TerraMaster F4-424 Pro Review Australia

The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro is the most powerful 4-bay desktop NAS you can buy in Australia under $1,100, shipping with an Intel Core i3-N305 eight-core processor and 32 GB of DDR5 RAM out of the box. At $1,099 from Scorptec and $1,100 from Mwave, it undercuts comparable hardware from Synology and QNAP by a significant margin. No other 4-bay NAS at this price delivers eight CPU cores and 32 GB of memory as standard. The F4-424 Pro suits small businesses, home lab enthusiasts, and technical users who need headroom for Docker containers, virtualisation, Plex transcoding, and multi-user file serving without hitting hardware limits. The trade-off is TerraMaster's less mature software ecosystem and thinner Australian support network compared to Synology or QNAP.

TerraMaster F4-424 Pro Full Specifications

Where to Buy the F4-424 Pro in Australia

The F4-424 Pro is available from two major Australian retailers as of February 2026. Scorptec lists it at $1,099 (in stock) and Mwave at $1,100. The $1 difference is negligible. Choose based on which retailer you trust for after-sales support. Both are legitimate Australian retailers, so Australian Consumer Law protections apply to either purchase.

TerraMaster's Australian distribution runs through DSTech, which is a smaller operation compared to BlueChip (Synology, QNAP) or Dicker Data (Asustor). This means stock availability can be less predictable than the big three NAS brands. If you see the F4-424 Pro in stock and you have decided to buy it, don't assume it will still be there next week. TerraMaster's limited distribution presence in Australia also means fewer retailers carry the full range. You will not find this model at JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, or most smaller IT retailers.

Performance: What the Core i3-N305 Actually Delivers

The Intel Core i3-N305 is the standout feature of the F4-424 Pro. This is an eight-core, eight-thread Alder Lake-N processor that burst-clocks to 3.8 GHz. A significant step up from the quad-core Celeron N5095 found in the QNAP TS-464 or the Intel N95 in the standard F4-424. The eight cores deliver genuine multi-threaded performance for concurrent workloads: multiple Plex transcode streams, Docker containers, virtualisation, and file serving can all run simultaneously without the CPU becoming the bottleneck.

For Plex users, the i3-N305's Intel UHD Graphics support hardware-accelerated transcoding for multiple simultaneous 1080p streams and comfortable 4K direct play. The HDMI 2.0 output allows direct media playback to a TV or monitor without a separate streaming device. For Docker and home automation, eight cores and 32 GB RAM mean you can run a full stack. Home Assistant, Pi-hole, Nginx Proxy Manager, Grafana, a database, and more. Without worrying about resource contention. Virtualisation is also realistic on this hardware, which is not something you can say about most sub-$1,100 NAS units.

Where the F4-424 Pro does not match higher-end hardware is sustained single-threaded burst performance and ECC memory support. The N305 is an efficiency-class (E-core only) processor, so per-core performance is lower than a full Performance-core (P-core) Intel chip. For NAS workloads this rarely matters, but if you are running compute-heavy tasks that rely on single-thread speed, keep expectations in check.

32 GB DDR5: More RAM Than You Expect at This Price

The F4-424 Pro ships with 32 GB of DDR5 memory. To put that in context: the Synology DS925+ ships with 4 GB, the QNAP TS-464 ships with 8 GB, and the Asustor AS5404T ships with 4 GB. TerraMaster is delivering eight times the RAM of most competitors at the same price point. This is the single biggest reason to consider the F4-424 Pro over its rivals.

32 GB of RAM opens up workloads that are impractical on a 4 GB or 8 GB NAS without an immediate upgrade. ZFS-based file systems benefit enormously from available RAM for caching (the ARC cache). Running multiple virtual machines becomes feasible. Large Docker deployments with memory-hungry containers like databases or media indexers have room to breathe. If you have ever hit the RAM ceiling on a consumer NAS and wished you had more headroom, the F4-424 Pro solves that problem out of the box.

The trade-off: the RAM is non-ECC. For mission-critical data integrity workloads, ECC memory (available in the Synology DS925+) detects and corrects single-bit memory errors. For most home and small business users, non-ECC will never cause a noticeable issue. But if you are running ZFS with deduplication on production data, ECC is the technically correct choice.

Networking: Dual 2.5GbE

Dual 2.5 GbE ports provide up to 5 Gbps aggregate throughput with link aggregation. For an Australian home or office on an NBN connection (where typical upload speeds sit around 20-50 Mbps depending on plan), the NAS's local network speed vastly exceeds your internet bandwidth. The real benefit of 2.5GbE is local performance. Transferring large files between workstations and the NAS, or streaming 4K video to multiple devices simultaneously.

Unlike the QNAP TS-464, the F4-424 Pro does not include a PCIe expansion slot, so there is no upgrade path to 10GbE via an add-in card. If you know you will need 10GbE networking in the near future, the TS-464's PCIe slot gives it an advantage despite its weaker CPU. For most home and small office deployments, dual 2.5GbE is more than sufficient. Pair it with a 2.5GbE switch and you will saturate the connection with sequential file transfers.

M.2 NVMe Slots and Storage

Two M.2 2280 NVMe slots sit alongside the four SATA bays, available for SSD caching or as a dedicated SSD storage pool. SSD caching accelerates random read performance for frequently accessed data. Photo thumbnail generation, database queries, Plex metadata loading, and virtual machine disk I/O all benefit. With 32 GB of system RAM already providing a large file system cache, the SSD caching benefit is less dramatic than on a 4 GB NAS, but it still makes a measurable difference for mixed workloads.

The four SATA bays support drives up to 22 TB, giving a maximum raw capacity of 88 TB. In a RAID 5 configuration with four 8 TB NAS drives, you get approximately 24 TB of usable space with single-drive fault tolerance. RAID 6 with the same drives yields approximately 16 TB with dual-drive protection. For most small business and home deployments, RAID 5 across four bays is the practical sweet spot.

TOS 6: TerraMaster's Software Story

The F4-424 Pro runs TOS 6, TerraMaster's operating system. This is where the honest conversation needs to happen. TOS has improved significantly over the past two years. It now supports Docker (via the built-in container manager), Btrfs snapshots, remote access via TNAS.online, and a reasonable suite of built-in apps for file sharing, backup, and media serving. The interface is clean enough and getting better with each update.

However, TOS is not at the level of Synology's DSM or QNAP's QTS. The app ecosystem is smaller. Third-party package support is limited. Community resources, guides, and forums are thinner. If you hit a problem with a Synology or QNAP NAS, the answer is almost always a search away. With TerraMaster, you may find yourself digging deeper or waiting for official support. For technically confident users who are comfortable with Docker and SSH, this is manageable. You can run almost anything via containers regardless of the native app library. For users who want a polished, point-and-click experience out of the box, Synology remains the benchmark.

TerraMaster has also had some well-documented security concerns in the past, including vulnerabilities in earlier TOS versions. As with any NAS brand, disable UPnP on your router, access remotely via VPN only, enable two-factor authentication, and keep TOS firmware updated. See the NAS security and ransomware protection guide for a detailed walkthrough that applies to all brands.

How the F4-424 Pro Compares: TerraMaster vs Synology vs QNAP

The F4-424 Pro sits in the same price bracket as the Synology DS925+ and QNAP TS-464, but the hardware gap is striking. Here is a direct comparison.

Prices last verified: 10 March 2026. Always check retailer before purchasing.

The hardware advantage is clear: the F4-424 Pro delivers double the CPU cores and four to eight times the RAM of its competitors at a nearly identical price. The software and ecosystem advantage goes decisively to Synology and QNAP. Your choice depends on which trade-off matters more to your specific use case.

When to Choose the F4-424 Pro

The F4-424 Pro suits buyers who want the most powerful hardware in a 4-bay desktop NAS without exceeding $1,100. It is the right choice if you plan to run Docker-heavy workloads, lightweight virtual machines, or need 32 GB of RAM for ZFS caching or memory-intensive applications. If you are technically confident, comfortable with Docker, and do not rely on a polished native app ecosystem, the hardware value proposition is compelling. It also suits Plex power users who want hardware transcoding headroom and HDMI output.

When to Choose Synology or QNAP Instead

If you value a polished software experience, extensive app ecosystem, ECC RAM, or the peace of mind that comes with Synology's or QNAP's larger community and support network, those brands are safer choices. The DS925+ is the pick for users who prioritise simplicity, data integrity (ECC), and expansion to 9 bays via the DX525. The QNAP TS-464 is the pick for users who want a PCIe expansion slot for future 10GbE, HD Station media playback, and the option to run QuTS Hero with ZFS. Both have deeper stock availability and more responsive warranty chains in Australia.

Other TerraMaster Models Worth Considering

If the F4-424 Pro is not quite right for your needs, the broader TerraMaster range in Australia includes several alternatives. The TerraMaster F4-425 ($659 at Scorptec) drops to an Intel Celeron N5095 with less RAM but halves the price for basic 4-bay file sharing and backup. The F4-425 Plus ($899 at Scorptec) offers a hybrid design with both HDD and SSD bays. At the top end, the F6-424 Max ($1,699 at Scorptec) steps up to a Core i5 with 6 bays for businesses that need more capacity.

For a broader look at how TerraMaster stacks up against other brands, see the Asustor vs TerraMaster, Synology vs TerraMaster, and QNAP vs TerraMaster comparisons.

Ideal Use Cases

Docker and Home Lab

This is where the F4-424 Pro genuinely excels. Eight cores and 32 GB of RAM provide a platform that can run a serious home automation and Docker stack without resource contention. Home Assistant, Node-RED, a database server, media indexers, download managers, reverse proxy, and monitoring tools can all run concurrently. On a 4 GB or 8 GB NAS, this stack requires careful memory management and compromise. On the F4-424 Pro, you have headroom to spare.

Small Business File Server

For a small business under $2,000 that needs shared file storage for 5-20 users, the F4-424 Pro handles the workload with room to grow. The 32 GB RAM handles concurrent file access smoothly, and dual 2.5GbE provides adequate local bandwidth. TOS supports SMB/CIFS, AFP, and NFS file sharing, user permissions, and basic Active Directory integration. The caveat is that TerraMaster's business-oriented features (compliance, advanced backup orchestration, enterprise support) are less mature than Synology's or QNAP's offerings.

Media Server and Plex

The i3-N305's Intel UHD Graphics provide hardware-accelerated transcoding, and the HDMI 2.0 output means direct 4K playback to a TV without needing a Chromecast or Apple TV. Eight cores give the F4-424 Pro more transcoding headroom than the TS-464 or AS5404T for households with multiple simultaneous streams. Pair it with NVMe SSD caching for fast Plex library browsing.

Who Should Not Buy the F4-424 Pro

First-time NAS buyers who want a smooth setup experience. TOS is functional but not as intuitive as Synology's DSM. Community resources and guides are thinner. If this is your first NAS, a beginner-friendly model from Synology or QNAP will cause less frustration. If you are buying a NAS for the first time, buy from a specialist like Scorptec or PLE where you can get genuine pre-sales guidance.

Buyers who need the strongest warranty and support chain. TerraMaster offers a 2-year warranty, compared to 3 years (extendable to 5) from Synology and QNAP. TerraMaster's Australian distributor (DSTech) has a smaller footprint than BlueChip or Dicker Data, which can mean longer warranty turnaround times. For business-critical deployments where a 2-3 week warranty process is already a concern, the thinner support chain is a real risk.

Users who need 10GbE networking. The F4-424 Pro has no PCIe expansion slot, so there is no path to 10GbE without replacing the entire NAS. The QNAP TS-464's PCIe Gen 3 x2 slot accepts a 10GbE card, making it the better choice if 10GbE is on your roadmap.

Buyers who need ECC RAM. If data integrity is your top priority and you plan to run ZFS with deduplication, the Synology DS925+ with ECC memory is the technically correct choice. The F4-424 Pro's 32 GB is generous but non-ECC.

Warranty, Support, and Buying Advice

The F4-424 Pro comes with a 2-year warranty. Shorter than the 3-year standard from Synology and QNAP. TerraMaster does not have service centres in Australia. The warranty chain runs through DSTech (TerraMaster's Australian distributor), which has a limited presence compared to BlueChip or Dicker Data. This means warranty claims may take longer to process, and the retailer's ability to source replacement stock quickly is less certain.

Before purchasing, ask your retailer: "If this unit fails, what is your warranty process? Can I get an advanced replacement?" Advanced replacements are generally not available through standard warranty. Some resellers will let you buy a replacement at full price and refund you when the faulty unit comes back, but this is an informal arrangement. The answer to this question tells you more about the value of buying from that retailer than the price on the sticker.

TerraMaster's support is primarily online via their support portal and email. There is no Australian phone support. Community forums exist but are significantly smaller than Synology's or QNAP's. If you are used to finding answers via Reddit, manufacturer forums, or community guides, expect less coverage for TerraMaster-specific issues. For generic NAS tasks (file sharing, Docker, RAID, backup), your knowledge transfers across brands. For TOS-specific configuration, you may be more reliant on official documentation.

The Verdict

The TerraMaster F4-424 Pro is a hardware powerhouse that delivers specifications no other 4-bay NAS matches under $1,100 in Australia. Eight CPU cores and 32 GB of DDR5 RAM for $1,099 is a genuinely remarkable value proposition. For Docker-heavy deployments, home labs, virtualisation workloads, and multi-stream Plex setups, the raw hardware capability is unmatched at this price. The HDMI output and dual 2.5GbE networking round out a strong feature set.

The trade-offs are real and should not be minimised. TOS is less polished than DSM or QTS. The app ecosystem is smaller. The 2-year warranty is shorter than the industry standard. TerraMaster's Australian distribution and support presence is thinner. If any of those factors are deal-breakers, the DS925+ or TS-464 remain excellent choices with stronger ecosystems.

But for the technically confident buyer who prioritises hardware over hand-holding. Someone who will run Docker containers, configure storage via SSH if needed, and does not depend on a vendor's app store. The F4-424 Pro offers more compute and memory per dollar than anything else in the Australian 4-bay NAS market. The hardware punches well above its price class. The question is whether you are comfortable with a less mature ecosystem to take advantage of it.

Related reading: our NAS buyer's guide.

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