ACEMAGIC's upcoming N3A NAS features a 7-year-old AMD Ryzen 7 3750H processor alongside 4 HDD bays and 2 M.2 slots, creating an interesting performance trade-off in the storage market.
The ACEMAGIC N3A is an upcoming network-attached storage (NAS) system that's generating buzz for its unusual choice of processor. While most modern NAS devices opt for low-power Intel Alder Lake-N or Twin Lake chips, ACEMAGIC has gone in a different direction by equipping their new storage solution with a 7-year-old AMD Ryzen 7 3750H processor.
Released in Q2 2019, the Ryzen 7 3750H is a 35-watt, 4-core, 8-thread mobile processor originally designed for high-performance laptops and mini PCs. This makes it a somewhat surprising choice for a NAS device, where power efficiency typically takes precedence over raw performance.
Performance Trade-offs
The processor decision creates an interesting set of trade-offs for potential buyers. Compared to popular Intel N150 Twin Lake chips found in many recent NAS systems, the Ryzen 7 3750H offers several advantages:
- Better single-core performance - Crucial for certain NAS applications and responsiveness
- Much higher multi-core performance - Beneficial for data processing and transcoding tasks
- Superior graphics capabilities - Useful for media server applications
- Dual-channel memory support - Can improve overall system responsiveness
However, there are notable downsides to consider:
- Higher power consumption - The 35W TDP is nearly six times higher than the Intel N150's 6W
- Slower memory support - Limited to DDR4-2400, while Intel supports up to DDR5-4800
- Maximum 64GB RAM - Less than what newer Intel chips can handle
Hardware Specifications
Beyond the processor choice, the N3A NAS offers a compelling hardware package:
- Four bays for 3.5-inch hard drives - Standard for home and small office NAS devices
- Two M.2 slots with PCIe 3.0 NVMe support - For high-speed caching or additional storage
- Dual Ethernet ports - One 2.5 Gigabit and one 1 Gigabit for network flexibility
- Dimensions: 270 x 150 x 185mm (10.6" x 5.9" x 7.3") - A compact form factor for a 6-bay system
Market Positioning
The design bears a striking resemblance to the AOOSTAR WTR Pro NAS, which features a newer AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor and sells for $400 and up. This similarity suggests ACEMAGIC is positioning the N3A as a more budget-friendly alternative, likely leveraging the older processor to keep costs down.
The Bigger Picture
This NAS represents an interesting experiment in the storage market. While most manufacturers are moving toward ultra-efficient processors for always-on devices, ACEMAGIC is betting that some users will prioritize performance over power efficiency. The dual-channel memory support and stronger CPU could make this an attractive option for users running more demanding applications on their NAS, such as virtual machines, Docker containers, or media transcoding.
However, the higher power consumption could be a dealbreaker for users planning to run the device 24/7, as the electricity costs would accumulate over time. The decision ultimately comes down to whether the performance benefits outweigh the increased energy usage for your specific use case.
ACEMAGIC hasn't revealed pricing yet, but given the component choices, it's likely to be competitively positioned in the mid-range NAS market. Detailed specifications should be revealed closer to launch, which will help potential buyers make a more informed decision about whether this unusual processor choice makes sense for their needs.
For users who need a balance of storage capacity, expansion options, and processing power without breaking the bank, the ACEMAGIC N3A could be an intriguing option when it launches. The combination of 6 total storage bays, decent networking capabilities, and a surprisingly capable processor makes it worth watching for anyone in the market for a new NAS solution.
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