Main trade-off
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
Four array disks leave no SATA bay for MyArchive. Plan the separate backup route before filling the enclosure.
Head-to-head
ASUSTOR AS6804T vs AS6806T: Six bays add archive room, the memory ceiling stays the same
The short answer
Choose AS6806T if the main archive needs more than four SATA disks, or if four array disks must leave a bay for a removable MyArchive copy. Choose AS6804T when four disks suffice and the backup lives elsewhere. It is 63 mm narrower and keeps the same Ryzen V3C14, 16GB ECC, 64GB memory ceiling and native dual 10GbE.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A spare bay can keep the off-site copy in the weekly routine
If Sunday backup means taking a finished copy to another location, AS6806T can keep four disks in the main RAID 6 array and use a fifth for MyArchive. AS6804T needs a different layout or an external backup route. The extra position is useful only if you reserve it and actually complete, eject and store that copy.
What this is based on
Six physical SATA bays minus four array members leaves two available positions. Four minus four leaves none. MyArchive requires an available bay and an independently configured disk with sufficient backup capacity.
Main trade-off
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
The larger box does not add CPU cores, supplied RAM, NVMe positions or a higher RAM ceiling over AS6804T.
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Choose it for
- Four SATA drives cover the archive and your independent backup uses external or remote storage.
- You want the Gen3 network and memory platform in the narrower 170 mm body.
- Main trade-off
- Four array disks leave no SATA bay for MyArchive. Plan the separate backup route before filling the enclosure.
ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Choose it for
- Four SATA array disks must coexist with a removable MyArchive disk.
- The online archive needs five or six SATA disks without replacing the enclosure.
- Main trade-off
- The larger box does not add CPU cores, supplied RAM, NVMe positions or a higher RAM ceiling over AS6804T.
About this comparison
Compare four- and six-bay Lockerstor Gen3 for growing photo archives, removable backups and shared workspaces. See what the larger enclosure actually adds.
Both Gen3 models offer the same processor, supplied memory and network connections. The credible upgrade is about the drive layout and space it occupies, rather than a blanket faster-NAS claim.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Four-drive RAID 6 must leave room for a removable copy
AS6806T has two SATA positions left after four array disks. AS6804T has none.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Not suitable
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Better fit
Four drives suffice and the shared shelf is narrow
AS6804T saves 63 mm of width without giving up the documented CPU, memory ceiling or native network ports.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Better fit
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Caution
Four internal NVMe drives and native dual 10GbE are required
Both support this physical layout. The six-bay model adds SATA positions rather than more NVMe sockets.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Good
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Good
The planned memory capacity exceeds 64GB
Both have a 64GB supported ceiling. More hard-drive bays cannot address that requirement.
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- Not suitable
- ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A spare bay can keep the off-site copy in the weekly routine
If Sunday backup means taking a finished copy to another location, AS6806T can keep four disks in the main RAID 6 array and use a fifth for MyArchive. AS6804T needs a different layout or an external backup route. The extra position is useful only if you reserve it and actually complete, eject and store that copy.
How we reached this conclusion
Six physical SATA bays minus four array members leaves two available positions. Four minus four leaves none. MyArchive requires an available bay and an independently configured disk with sufficient backup capacity.
More hard-drive room does not fix a crowded application budget
A household running shared files, photo indexing and personal server applications gets the same 16GB supplied RAM and 64GB supported maximum from either model. If application memory is the problem, choose the narrower AS6804T and budget the appropriate RAM rather than buying two unused SATA bays. CPU load and software support still need separate checks.
How we reached this conclusion
Both use V3C14, 16GB ECC supplied and 64GB maximum. This identifies unchanged hardware limits, not identical measured app performance. The required compatible memory is an additional purchase.
The wider box earns its space only if the disks do
For a home office that doubles as a guest room, AS6804T leaves 63 mm more shelf width while retaining four NVMe positions and dual 10GbE. AS6806T becomes worthwhile when extra SATA capacity is the actual requirement. With equal 8TB drives, six-drive RAID 6 gives 32TB before overhead versus 16TB from four drives, but it also fills all six bays.
How we reached this conclusion
Width delta 233 minus 170 = 63 mm, about 2.5 inches. Nominal RAID 6 calculation (N minus 2) x 8TB. Required ventilation, cables, system overhead and separate backup space remain outside these figures.
Choice A
ASUSTOR, AS6804T
Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
Four SATA drives cover the archive and your independent backup uses external or remote storage.
- Best matched use
- Four SATA drives cover the archive and your independent backup uses external or remote storage.
Checked facts
- Spare bays after a four-drive array: Four SATA bays. Four-drive RAID 6 fills them. MyArchive requires an available bay rather than removing an active array member.
- Body width: 185.5 x 170 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Four SATA positions.
- Memory and processor: Ryzen V3C14. 16GB ECC DDR5 supplied and 64GB maximum. Non-ECC memory disables ECC functionality.
- Network and SSD positions: Four SATA bays and four PCIe 4.0 x1 NVMe slots, with two native 10GbE ports and two 5GbE ports.
Choice B
ASUSTOR, AS6806T
Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
Four SATA array disks must coexist with a removable MyArchive disk.
- Best matched use
- Four SATA array disks must coexist with a removable MyArchive disk.
Checked facts
- Spare bays after a four-drive array: Six SATA bays. Four-drive RAID 6 leaves two free SATA positions, one of which can be reserved for MyArchive.
- Body width: 185.5 x 233 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Six SATA positions.
- Memory and processor: Ryzen V3C14. 16GB ECC DDR5 supplied and 64GB maximum. Non-ECC memory disables ECC functionality.
- Network and SSD positions: Six SATA bays and four PCIe 4.0 x1 NVMe slots, with two native 10GbE ports and two 5GbE ports.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T | ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spare bays after a four-drive array | Four SATA bays. Four-drive RAID 6 fills them. MyArchive requires an available bay rather than removing an active array member. | Six SATA bays. Four-drive RAID 6 leaves two free SATA positions, one of which can be reserved for MyArchive. | Six bays let the archive and removable-copy workflow coexist. A six-drive array would consume that spare room. |
| Body width | 185.5 x 170 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Four SATA positions. | 185.5 x 233 x 230 mm, height x width x depth. Six SATA positions. | 63 mm more width buys the two SATA positions. Depth and height stay the same. |
| Memory and processor | Ryzen V3C14. 16GB ECC DDR5 supplied and 64GB maximum. Non-ECC memory disables ECC functionality. | Ryzen V3C14. 16GB ECC DDR5 supplied and 64GB maximum. Non-ECC memory disables ECC functionality. | A workload limited by memory or application behavior does not gain a higher ceiling from the larger model. |
| Network and SSD positions | Four SATA bays and four PCIe 4.0 x1 NVMe slots, with two native 10GbE ports and two 5GbE ports. | Six SATA bays and four PCIe 4.0 x1 NVMe slots, with two native 10GbE ports and two 5GbE ports. | Both include two 10GbE ports and four NVMe slots. The larger model adds SATA positions, not more of either. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T
- 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
- The extra bays ship empty. Extra array disks, removable backup disks and compatible ECC memory are separate purchases.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
A four-drive array and removable internal backup must coexist
Choose ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T. Two additional SATA positions make the layout possible.
Four drives cover capacity and backup is already external
Choose ASUSTOR Lockerstor 4 Gen3 AS6804T. Keep the same core platform in the narrower body.
The purchase is meant to raise the supported RAM ceiling above 64GB
Choose neither. Neither model changes that limit.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want room to preserve family originals and work projects without turning the only backup bay into more live storage.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- MyArchive examples assume a planned SATA array and an independently configured spare bay. Never remove a live array member to make a removable archive.
- 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.
- Ethernet figures are link rates, not measured file-transfer speeds. Client adapters, switches, cabling, disks, file sizes and concurrent work can be the bottleneck.
- No measured noise, power or reliability advantage is assigned.
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 4 Gen3 AS6804T |
|
| |
| ASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T |
|
|
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 4 Gen3 AS6804T
Four SATA drives cover the archive and your independent backup uses external or remote storage.
You want the Gen3 network and memory platform in the narrower 170 mm body.
See price & reviews on AmazonASUSTOR Lockerstor 6 Gen3 AS6806T
Four SATA array disks must coexist with a removable MyArchive disk.
The online archive needs five or six SATA disks without replacing the enclosure.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.