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| The TerraMaster F4-425 Pro features a high-quality aluminum housing. |
The TerraMaster F4-425 Pro arrives with a significant processor upgrade that could make it one of the most compelling NAS options for power users and small businesses in 2024.
In the ever-evolving landscape of network-attached storage, TerraMaster has carved out a reputation for delivering feature-rich hardware at competitive price points. Their latest release, the TerraMaster F4-425 Pro, builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, the F4-425 Plus, but with a crucial twist under the hood that dramatically alters its performance capabilities.
What's New Under the Hood?
At first glance, you'd be forgiven for mistaking the F4-425 Pro for its predecessor. The chassis design remains identical, and the core storage capabilities haven't changed. But what TerraMaster has done with the internal components is nothing short of transformative.
The company has replaced the Intel N95 or N150 processors found in the F4-425 Plus with either an Intel Core i3-N305 or Intel Core 3 N350. This isn't just a minor spec bump—it represents a fundamental shift in what this compact 4-bay NAS can handle.
Both processors continue to leverage Intel's Gracemont efficiency cores, which have proven themselves capable of delivering impressive performance while maintaining reasonable power consumption. The real game-changer? Both variants now feature eight CPU cores instead of just four, effectively doubling the processing power available for multitasking, virtual machines, and demanding applications.
Graphics performance also sees a significant boost, with the integrated GPU scaling up to 32 execution units compared to the 16 to 24 found in the previous generation. This enhancement makes the F4-425 Pro considerably more capable for hardware transcoding tasks, which is excellent news for media enthusiasts running Plex or Jellyfin servers.
Storage and Connectivity: A Versatile Package
The TerraMaster F4-425 Pro maintains the flexible storage architecture that made its predecessor popular. The enclosure can accommodate:
- Four 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives for primary storage
- Three M.2 SSDs that can serve either as a secondary storage pool or as cache acceleration for the hard drives
This combination allows users to strike an optimal balance between capacity and performance. The M.2 cache implementation can dramatically improve random I/O performance, which is particularly beneficial for databases, virtual machine storage, or environments with multiple concurrent users.
Connectivity is another strong suit. The NAS features two 5 Gbit/s Ethernet ports that support link aggregation, allowing combined bandwidth of up to 1,020 MB/s. While this doesn't quite reach the 10 Gbit/s speeds found on higher-end enterprise NAS devices, it represents a sweet spot for most small to medium business applications.
For external expansion, TerraMaster hasn't skimped on USB connectivity. The F4-425 Pro includes:
- Three USB-A ports
- One USB-C port
All ports support data transfer rates up to 10 Gbit/s, making external storage expansion quick and seamless.
Performance Considerations
One of the more interesting aspects of this release is the minimal performance difference between the Intel N305 and N350 variants. Both processors utilize the same Gracemont architecture and feature eight cores, with the N350 being a slightly refined version of the N305.
The more significant differentiator between the two models comes down to RAM configuration. The N305 variant ships with 8 GB of memory, while the N350 version comes standard with 16 GB. For power users planning to run multiple containers or virtual machines, the extra memory could make a substantial difference in day-to-day performance.
The good news is that RAM is upgradable after purchase, so users who opt for the more affordable N305 model aren't permanently locked into the 8 GB configuration. However, it's worth noting that the price difference between the two models—approximately $100—may make the 16 GB N350 version more cost-effective than buying the cheaper model and upgrading memory separately.
Pricing and Availability
The TerraMaster F4-425 Pro is available in two configurations:
- Intel N305 with 8 GB RAM: $699.99 / £639.99
- Intel N350 with 16 GB RAM: $799.99 / £729.99
If you're ready to upgrade your network storage solution, the TerraMaster F4-425 Pro is available now on Amazon US . UK customers can also find it on Amazon UK , and German buyers can check availability on Amazon Germany .
Who Should Buy the F4-425 Pro?
The F4-425 Pro represents an excellent option for several use cases:
Home Power Users
If you're running a media server, managing a smart home setup, or storing large photo and video libraries, the processing power of the eight-core Intel processors will handle transcoding and file management with ease.
Small Businesses
With its dual 5 Gbit/s Ethernet ports and support for link aggregation, the F4-425 Pro can serve as a capable central file server for small teams. The M.2 cache support helps accelerate frequently accessed files, improving productivity.
Creative Professionals
Photographers and videographers working with large files will appreciate the fast USB connectivity for external backup drives and the network performance to support editing workflows directly from the NAS.
Virtualization Enthusiasts
For those wanting to run Docker containers or virtual machines, the eight cores and expandable RAM make this a compelling platform without jumping to enterprise pricing tiers.
Final Thoughts
The TerraMaster F4-425 Pro is a thoughtful upgrade to an already popular NAS platform. By doubling the CPU cores and offering a more capable iGPU, TerraMaster has created a device that punches well above its weight class in terms of performance.
While the asking price represents a step up from entry-level NAS options, the processing power and flexibility on offer justify the investment for users who need more than basic file storage. The ability to upgrade RAM post-purchase provides flexibility, and the addition of three M.2 slots for SSD caching or additional storage gives users room to grow.
The $100 difference between the two configurations is a bit unusual—typically the processor upgrade would be the primary price driver. With the N305 and N350 performing nearly identically, choosing the N350 with 16 GB of RAM seems like the more logical choice for most users, especially since 8 GB can feel limiting for multi-application workloads.
Whether you're a home user looking to centralize your digital life or a small business seeking reliable network storage, the TerraMaster F4-425 Pro deserves serious consideration. Its combination of processing power, storage flexibility, and connectivity options makes it one of the most well-rounded NAS options in its price bracket.
Note: For those in the UK, you can also find the TerraMaster F4-425 Pro directly from Amazon UK , and detailed technical specifications are available on the official TerraMaster product page .
