Decide if the DS425+ Is Worth It Over the DS423+
An identical platform with one 2.5GbE port and the 2025 drive rules
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The DS425+ is the DS423+ with one of its two 1GbE ports replaced by a 2.5GbE port. The processor is the same Intel Celeron J4125, the memory is the same 2GB with a 6GB ceiling, and both have four bays and two M.2 slots. What else changed is the rulebook: the DS425+ is a 2025 model, so an unlisted M.2 drive cannot be used for cache on it. For a new buyer the choice is the price on the day; for a DS423+ owner there is nothing here to upgrade for.
DS425+ vs DS423+, row by row
| DS425+ | DS423+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron J4125 | Intel Celeron J4125 |
| Memory | 2GB DDR4 non-ECC, up to 6GB | 2GB DDR4, up to 6GB |
| Memory slots | 1 | 1 |
| Drive bays | 4 | 4 |
| M.2 slots | 2 x M.2 2280 NVMe | 2 x M.2 2280 NVMe |
| Most bays possible | 4 (no expansion unit) | 4 (no expansion unit) |
| Network ports | 1 x 2.5GbE + 1 x 1GbE | 2 x 1GbE |
| Network or PCIe upgrade | None | None |
| Power draw | 28.25W access, 6.10W hibernation | Not in the datasheet |
| Noise | 21.6 dB(A) | Not in the datasheet |
| Hardware warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
| Drive policy | 2025 policy (DSM 7.3): third-party HDDs allowed, unlisted M.2 blocked | Pre-2025: not restricted, unlisted drives show as Unverified |
Where the figures come from
Each row is from Synology's own specification page or datasheet for the model, read on October 12, 2026. Power and noise are Synology's test figures with the bays fully populated, not our measurements. A cell that says a figure is not in the datasheet means Synology does not publish it there, so we do not state one.
Checked on October 12, 2026. Sources: Synology DS425+ specifications; Synology DS423+ datasheet; Synology Knowledge Center: Drive compatibility policies for systems from 2025 (DSM 7.3 and above); Synology press release, 8 October 2025: DiskStation Manager 7.3.
One port is the whole hardware story
Synology kept the Celeron J4125 for the DS425+. The memory is unchanged too: 2GB fitted, one slot, and a 6GB limit that Synology writes as 2GB plus a 4GB module. If you were waiting for more memory headroom or a newer chip in this size, it did not arrive.
The network did change. One 2.5GbE port and one 1GbE port replace the DS423+'s pair of 1GbE ports. On a 2.5GbE switch that lifts the ceiling on large file copies, which a four-drive array can otherwise outrun.
The M.2 slots are where the policy bites
Both models have two M.2 2280 slots, and on both the compatibility list for those slots contains Synology SNV drives only. The difference is what happens to a drive that is not on the list. On the DS425+, under the 2025 policy, it cannot create a cache or a storage pool. On the DS423+ it is shown as Unverified, and the 2025 block does not apply, because Synology says the policy is not retroactive.
For hard drives the two are now alike in practice: DSM 7.3 lets the DS425+ build pools on third-party hard drives, which the DS423+ always could.
Which to buy
DS425+
- You have, or plan, a 2.5GbE switch
- You will use Synology M.2 drives or no cache at all
- You want the model with the longer support life ahead of it
DS423+
- It is meaningfully cheaper on the day
- You do not want the 2025 block on unlisted M.2 drives
- Your network is 1GbE and will stay that way
DS425+ and DS423+ on Amazon.com today
Frequently asked questions
Does the DS425+ have a better processor than the DS423+?
No. Both specification sheets list the Intel Celeron J4125.
How much memory can the DS425+ take?
6GB: the 2GB it ships with plus one 4GB module in its single slot, the same as the DS423+. Synology lists its own D4NS01-4G module for it.
Is the DS425+ faster on the network?
It can be. It has one 2.5GbE port where the DS423+ has only 1GbE ports. You need a 2.5GbE switch and client to see the difference.
Can I use a Samsung or WD M.2 drive as cache in the DS425+?
No. On 2025 models an M.2 NVMe drive that is not on Synology's compatibility list cannot create a cache or a storage pool, and the list contains Synology SNV drives only.