Best M.2 NVMe for the QNAP TS-464
By Devin Chua · Data checked by Owen Nakamura · Updated The QNAP TS-464 has 2 M.2 slots. They are freely populated (2 × m.2 2280 nvme (pcie 3.0 x1), freely populated), so a Samsung 990 EVO, WD Red SN700 or Crucial P3 all work. Whether a cache pays off depends on the 2 × 2.5GbE, expandable to 5GbE or 10GbE via the PCIe slot link and on whether you re-read the same data — for a media library streamed once, it does not.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases on Amazon.ca.
M.2 NVMe for the TS-464, live from Amazon.ca
What sets the TS-464 apart
The most interesting QNAP for self-deciders: the PCIe slot makes 10GbE an upgrade, and with QuTS hero the same box runs ZFS instead of ext4. If you choose QuTS hero, the RAID-Z calculator applies, not the RAID calculator. QNAP has no SHR equivalent: mixed drive sizes waste real capacity here.
Cache or a fast pool on the TS-464?
The TS-464's 2 M.2 slots (2 × m.2 2280 nvme (pcie 3.0 x1), freely populated) can serve as a read cache or, depending on the OS, as their own fast storage pool. A cache only speeds up data you read more than once: on the TS-464, a media library streamed through once gains nothing, while repeated project files, photo libraries or container images show the difference immediately. Weigh that against its 2 × 2.5GbE, expandable to 5GbE or 10GbE via the PCIe slot link, which is often the real limit.
Because the TS-464 takes any M.2 drive, a Samsung 990 EVO, WD Red SN700 or Crucial P3 all work; for a write cache or VM pool, pick one with a real TBW rating rather than a DRAM-less budget SSD, since a cache wears faster than normal use.
The QNAP drive policy on the TS-464
unrestrictedOpen. QNAP locks no drives; the compatibility list is guidance. QNAP only warns that unlisted drives may affect stability.
The TS-464 at a glance
| Bays | 4 × 3.5-inch SATA and 2.5-inch SATA SSD |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Celeron N5095 (4 cores) |
| Memory | 8 GB, DDR4 SO-DIMM, no ECC (2 slots) 16 GB official. 32 GB runs per forum reports but is not endorsed by QNAP. |
| M.2 NVMe | 2 slots 2 × M.2 2280 NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x1), freely populated |
| Network | 2 × 2.5GbE, expandable to 5GbE or 10GbE via the PCIe slot |
| Operating system | QTS 5.2 or QuTS hero (ZFS) |
| RAID types | Single, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10 |
Keep calculating
To see how much capacity is left after parity, the TS-464 capacity calculator is preset to its 4 bays and RAID types. For the TS-464, the wider basics of choosing a drive are in the buying guides, where we also explain why CMR rather than SMR is mandatory in any RAID array.
Frequently asked questions
How many M.2 slots does the TS-464 have?
2. 2 × M.2 2280 NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x1), freely populated
Is an NVMe cache worth it in the TS-464?
Only if you re-read the same data on the TS-464: project files, photos, container images. A media library streamed once gains nothing, and with 2 × 2.5GbE, expandable to 5GbE or 10GbE via the PCIe slot the link is often the limit before the drive is.
Can I put third-party drives in the TS-464?
Yes. QNAP locks no drive brand on the TS-464 — its compatibility list is guidance, not a gate — so any CMR NAS drive works.
Devin Chua works out which drives, RAM and NVMe cache fit which NAS model at nasdrives.ca, and what the RAID choice means for usable capacity, checked against what is in stock on Amazon.ca.
Data checked by Owen Nakamura, Technical editor (data checking)