Asustor AS5402T 2-Bay NAS Review: Powerful and Versatile Storage Solution

Asustor AS5402T 2-Bay NAS Review: Powerful and Versatile Storage Solution

The Asustor AS5402T is a compact and feature-rich 2-bay NAS enclosure designed for both home and small office users. Packed with an Intel Celeron N5105 processor, 4GB DDR4 memory, and four M.2 slots, the AS5402T delivers impressive performance and versatility. I recently had the opportunity to put this NAS through its paces, and here’s what I found.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The AS5402T stands out for its versatility. It’s a great option for centralizing your data, backing up your devices, streaming multimedia content, and even running various applications. Its compact design makes it suitable for various environments, from home offices to small businesses.

Key Features

The AS5402T boasts a range of features that contribute to its versatility:

  • Intel Celeron N5105 Processor: This quad-core processor offers a significant performance boost for demanding tasks like transcoding video or running multiple applications.
  • 4GB DDR4 Memory: The AS5402T comes with 4GB of DDR4 memory, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient operation. You can also expand the memory up to 16GB for even better performance.
  • Four M.2 Slots: The AS5402T offers four M.2 slots, allowing you to install NVMe SSDs for blazing-fast storage speeds. This is perfect for applications that require quick access to data, such as databases or virtual machines.
  • Two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: The AS5402T features two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing high-speed connectivity for data transfers and network access.
  • HDMI 2.0b Output: With an HDMI 2.0b output, you can connect the AS5402T to a display and use it as a multimedia hub for streaming movies, TV shows, and music.
  • Asustor ADM Operating System: The AS5402T runs on Asustor’s user-friendly ADM operating system, which offers a wide range of applications and features, including file sharing, cloud storage, multimedia streaming, and more.

Performance Evaluation

I was thoroughly impressed with the AS5402T’s performance. With its powerful processor and ample memory, it handled various tasks with ease. I tested the NAS with several workloads, including:

  • File Transfer: The AS5402T delivered exceptionally fast file transfer speeds, both locally and over the network, thanks to its 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports.
  • Video Transcoding: The AS5402T effortlessly transcoded 4K videos, making it ideal for home media servers. I was able to stream videos to multiple devices simultaneously without any lag.
  • Virtual Machine Performance: The AS5402T’s performance allowed me to run virtual machines smoothly, which is excellent for testing different operating systems or running applications that require a dedicated environment.

I found that the AS5402T’s performance was consistently reliable, even when I was running multiple tasks simultaneously. The NAS handled everything without a hiccup, making it a highly capable solution for a variety of tasks.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Powerful Intel Celeron N5105 processor.
  • Plenty of memory (4GB expandable to 16GB).
  • Four M.2 slots for fast NVMe SSDs.
  • Two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity.
  • HDMI output for multimedia streaming.
  • Versatile ADM operating system with many applications.
  • Compact and stylish design.

Cons:

  • Only two drive bays, which might be limiting for some users.
  • No built-in battery backup for uninterrupted operation during power outages.

Final Verdict

The Asustor AS5402T is a highly capable and versatile NAS that offers excellent performance and a wide range of features. Its powerful processor, ample memory, and fast storage options make it ideal for a variety of home and office applications. While it lacks a few features that are common in higher-end NAS models, like more drive bays and battery backup, the AS5402T still offers outstanding value for its price. If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-rich NAS that’s easy to set up and use, the AS5402T is a great choice.

Specification Value
CPU Intel Celeron N5105
CPU Architecture x64 64-bit
CPU Frequency Quad-Core 2.0GHz (burst up to 2.90 GHz)
Memory 4GB SO-DIMM DDR4
Memory Module Pre-installed 4GB (1x 4GB)
Total Memory Slots 2
Memory Expandable up to 16GB (2x 8GB)
Support Mixed Capacity Yes
Flash Memory 8GB eMMC
Drive Bays 2
M.2 Drive Slots 4
Compatible Drive Type 3.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA HDD, 2.5″ SATA SSD, M.2 2280 NVMe
Maximum Drive Bays with Expansion Unit 14
Supports Hot Swappable Drives Yes
External Ports 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
Network 2x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5G/1G/100M)
Multimedia Output 1x HDMI 2.0b
System Fan 1x 70mm
Infrared Receiver No
Power Supply Unit / Adapter 65W x1
Input Power Voltage 100V to 240V AC
Certification FCC, CE, VCCI, BSMI, C-TICK, KCC, BIS, CCC, UKCA
Warranty 3 Years
Power Consumption 22.9 W (Operation); 12.7 W (Disk Hibernation); 0.71 W (Sleep Mode)
Noise Level 18.6dB (HDD idle)
Operation Temperature 0°C~40°C (32°F~104°F)
Storage Temperature -20°C~70°C (-4°F~158°F)
Humidity 5% to 95% RH
Size 170 (H) x 114 (W) x 230 (D) mm
Weight 1.71 kg / 3.77 lb