This will likely be worth it if you’re primarily streaming, but a single 2.5GbE connection will be better if you’re continually writing to the box.
As noted, this requires no help from a switch or router. The Asustor AS5202T’s performance over a single 2.5GbE connection.Īs shown below, read speed increased by almost 80MBps, but write speed decreased by about 40MBps when using the AS5202’s round-robin link aggregation. That’s likely a good enough boost for most users, considering that gigabit tops out at just below 120MBps. Note that the switch must support multi-gig (2500/5000), and not fall back to gigabit or 10/100 when 10GbE is not available.Įven without link aggregation, the AS5202T read and wrote at 293MBps over a single 2.5GbE connection. Switches supporting 2.5GbE, on the other hand, are rare but there are some affordable ones, including the the $180 Zyxel XGS1210-12 that I used in testing. Just as a bit of background, USB-C 2.5GbE adapters, such as this Trendnet model, cost only about $40, so you can add that speed to any computer easily. Speed is where the AS5202T justifies it’s hefty price tag. Most of the NAS boxes passing though our lab use older DDR3 memory. Bottom line in term of specs: It’s fast, and it’s loaded. Inside, there’s 2GB of DDR4-2400 memory and an Intel Gemini Lake Celeron J4005 CPU running at 2GHz. On the back, you’ll find the aforementioned dual 2.5Gbps (RJ45) ethernet ports that may be aggregated for better performance, two more USB 3.2 (Gen 1) ports, and an HDMI 2.0a output.
#Lan speed test reviews plus
The front has the usual power and quick copy buttons, plus one Type-A 5Gbps USB port, as well as the power and drive status/activity lights. The Nimbustor 2, which I’ll hereinafter refer to by its model name, the AS5202T, is a black two-bay box (a four-bay version is also available that was selling for $429 on Amazon as of this writing). This review is part of TechHive’s coverage of the best NAS boxes for media streaming and client backup, where you’ll find reviews of competing products, plus a buyer’s guide to the features you should consider when shopping. It might also be worth if you want to use the AS5202T as a media box for your TV-it offers 4K UHD decoding and output via HDMI.
OK, you can find a two-bay NAS for much less but if you value your time, it’s worth it. It’s not even that pricey-I found it on Amazon for $299 (unpopulated, of course). It’s not simply the fast 2.5GbE networking (that’s 2.5 gigabits per second ethernet using CAT5e cables, for the uninitiated-5Gbps with link aggregation), it’s the speed of setup, the super-responsive web-based configuration interface, and just overall snappiness. Up close, its appearance doesn’t quite live up to the top-tier look in the photos its performance and features, however, most definitely do. The Nimbustor 2, AS5202T is my first look at an Asus NAS box.