Compared with DS420j, DS920+ shows faster read-write speeds, better layout features (swappable drives, eSATA, M.2 NMVe SSD, and multiple GbE ports), and superior sharing and backup abilities. However, this device weighs heavier and costs a higher price.
Main Differences and Similarities between these 2 devices:
- Ds920+ shows a cleaner outlook and carries hot-swappable drives.
- DS420j has a lower processing frequency and speed.
- Both devices have the same RAID efficiency.
- DS920+ has better proficiency for sharing, backup, and cloud networking.
- Both devices support the same operating systems and internet browsers.
- DS420j produces more noise than its competitor.
- DS920+ carries a longer warranty in comparison.
- DS920+ is a comparatively expensive network-attached system.
DS420j characterizes a vertical outlook and integrates a quad-core CPU.
It provides two disk-fault tolerance and efficient data recovery through RAID mirroring.
Also, it ranks as an energy-efficient device that runs with minimal power consumption.
DS920+ also operates through a quad-core processor but it presents a relatively cleaner outlook.
Its superior Ethernet interface supports link aggregation, allowing quick data transfer.
Additional layout features like the eSATA port and M.2 NMVe SSD slots increase its storage capacity in comparison.
Moreover, easily accessible drives make this equipment very user-friendly.
Table of Contents
Side By Side Comparison:
| DS920+ | DS420j | |
| Processor | Intel Celeron J4125 4-core 2.0 GHz, burst up to 2.7 GHz | Realtek RTD1296 Quad-core 1.4 GHz |
| Installed memory | 4 GB DDR4 | 1 GB DDR4 |
| Drives included | No | No |
| Compatible drives | M.2 2280 NVMe SSD 2.5″ SATA SSD 2.5″ SATA HDD 3.5″ SATA HDD | 2.5″ SATA SSD 2.5″ SATA HDD 3.5″ SATA HDD |
| Interface | SATA III | SATA |
| Speed | 225 MB/s read-write | 112 Mb/s read-write |
| Number of drive bays | 4 | 4 |
| External ports | 2 x USB 3.0 port 1 x eSATA port 2 x Rj-45 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports | 2 x USB 3.0 ports 1 x Rj-45 1 Gigabit Ethernet port |
Speed
920+ shows a faster performance in comparison because its processing unit works at a greater frequency and it has vast internal memory.
Its sequential throughputs for various read-write functions are recorded at 225 Mbps speed.
In contrast, DS420j works at a slower speed because its CPU operates at a lower frequency and its RAM is also comparatively smaller.
It shows the read-write speed of 112 Megabytes per second.
| DS920+ | DS420j | |
| Read (Mbps) | 225 | 112 |
| Write (Mbps) | 225 | 112 |
Design and Hardware
DS420j is a comparatively lightweight, black, tower-form device.
Its front panel has small LEDs indicators and a power button while the rear panel carries a Kensington slot, fans, reset button, 1GbE connection, and two USB 3.0 ports.
This design provides lesser networking efficiency because it has fewer Rj-45 GbE ports and also lacks M.2 SSD slots and the eSATA port for storage expansion.
It produces louder mechanical sound, reaching up to the mark of 20.6 dB on the noise scale.
Nonetheless, it is a smart design that works with minimal power input, its power consumption is at a maximum of 21.71 W.
Also, its system fans operate in low-power mode.
On the other side, DS920+ has a cleaner, minimalistic layout in matte black color.
On the front section, it has hot-swappable drive bays, tiny LED indicators, a power switch, and a USB Gen 1 port.
The rear panel has an array of buttons and ports including Ethernet connections, eSATA, USB 3.0, security slot, power supply and reset button.
Designwise, it takes the lead because two 1GbE ports account for its link aggregation ability, ultimately leading to faster data transmission.
Other advantages it has over the competitor are an eSATA port that is used to connect external drives for expanding the storage volume of the device and two M2 NVMe 2280 SSD slots that allow insertion of SSDs without taking up space on drive bays. This equipment is relatively quieter than its competitor.
Besides, it is more user-friendly as its drives are swappable and easily accessible.
However, it consumes more electricity as its power rating is 32.17 W.
| DS920+ | DS420j | |
| Height x Width x length (mm) | 166 x 199 x 223 | 184 x 168 x 230 |
| Weight (kg) | 2.24 | 2.21 |
| Noise (dB) | 19.8 | 20.6 |
| Power consumption (Watt) | 32.17 (access) 9.69 (HDD hibernation) | 21.7 (access) 7.88 (HDD hibernation) |
Cloud storage
Both these DiskStations provide cloud services via Synology drive; a private database that backs up the NAS data remotely and allows sharing across the whole network.
Furthermore, you can connect your accounts from various commercial cloud platforms and synchronize them with your network-attached system.
DS920+ possesses a better ability because its associated drive is five times more efficient.
It allows numerous PC clients to connect simultaneously to the drive.
Similarly, collaboration on a large number of project files is possible through this system.
In contrast, Synology for dS420j allows fewer people to use the cloud network simultaneously and the number of hosted files is also lesser.
| Synology Drive | DS920+ | DS420j |
| Max. hosted files | 500,000 | 100,000 |
| Max. concurrent connections for PC clients | 600 | 200 |
Operating Systems and browsers
These gadgets are compatible with the same types of operating systems.
You can use Synology storage tools with any desktop device running through Windows 7 onwards, macOS 10.11 onwards, or Linux systems.
Your device should be powered by iOS or Android 6.0 to access the NAS data on mobiles and tablets.
Likewise, various browsers are supported by these devices to perform web-based functions. These include Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Firefox.
Sharing
DS920+ has better sharing abilities than its competitor.
You can add as many as 2048 user accounts and create 512 shared folders on this device.
It also provides superior collaboration efficacy by permitting ten times more concurrent connections.
Similarly, more users can collaborate through this NAS via office or chat service.
In contrast, DS420j shows lesser sharing proficiency because fewer user accounts and shared folders can be created through this system.
Its collaboration efficacy is comparatively reduced as it only allows 100 SMB/FTP connections.
The number of VPN connections is also lesser. Likewise, it allows a minimal number of office users and chat users to collaborate at a time.
| DS920+ | DS420j | |
| Max. local user account | 2048 | 1024 |
| Max. shared folders | 512 | 256 |
| Max. chat users | 1500 | 10 |
| Max. office users | 3400 | 200 |
| VPN server connections | 30 | 10 |
Backup
Both these devices come at par for backup efficiency as they employ the same RAID technology and Synology backup suite.
Both tools have two disk-fault tolerance and mirroring efficacy owing to Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR).
The remote backup system comprises hyper backup, active-backup suite, and Synology drive client.
Comparatively speaking, DS920+ has a larger backup capacity.
It allows data storage and backup for more surveillance cameras.
For shared folder sync, its ability is twice higher than its competitor.
Conversely, DS420j presents a lesser capacity for data backup.
It backs up data only from 16 IP cameras at a time.
Similarly, it can handle only a few tasks for shared folder sync.
Thus, it takes more time to back up files on the cloud network.
| DS920+ | DS420j | |
| Shared folder sync; max. tasks | 16 | 4 |
| Max. IP cameras | 40 | 16 |
Setup
DS920+ is relatively easy-to-configure, owing to the benefit of its swappable drive trays.
- Press on the tray lock and slide out the drive.
- Fix an SSD or HDD on the drive tray.
- Swap the drive back into its place.
- Provide a power supply and you can use your NAS for storage purposes.
- Go online and use ‘web assistant’ to activate cloud and web-based DiskStation Manager (DSM).
The setup procedure for DS420j includes the additional step of opening the device to access drive bays.
- Use a screwdriver to open the back cover, then lift it away.
- Grab out the drive tray and mount a compatible storage disk over it. Lock the disk in place through screws.
- Place the drive back and recover the device.
- Power it up and connect the internet to access the configuration portal of your NAS.
Warranty
DS920+ is comparatively more durable than its competitor.
The main reason for its longevity is its swappable drive feature that prevents internal parts from accidental damage.
That is why Synology provides a relatively longer warranty (3 years) for this device.
Conversely, DS420j is vulnerable to damage when the users disassemble it for installation or replacement of storage disks.
Thus, it stands less durable and carries a replacement warranty for a shorter time, only up to two years.