennies? they add all this other stuff to make the Gen 3 attractive, but then kill it by not including a critical feature that a huge number of people need for using a NAS to stream their home movies and other videos.

[@3750wi]

I want to have 2-3 people working on CAD, Photoshop, etc. at the same time. What SSD NAS product would be the best?

[@alenishere]

Hmm with the proposed asustor gen 2 6bay pricing, why would I buy this one over TBS-h574TX-i3. The qnap seems to have addition 2.5gbe, gpu, e1.s support, alarger ram (non upgraddable), hotswap and zfs compared to flashstor 6. Might have been great if the price for flashstor was lower.

[@jkmoon23]

A lot of reviews say the USB4 ports don’t work directly connected to MAC. Is that accurate?

[@JerrodLandon]

I wonder how well the system OS is if you could take the drives from the old one and put them in the new one how well it would handle the transfer especially if the old one had a raid array and the device failed say losing one m.2 drive and you having to move the drives to a new enclosure (aka upgrading to the new enclosure)

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

Should not have any issues! Just bring them over and turn it on. Remember to always keep backups.

[@robertm1112]

just some advice never say 799 just say 800$.

[@graphicballads]

why is your volume very low??

[@tj2375]

I've never seen deals on the flashstor. And with those prices of the gen 2 I doubt it will be discounted.

[@dwightlarks2525]

Hi, i am looking for something to be able to have a pool of about 30-60TB of Nvme m.2 gen4 hard drive space pooled together to be able to connect to with thunderbolt 4 or 5 to edit 4-12k video from... is this it?

[@annebokma4637]

I was rather disappointed when I heard how the PCIe lanes were distributed.. gonna watch the review for sure

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

We wanted to do this as best as possibly could and keep the highest amount of performance as possible. The layout is due to CPU limitations and CPU rules. Ryzen Embedded SoCs only allow for a maximum of 9 devices connected directly to the CPU, as well as the PCIe layouts are specifically determined by the CPU and switches inside. If we could customise the PCIe layout, we would.

[@frankwong9486]

​​@@ASUSTOR_YT is there a plan for Nas with am5 or am4 socket ? They natively support pcie bifurcation and at least 4/4/4/4 from the start for most non APU model and am4 APU do have 8/4/4 , so technically a am5 Nas will have at least 5 nvme slot all towards CPU and we can put those less important things . Or simply made a less complex system with x600 style pchless system ? With one or two pcie switch they can spread to more slot ( with some penalty)

[@annebokma4637]

@ASUSTOR_YT thnx for answering. It's just that if you raid 5 or 6 for all 12 drives the slowest determines the speed if I am not mistaken.

[@deanobeano319]

Thanks! I fucking love your content! :D

[@7rich79]

It's still kind of fun how the enclosures look like badly warped jpeg pictures 😅

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

SHHH. Don't give away our secrets!

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

Which is best? Yes.

[@ProjectileGrommet]

Can you clear up why there’s no transcoding on the gen2? Is it just a cost thing to get this much performance for the drives and the sacrifice is integrated graphics? I feel like Id pay $50-$100 or whatever more for its inclusion if the difference really is that substantive considering theres already price increase

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

@@ProjectileGrommet Hey there! Definitely cost thing at all. It's just not a thing that can be added to the NAS willy nilly. When we planned out this NAS, we have to decide what parts we put into it. Back then our options were this CPU, or the subsequent Intel Celeron CPU at the time, or another more powerful embedded Intel CPU. But the CPUs we buy come exactly the way they are built. We certainly would put integrated graphics if there was a way to do so but we chose the Ryzen CPU because it addressed numerous other concerns customers had. It's like trying to add an iGPU to a Ryzen 5000 CPU or an Intel 12400F. If it's not in the silicon or it's disabled by the CPU company, we can't do anything. If we had gone with Intel, then we would've lost the 10GbE, numerous PCI Express lanes, the USB4 functionality (unless we pay way more for a Thunderbolt CPU), ECC RAM, PCI Express Gen4 (unless we pay way more for a capable CPU). We do take our purchasing decisions seriously and the features we got, we think make up for the lack of a GPU, but it's not a matter of cost or simply adding it in as it's not a modular component of the CPU. We aren't abandoning GPU functionality at all, we still sell NASes with GPUs and we will continue make as best of a decision with our future products too. But for obvious reasons, especially in regards to future CPUs, I can't say anything that's confidential. I promise I hear you though!

[@3k3k3]

Can you connect it as a local drive with the usb4?

[@nascompares]

100%.i wish I'd had two USB4/TB4 devices at my test bench whilst having this to test 2 directly connected machines + 2 10G systems. (Tests 3 out of 4 in this vid, so close...)

[@3k3k3]

@@nascompares ohhh no.. this review might get expensive :-)

[@mrq332]

Nothing compares to building your own nas for less money

[@ProjectileGrommet]

So what I’m hearing is I need both

[@davidnealon7928]

I was in the market for my first NAS and am in a very small apartment and am concerned about sound levels. I’m at the tipping point where I need speed and backup as I produce music and are heading over the 4-5TB level of files I need to access regularly. I understand the release and Black Friday and to be fair on Asustor I think they were doing their best to get it out as soon as they could and I thank them for getting it out when they did. In the end after comparing the two, with price points and how much I could afford ended up going for the Terramaster F8 Plus and bought 2x4TB nvme’s this year on TRaid that I can expand. I was tempted to go the Gen 2 12 Bay and could afford it but the different lane distribution I’ve found is confusing and TRaid easier to expand.

[@davidnealon7928]

Where I could see Asustor make changes now (after release) to get others on the fence back is in building a more comprehensive SSD Comparison Guide vs Terramaster which on the Terramaster side I’ve found really lacking with very little on the 4TB or 8TB level comparison particularly going through the Black Friday Sales. If Asustor could get a video out for Cyber Monday on SSD compatible nvme’s they wouldn’t get me but could get a greater market share. I actually really wanted to get an Asustor but the price point and less confusion of the Terramaster lined up better for me. I really wasn’t sure how to expand out the Gen 2 12 Bay being my first go.

[@c0p0n]

Looks totally not borrowed from the PS4 slim

[@meccu19]

I'll better go with Terramaster, N305 will be way better

[@ThePaulpope]

Sadly I don't think your brain is working when it comes to Asustor Gen 2/3 ..... I suspect your relationship with Asustor is blunting your truth telling ....

[@ASUSTOR_YT]

Robbie is entitled to his own opinions. You know what they say about those who feel the need to lob insults and name calling and that is that they have no criticism. We welcome criticism because we want to do our best and our review partners on KZbin are completely unrestricted and have full freedom of speech in their content, no matter how critical they are. We understand you are upset and we taking steps to rectify the issue.

[@ThePaulpope]

@ If you wanted to do your best you would have recognised the market opportunity’s presented by Synology’s missteps in the SBMB and prosumer market, the consistent failure of Qnap to take security seriously and the lack of the Mainland Chinese vendors to have anything like complete solutions….. instead you released good hardware at twice ( yep twice) the price you should have to build any market share and left ADM 5 without support. This only makes Synology more viable for all their poor choice they are still a better deal then a gen3 with its absurd price. As it stands…. First Chinese vendor to get decent software will grab a massive market share that frankly should have been yours ….

[@hellolau]

@@ASUSTOR_YT Your patronizing line "You know what they say about those who feel the need to lob insults and name calling" is rich - coming from someone who just lobbed a thinly veiled insult while claiming the moral high ground. Let's be crystal clear: The only thing more fragile than your Gen 2/3 products appears to be your corporate ego. When a critic suggests your review relationships might be compromising objectivity, the professional response isn't to write a passive-aggressive memo. It's to prove them wrong with technical facts. But instead, you've chosen to play tone police while dodging the actual substance of the criticism. Classic deflection. If Paul's comments are so baseless, why not dismantle them with evidence instead of condescending corporate-speak? 😘