Performance
The 2310 was tested with OS6.build_677 firmware using our standard NAS test process with RAID 0 and 1 volumes.
Depending on whether you prefer to believe the Windows File Copy or NASPT File Copy tests, the 2310 is capable of either 100 MB/s or 85 MB/s RAID 0 writes. Actually NASPT clocked the 2310's RAID 0 writes at 117 MB/s and RAID 1 writes at 114 MB/s!
Thecus N2310 benchmark summary
Attached backup using either the USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports and NTFS or FAT32 format putted along at a disappointing 15 MB/s or so. As noted earlier, I could not get the NAS to connect to our standard DeltaCopy rsync target.
With this high performance, I thought the N2310 would zoom to the top of the NAS Ranker, once filters were applied for two drives and single-core SoC (SoC-1) processor.
But the Ranker screenshot shows it ended up ranked fourth, between the Buffalo LinkStation 420 above it and the Synology DS214se below.
Thecus N2310 benchmark summary
Putting the Ranker Performance summary detail side-by-side below reveals the N2310 performed best against the Buffalo and Synology in the Write benchmarks in the large file copy (sequential) write tests. It didn't do as well when it came to moving a mix of smaller files as evidenced by the lower scores in directory copy and mixed read/write tests. Its low backup throughput didn't help its standings, either.
NAS Ranker Performance Summary comparison
Keep in mind that the closeness of the total scores, i.e. 29.0, 31.4 and 31.7 for the Buffalo, Thecus and Synology respectively, means that it would be difficult to see a significant performance difference among the three.
Closing Thoughts
It used to be that $150 or so would buy you only a Marvell-based NAS capable of 50 MB/s or so performance. With the newer crop of SoCs exemplified by Marvell's Armada 370 and now Applied Micro's APM86491, it looks like the performance bar has been significantly raised to over 100 MB/s for large sequential file transfers in this class of NAS.
Bottom line is that if you're looking for a pretty hot dual-bay NAS for not a lot of money, you should put the N2310 on your short list.
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