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Synology Black DS420+ 4-Bay NAS Enclosure, 2-Core 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, Metal, No HDD, Compatible with Desktop
Synology

Synology Black DS420+ 4-Bay NAS Enclosure, 2-Core 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, Metal, No HDD, Compatible with Desktop

Bottom line: The Synology Black DS420+ 4-Bay NAS Enclosure: Two built-in M.2 SSD slots for Synology SSD Cache acceleration; main trade-off: ships diskless; hard drives are a separate purchase.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Two built-in M.2 SSD slots for Synology SSD Cache acceleration
  • ✓ Rated over 226MB/s sequential read and 225MB/s sequential write
  • ✓ Four drive bays let you start with two disks and expand later
  • ✓ 2-core 2.0GHz CPU handles file sharing, video streaming and photo indexing
  • ✓ Metal desktop enclosure fits on a shelf or beside a monitor

Cons

  • ✗ Ships diskless; hard drives are a separate purchase
  • ✗ 2GB RAM is modest for running many apps at once
  • ✗ 2-core CPU leaves limited headroom for heavy compute workloads
  • ✗ SSD cache benefit requires buying M.2 drives on top of HDDs

Manufacturer description

The Synology DS420+ is a 4-bay desktop NAS enclosure built to give you one central place for files, video and photos on your network. It ships diskless, so you choose the hard drives and the capacity that fit your storage plan. Inside, a 2-core 2.0GHz processor and 2GB of RAM handle data sharing, video streaming and photo indexing. Synology rates sequential performance at more than 226MB/s read and 225MB/s write, which is enough headroom to move large media libraries and backup sets across your network. Two built-in M.2 SSD slots set the DS420+ apart from basic four-bay boxes. Add NVMe…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Synology Black DS420+ 4-Bay NAS Enclosure using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Synology's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Synology DS420+ come with hard drives installed?

No. The DS420+ is sold as a diskless enclosure with four empty drive bays, so you need to buy and install your own hard drives.

What are the M.2 slots on the DS420+ used for?

The DS420+ has two built-in M.2 SSD slots. With Synology SSD Cache technology, SSDs in those slots speed up system I/O and application performance.

How fast is the DS420+ for file transfers?

Synology rates the DS420+ at more than 226MB/s sequential read and 225MB/s sequential write. Real-world speeds depend on your drives, network and workload.

Can I use the DS420+ to stream video and organize photos?

Yes. Synology positions the DS420+ for data sharing, video streaming and photo indexing, all powered by its 2-core 2.0GHz processor.

How much memory does the DS420+ have, and can it be upgraded?

It ships with 2GB of RAM. For supported memory upgrades and current warranty terms, check Synology's product listing before you buy.

Key Features

  • Emergency channel, Automatic frequency tuning, Flashlight, Backup power, bottle opener and SOS alarm. This is the most multi-function 4 in 156, practical and cost-effective emergency weather radio in history.
  • Emergency channel, Automatic frequency tuning, Flashlight, Backup power, bottle opener and SOS alarm. This is the most multi-function 4 in 156, practical and cost-effective emergency weather radio in history.
  • Emergency channel, Automatic frequency tuning, Flashlight, Backup power, bottle opener and SOS alarm. This is the most multi-function 4 in 156, practical and cost-effective emergency weather radio in history.
  • Emergency channel, Automatic frequency tuning, Flashlight, Backup power, bottle opener and SOS alarm. This is the most multi-function 4 in 156, practical and cost-effective emergency weather radio in history.
  • Emergency channel, Automatic frequency tuning, Flashlight, Backup power, bottle opener and SOS alarm. This is the most multi-function 4 in 156, practical and cost-effective emergency weather radio in history.

Full Specifications

BrandSynology
ColorBlack
Model NameDS420+
Read Speed225 megabytes_per_second
Unit Count1 count
Media Speed225 megabits_per_second
Model NumberDS420+
Hard Disk Size2 GB
Hard-Drive Size2 GB
Mfr Part NumberDS420+
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Installation TypeInternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Transfer Rate6 gigabits_per_second
Enclosure MaterialMetal
Additional FeaturesPortable
Hard Disk DescriptionSolid State Drive
Hardware ConnectivitySATA 6.0 Gb/s
Connectivity TechnologySATA

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Synology Black DS420+ 4-Bay NAS Enclosure, 2-Core 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, Metal, No HDD, Compatible with Desktop is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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Synology Black DS420+ 4-Bay NAS Enclosure, 2-Core 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, Metal, No HDD, Compatible with Desktop
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