Asustor AS5404T Review Australia

Review Score

Review Score · Asustor AS5404T · 7.4/10 Very Good

Performance 20% 7/10

Plex 4K transcoding performance on the Intel N5105 varies with the media and client, including codec, bitrate, output quality, subtitles and HDR tone mapping.

Value 25% 9/10

At~$875 AU with four M.2 slots, dual 2.5GbE, and Intel x86, it undercuts rivals significantly.

Software & Features 25% 6/10

ADM 4.3 covers essentials and supports Docker, but lacks the polish and ecosystem depth of Synology DSM.

Build & Hardware 15% 8/10

Four HDD bays plus four M.2 NVMe slots, HDMI 2.0b, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and user-upgradeable RAM to 16GB.

Ease of Use 15% 7/10

Straightforward setup with standard SO-DIMM RAM and accessible ADM interface, though less guided than DSM.

How we score  ·  Need to Know IT Editorial Standard v1.0  ·  Scored: March 2026

The Verdict

The Asustor AS5404T is the best value hardware package in the Australian 4-bay NAS market at its price point. Four M.2 NVMe slots, dual 2.5GbE, HDMI output, an Intel N5105 processor, and expandable RAM for $749-$943 is a combination no other brand matches at this price. The trade-off is ADM's less mature software ecosystem compared to Synology DSM, and a thinner Australian distribution and support chain.

The AS5404T suits buyers who prioritise hardware capability and are comfortable with a slightly more hands-on NAS experience. If you want the most storage, networking, and expansion potential per dollar spent, this is it. If you want the smoothest software experience and the deepest ecosystem of first-party apps, a Synology Plus series model is the safer choice at a higher effective price.

Four out of five. Excellent hardware value and genuine differentiation through the M.2 slots and HDMI output. One point deducted for ADM's relative software immaturity and the lingering security reputation concerns. For buyers who know what they want and are comfortable with Asustor's ecosystem, this is a strong buy at Australian pricing.

The Asustor AS5404T (Nimbustor 4 Gen2) is one of the strongest value propositions in the Australian 4-bay NAS market, combining an Intel N5105 processor, dual 2.5GbE networking, and four M.2 NVMe SSD slots for $749-$943 depending on the retailer. It sits in a competitive sweet spot between budget Realtek-based NAS units and the premium Synology Plus series, offering hardware that punches above its price point. If you want a NAS that can handle Plex transcoding, Docker containers, and fast file transfers without paying over $1,000, the AS5404T deserves serious consideration.

AS5404T Specifications and Australian Pricing

The AS5404T is the 4-bay model in Asustor's Nimbustor Gen2 lineup. Its defining feature is the combination of an x86 Intel processor with four M.2 NVMe SSD slots alongside four standard 3.5-inch drive bays, giving you both bulk HDD storage and high-speed SSD caching or tiered storage in a single unit. Here are the full specifications alongside current Australian pricing.

Pricing across Australian retailers varies more than it first appears. Scorptec and Computer and Parts Land both list the AS5404T at $749, Computer Alliance and Amazon AU sit at $875, and PLE Computers and Mwave are both at $943. That is close to a $200 spread on the same diskless unit, so which retailer you pick genuinely matters here. Weigh the cheapest listing against stock availability, pre-sales advice, and after-sales support before ordering.

Hardware Deep Dive: What Makes the AS5404T Stand Out

Intel N5105 Processor

The Intel Celeron N5105 is a Jasper Lake quad-core processor that has become the workhorse of mid-range NAS devices. At 2.0 GHz base with burst speeds up to 2.9 GHz, it delivers meaningful performance advantages over the Realtek RTD1619B chips found in budget Asustor models like the Drivestor series. The N5105 supports Intel AES-NI for hardware-accelerated encryption; ARM NAS performance varies, and some ARM models also include hardware encryption engines.

For Plex users, the N5105's Intel UHD Graphics supports hardware transcoding of H.264 and H.265 (HEVC) content, including 4K to 1080p transcode. This matters if you stream media to devices outside your local network, where the NAS needs to convert video on the fly to match the remote device's capability and your NBN upload bandwidth. Upload capacity depends on access technology and retail plan: copper-based Home Fast services can be up to 100/20, while eligible FTTP/HFC Home Fast services may be 500/50. Two simultaneous transcodes are achievable but will push the CPU hard.

Four M.2 NVMe Slots: The Differentiator

Four M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots is genuinely unusual at this price point. Most competing 4-bay NAS units in the sub-$1,000 bracket offer two M.2 slots at most. The Synology DS423+ and QNAP TS-464 each have two built-in M.2 slots. Asustor gives you four, which opens up several practical configurations.

You can use the M.2 slots for SSD caching to accelerate reads and writes on your HDD-based storage pools. Alternatively, you can create a dedicated all-SSD volume on the M.2 slots for high-performance workloads like virtual machines or databases while keeping bulk storage on the HDD bays. For users interested in SSD caching and all-flash NAS configurations, the AS5404T's four M.2 slots provide flexibility that competitors at this price simply do not match.

Dual 2.5GbE Networking

Both Ethernet ports are 2.5 Gigabit, and they support link aggregation (802.3ad LACP) for combined throughput. In practice, a single 2.5GbE connection delivers around 280 MB/s of real-world file transfer speed, which is roughly 2.5 times faster than standard gigabit Ethernet. With link aggregation enabled and a compatible managed switch, two clients can each achieve full 2.5GbE speeds simultaneously. For a detailed look at NAS networking options, see our NAS networking guide.

The caveat: you need 2.5GbE on the client side too. If your PC or Mac only has a 1GbE port, you will still be limited to roughly 112 MB/s regardless of the NAS capabilities. A USB-to-2.5GbE adapter can exceed gigabit speed only when connected to a 2.5GbE-capable switch/router port or directly to a 2.5GbE NAS port.

RAM and Expandability

The AS5404T ships with 4GB of DDR4 3200 MHz RAM, which is sufficient for standard file serving, media streaming, and light Docker use. If you plan to run multiple Docker containers, virtual machines, or Plex with heavy transcoding, upgrading to 8GB or the full 16GB maximum is worthwhile. Asustor uses standard SO-DIMM slots, so compatible third-party RAM modules work fine, unlike some vendors that insist on proprietary or "approved" memory. Budget around $40-60 for an 8GB SO-DIMM from a local retailer.

HDMI 2.0b Output

The HDMI 2.0b port supports 4K output at 60Hz, which enables the AS5404T to function as a direct media playback device when connected to a TV or monitor. ASUSTOR Portal provides local HDMI output; current Kodi builds for ADM 5 are community packages rather than ASUSTOR-maintained App Central apps. This is a feature Synology dropped from its consumer lineup years ago and QNAP offers only on select models. If direct HDMI playback matters to your setup, Asustor has a clear advantage here.

Software: ADM 4.3 in Practice

Asustor Data Master (ADM) is the operating system running on the AS5404T. Version 4.3 is competent and covers all the essentials: file management, user permissions, backup scheduling, app installation, Docker support via Portainer, and surveillance via Asustor's Surveillance Center (with four free camera licences included). The interface is responsive and logically organised.

Where ADM falls short compared to Synology DSM is in the depth and polish of first-party applications. Synology Photos, Synology Drive, and Active Backup for Business are genuinely excellent apps with no real equivalents in the Asustor ecosystem. Asustor compensates with broader third-party app support and a more open approach to Docker and community packages, but if you want a tightly integrated software experience out of the box, Synology still leads. For a detailed brand comparison, see our Synology vs Asustor analysis.

For Docker and containerised apps, the AS5404T is a strong performer. The x86 N5105 CPU means full compatibility with the vast majority of Docker images (unlike ARM-based NAS units that are limited to ARM-compatible containers). Asustor ships Portainer as the default Docker management interface, which is industry-standard and familiar to anyone who has used Docker on a Linux server. If you are interested in running Docker and virtualisation on a NAS, the AS5404T's hardware handles it comfortably.

Security Considerations

Asustor had a significant security incident in February 2022 when the Deadbolt ransomware campaign targeted ADM devices. It was a wake-up call for the brand and its users. After Deadbolt, ASUSTOR documented vulnerability fixes, ransomware-detection measures, TLS 1.2 as the default minimum, CSP headers and warnings to change default ports. However, the incident left a mark on the brand's reputation, and it is fair to say that Synology and QNAP have longer track records of responding to security threats at scale.

For any NAS exposed to the internet, standard security practices apply regardless of brand: disable default admin accounts, enable 2FA, keep ADM updated, use a VPN for remote access rather than exposing the NAS directly, and disable UPnP. If your NBN connection uses CGNAT (common on some RSPs), remote access requires a VPN tunnel or a relay service like Asustor's EZ-Connect, since CGNAT blocks incoming connections. See our NAS remote access and VPN guide for the full setup walkthrough.

Performance: Real-World Expectations

With a RAID 5 array of four NAS-grade HDDs (such as Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus drives), the AS5404T delivers sequential read speeds of approximately 250-280 MB/s over a single 2.5GbE connection, which is close to the theoretical maximum of the network link. Sequential write speeds sit around 200-240 MB/s depending on drive configuration and workload.

Where the four M.2 NVMe slots make a real difference is random I/O performance. Using SSD caching with two NVMe drives in a read-write cache configuration dramatically improves performance for small random reads and writes, which are the dominant access patterns for applications like databases, virtual machines, and Docker containers. Populating all four M.2 slots as a dedicated SSD volume can improve sequential storage performance, though the 2.5GbE network will bottleneck transfers to around 280 MB/s per client unless you use SMB Multichannel across both ports.

Plex transcoding performance is solid. The N5105 handles a single 4K HEVC to 1080p transcode without breaking a sweat, and two simultaneous 1080p transcodes are manageable. 4K Direct Play avoids server-side video transcoding, but successful playback still depends on the client, codecs, container, bitrate, subtitles, audio format and network., which is the preferred approach for local streaming anyway. For remote Plex streaming, your NBN upload speed is typically the bottleneck, not the NAS hardware.

Who Should Buy the AS5404T

The AS5404T suits several specific use cases particularly well.

Home power users and media enthusiasts: If you run Plex, store a large media library, and want room to grow into Docker-based applications, the AS5404T gives you the hardware headroom to do all of that without spending over $1,000 on the NAS enclosure. The HDMI output is a bonus if you want to connect the NAS directly to a TV.

Content creators and photographers: Four drive bays in RAID 5 give you redundancy with usable capacity. The four M.2 slots mean you can set up an SSD cache to accelerate access to your working files while bulk storage sits on HDDs. For photographers managing large Lightroom catalogues or video editors working with proxy files, this configuration works well. See our guide on choosing a NAS for photography for more detail.

Small offices and home offices: The AS5404T may suit small-office shared-file access, basic collaboration tools, and workstation backups, but its practical concurrent-user capacity varies with file sizes, protocols, drive configuration, encryption, applications, and simultaneous activity. For small business deployments, see our best NAS for small business guide.

Docker and home automation enthusiasts: The x86 architecture and expandable RAM make it a capable platform for running multiple containers. Home Assistant, Pi-hole, Nextcloud, and similar self-hosted applications run well on the N5105. For more on this use case, check our NAS for Docker and home automation guide.

Who Should Not Buy the AS5404T

Don't buy the AS5404T if you prioritise software ecosystem above all else. If Synology Photos, Synology Drive, or Active Backup for Business are essential to your workflow, the AS5404T cannot replicate those experiences. Asustor's first-party apps are functional but not at the same level. You would be better served by a Synology DS925+ or similar Plus series model, even though the hardware specs per dollar are lower.

Don't buy it if you are a complete NAS beginner with no interest in learning. Synology's guided setup and polished app ecosystem make the initial experience smoother for first-time users. Asustor's ADM is not difficult, but it assumes a slightly higher baseline of technical comfort. For beginners, our best NAS for beginners guide covers the options better suited to a hands-off experience.

Don't buy it for mission-critical business deployments where vendor support responsiveness is paramount. Asustor is distributed in Australia exclusively through Dicker Data, and while stock availability has been improving, the support chain is not as deep or as tested as Synology's dual-distributor (BlueChip and MMT) setup. For business-critical environments, the extra cost of a Synology or QNAP unit often buys you a more predictable warranty experience.

Pros and Cons

How the AS5404T Compares to Competitors

The AS5404T sits in a competitive segment of the Australian 4-bay NAS market. Here is how it stacks up against the most commonly cross-shopped alternatives available from Australian retailers.

Prices last verified: 2 September 2026. Always check retailer before purchasing.

Against the QNAP TS-464, the AS5404T trades QTS's app ecosystem and default 8GB RAM for double the built-in M.2 slots; both models provide HDMI output. Both use very similar Intel processors and 2.5GbE networking. The choice between them often comes down to whether you value QNAP's broader app library or Asustor's additional M.2 expansion. For a full brand comparison, see our QNAP vs Asustor guide.

Against Synology's 4-bay offerings, the AS5404T wins on raw hardware: more M.2 slots, faster default networking, HDMI output, and more USB ports. Synology wins on software quality, ecosystem depth, and brand trust. There is no objectively "better" choice here; it depends on whether hardware flexibility or software polish matters more to your use case.

The AS6804T is the Lockerstor 4 Gen3, using an AMD Ryzen V3C14, 16GB ECC DDR5, four M.2 slots, dual 10GbE and dual 5GbE; Scorptec currently lists it at $2,279.

Total Cost of Ownership: What to Budget

The NAS enclosure is only part of the total cost. Here is a realistic budget breakdown for an AS5404T deployment in Australia, using current pricing from local retailers.

Component	Example	Approximate AU Cost
NAS Enclosure	Asustor AS5404T	$749-$943
4x NAS HDD (4TB)	Seagate IronWolf 4TB x4	$800-$880
4x NAS HDD (8TB)	Seagate IronWolf 8TB x4	$1,200-$1,400
RAM Upgrade (8GB)	8GB DDR4 SO-DIMM	$40-$60
M.2 NVMe SSD (Cache)	1TB NVMe SSD x2	$180-$240
UPS	CyberPower or APC 650VA	$150-$250
Total (4TB HDDs, no SSD)	Basic Setup	$1,699-$2,073
Total (8TB HDDs + SSD Cache)	Full Setup	$2,319-$2,893

NAS-grade drive prices have risen significantly from early 2025 levels. Budget accordingly and shop around, as pricing varies between retailers. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is strongly recommended for any NAS deployment, as unexpected power loss can cause data corruption and drive damage. Factor this into your budget from the start rather than treating it as an optional extra.

Buying the AS5404T in Australia

The AS5404T is available from the following Australian retailers as of September 2026:

Scorptec. $749, confirmed in stock, and currently the cheapest in the country alongside Computer and Parts Land. Scorptec is a full-range NAS specialist with stores in Melbourne and Sydney and a strong online presence. They carry the complete Asustor lineup and offer genuine pre-sales advice.

Mwave. $943. Mwave is a well-established Sydney-based retailer with solid stock levels across the Asustor range. It currently sits at the top of the Australian price range for this model, around $194 above Scorptec, so check for bundle deals or promotions before paying the difference.

PLE Computers. $943, in stock. PLE operates from Perth with national shipping and is another full-range specialist that carries most Asustor models.

Asustor is distributed in Australia exclusively through Dicker Data, which means stock flows through a single distribution channel. ASUSTOR lists Dicker Data as its Australian distributor, but stock availability can vary between retailers according to their own inventory. This is less resilient than Synology's dual-distributor arrangement through BlueChip and MMT. If you are set on the AS5404T, don't wait too long if your preferred retailer shows it in stock.

For a broader look at where to buy NAS equipment in Australia, see our where to buy NAS in Australia guide, which covers retailer strengths, weaknesses, and after-sales support quality.

Setup Tips and Recommendations

If you decide to go with the AS5404T, here are practical setup recommendations based on common Australian deployment scenarios.

RAID configuration: For four drives, RAID 5 provides a good balance of capacity and redundancy (one drive can fail without data loss). If data protection is your priority over capacity, RAID 6 sacrifices one additional drive's worth of capacity but tolerates two simultaneous drive failures. For more on RAID options, see our RAID explained guide.

M.2 SSD caching: Start with two NVMe drives in a read-write cache configuration. This accelerates frequently accessed files without requiring you to manage separate storage pools. Asustor's ADM makes SSD cache setup straightforward through the Storage Manager interface.

Backup strategy: A NAS is not a backup. Set up a 3-2-1 backup strategy: three copies of your data, on two different media types, with one copy offsite. Use ASUSTOR's DataSync Center or ADM backup tools such as Cloud Backup Center, Rsync Backup or SMB Backup to replicate critical data to supported cloud storage or another server. Plan for hardware failure as a matter of when, not if, and accept that the warranty replacement process takes 2-3 weeks minimum.

Network setup: If your switch supports 2.5GbE, connect both NAS ports and enable link aggregation. If you are on standard gigabit networking, the NAS will still work perfectly, and you can upgrade your network infrastructure over time. A USB-to-2.5GbE adapter on your primary workstation is a cost-effective interim step.

Related reading: our NAS buyer's guide.

Use our free NAS Sizing Wizard to get a personalised NAS recommendation.

See also: our complete Asustor NAS Australia guide.

Is the Asustor AS5404T good for Plex in Australia?

Yes. The Intel N5105 supports hardware transcoding of H.264 and H.265 content, handling a single 4K to 1080p transcode comfortably. For local direct play, it handles 4K content without any issues. The main limitation for remote Plex streaming is your NBN upload speed (typically 20-40 Mbps on NBN 100 plans), not the NAS hardware. The HDMI output also allows direct media playback via Plex or Kodi without needing a separate streaming device.

Can I upgrade the RAM in the AS5404T?

Yes. The AS5404T uses standard DDR4 SO-DIMM modules and supports up to 16GB. The stock 4GB is adequate for basic file serving and light media streaming, but upgrading to 8GB or 16GB is recommended if you plan to run Docker containers, virtual machines, or heavy multitasking workloads. Compatible third-party RAM modules work fine; you do not need Asustor-branded memory. Expect to pay around $40-60 for an 8GB module from an Australian retailer.

What drives should I use with the Asustor AS5404T?

For the four 3.5-inch bays, use NAS-rated drives such as Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus. These are designed for 24/7 operation and include firmware optimisations for RAID environments. Standard desktop drives (Seagate Barracuda, WD Blue) are not recommended as they lack the vibration tolerance and error recovery features needed for reliable NAS operation. Use an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD listed for the AS54 series in ASUSTOR's compatibility database, and follow ASUSTOR's heatsink requirements. See our NAS hard drive guide for specific model recommendations and current Australian pricing.

How does the Asustor AS5404T compare to the Synology DS925+?

The AS5404T has four M.2 slots versus two on the DS925+, and it adds HDMI output; both models have dual 2.5GbE networking. The DS925+ counters with Synology's vastly superior software ecosystem (DSM, Synology Photos, Active Backup), broader Australian distribution through two distributors (BlueChip and MMT), and a stronger security track record. If hardware per dollar is your priority, the AS5404T wins. If software quality and ecosystem depth matter more, the DS925+ or its successor the DS925+ is the better choice.

Is the Asustor AS5404T secure after the Deadbolt ransomware attack?

Asustor has significantly improved ADM's security since the February 2022 Deadbolt incident. ADM 4.3 includes improved default firewall rules, automatic security updates, and two-factor authentication. However, no NAS is immune to attack. Standard security practices are essential: change the default admin password, enable 2FA, disable UPnP, keep ADM updated, and use a VPN for remote access rather than exposing the NAS directly to the internet. A robust 3-2-1 backup strategy is your ultimate defence against ransomware regardless of the NAS brand.

Where is the cheapest place to buy the AS5404T in Australia?

As of September 2026, Scorptec and Computer and Parts Land list the AS5404T at $749, Computer Alliance and Amazon AU at $875, and PLE Computers and Mwave at $943. Australian NAS pricing is less uniform than it looks on this model, so comparing before you order is worth roughly $194. Once you have the shortlist, consider which retailer offers the best after-sales support rather than only the lowest price. Ask about their warranty process before buying: "If this fails, what is your process? Is an advanced replacement available?" The answer tells you more about the value of buying from that retailer than the price on the website. Australian Consumer Law protections apply when purchasing from Australian retailers.

Can I use the AS5404T as a Docker and home server?

Absolutely. The x86 Intel N5105 CPU ensures full compatibility with the vast majority of Docker images, unlike ARM-based NAS units that are limited to ARM builds. Asustor ships Portainer as the default Docker management interface. With a RAM upgrade to 8GB or 16GB, the AS5404T can run popular self-hosted applications such as Home Assistant, Pi-hole, Nextcloud, and Jellyfin, though the number that can run simultaneously and their performance will vary with workload, user count, database activity, media processing, and transcoding requirements. The four M.2 NVMe slots can host a dedicated SSD volume for Docker containers, keeping them fast and responsive while bulk data sits on the HDD array.