Main trade-off
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
A later 10GbE card removes the M.2 board. Treat this as a storage-layout decision before filling the SSDs.
Head-to-head
ASUSTOR AS6706T v2 vs AS6806T: Gen3 keeps SSDs beside 10GbE, Gen2+ keeps HDMI
The short answer
Choose AS6806T for a six-bay archive that also needs native 10GbE and internal NVMe storage. Choose AS6706T v2 when 5GbE covers the network and you need HDMI or have no reason to replace the existing USB backup setup. Both hold six SATA drives. Gen3 USB 4 is useful for compatible external storage, not direct attachment to a computer.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Keep the working files separate from the growing family archive
When several people keep adding photos while one person edits large projects, separate NVMe storage can preserve a useful working layout. Gen3 lets that layout coexist with native 10GbE. Gen2+ requires a choice between the optional 10GbE card and its M.2 board. If editing stays local and the NAS only receives finished work, the 5GbE platform may cover the actual job.
What this is based on
A concurrent hardware-layout inference. Separate pools do not guarantee isolation from CPU load, provide a backup or prove transfer speed.
Main trade-off
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
No HDMI, and the USB 4 ports do not establish a direct Mac or PC connection.
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
- Choose it for
- Your six-bay archive runs over 5GbE or slower, without an optional card displacing the NVMe board.
- You need HDMI for a specifically supported ADM display application.
- Main trade-off
- A later 10GbE card removes the M.2 board. Treat this as a storage-layout decision before filling the SSDs.
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Choose it for
- You need a 10GbE editing route and want to retain the NVMe workspace alongside the SATA archive.
- Your backup destination is a verified compatible USB 4 storage device, rather than a laptop USB 4 port.
- Main trade-off
- No HDMI, and the USB 4 ports do not establish a direct Mac or PC connection.
About this comparison
Choose between six-bay Lockerstor Gen2+ and Gen3 for shared archives, SSD workspaces and removable backups. Compare the upgrade conflicts before buying.
A six-drive home or small-studio archive can use either platform. This upgrade decision turns on simultaneous storage and networking, external backup equipment and memory needs.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Six SATA drives, internal SSD workspaces and 10GbE are all required
Gen2+ can add 10GbE only by removing the internal NVMe board. Gen3 includes the network ports.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
- Not suitable
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Better fit
A confirmed HDMI app is part of the existing setup
The Gen2+ HDMI output preserves that physical connection. Gen3 has none.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
- Better fit
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Not suitable
Backups use an existing USB 10Gbps drive
Both provide USB 10Gbps. A USB 4 label does not make that existing drive faster.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
- Good
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Good
The supported memory plan needs more than 16GB
Gen2+ stops at 16GB. Gen3 supports up to 64GB with appropriate modules and remaining workload limits.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
- Not suitable
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Better fit
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Keep the working files separate from the growing family archive
When several people keep adding photos while one person edits large projects, separate NVMe storage can preserve a useful working layout. Gen3 lets that layout coexist with native 10GbE. Gen2+ requires a choice between the optional 10GbE card and its M.2 board. If editing stays local and the NAS only receives finished work, the 5GbE platform may cover the actual job.
How we reached this conclusion
A concurrent hardware-layout inference. Separate pools do not guarantee isolation from CPU load, provide a backup or prove transfer speed.
A faster backup port helps only the backup you actually own
Gen3 gives a household rotating compatible USB 4 SSD backups an additional connection option. It cannot use the laptop itself as a USB 4-attached storage client. If the backup drive is USB 10Gbps, or the destination is a network share, do not credit USB 4 with a faster completed backup. Gen2+ still has two 10Gbps USB ports.
How we reached this conclusion
Compare the endpoint and supported protocol before the nominal port rate. Copy completion also depends on source disks, destination storage, files and software. No time saving is calculated.
The extra RAM can avoid disrupting a shared service later
A NAS hosting both household backups and your own applications needs memory left for each. Gen3 supplies 16GB rather than 8GB and can grow beyond the Gen2+ 16GB limit. That is a reason to choose it when you already have a larger memory plan, not a promise that it handles a set number of users. Keep compatible ECC modules if preserving ECC matters.
How we reached this conclusion
Supplied-memory and supported-ceiling comparison. Operating-system use, individual app requirements and CPU limits are not measured here.
Choice A
ASUSTOR, AS6706T v2
Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
Your six-bay archive runs over 5GbE or slower, without an optional card displacing the NVMe board.
- Best matched use
- Your six-bay archive runs over 5GbE or slower, without an optional card displacing the NVMe board.
Checked facts
- Keeping the archive and SSD jobs together: Six SATA bays, four PCIe 3.0 x1 NVMe slots and two native 5GbE ports. Optional 10GbE requires removing the M.2 daughterboard.
- Supplied and maximum RAM: Intel N5105. 8GB DDR4 supplied and 16GB maximum.
- Backup and display connections: HDMI 2.0b, two USB-A 10Gbps ports and one USB 2.0 port.
- Enclosure size: 185.5 x 233 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Six SATA positions.
Choice B
ASUSTOR, AS6806T
Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
You need a 10GbE editing route and want to retain the NVMe workspace alongside the SATA archive.
- Best matched use
- You need a 10GbE editing route and want to retain the NVMe workspace alongside the SATA archive.
Checked facts
- Keeping the archive and SSD jobs together: Six SATA bays and four PCIe 4.0 x1 NVMe slots, with two native 10GbE ports and two 5GbE ports.
- Supplied and maximum RAM: Ryzen V3C14. 16GB ECC DDR5 supplied and 64GB maximum. Non-ECC memory disables ECC functionality.
- Backup and display connections: No HDMI. Two USB 4 ports for compatible external storage and three USB-A 10Gbps ports. USB 4 host-to-host networking to a Mac or PC is unsupported.
- Enclosure size: 185.5 x 233 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Six SATA positions.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2 | ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keeping the archive and SSD jobs together | Six SATA bays, four PCIe 3.0 x1 NVMe slots and two native 5GbE ports. Optional 10GbE requires removing the M.2 daughterboard. | Six SATA bays and four PCIe 4.0 x1 NVMe slots, with two native 10GbE ports and two 5GbE ports. | The bay count stays six. The network upgrade path determines whether the internal SSD plan survives. |
| Supplied and maximum RAM | Intel N5105. 8GB DDR4 supplied and 16GB maximum. | Ryzen V3C14. 16GB ECC DDR5 supplied and 64GB maximum. Non-ECC memory disables ECC functionality. | Gen3 starts with twice the memory and allows more later, but an actual service budget is needed. |
| Backup and display connections | HDMI 2.0b, two USB-A 10Gbps ports and one USB 2.0 port. | No HDMI. Two USB 4 ports for compatible external storage and three USB-A 10Gbps ports. USB 4 host-to-host networking to a Mac or PC is unsupported. | Choose around the equipment you will connect. USB 4 storage and computer attachment are different jobs. |
| Enclosure size | 185.5 x 233 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Six SATA positions. | 185.5 x 233 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Six SATA positions. | The published dimensions match, so the generation upgrade need not consume more shelf width. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
- These are diskless configurations. Check the exact model suffix, supplied RAM, seller, return terms and US warranty eligibility before ordering. Drives, optional cards and memory upgrades are separate purchases.
If you choose ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- 16GB ECC is supplied. Compatible ECC upgrades, storage drives and network equipment are separate.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
10GbE and internal NVMe must work together
Choose ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T. Native networking leaves the Gen3 SSD slots available.
HDMI is required and 5GbE is sufficient
Choose ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2. The Gen2+ retains the necessary display output.
The NAS must connect directly to a computer through USB 4
Choose neither. The documented Gen3 limitation rules out that assumed shortcut.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
The archive must stay available to everyone while one desk needs faster working storage and the backup still has to get done.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Ethernet figures are link rates, not measured file-transfer speeds. Client adapters, switches, cabling, disks, file sizes and concurrent work can be the bottleneck.
- RAID, snapshots and ECC do not replace a separate backup. Keep a tested copy outside the NAS and protect it from the same accident or account compromise.
- Power and weight comparisons are withheld where current tables and older documents disagree.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current NAS devices comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2 |
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| |
| ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen2+ AS6706T v2
Your six-bay archive runs over 5GbE or slower, without an optional card displacing the NVMe board.
You need HDMI for a specifically supported ADM display application.
See price & reviews on AmazonASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
You need a 10GbE editing route and want to retain the NVMe workspace alongside the SATA archive.
Your backup destination is a verified compatible USB 4 storage device, rather than a laptop USB 4 port.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.