Synology Launches Expensive 1.6 TB PCIe 3.0 SSDs for $535, Offering Only Self-Brand Certified Options
Synology, a leading provider of network-attached storage (NAS) solutions, has recently launched its SNV5400 enterprise NAS SSD family. The new drives, available in 400GB, 800GB, and a flagship 1.6 TB SNV5420 model, aim to deliver high-performance storage for businesses. However, these new offerings have sparked a discussion about their price point, which is significantly higher than comparable models in the market.
The high price of the SNV5400 series can be attributed to several factors. Synology enforces strict compatibility requirements for certain NAS systems, making these drives the only officially approved SSDs for those models. This forces users who want full functionality, including features like automatic firmware updates and advanced storage pool management, to purchase these Synology-branded SSDs instead of more affordable alternatives.
Moreover, the drives are certified specifically for Synology NAS devices, creating a software lock that discourages the use of third-party SSDs, effectively giving Synology a monopoly on SSD sales for their NAS ecosystem.
Despite the high price, the SNV5400 series uses outdated PCIe 3.0 x4 technology, which has been surpassed by PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 in the wider market. This means users pay significantly more for hardware that is technologically behind current competitors.
The pricing is starkly higher. For instance, a 1.6 TB SNV5420 NVMe SSD is priced around $535–$630, while similar PCIe Gen3 SSDs from other brands are often available for about $100. Even smaller capacity models like the 400 GB SNV5400 cost over 200 euros, which is much costlier than competing SSDs.
Synology highlights endurance, an important metric for NAS applications, as a key selling point for the SNV5420. The company claims a tested endurance of up to 2,900 TBW for the flagship model. However, this does not fully justify the steep premium compared to other enterprise-grade drives.
Independent testing has not yet revealed any features that would justify the hefty upcharge. Synology has not provided any information about any special features justifying the high price on its own site.
In conclusion, the high price of Synology’s SNV5400 SSDs stems from Synology’s proprietary certification and forced compatibility policy, combined with outdated hardware technology, which together create a captive market for these overpriced drives relative to industry standards.
Customers may be forced to pay a hefty price for off-the-shelf NAS solutions from Synology. The 400GB and 800GB models are available for $175 and $285 respectively, while the 1.6 TB SNV5420 drive will launch for $534.99 from B&H Photo Video.
It is worth noting that loopholes exist for using non-approved drives in newer Synology NAS units, but this may limit some features and functionalities. Synology's newest drives are purpose-built for Synology NAS, offering power loss protection and undergoing a hefty R&D testing process to ensure reliability and performance.
[1] Source: Tom's Hardware, Synology SNV5400 SSD: High-Endurance NVMe SSD for Synology NAS, [https://www.tomshardware.com/news/synology-snv5400-ssd-high-endurance-nvme-synology-nas] [2] Source: AnandTech, Synology SNV5400: High-Endurance Enterprise NVMe SSD for Synology NAS, [https://www.anandtech.com/show/17360/synology-snv5400-high-endurance-enterprise-nvme-ssd-for-synology-nas] [3] Source: TechRadar Pro, Synology SNV5400: A high-endurance, high-performance NVMe SSD for Synology NAS, [https://www.techradar.com/pro/synology-snv5400-a-high-endurance-high-performance-nvme-ssd-for-synology-nas]
The high price of Synology's SNV5400 series is attributed to Synology's proprietary certification and compatibility policy, which creates a captive market for these overpriced drives. Moreover, the use of outdated PCIe 3.0 x4 technology further justifies the price premium compared to contemporary SSDs from other brands.
Independent testing has not yet revealed any features that justify the steep premium associated with Synology's SNV5400 SSDs, despite Synology claiming a tested endurance of up to 2,900 TBW for the flagship model as a key selling point.
