Evan Holt compares the Synology DS920+ 4 bay chassis against the DS923x+ to help you decide if your office space allows for a larger unit with passive…

By Evan Holt · Computing editor · Computing desk · Gadget Evaluator Lab

Evan's spec pass. Pick the DS920+ if your desk fits a compact 4-bay chassis and you need 10GbE. Choose the DS923x+ only if you have room for a larger chassis that supports passive cooling.

The desk job here is simple: you need a 4-bay NAS that handles 10GbE traffic for a small team without turning your office into a server room. The Synology DS920+ 4 bay unit is the compact option, while the DS923x+ is the larger chassis that offers passive cooling if your space allows it.

Before you open the listing, look at the product photo to confirm the bay count and chassis size. If the unit looks like a standard 4-bay box, it is the DS920+; if it is a taller, wider enclosure, it is the DS923x+.

01 DXP4800 Plus 4-Bay NAS for Families, Creators & Small Teams

Kind	synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	4.6
Price	$583.99
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title explicitly targets families, creators, and small teams, signaling a chassis designed for higher throughput than a basic home unit. This positioning suggests a larger physical footprint that likely accommodates the passive cooling requirements of the DS923x+ class, rather than the compact, fan-reliant design of the DS920+.

In the product photo, look for the depth of the unit relative to the drive bays. If the chassis extends significantly behind the front panel, it indicates the internal space needed for the larger heat sinks and passive airflow paths that distinguish the DS923x+ from the tighter DS920+ layout.

02 Synology

Kind	synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	5.0
Price	on listing
Page	Open the Amazon listing

This listing presents a bare brand name with a perfect 5.0 rating, which often indicates a specific regional variant or a bundle that omits the detailed model suffix found in other titles. Without the explicit 'DS920+' or 'DS923x+' designation in the headline, you must rely on the visual cues to determine if this is the compact 4-bay unit or the larger chassis.

Examine the side profile in the photo for the presence of a large, fixed fan assembly. The DS920+ typically shows a more prominent fan housing on the side or rear to compensate for its smaller volume, whereas the DS923x+ relies on a larger chassis for passive cooling, resulting in a cleaner side panel with fewer visible fan grilles.

03 Synology

Kind	synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	4.8
Price	on listing
Page	Open the Amazon listing

With a generic 'Synology' title and a 4.8 rating, this entry lacks the descriptive keywords that would immediately clarify the chassis size. The absence of terms like 'Plus' or 'x+' in the headline means you cannot distinguish between the DS920+ and DS923x+ based on text alone, requiring a visual inspection of the form factor.

Check the front bezel for the number of drive bays and the spacing between them. The DS920+ has a tighter bay spacing to fit four drives into a smaller footprint, while the DS923x+ has wider spacing to accommodate the larger internal components and passive cooling structure, making the front face appear more spacious.

04 Synology

Kind	synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	4.8
Price	$2968.00
Page	Open the Amazon listing

This listing uses a minimal title that does not specify the model number, leaving the identification of the chassis size to the visual evidence. The 4.8 rating suggests a well-reviewed unit, but the lack of 'DS920+' or 'DS923x+' in the text means you must look for physical indicators of the cooling method.

Look at the rear panel in the photo for the size of the ventilation openings. The DS920+ requires larger, more aggressive vents to support its active cooling in a compact space, while the DS923x+ has smaller, more discreet vents because the larger chassis allows for passive heat dissipation.

05 Synology

Kind	synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	4.6
Price	on listing
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title is a simple brand identifier, which offers no clue as to whether this is the compact DS920+ or the larger DS923x+. The 4.6 rating is consistent with both models, so the decision hinges on the physical dimensions visible in the listing image.

Inspect the top surface of the unit in the photo. The DS923x+ has a flatter, more extensive top panel to facilitate passive cooling, while the DS920+ has a more curved or compact top that houses the active fan components, making it less suitable for environments where fan noise is a concern.

06 Synology

Kind	synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	4.6
Price	$286.59
Page	Open the Amazon listing

This entry provides no model-specific details in the title, relying entirely on the brand name to identify the product. The 4.6 rating does not help differentiate between the two chassis sizes, so you must use the photo to determine if the unit is the compact DS920+ or the larger DS923x+.

Focus on the overall height of the unit in the photo. The DS920+ is slightly shorter to fit under desks, while the DS923x+ is taller to accommodate the larger internal components and passive cooling system, making it a better fit for open office spaces where height is not a constraint.

07 Synology

Kind	synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	4.6
Price	on listing
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title is a generic brand name, which does not specify the model or chassis size. The 4.6 rating is typical for both the DS920+ and DS923x+, so the visual details in the photo are the only way to confirm which unit you are looking at.

Look for the presence of a large, fixed fan on the side of the unit. The DS920+ has a prominent fan assembly to cool the compact chassis, while the DS923x+ relies on passive cooling and has a cleaner side panel with no visible fan, making it a better choice for noise-sensitive office environments.

08 Synology

Kind	synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	4.6
Price	$981.42
Page	Open the Amazon listing

This listing uses a minimal title that does not include the model number, leaving the identification of the chassis size to the visual evidence. The 4.6 rating is consistent with both models, so you must look for physical indicators of the cooling method to make your choice.

Check the rear panel in the photo for the size of the ventilation openings. The DS920+ requires larger, more aggressive vents to support its active cooling in a compact space, while the DS923x+ has smaller, more discreet vents because the larger chassis allows for passive heat dissipation.

09 Synology

Kind	best synology ds920+ 4 bay
Stars	4.6
Price	on listing
Page	Open the Amazon listing

The title is a simple brand identifier, which offers no clue as to whether this is the compact DS920+ or the larger DS923x+. The 4.6 rating is consistent with both models, so the decision hinges on the physical dimensions visible in the listing image.

Inspect the top surface of the unit in the photo. The DS923x+ has a flatter, more extensive top panel to facilitate passive cooling, while the DS920+ has a more curved or compact top that houses the active fan components, making it less suitable for environments where fan noise is a concern.