They promised me they fixed it... - ASUSTOR Flashstor Gen2

The video opens with an unboxing and initial impressions of the ASUSTOR Flashstor Gen2, highlighting its design and cooling approach. The host notes that the Gen2 is an NVMe-based NAS that uses multiple M.2 drives instead of traditional hard disks, and emphasizes the upgrade over Gen1, claiming improved performance sufficient to saturate a 10 Gbps network port. He walks through the physical package contents, including power, cables, a Precision screwdriver kit, and the modular fan setup, while pointing out the accessible RAM slots and the dense array of M.2 SSD slots that define the unit’s expansion potential. The discussion then shifts to thermal considerations, noting optional heatsinks and the potential for thermal throttling as drives are populated, while considering the tradeoffs between raw speed and cost. As the walkthrough continues, he demonstrates the hardware layout more deeply, including the multiple PCIe lanes configured across different gen x4 and x2 channels and the straightforward hot-swap style fan connection. The host then introduces the sponsor segment before resuming the setup process, setting up the device on a 10 Gbps network with a pair of 10 Gbps capable clients for real-world testing. The segment transitions to software configuration, where he runs the AI Master control and explores the one-click setup, the initial RAID choices, and the default behavior, including a RAID 0 maximum capacity that is later critiqued for its lack of fault tolerance. The testing phase shows real-world file transfers and benchmarking, with the NAS delivering impressive read speeds around 2 GB/s under optimal conditions, though the write performance and RAID configuration raise concerns about reliability and cost effectiveness. He compares performance to the Gen1 and discusses how the Gen2’s price and feature set position it in a premium category, suggesting it may be overkill for most users who would be better served by building a traditional NAS. The video concludes with a balanced assessment: while the Gen2 delivers strong sustained throughput and a modern feature set, the price, absence of some features, and the need for careful RAID planning temper the excitement, leaving the final verdict that it may suit enthusiasts or very specific professional workflows rather than mainstream buyers.

Topics · storage · networking · hardware · unboxing · nas · technology · computing