Quick Answer+
Quick Answer: The DS923+ ($550) and DS723+ ($450) share the same AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU, 10GbE upgrade option, and NVMe slots — the DS723+ is essentially a 2-bay DS923+. Choose DS923+ if you need 4+ bays now or want maximum expansion (up to 9 drives). Choose DS723+ if 2 bays are sufficient and you want the most powerful compact NAS with future expansion capability (up to 7 drives). The $100 difference buys you 2 more bays and greater expansion potential.
The Synology DS923+ and DS723+ are siblings — they share the same processor, memory architecture, and expansion capabilities. The key difference is bay count: 4 bays vs 2 bays. This comparison helps you decide whether the extra $100 for two additional bays is worth it for your use case.
Both models represent Synology’s AMD Ryzen-powered Plus line, offering excellent performance for Docker, VMs, and 10GbE networking — but with different storage footprints.
Specifications Comparison
| Specification | DS923+ | DS723+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$550 | ~$450 |
| Drive Bays | 4 | 2 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen R1600 (2-core, 2.6/3.1 GHz) | AMD Ryzen R1600 (2-core, 2.6/3.1 GHz) |
| RAM | 4GB DDR4 ECC (max 32GB) | 2GB DDR4 ECC (max 32GB) |
| M.2 NVMe Slots | 2 (cache or storage pool*) | 2 (cache only) |
| 1GbE Ports | 2 | 2 |
| 10GbE Option | ✅ E10G22-T1-Mini | ✅ E10G22-T1-Mini |
| PCIe Slot | PCIe 3.0 x2 | PCIe 3.0 x2 |
| USB Ports | 2× USB 3.2 | 1× USB 3.2 |
| Expansion | Up to 9 drives (1× DX517) | Up to 7 drives (1× DX517) |
| Max Raw Capacity | 72TB (4× 18TB) / 162TB expanded | 36TB (2× 18TB) / 126TB expanded |
| Max IP Cameras | 40 | 40 |
| Plex Transcoding | Limited (1-2 streams) | Limited (1-2 streams) |
| Hot Swappable | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
*DS923+ supports NVMe storage pools with Synology-branded SSDs; DS723+ is cache-only for M.2 slots.
What They Share: The AMD Ryzen Advantage
Both models feature identical core hardware:
AMD Ryzen R1600 Processor
- Dual-core with 4 threads
- 2.6 GHz base / 3.1 GHz burst
- Excellent multi-threaded performance
- Great for Docker containers and light VMs
- Limited Plex transcoding (no Intel Quick Sync)
ECC Memory Support
- Both support ECC DDR4 memory
- Expandable to 32GB
- Error-correcting for data integrity
- DS923+ ships with 4GB; DS723+ ships with 2GB
10GbE Upgrade Path
Both accept the E10G22-T1-Mini 10GbE module (~$110):
- 10GBASE-T copper connectivity
- Plugs into dedicated expansion slot
- Enables 500-1000+ MB/s transfers (with SSD cache)
Synology E10G22-T1-Mini 10GbE Module
10GBASE-T | RJ-45 Copper | Works with DS923+/DS723+/DS1522+
Add 10 Gigabit Ethernet to your AMD-based Synology NAS. Essential upgrade for video editing, large file transfers, and maximizing NVMe cache performance.
NVMe M.2 Slots
Both have 2× M.2 2280 NVMe slots for SSD caching:
- Read cache: Single SSD
- Read-write cache: Two SSDs (RAID 1)
- Dramatically improves random I/O
Key difference: DS923+ can use M.2 slots for storage pools (Synology SSDs only), not just cache. DS723+ is cache-only.
Key Differences Explained
1. Bay Count & Base Capacity
| Configuration | DS923+ (4-bay) | DS723+ (2-bay) |
|---|---|---|
| 4× 8TB (SHR) | 24TB usable | N/A |
| 2× 8TB (SHR/RAID 1) | 8TB usable | 8TB usable |
| 4× 16TB (SHR) | 48TB usable | N/A |
| 2× 16TB (RAID 1) | 16TB usable | 16TB usable |
| Max raw (no expansion) | 72TB | 36TB |
With 4 bays, the DS923+ offers more RAID flexibility (RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10) and higher base capacity.
2. Expansion Capability
Both support the DX517 expansion unit (5 additional bays):
- DS923+: 4 + 5 = 9 drives maximum
- DS723+: 2 + 5 = 7 drives maximum
The DS723+ is unique — it’s the only 2-bay NAS with expansion capability. No other 2-bay Synology (including DS224+) can add drives via expansion unit.
3. Stock RAM
- DS923+: Ships with 4GB DDR4 ECC
- DS723+: Ships with 2GB DDR4 ECC
Both are upgradeable to 32GB, but DS723+ users may want to upgrade RAM sooner for Docker/VM workloads.
4. USB Ports
- DS923+: 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1
- DS723+: 1× USB 3.2 Gen 1
Minor difference, but DS923+ offers more flexibility for USB backup drives or UPS connections.
5. NVMe Storage Pools
DS923+ only: Can create NVMe storage pools (not just cache) using Synology-branded SSDs. This allows all-flash storage for high-performance workloads.
DS723+: M.2 slots are cache-only — cannot be used as primary storage.
Performance Comparison
CPU Performance
Identical. Same AMD Ryzen R1600 processor means identical compute performance for:
- Docker containers
- Virtual machines
- File indexing
- Encryption
- Plex (limited transcoding on both)
Storage Performance
With more drives, DS923+ can achieve higher aggregate throughput in RAID configurations:
| Scenario | DS923+ (4 drives) | DS723+ (2 drives) |
|---|---|---|
| Sequential read (RAID 5) | ~500 MB/s | ~350 MB/s (RAID 1) |
| Sequential write (RAID 5) | ~400 MB/s | ~180 MB/s (RAID 1) |
| With 10GbE + NVMe cache | 1,000+ MB/s | 800+ MB/s |
Note: 1GbE network limits both to ~115 MB/s regardless of drive configuration.
Plex Performance
Both have limited Plex transcoding due to AMD CPU without dedicated hardware encoder:
- Direct play: Unlimited (both)
- Transcoding: 1-2 simultaneous 1080p streams (both)
- 4K transcoding: Not recommended (both)
If Plex transcoding is important, consider Intel-based models like DS423+ or DS224+ instead.
Pricing Analysis
| Product | Capacity | Price | $ / TB | Price Drop | Brand | Interface |
|---|
| Product | Capacity | Price | $ / TB | Price Drop | Brand | Interface |
|---|
Cost Per Bay
- DS923+: $550 ÷ 4 bays = $137.50/bay
- DS723+: $450 ÷ 2 bays = $225/bay
The DS923+ offers significantly better value per bay. The $100 premium buys you 2 additional bays — essentially $50 per extra bay.
Total System Cost (Example: 16TB Usable)
| Component | DS923+ Route | DS723+ Route |
|---|---|---|
| NAS Unit | $550 | $450 |
| Drives (SHR) | 4× 8TB = $600 | 2× 16TB = $580 |
| Usable Capacity | 24TB | 16TB |
| Total | $1,150 | $1,030 |
DS723+ is cheaper upfront but provides less capacity. DS923+ costs $120 more but delivers 50% more usable storage.
Use Case Recommendations
Choose DS923+ If:
- You need 4+ bays now — More flexible RAID options
- Maximum expansion is important — Up to 9 drives total
- You want NVMe storage pools — All-flash option available
- Better value per bay — $137.50 vs $225 per bay
- Running heavy Docker/VMs — Ships with more RAM (4GB vs 2GB)
- Small business file server — More capacity headroom
Choose DS723+ If:
- 2 bays are sufficient — Simpler, more compact
- Space is limited — Smaller footprint
- Budget is tight — $100 savings upfront
- You want expansion option — Only 2-bay with DX517 support
- Power user features in compact form — 10GbE, ECC, NVMe cache
- Starting small, growing later — Add DX517 when needed
The Unique DS723+ Proposition
The DS723+ occupies a unique position in Synology’s lineup:
- Only 2-bay with AMD Ryzen — Most powerful 2-bay NAS
- Only 2-bay with expansion — Can grow to 7 drives
- Only 2-bay with 10GbE option — DS224+ doesn’t support it
- Only 2-bay with ECC memory — Data integrity protection
If you want a compact NAS but refuse to compromise on features, the DS723+ is your only option.
Upgrade Paths Compared
DS923+ Growth Path
- Start with 2-4 drives in main unit
- Add RAM (up to 32GB) for Docker/VMs
- Add NVMe cache for performance
- Add E10G22-T1-Mini for 10GbE
- Add DX517 expansion (5 more bays → 9 total)
- Maximum: 9 drives + NVMe cache + 10GbE + 32GB RAM
DS723+ Growth Path
- Start with 2 drives in main unit
- Add RAM (up to 32GB) for Docker/VMs
- Add NVMe cache for performance
- Add E10G22-T1-Mini for 10GbE
- Add DX517 expansion (5 more bays → 7 total)
- Maximum: 7 drives + NVMe cache + 10GbE + 32GB RAM
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially yes. Both share the same AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU, ECC memory support (up to 32GB), 10GbE upgrade option, NVMe slots, and PCIe expansion. The DS923+ has 4 bays vs 2, more stock RAM (4GB vs 2GB), an extra USB port, and can use NVMe for storage pools (not just cache).
Yes. Both support the E10G22-T1-Mini 10GbE upgrade module (~$110). This plugs into the dedicated expansion slot and provides 10GBASE-T copper connectivity. Combined with NVMe caching, both can achieve 1,000+ MB/s network transfers.
Neither is ideal for Plex transcoding — both use AMD CPUs without Intel Quick Sync. For transcoding, consider Intel-based models (DS423+, DS224+). For direct play only (no transcoding), both work excellently. The DS923+ offers more storage capacity for larger media libraries.
Yes — the DS723+ supports the DX517 expansion unit, adding 5 bays for 7 total drives. This is unique among 2-bay NAS models. The DS224+, for comparison, cannot expand at all. The DS923+ can also use DX517 for up to 9 total drives.
DS723+ for power users: AMD Ryzen, 10GbE option, ECC RAM (32GB max), expansion capability, NVMe cache. DS224+ for Plex users: Intel Quick Sync transcoding, simpler setup, lower price (~$300). Choose DS723+ for Docker/VMs/10GbE; choose DS224+ for Plex transcoding.
Usually yes. The $100 buys you 2 additional bays (effectively $50/bay), more stock RAM (4GB vs 2GB), an extra USB port, NVMe storage pool capability, and greater expansion potential (9 vs 7 drives). Unless space or budget is extremely tight, DS923+ offers better value.
Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
| Choose DS923+ (~$550) | Choose DS723+ (~$450) |
|---|---|
| Need 4+ bays now | 2 bays are sufficient |
| Want maximum expansion (9 drives) | Want compact form factor |
| Better value per bay | Tighter budget |
| NVMe storage pools desired | Unique expandable 2-bay |
| Small business use | Power user home NAS |
Our recommendation: For most users, the DS923+ offers better value — the extra $100 for 2 additional bays is money well spent. However, the DS723+ is the only choice if you specifically need a compact 2-bay NAS with power-user features (10GbE, ECC, expansion capability). Both are excellent NAS units sharing the same powerful foundation.
Related Resources
- Synology DS923+ Review — Full 4-bay review
- Synology DS723+ Review — Full 2-bay review
- DS1522+ vs DS923+ — 5-bay vs 4-bay comparison
- Best Synology NAS 2026 — Complete buying guide
- Synology Drive Compatibility Checker
- RAID Calculator — Plan your storage
Last Updated: February 2026 | Prices and specifications verified