UGREEN NASync vs Synology (2026): Home NAS, NVMe Cache & 2.5GbE Guide.

Should you buy UGREEN NASync or Synology in 2026? Choose UGREEN NASync (such as the 4-bay DXP4800 Plus or 2-bay DXP2800) if you want modern Intel processors with QuickSync hardware video transcoding, built-in 2.5GbE and 10GbE Ethernet, an aluminum chassis, and unrestricted support for third-party NVMe SSDs like the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB. Choose Synology (DS923+ or DS423+) if turnkey DSM 7.2 software, SHR mixed-capacity drive arrays, and native cloud backup suites outweigh raw hardware specs.

Ecosystem / Component	Processor & Transcoding	Built-In Network Ports	Operating System & RAID	NVMe SSD Policy	Best For
UGREEN NASync (DXP2800 / DXP4800 Plus)	Intel N100 / Pentium Gold 8505 with QuickSync iGPU	Dual 2.5GbE (DXP4800 Plus adds 10GbE)	UGOS Pro (or bootable TrueNAS / Unraid)	Open third-party M.2 NVMe cache and storage pools	Plex/Jellyfin 4K transcoding, Docker, and multi-gig LAN
Synology Plus (DS423+ / DS923+)	Intel Celeron J4125 (DS423+) or AMD Ryzen R1600 (DS923+, no iGPU)	Dual 1GbE (DS923+ supports optional 10GbE module)	Synology DSM 7.2 with Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR)	Storage pools officially locked to Synology-branded NVMe	Turnkey office backups, mixed drive sizes, and non-technical users
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB (NVMe Pick)	Samsung Pascal controller with 2 GB LPDDR4 DRAM	PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 2280	Works as UGOS Pro NVMe pool or read/write cache	Up to 1,200 TBW endurance rating	Fast Docker appdata, Immich thumbnails, and SMB cache
TP-Link Archer BE550 (2.5GbE Router Pick)	Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7 + multi-gig wired backplane	1x 2.5GbE WAN + 4x 2.5GbE LAN	Standard web UI + EasyMesh	N/A	Eliminating the 115 MB/s 1GbE bottleneck to your NAS

How we evaluated home NAS ecosystems and NVMe storage

As a research-based hardware publication without an in-house lab bench, we evaluate NAS enclosures, NVMe cache drives, and multi-gig routers by comparing manufacturer engineering datasheets, PCIe lane allocations, network switch backplanes, and independent storage endurance data from TechPowerUp and StorageReview.

• Network interface bottlenecks: A traditional 1GbE port caps real-world SMB file transfers at roughly 112 to 115 MB/s, which is slower than a single modern spinning hard drive. Standard 2.5GbE ports raise sequential throughput to roughly 280 MB/s when paired with a multi-gig router like the TP-Link Archer BE550.
• Hardware transcoding & Docker flexibility: Intel QuickSync integrated graphics allow UGREEN NASync models to transcode multiple 4K HEVC streams in hardware without pegging CPU cores, whereas AMD-based Synology units rely on software transcoding or client-side direct play.
• NVMe DRAM buffering & TBW endurance: NAS M.2 slots experience continuous small-block metadata writes from Docker containers and photo libraries, making DRAM-equippedTLC drives like the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB more consistent than QLC drives.
• What we ruled out and honest cons: We ruled out DRAM-less QLC M.2 drives for write-caching because sustained transfers quickly exhaust their pseudo-SLC buffer. Honest cons to weigh: UGREEN’s UGOS Pro lacks a native equivalent to Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) for mixing mismatched drive sizes, and its native backup apps are less mature than Synology Active Backup for Business. Conversely, Synology’s aging 1GbE ports and first-party NVMe storage-pool restrictions frustrate enthusiasts.

Why does UGREEN NASync beat Synology on hardware specs?

UGREEN NASync enclosures include 2.5GbE or 10GbE Ethernet ports, DDR5 or upgradable DDR4 memory, milled aluminum bodies, and Intel processors with QuickSync video engines as standard equipment. Comparable Synology Plus models still ship with 1GbE ports and older CPUs unless you purchase proprietary add-in network cards.

In addition, UGREEN leaves the BIOS unlocked on its Intel-based models so advanced users can boot TrueNAS Scale, Unraid, or Proxmox from an internal SSD while keeping the stock UGOS Pro system drive intact.

Why do offices and families still choose Synology DSM 7.2?

Synology DSM 7.2 remains the gold standard for non-technical households and small offices because Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) lets you combine different hard drive capacities without wasting space, and packages like Active Backup for Business, Hyper Backup, and Synology Drive work reliably out of the box.

If you do not want to maintain Docker Compose files for photo backups or workstation image recovery, Synology’s software polish saves hours of administration time despite its slower 1GbE default networking.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSDs in a UGREEN NASync or Synology NAS?

UGREEN NASync officially supports third-party M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs like the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB and WD_BLACK SN850X for both read/write caching and dedicated all-flash storage pools. Synology DSM 7.2 allows third-party NVMe drives for cache, but restricts native M.2 storage volumes to Synology-branded SSDs without command-line scripts.

Do you need a 2.5GbE router or switch for a UGREEN NASync?

Yes, connecting a 2.5GbE NAS to a standard 1GbE router caps your file transfer speeds at roughly 115 MB/s. Upgrading to a multi-gig router such as the TP-Link Archer BE550, which includes five 2.5GbE ports, increases real-world SMB transfer speeds to around 280 MB/s over standard Cat5e or Cat6 cables.

Is UGREEN NASync good for Plex, Jellyfin, and Immich photo hosting?

Yes, UGREEN NASync models use Intel processors with integrated QuickSync media engines that support hardware-accelerated 4K HEVC and AV1 transcoding in Plex and Jellyfin. Storing your Docker containers and Immich database on an internal Samsung 990 PRO NVMe pool makes thumbnail scrolling and local AI facial recognition near-instantaneous.