QNAP TS-264 vs TS-262: Should You Upgrade to the New 2-Bay NAS?

The QNAP TS-264 replaced the TS-262 as QNAP’s premium 2-bay Intel NAS. Both feature Intel Celeron processors with Quick Sync transcoding, but the TS-264 brings significant upgrades: a newer quad-core CPU (vs dual-core), double the default RAM, improved networking, and better expansion options. This comparison helps current TS-262 owners decide if upgrading is worthwhile and helps new buyers understand why the TS-264 is the better choice.

Quick Verdict

For new buyers: Choose the TS-264. It’s the current-generation model with significantly better specs at similar pricing. The TS-262 is discontinued and shouldn’t be purchased new.

For TS-262 owners: The TS-264 is a meaningful upgrade if you need more CPU power (quad-core vs dual-core), more RAM, faster networking, better transcoding performance, or M.2 NVMe caching. If your TS-262 meets your needs, there’s no urgent reason to upgrade — it remains a capable NAS.

Specifications Comparison

Key Differences Explained

CPU: 4 Cores vs 2 Cores — The Biggest Upgrade

The most significant upgrade is the CPU. The TS-264’s N5105 has double the cores of the TS-262’s J4025:

Performance Benchmarks

The TS-264 is approximately 45% faster in single-threaded tasks and 150%+ faster in multi-threaded workloads. This translates to dramatically better performance when running multiple applications simultaneously, faster photo indexing, quicker backups, and more transcoding headroom.

Memory: Double the Capacity

The TS-264 ships with 8GB RAM (vs 4GB) and supports up to 16GB (vs 8GB):

This matters for Docker containers (more RAM = more containers), virtual machines, photo indexing performance, and multi-user scenarios.

Network: Dual 2.5GbE vs Single

The TS-264 adds a second 2.5GbE port:

• TS-264: 2x 2.5GbE ports — link aggregation, failover, or network separation
• TS-262: 1x 2.5GbE port — single connection only

The second port enables failover redundancy, multi-network setups (management + data separation), or increased aggregate bandwidth for multiple simultaneous users.

M.2 Slots: PCIe Gen3 vs Gen2

Both have two M.2 slots, but the TS-264’s Gen3 slots offer double the theoretical bandwidth:

• TS-264: PCIe Gen3 x1 (~985 MB/s per slot)
• TS-262: PCIe Gen2 x1 (~500 MB/s per slot)

For SSD caching, the faster M.2 slots mean better cache performance and more responsive random I/O.

Plex Transcoding Comparison

Both support hardware transcoding via Intel Quick Sync, but the TS-264 handles it significantly better due to double the cores and GPU execution units:

The TS-264’s 24 GPU execution units (vs 12) and 4 CPU cores (vs 2) mean significantly more transcoding headroom. For single-stream Plex use, both work well. For households with multiple users or remote streaming to several devices, the TS-264 handles the load much better.

Docker and Container Performance

The TS-264’s 4 cores and 8GB RAM make it significantly better suited for Docker workloads. The TS-262’s dual-core CPU becomes a bottleneck when running multiple containers, especially during startup or updates — even with upgraded RAM.

Real-World Performance Scenarios

Scenario 1: Basic File Storage + Single Plex Stream

TS-262: Works well for single-stream Plex and file storage. Adequate for most basic home users.

TS-264: Overkill for this use case, but provides headroom for future needs.

Scenario 2: Multi-User Household + Remote Streaming

TS-262: Struggles with 2+ simultaneous transcodes. Background tasks (backup, indexing) impact streaming quality.

TS-264: Handles 3+ transcodes while running other services. Background tasks have minimal impact on streaming.

Scenario 3: Docker-Heavy Workload (5+ Containers)

TS-262: Limited to 3-5 containers before performance degrades. Dual-core CPU is the primary bottleneck.

TS-264: Runs 10+ containers comfortably. Quad-core handles multi-container workloads easily.

Scenario 4: Large Photo Library Management

TS-262: QuMagie indexing is slow. Large libraries (20,000+ photos) may timeout on face recognition tasks.

TS-264: 2-3x faster indexing. Handles large photo libraries without timeout issues.

Feature Comparison

The TS-264 supports QuTS hero (ZFS-based OS) which the TS-262 does not. This is significant for users who want enterprise-grade data protection features like inline deduplication, compression, and self-healing storage.

Network Transfer Performance

Sequential speeds are similar since both have 2.5GbE, but the TS-264’s faster AES encryption hardware provides better encrypted transfer performance. The second network port adds redundancy and flexibility.

Power Consumption

The TS-264 uses slightly more power due to the faster quad-core CPU, but the difference is minimal — about $1/year at typical idle usage.

Should TS-262 Owners Upgrade?

Upgrade if:

• Need more CPU power: Quad-core is 150%+ faster in multi-threaded tasks
• Need more Docker capacity: TS-264’s 4 cores and 8GB+ RAM handle significantly more containers
• Multi-stream Plex use: TS-264 handles 3+ transcodes without strain
• Network redundancy matters: Second 2.5GbE port provides failover
• Photo library is large: Much faster QuMagie indexing
• Want QuTS hero (ZFS): Only available on TS-264
• Planning virtualization: 16GB max RAM vs 8GB

Keep your TS-262 if:

• Basic file storage + backup: TS-262 handles this fine
• Single-stream Plex: Works well for one user
• Light Docker use: 2-4 containers work fine
• Budget constraints: TS-262 remains a capable NAS
• No performance issues: If it works for your needs, why change?

Upgrade Cost Analysis

For TS-262 owners considering an upgrade:

Drives can migrate directly to the new NAS. Settings can be backed up and restored, but some reconfiguration is typically needed. The $250-300 net cost buys double the cores, double the RAM, and dual networking.

Surveillance Station Comparison

Both NAS units support QNAP Surveillance Station for home security camera recording:

For basic home surveillance (2-4 cameras), both work adequately. For more cameras or AI-powered features, the TS-264’s quad-core processor handles the workload significantly better.

Photo Management with QuMagie

QuMagie (QNAP’s AI photo management) performance varies significantly between models:

If you have a large photo library or want quick AI-powered face recognition, the TS-264’s quad-core CPU makes a dramatic difference.

Backup Capabilities

Both units support HBS 3 (Hybrid Backup Sync) for comprehensive backup:

• Local backup: To external USB drives
• Remote backup: To another QNAP NAS
• Cloud backup: AWS S3, Azure, Google Cloud, Backblaze B2
• Rsync: Standard rsync to any compatible server

The TS-264’s faster CPU and dual 2.5GbE networking enable significantly faster backup operations, especially for initial large backups. The faster encryption hardware also means quicker encrypted cloud backups.

QuTS hero (ZFS) — TS-264 Exclusive

The TS-264 supports QuTS hero, QNAP’s ZFS-based operating system, which the TS-262 does not. This provides:

• Inline deduplication: Save storage space by eliminating duplicate data
• Inline compression: More efficient storage utilization
• Self-healing: Automatic corruption detection and repair
• Near-instant snapshots: Copy-on-write for better backup
• Enterprise reliability: Battle-tested ZFS filesystem

If data integrity is paramount or you work with many similar files (VMs, backups), QuTS hero’s deduplication can significantly reduce storage requirements.

Virtualization Comparison

Both support Virtualization Station, but with different capabilities due to RAM limits:

The TS-264’s 16GB max RAM and quad-core CPU make virtualization much more practical. The TS-262’s dual-core and 8GB max limit VM usability.

SSD Caching Performance

Both units support M.2 NVMe SSD caching, but with different performance:

The TS-264’s Gen3 M.2 slots provide approximately double the cache bandwidth, resulting in better random I/O performance for applications like Plex library browsing, Docker containers, and database workloads.

Recommended Cache SSDs

• WD Red SN700: Purpose-built for NAS caching, excellent endurance
• Samsung 990 PRO: Maximum performance for demanding workloads
• Crucial P3 Plus: Budget-friendly option with good performance

USB Device Compatibility

USB port differences affect external device usage:

For external SSD backup drives, the TS-264’s faster USB ports provide significantly better transfer speeds. For traditional HDDs, both perform similarly as the drive speed is the bottleneck.

Noise and Thermal Performance

The TS-264 runs slightly warmer due to the faster quad-core CPU, resulting in marginally higher fan speeds under load. Both remain quiet enough for living room or office placement. Hard drive noise is typically the dominant sound source.

Migration Process from TS-262 to TS-264

If you decide to upgrade, here’s what to expect:

What Transfers Automatically

• Storage pool and volume configurations
• All data on drives
• RAID configurations
• Shared folder structures

What May Need Reconfiguration

• Network settings (IP address, hostname)
• Some app settings and containers
• Surveillance Station camera assignments
• User permissions (verify after migration)

Migration Steps

1. Back up QTS configuration on TS-262
2. Power down TS-262 and remove drives
3. Install drives in TS-264 in same order
4. Power on and follow migration wizard
5. Restore configuration backup
6. Verify apps and settings

The process typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on configuration complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

For new buyers: The QNAP TS-264 is the clear choice. It offers double the CPU cores, double the RAM, dual 2.5GbE networking, faster M.2 slots, and QuTS hero support for only $50 more than the TS-262’s original price. The TS-262 is discontinued and should only be purchased used at significant discount.

For TS-262 owners: The TS-264 is a worthwhile upgrade if you’re hitting performance limits — struggling with multiple Plex streams, running out of container capacity, or needing more RAM for demanding applications. If your TS-262 handles your workload fine, there’s no urgent need to upgrade, but the generational improvement is substantial when you’re ready.

Bottom line: The TS-264 represents a significant generational leap over the TS-262. The quad-core CPU is the headline improvement — 150%+ faster in multi-threaded workloads. Combined with doubled RAM and dual networking, it addresses all the TS-262’s limitations. For anyone buying new, it’s the only logical choice.

Where to Buy

Related Comparisons

• QNAP TS-264 Review — Full review
• TS-264 vs TS-233 — Intel vs ARM comparison
• TS-264 vs Synology DS224+ — Cross-brand comparison
• TS-464 vs TS-453D — 4-bay generational comparison
• Best QNAP NAS 2026
• QNAP Compatible Hard Drives

Last Updated: February 2026