Best M.2 NVMe for the TerraMaster F2-425
By Devin Chua · Data checked by Owen Nakamura · Updated The TerraMaster F2-425 has no M.2 slots, so an NVMe cache is not possible on this model — no m.2 slots. nvme and 5gbe come only with the f2-425 plus. Over its 1 × 2.5GbE, that is barely a loss: a single CMR drive already saturates the link, and a cache only helps data you read repeatedly. If cache or a fast NVMe pool matters to you, choose a model with M.2 slots.
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What sets the F2-425 apart
The cheapest x86 two-bay with 2.5-gigabit networking. With two equal-size drives TRAID gives no advantage over RAID 1; it only gets interesting once you add a larger drive later.
The TerraMaster drive policy on the F2-425
unrestrictedOpen. TerraMaster explicitly does not restrict drive brands.
The F2-425 at a glance
| Bays | 2 × 3.5-inch SATA and 2.5-inch SATA SSD |
|---|---|
| Maximum raw capacity | 60 TB 2 × 30 TB, per the manufacturer |
| Processor | Intel N5095 (4 cores, 2.0 GHz) |
| Memory | 4 GB, DDR4 SO-DIMM, no ECC (1 slot) 16 GB official |
| M.2 NVMe | none No M.2 slots. NVMe and 5GbE come only with the F2-425 Plus. |
| Network | 1 × 2.5GbE |
| Operating system | TOS 6 |
| RAID types | TRAID, TRAID+, Single, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1 TRAID also makes use of mixed drive sizes. |
Keep calculating
To see how much capacity is left after parity, the F2-425 capacity calculator is preset to its 2 bays and RAID types. For the F2-425, 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 F2-425 have?
None. No M.2 slots. NVMe and 5GbE come only with the F2-425 Plus.
Is an NVMe cache worth it in the F2-425?
Not possible — the F2-425 has no M.2 slots. Over its 1 × 2.5GbE a cache would add little anyway, since a single drive already saturates the link.
Can I put third-party drives in the F2-425?
Yes. TerraMaster locks no drive brand on the F2-425 — 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)