The Aiffro K100 All-SSD NAS offers a compact, powerful solution for users seeking high-speed storage in a small form factor. Powered by an Intel N100 processor, it is designed with four M.2 PCIe Gen3 x2 SSD slots and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet connection, making it a versatile option for both personal and professional use. This review covers its hardware configuration, cooling, power consumption, performance, and how it compares to more traditional HDD-based NAS systems.

Hardware Overview

The K100 features a small, efficient design, making it easy to integrate into various setups, whether for home or office use. The device is equipped with a power button and LED indicator on the front, while side air vents allow for efficient cooling. The back of the unit contains the key I/O ports, including a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port powered by the Realtek RTL8125 NIC, two USB 2.0 ports, two USB Type-C ports (data only), an HDMI output (4K at 60Hz), and a USB-C power input, which is powered by a 65-watt power brick.

Internally, the system can support up to four M.2 SSDs, each connected through PCIe Gen3 x2 lanes, providing up to 2GB/s transfer speeds per drive. The cooling system is built with thermal pads and a heat sink that ensures effective heat dissipation, allowing the system to maintain stable temperatures during intensive use.

Cooling and Power Consumption

Cooling is a critical feature of the Aiffro K100, especially given its all-SSD design. The system utilizes an Intel N100 processor, which operates under a 25W short-term power limit (PL2) and a 15W long-term power limit (PL1). The cooling fan inside the unit is large enough to manage heat generated by both the processor and SSDs, ensuring steady performance.

In terms of power consumption, the system is highly efficient. At idle, it consumes around 5 to 5.5 watts in both Windows and Linux environments. Under maximum CPU load, the system consumes 14 watts, which remains within the system’s cooling capabilities. This level of efficiency makes the K100 an excellent choice for users who prioritize low power consumption in their NAS devices.

Performance Testing

The K100 comes with an included 256GB Maxio MAP-1202C M.2 NVMe SSD. While this SSD is adequate for booting operating systems, users may want to upgrade to larger capacities for better storage performance. The device supports popular operating systems such as TrueNAS, Unraid, Proxmox, and Windows, providing flexibility depending on user needs.

During performance tests, the K100 managed to fully utilize its 2.5Gbps Ethernet connection, copying files at maximum speeds without additional configurations. The Intel N100 processor, although entry-level, is well-suited for NAS tasks, including H.264 and H.265 video transcoding, making it capable of supporting small-scale media server applications. The system’s 8GB of RAM is generally sufficient for NAS environments, although running multiple virtual machines might stretch its capacity.

Comparing SSD and HDD NAS Systems

The Aiffro K100 stands out due to its all-SSD configuration, but how does it compare to traditional HDD-based NAS units? From a price perspective, the K100 is more expensive, especially when you consider the cost of high-capacity SSDs. Configuring the K100 with four 4TB SSDs would cost around $1,330 for 12TB of usable space in a RAID 5 setup. In contrast, an Intel N100-powered HDD-based NAS with two 12TB drives would cost around $880.

However, there are distinct advantages to the all-SSD approach. First, SSDs are faster, especially when handling random I/O operations. Unlike HDDs, SSDs can fill the 2.5Gbps network connection more reliably across a variety of workloads. Additionally, SSDs generate no seek noise, which makes the K100 quieter than traditional HDD NAS systems.

Power consumption is another significant difference. The K100 with four SSDs consumes about 12 watts at idle, whereas a dual-bay HDD NAS would consume around 20-25 watts when the hard drives are active. Over time, this difference in power usage can lead to cost savings, particularly in regions with higher electricity costs.

While SSD-based NAS systems are quieter and more power-efficient, they are not the most cost-effective solution for users requiring vast amounts of storage. For those needing hundreds of terabytes, traditional HDD-based systems remain the better option due to the lower cost of high-capacity hard drives.

Conclusion

The Aiffro K100 All-SSD NAS is a highly capable and efficient system, offering excellent performance in a compact, low-power design. While it may not be the best option for users needing extensive storage at the lowest possible cost, it is an ideal solution for those who prioritize speed, low noise, and compactness. The K100 delivers impressive performance for tasks such as file sharing, media serving, and running virtual machines, making it a strong contender in the NAS market.

For further details on the Aiffro K100, you can explore the full review video linked here.