Description

Synology DiskStation DS223j 2-Bay NAS Enclosure Unit

Affordable 2‑bay NAS powered by Realtek RTD1619B quad‑core CPU and 1 GB DDR4 memory. Ideal for backups, media streaming, and private cloud with DSM support and a 2‑year warranty.

Product Overview

The Synology DiskStation DS223j is an entry-level, two-bay NAS designed for home users and small teams. Equipped with a 1.7 GHz Realtek RTD1619B quad-core processor and 1 GB of DDR4 memory, it delivers reliable performance for daily storage, backups, and light media streaming. Running Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM), the DS223j offers secure file sharing, cross-device sync, and surveillance support—all in a quiet, compact chassis.

Key Features

Realtek RTD1619B quad-core CPU (1.7 GHz) for efficient multitasking.
1 GB DDR4 memory (non-expandable) ensures smooth basic operations.
Dual 3.5″/2.5″ SATA bays, hot-swappable, supporting RAID 0/1, SHR, JBOD, and Basic.
Single Gigabit Ethernet port for network connectivity.
Two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports for external storage and peripheral access.
Quiet 92 mm fan, low power draw (~17 W active, ~4 W idle), ideal for living spaces.
DSM software support includes cloud backup, file syncing, media server, snapshots, and surveillance.

Specs

Specification	Details
CPU	Realtek RTD1619B quad-core 1.7 GHz
Memory	1 GB DDR4 (onboard, non-expandable)
Drive Bays	2 × 3.5″/2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD, hot-swappable
Max Capacity	Up to 36 TB total (18 TB per bay)
Ethernet	1 × Gigabit RJ-45
USB Ports	2 × USB 3.2 Gen 1
RAID Modes	SHR, RAID 0/1, JBOD, Basic
File Systems	Btrfs, EXT4 (internal); Btrfs, EXT4/3, FAT32, NTFS, HFS+, exFAT (external)
Fan	92 mm quiet operation
Power Consumption	~17 W active, ~4 W hibernation
Noise Level	~25 dB(A)
Dimensions	165 × 100 × 225.5 mm
Weight	~0.88 kg
Warranty	2 years

Why Choose This Product

Budget-friendly: Offers reliable NAS functions under $200, perfect for first-time users.
Proven DSM experience: Regular software updates and a polished UI make management easy and secure.
Quiet and low-power: Ideal for home or small office environments with minimal noise and energy use.
Comprehensive features: Supports backups, media streaming, snapshots, external sync, and basic surveillance—all without add-ons.
Quad-core upgrade: Improved performance over previous “j” models thanks to the RTD1619B chip.

FAQs

Q1: Can I upgrade the RAM?
No, the DS223j has 1 GB soldered DDR4 RAM and does not support upgrades.

Q2: Is it good for streaming Plex or other media?
Yes for direct-play, but lacks hardware transcoding—best suited for personal media usage.

Q3: How many simultaneous users can it handle?
Designed for small teams, supporting up to 5 SMB connections, snapshots, and basic sync tasks.

Q4: Is it energy efficient?
Very. Consumes around 17 W during use and drops to ~4 W when idle. Quieter and greener for always-on use.

Q5: What file-sharing protocols are supported?
Supports SMB, AFP, NFS, FTP, WebDAV, and Rsync for versatile compatibility.

Q6: How does this compare to DS223 or DS224+?
The DS223j is ARM-based and budget-friendly, while the DS223 offers better hardware (2 GB RAM), and the DS224+ includes Intel CPU and transcoding support.