Is this right for you?
Best for
- Buyers sure that two drives will cover their storage for the life of the NAS
- Plex hardware transcoding (with Plex Pass): the same Intel Celeron N5095 as the TS-464
- Home Docker use, with 8GB memory; current QNAP specifications list a 16GB maximum, but confirm the hardware revision with the retailer.
Not suitable for
- Anyone who wants RAID 5 or RAID 6, which need the TS-464's four bays
- Storage that keeps growing inside one box: two mirrored drives give you the space of one
- A shared office with several active users, where the TS-464's extra bays matter more
- Main compromise
- Two bays. You keep the TS-464's processor, memory ceiling and expansion slot, but mirroring two drives leaves you the usable space of one.
- Total system cost (AU)
- About $2,200: the $999 market price plus two 8TB NAS drives at about $594 each
- Closest alternative
- QNAP TS-464
The QNAP TS-264 and TS-464 are the two most capable mid-range QNAP models for home and SOHO use. Both run the same Intel Celeron N-series CPU with Quick Sync, both support M.2 NVMe SSD caching, and both run the full QTS software stack including Container Station for Docker. The decision comes down mainly to how many internal drive bays you need now and in the future, and whether the current retail price difference is meaningful for your budget. This guide compares both models across the factors that actually matter after purchase.
In short: Buy the TS-264 if 2 drives is sufficient long-term and you want to spend less. Container capacity depends on each workload's CPU, memory and storage demands; there is no supported 2-3-container cutoff between these models. Both models also have a PCIe Gen 3 ×2 slot. The CPU and transcoding capability are identical. The choice is about storage capacity and expansion.
NTK Research
Which model fits which buyer?
| Buyer | QNAP TS-264 | QNAP TS-464 |
|---|---|---|
| Family photo and PC backupA family backing up phone photos and home computers, set up and run from an app with no command line | Good fitPhone photo backup | Good fitPhone photo backup |
| Small office file serverA small office of about 8 staff needing Windows file sharing, snapshots and PC backup, looked after by an outside IT provider | Good fitWindows file sharing and directory login | Good fitWindows file sharing and directory login |
| Home lab self-hosterA home self-hoster running containers, a media server and a virtual machine or two, comfortable with Docker and the command line | Poor fitAt least 4 drive bays for bulk growth with redundancy | Poor fitOver this buyer's budget |
Research basis: NTK compares product capabilities, compatibility evidence and current market context where relevant against the requirements of each defined buyer scenario.
22 primary sources
- TS-264 | Bye-bye Gigabit NAS, hello 2.5GbE NAS.
- TS-264 Software Specs
- HDP PC Agent | License-free Windows PC/Server Backup
- What should I do if I accidentally unplugged healthy disks from a RAID group on my QNAP NAS?
- Backing up data | QTS 5.2.x
- Updating the firmware automatically, QTS 5.2.x
- App Center settings | QTS 5.2.x
- Enabling and configuring DLNA media server, QTS 5.2.x
- How do I set up myQNAPcloud so that my mobile apps can remotely access my NAS?
- TS-264
- Domain Security
- QNAP releases NetBak PC Agent, a license-free Windows PC/server backup solution
- TS-264 Hardware Specs
- What should I do if I accidentally unplugged healthy disks from a RAID group?
- Configuring the UPS settings, QTS 5.2.x
- QTS release notes
- How can I access the NAS remotely without port forwarding?
- Hardware Specs - TS-264-8G
- Container Station Quick Start Guide
- TS-264
- Virtualization Station Quick Start Guide
- How to use Container Station 2?
20 primary sources
- Automatic file uploads | Qfile Pro 4.x
- TS-464
- TS-464 | Software Specs
- Hybrid Backup Sync
- Updating the firmware automatically, QTS 5.2.x
- App Center settings | QTS 5.2.x
- How do I set up myQNAPcloud so that my mobile apps can remotely access my NAS?
- Enabling and configuring DLNA media server, QTS 5.2.x
- TS-464 Software Specs | QNAP Australia
- Domain security
- Restoring Files and Folders Using Windows Previous Versions
- HDP for PC/VM
- HBS Hybrid Backup Sync Quick Start Guide
- TS-464 Hardware Specs
- TS-464 | QNAP Australia
- Configuring the UPS settings, QTS 5.2.x
- QTS release notes
- How can I access the NAS remotely without port forwarding?
- TS-464 Software Specs
- TS-464-8G Hardware Specs
Specifications Compared
QNAP TS-264 vs TS-464: Specifications
| TS-264 | TS-464 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Celeron N5095 (4-core, 2.0GHz base / 2.9GHz burst) | Intel Celeron N5095 (4-core, 2.0GHz base / 2.9GHz boost) |
| Quick Sync (HW transcode) | Yes. Intel UHD Graphics | Yes. Intel UHD Graphics |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 (1×8GB installed on current units; 2× SO-DIMM slots, maximum 16GB as 2×8GB; confirm hardware revision) | 8GB DDR4 (2× SO-DIMM, expandable to 16GB) |
| Drive bays | 2 × 3.5"/2.5" SATA | 4 × 3.5"/2.5" SATA |
| M.2 NVMe slots | 2 × M.2 2280 (PCIe Gen 3 ×1) | 2 × M.2 2280 (PCIe Gen 3 ×1) |
| PCIe expansion slot | 1 × PCIe Gen 3 ×2 (low-profile) | 1 × PCIe Gen 3 × 2 (half-height) |
| Network | 2 × 2.5GbE | 2 × 2.5GbE |
| USB | 2 × USB 2.0, 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) | 2 × USB 2.0, 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) |
| HDMI output | 1 × HDMI output (current QNAP spec: HDMI 2.1; confirm hardware revision) | 1 × HDMI output (current QNAP spec: HDMI 2.1; confirm hardware revision) |
| Market price (AU) | about $999 | about $1,114 |
Market prices are the typical price across current Australian retailer listings. Always check the retailer before purchasing.
CPU and Performance: Are They Really the Same?
Current TS-264-8G and TS-464-8G models both use the Intel Celeron N5095, with 4 cores, a 2.0GHz base frequency and a 2.9GHz burst frequency. Both use the same CPU, but comparative performance depends on drive count, RAID layout, storage media, network setup, software versions and workload; no direct benchmark evidence is cited here to establish identical performance.
Both models support Intel Quick Sync hardware transcoding, which is the relevant performance metric for Plex and media-heavy use. Both support the same NVMe M.2 SSD caching configuration. Both run the same QTS 5.x software stack with identical app and container support.
The CPU is not a differentiator between these two models. Focus your decision on storage capacity and expansion.
Storage and RAID: The Primary Differentiator
The fundamental difference is drive bay count:
TS-264 (2 bays): Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, and single-disk configurations. RAID 1 mirrors two drives for redundancy. You lose half your raw capacity. Current advertised configuration: 2 × 24TB = 48TB raw / 24TB usable in RAID 1. For backup-and-access NAS use with two large drives, this is often sufficient.
TS-464 (4 bays): Adds RAID 5 and RAID 6. RAID 5 (4 drives): you lose 1 drive worth of capacity to parity, but can survive 1 drive failure. RAID 6 (4 drives): you lose 2 drives to parity, survives 2 simultaneous failures. Current advertised configuration: 4 × 24TB = 96TB raw / 72TB usable in RAID 5. For users who need more than two internal SATA bays in the NAS chassis, or want RAID 5/6 without an external expansion unit, the TS-464 is the option in this comparison.
The question to ask: Do you need RAID 5/6? For one-drive failure tolerance with greater usable capacity than a two-drive RAID 1, RAID 5 is one option on the TS-464, but RAID is not a backup; QNAP recommends keeping a full backup on another device or location. If RAID 1 with two drives covers your needs, the TS-264 is sufficient.
PCIe Expansion Slot: What It Enables
Both the TS-264 and TS-464 have one PCIe Gen 3 ×2 low-profile expansion slot. The most common uses for this slot:
- 10GbE network adapter: Connect the NAS to a 10GbE switch for high-speed local transfers. Useful for video editing workflows where transfer speed to/from the NAS is a bottleneck. The QXG-10G1T (QNAP's own single-port 10GbE card) fits and is supported
- Additional NVMe SSD: Some PCIe-to-M.2 expansion cards allow additional NVMe drives, either for extra SSD cache tier or all-NVMe pools
- The TS-464 does not support QNAP's QXP-T32P Thunderbolt 3 expansion card; QNAP lists that card only for the TVS-h1288X and TVS-h1688X. Relevant for video editors who want to connect a Mac directly to the NAS at high speed
For most home users and basic SOHO use, the PCIe slot will never be populated. Both models keep the option of adding a supported 10GbE card through their PCIe Gen 3 ×2 slot, subject to the slot's bandwidth limit. The TS-264 has a PCIe Gen 3 ×2 slot and supports optional 10GbE network cards, subject to the slot's bandwidth limitation.
Docker and Container Workloads
Both models run QNAP's Container Station with the full Docker ecosystem. For running a small number of containers (Nextcloud, Portainer, Pi-hole, Vaultwarden), both models have sufficient RAM (8GB) and CPU. The TS-264 and TS-464 are equally capable for light-to-moderate Docker workloads.
For heavier container workloads. Immich with machine learning enabled, multiple database-backed services, Jellyfin with transcoding alongside other containers. Both models provide two internal M.2 NVMe slots and one PCIe Gen 3 ×2 expansion slot; the TS-464's relevant storage advantage is its two additional SATA drive bays. The CPU and RAM are the same, but the storage architecture on the TS-464 gives more headroom for growth.
🇦🇺 Australian Buyers: Pricing and Where to Buy
Australian market prices:
- TS-264: about $999 (diskless). Available at Scorptec, PLE Computers, Umart, Computer Alliance
- TS-464: about $1,114 (diskless). Same retailers. Prices vary by retailer, so check current prices before buying.
QNAP lists a three-year standard manufacturer warranty for both models, subject to its regional and authorised-channel terms; confirm the warranty shown by the specific retailer. QNAP says in-warranty returns may be arranged through the original store, a distributor, or QNAP customer service. Retain receipt and buy from a major AU retailer for straightforward warranty service.
Use StaticICE.com.au to compare live pricing across Australian retailers.
See the full QNAP lineup guide for the complete AU model range and pricing, or the QNAP Australia brand guide for retailer recommendations and warranty advice.
Related reading: our NAS buyer's guide and our Synology vs QNAP comparison.
Use our free NAS Sizing Wizard to work out how many bays and what size drives you need.
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See also: our complete QNAP NAS Australia guide.
Is the TS-264 or TS-464 better for Plex?
Current TS-264-8G and TS-464-8G specifications list the N5095 with Intel Quick Sync, and Plex hardware-accelerated streaming requires Plex Pass. Their transcoding hardware is the same, but actual results vary with media format, Plex/QTS versions and concurrent workloads. If you need more than two internal drive bays, choose the TS-464; the TS-264 can also use supported external expansion enclosures. For library management up to 2 drives, the TS-264 is sufficient and cheaper.
Can I upgrade the RAM in both models?
Yes, for current SODIMM-based units. QNAP's current specifications list two DDR4 SODIMM slots and a 16GB maximum (2×8GB) for the TS-264-8G; confirm the exact hardware revision with the retailer because older listings may describe onboard, non-expandable 8GB memory. The TS-464 has 2 × SO-DIMM slots. Stock configuration is 1 × 8GB, expandable to 2 × 8GB = 16GB by adding a second module. Both max out at 16GB. For most home NAS workloads, 8GB is sufficient. For heavy Docker workloads (Nextcloud with many users, Immich with ML, multiple database containers), upgrading to 16GB is worthwhile.
Can drives from a TS-264 be moved to a TS-464 without rebuilding?
If moving a RAID 1 pool from a TS-264 to a TS-464, QNAP supports NAS-to-NAS migration within the same QTS platform. The drives maintain their RAID configuration when moved to compatible hardware. However, this is not a trivial process: always take a full backup before any drive migration, and follow QNAP's official NAS migration guide for your specific QTS version. The migration is possible and supported, but a backup first is non-negotiable.
Does the TS-264 support RAID 5?
No. RAID 5 requires a minimum of 3 drives and the TS-264 only has 2 bays. The TS-264 supports RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD, and single disk. If RAID 5 is a requirement, the TS-464 (or TS-433 at lower cost for a non-Intel option) is the minimum configuration.
Which is better for a small home office with 3-5 users?
The TS-464 for most home office scenarios. RAID 5 provides better storage efficiency than RAID 1 (lose 1 drive vs. half your capacity), the PCIe slot supports a 10GbE card for faster file transfers if ever needed, and 4 bays give room to grow without replacing the unit. At current market prices the TS-464 costs more, and its two extra bays give you capacity headroom.
Not sure how much usable storage you'll get from your RAID configuration? The RAID Usable Capacity Calculator shows exactly what each RAID level gives you with your chosen drives.