Shopping for a compact network storage box that can handle Plex transcoding, multi-machine backups, and fast file transfers without stepping up to a rackmount unit? The QNAP TS-264 sits in that middle ground, pairing a quad-core Intel Celeron with two 2.5GbE ports and two M.2 NVMe slots in a two-drive desktop chassis.
This QNAP TS-264-8G-US review focuses on what the hardware lets you do in practice: run hardware-accelerated media streaming, cache hot data on NVMe, and saturate a 2.5-gigabit link without add-on cards. It ships diskless, so you choose your own drives.
- Quad-core Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 4-core/4-thread burst up to 2.9 GHz with 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Dual 2.5GbE (2.5G/1G/100M) ports accelerates file sharing across teams and devices or streamline large file transfers
- Dual M.2 PCIe Gen3x1 NVMe SSD slots enable cache acceleration or SSD storage pools for improved performance
Two SATA 6 Gb/s bays accept 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives, and the 8GB of DDR4 memory that comes preinstalled can be expanded. A PCIe Gen3 x2 slot and 10Gb/s USB ports round out the expansion story.
Bottom Line
For a two-bay unit that needs to serve media, back up several computers, and move large files quickly, the TS-264 covers a lot of ground for its size.
Check current availability of the QNAP TS-264 on Amazon
QNAP TS-264-8G-US Overview
Two drive bays, an x86 processor, and dual multi-gig networking define this model’s position in QNAP’s lineup. It runs QTS, QNAP’s operating system, with an app catalog covering media servers, surveillance, virtualization, and container workloads.
The chassis weighs roughly 5 pounds and includes mounting screws for both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, along with an Ethernet cable and power cord. Intel AES-NI handles encryption in hardware, so encrypted shared folders don’t tax the CPU the way software-only encryption would.
QNAP backs the unit with a two-year warranty. If you want a longer look at the hardware layout and software walkthrough, our QNAP TS-264-8G-US desktop NAS review covers it in more depth.
Quad-Core Processing and 8GB Memory
The Intel Celeron N5105 (or N5095, depending on the batch) gives you four cores and four threads, with burst clocks up to 2.9 GHz. That leaves enough headroom for Plex transcoding, several virtual machines at modest loads, or a handful of Docker containers.
Integrated Intel UHD graphics handle hardware-accelerated video decoding, which is the part that really matters for 4K media libraries. The 8GB of DDR4 installed at the factory suits most home and small-office setups.
QNAP specifies support for up to 16GB across the two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots. Owners running heavy virtualization report installing larger modules, though anything above the official figure sits outside QNAP’s validated configuration.
Dual 2.5GbE Connectivity
Two 2.5GbE ports, each negotiating at 2.5G, 1G, or 100M, remove the single-gigabit ceiling that limits older two-bay units. A single 2.5GbE link tops out near 280 MB/s in practice, which comfortably exceeds what a pair of mechanical drives delivers in RAID 1.
Port trunking across both connections doubles aggregate throughput when multiple clients pull files at once. You’ll need a 2.5GbE switch and matching adapters on your workstations to see the benefit.
For editors moving multi-gigabyte video files or households running several simultaneous streams, this is the most noticeable upgrade over a 1GbE box. Failover configuration is also available if you prefer redundancy over raw speed.
NVMe SSD Caching and Storage Pools
Two M.2 PCIe Gen3 x1 slots sit on the board, and they accept 2280-length drives without occupying either SATA bay. You can assign them as a read or read-write cache in front of your spinning disks, or configure them as an independent all-flash storage pool.
Gen3 x1 limits each slot to roughly 1 GB/s, so a high-end Gen4 drive won’t stretch its legs here. A mid-range option such as the Crucial P3 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD fits the use case sensibly.
QNAP’s Qtier feature can also tier data automatically between flash and HDD. If you’re still choosing modules, our roundup of the best NVMe SSD options narrows the field.
USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCIe Expansion
Type-A USB ports rated at 10 Gb/s handle external drives, expansion enclosures, and one-touch copy jobs at speeds most two-bay units can’t match. That matters when you attach a portable RAID device for offsite rotation.
The PCIe Gen3 x2 slot accepts QNAP’s QM2 cards, which add either more M.2 slots or a 10GbE port. Third-party network cards and a limited set of other adapters also work.
Expansion units connect over USB to add bays as your library grows, keeping the base unit useful past the point where two drives fill up.
Setup, Drive Choices, and Everyday Use
Initial configuration runs through QNAP’s Qfinder utility or a browser, and most users report reaching a working RAID 1 volume within an hour. Installing drives requires the included screws, since the trays aren’t fully tool-free.
Pair the bays with NAS-rated mechanical drives. An 8TB class model like the Toshiba N300 8TB NAS HDD is a common match for this chassis.
| Component | What Fits |
|---|---|
| Drive bays | 2x SATA 6 Gb/s, 3.5″ or 2.5″ |
| M.2 slots | 2x PCIe Gen3 x1, 2280 |
| Memory | 2x DDR4 SO-DIMM, 8GB installed |
| Network | 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 |
Fan noise stays low at idle and rises under sustained transcoding.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Quad-core Celeron with integrated graphics handles 4K hardware transcoding
- Dual 2.5GbE ports support trunking or failover without an add-in card
- Two M.2 NVMe slots that do not consume a SATA bay
- 10 Gb/s USB Type-A ports for fast external storage
- PCIe Gen3 x2 slot allows a 10GbE or QM2 upgrade path
- AES-NI encryption with minimal performance cost
Cons
- Ships diskless, so budget for two drives plus any NVMe modules
- M.2 slots run at Gen3 x1, capping SSD throughput near 1 GB/s
- Two bays limit RAID options to mirroring or striping
- QTS has a learning curve if you’re coming from a simple external drive
- Officially supported memory tops out at 16GB
What Customer Reviews Reveal
Media serving dominates owner feedback, with several buyers replacing older QNAP units (TS-251+, TS-253A) specifically because 4K transcoding overwhelmed the previous generation. Reports consistently note that the newer Celeron handles those streams without stuttering.
First-time NAS buyers describe setup as straightforward, though a few spent time researching the memory upgrade procedure and drive migration steps. One owner moving SSDs from an older unit ran into a snag despite following QNAP’s documented process.
Repeat customers factor heavily into the positive sentiment, with multiple reviewers citing five- and six-year lifespans from earlier QNAP models. International buyers mention the bundled surveillance camera licenses as an unexpected extra.
Common configurations in reviews pair 8TB or larger mechanical drives with 1TB NVMe modules. Owners advise installing both at the same time to simplify Qtier setup.
Conclusion
The TS-264 earns its place for anyone whose two-bay needs outgrew gigabit networking and software transcoding. Hardware video decoding, dual multi-gig ports, and two NVMe slots give it capability that entry-level competitors reserve for pricier four-bay models.
Shoppers comparing platforms should weigh QTS against DSM. Our Synology DS224+ DiskStation review covers the closest alternative, and the ASUSTOR AS5402T NAS review looks at another 2.5GbE two-bay contender.
Plan your purchase around three items: two NAS-rated drives, optional NVMe cache modules, and a 2.5GbE switch if your network is still gigabit.
View the QNAP TS-264 listing on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the QNAP TS-264-8G-US sold with hard drives?
No, the unit ships diskless. The box includes mounting screws for both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives, an Ethernet cable, and a power cord, so you supply the storage yourself.
Can the QNAP TS-264-8G-US run Plex well?
Yes. The Celeron N5105/N5095 includes Intel UHD graphics with hardware video decoding, which owners cite as the reason 4K transcoding works smoothly where older QNAP models struggled.
Does the QNAP TS-264-8G-US support 2.5GbE networking?
It has two 2.5GbE RJ45 ports that also negotiate at 1G and 100M. You can trunk them for higher aggregate bandwidth or configure failover, provided your switch supports the feature.
Can I add NVMe SSDs to the QNAP TS-264-8G-US?
Yes, two M.2 PCIe Gen3 x1 slots accept 2280 drives. Use them as read or read-write cache, as a separate flash storage pool, or as the fast tier in a Qtier configuration.
Is the QNAP TS-264-8G-US a good NAS for home backup?
It works well for backing up Macs and PCs, with owners using it for Time Machine targets and multi-computer file protection. RAID 1 across the two bays protects against a single drive failure.
How much RAM can the QNAP TS-264-8G-US support?
QNAP specifies support for up to 16GB of DDR4 across its two SO-DIMM slots, with 8GB installed at the factory. Some owners have fitted larger modules, though that’s outside the company’s validated configuration.
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