ASUSTOR AS3302T vs AS3302T v2

Buy the ASUSTOR Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 AS3302T v2 for a new photo and backup NAS: it adds Btrfs volume snapshots to the original's EXT4 storage. Keep a working AS3302T if its existing apps and file backups meet your needs; ASUSTOR still lists software support for it, although the hardware is discontinued. If transcoding is your main reason to upgrade, read the ADM limitation below before ordering. (Specifications, support status.)

Specifications and support checked November 3, 2026. Recommendations are based on official documentation.

Quick picks

Compare specifications and all conditions

Buying a new shared photo and backup store

Our pick

AS3302T v2

What changes the decision

Btrfs volume snapshots; current production model

Original AS3302T already doing its job

Our pick

Keep it

What changes the decision

Supported software; replace for a missing feature, not the suffix alone

Considering remaining original stock

Our pick

Prefer v2

What changes the decision

The original is discontinued and cannot provide Btrfs file-volume snapshots

Need expandable RAM, an x86-only app or assured media transcoding

Our pick

Choose hardware around that requirement

What changes the decision

Both models are ARM64 with fixed memory; a media claim needs app-specific confirmation

Full comparison table ↔

Swipe to compare. Row labels stay visible.

Your situation	Our pick	What changes the decision
Buying a new shared photo and backup store	AS3302T v2	Btrfs volume snapshots; current production model
Original AS3302T already doing its job	Keep it	Supported software; replace for a missing feature, not the suffix alone
Considering remaining original stock	Prefer v2	The original is discontinued and cannot provide Btrfs file-volume snapshots
Need expandable RAM, an x86-only app or assured media transcoding	Choose hardware around that requirement	Both models are ARM64 with fixed memory; a media claim needs app-specific confirmation

Your situation	Our pick	What changes the decision
Buying a new shared photo and backup store	AS3302T v2	Btrfs volume snapshots; current production model
Original AS3302T already doing its job	Keep it	Supported software; replace for a missing feature, not the suffix alone
Considering remaining original stock	Prefer v2	The original is discontinued and cannot provide Btrfs file-volume snapshots
Need expandable RAM, an x86-only app or assured media transcoding	Choose hardware around that requirement	Both models are ARM64 with fixed memory; a media claim needs app-specific confirmation

The two-bay NAS shortlist covers other platforms; this comparison resolves the two Drivestor Pro revisions.

AS3302T vs AS3302T v2: the exact revision table

Sources: ASUSTOR's original specifications, v2 specifications, original downloads, v2 downloads and support table. Ethernet rates describe the port, not guaranteed file-transfer throughput.

Buy AS3302T v2 for a new installation

Btrfs is the strongest reason to choose Gen2. ASUSTOR's Snapshot Center instructions list Drivestor Pro Gen2 among supported volume-snapshot families. A Btrfs volume lets you schedule snapshots and retrieve previous file versions after unwanted changes. Choose Btrfs during setup if that is the protection you want; choosing EXT4 leaves that benefit unused.

The newer processor raises the published clock from 1.4 to 1.7 GHz, but both boxes retain the same memory capacity and Ethernet port rate. Treat v2 as a feature upgrade; we would not replace a satisfactory backup server for the clock figure alone. Neither model offers a later RAM upgrade. (ASUSTOR's generation comparison.)

For checkout, look for ASUSTOR, Drivestor 2 Pro Gen2 and AS3302T v2 together. Ask for a photograph of the unit's model label if the title and specifications disagree. ASUSTOR also lists a Drivestor 2 Gen2 AS1202T, a separate model; “Gen2” alone does not identify this Pro revision. Check the exact v2 on ASUSTOR.

Keep the original AS3302T for working file backups

Discontinued production does not mean software support has ended. ASUSTOR defines “Discontinued” as no longer manufactured and marks the original's software Supported. Both model download pages list ADM 5.1.4.RM62, released October 7, 2026. The support table does not supply a model-specific end date; recheck it before buying old stock.

Keep the original when EXT4 shares and your existing backup jobs suffice. Its product page describes ASUSTOR Backup Plan for Windows, Time Machine for macOS, and Photo Gallery 3 with AiFoto 3. Those jobs alone are a weak reason to replace a functioning unit. If you specifically need snapshots of ordinary shared files, its iSCSI snapshot feature is a different capability: buy suitable Btrfs hardware.

Match applications before choosing a revision

Photos and backups: both product pages describe Photo Gallery 3 and AiFoto 3. ASUSTOR's backup guide describes automatic phone-photo uploads through AiFoto 3, Windows Backup Plan and Mac Time Machine. Start with the apps you actually need and check their current requirements before migration.

Containers: ASUSTOR's Docker requirements include both Drivestor Pro generations, but explicitly warn that deployable containers depend on the developer's supported platform. Check for an ARM64 image and its memory requirement. For an x86-only workload or a larger memory requirement, use the home-server hardware guide to select another platform.

Media needs the closest reading. The original's marketing page still describes hardware-assisted media playback. However, ASUSTOR's August 28, 2025 feature notice says hardware-accelerated transcoding is no longer supported after upgrading affected Realtek NAS devices to ADM 5.0; its affected-device list names AS3302T and AS3304T.

The v2 page advertises 10-bit 4K H.265 hardware decoding in LooksGood. The notice uses broader Realtek wording but does not explicitly list v2. That documentation conflict prevents a blanket promise for current transcoding: get exact model, ADM and app confirmation if the purchase depends on it. A LooksGood claim also does not establish Plex hardware acceleration; consult Plex's own compatibility guidance.

Plex explains that Direct Play sends compatible files unchanged, while incompatible subtitles can trigger a full video transcode. Use that distinction when checking your actual TV and files:

• Yes: Direct Play: confirm the client's container, codecs, bitrate and resolution support
• Partly: LooksGood hardware decoding: a v2 maker claim that needs checking against the ADM feature notice
• No: Guaranteed Plex transcoding: not established by the maker's LooksGood claim

Matching drive pick: WD Red Plus 8 TB WD80EFPX

Use the same drives in both baskets. WD specifies the WD80EFPX as an 8 TB, 3.5-inch SATA CMR drive. ASUSTOR's compatibility entries for AS 33 and AS 33 v2 identify WD80EFPX–68C4ZN0, firmware 81.00A81, with the remark “For ADM 4.2.5 or later.” Match that suffix and firmware; another WD Red capacity or suffix is not the documented entry.

Two 8 TB drives give 16 TB raw, or 8 TB in RAID 1 before filesystem overhead: ASUSTOR's RAID explanation says mirrored capacity equals the smaller drive. Leave additional room for snapshots and growth; the snapshot instructions warn against filling the volume.

Compare the complete baskets, including any network upgrade you need. For an existing owner, compare replacement spending against keeping the current box. Check drive price on Amazon.

RAID supplies redundancy, not an independent backup. ASUSTOR recommends an original, a local backup and an offsite backup, and says to test backups. Budget separate storage and open restored files before relying on it. Follow its backup guidance; consider the NAS UPS guide when planning the installation.

Migration: moving drives and gaining Btrfs are different jobs

ASUSTOR documents system migration by moving drives to another NAS. The target must have at least as many bays and an ADM version equal to or newer than the source. Back up first, power down for the drive move, follow the migration workflow and update apps afterward. Do not initialize the source drives: ASUSTOR warns that initialization deletes their data.

For Btrfs, its snapshot instructions require backing up and recreating an EXT4 volume. There is no conversion in place. Recreating the main application volume also requires reinstalling apps and restoring settings. Choose your route before touching the disks:

1. 1

   Preserve a recoverable copy

   Back up files and export settings; verify that restored files open.

2. 2

   Check migration prerequisites

   Confirm target bay count and target ADM at least equal to the source; power down before transferring drives.

3. 3

   Choose the filesystem route

   A drive migration preserves the existing volume; gaining Btrfs requires backup, volume recreation and restoration.

4. 4

   Verify the new installation

   Update or reinstall apps as required, check permissions and backup jobs, then rehearse a file restore before retiring the old copy.

Check holiday listings and warranty before checkout

Require the model label and invoice to agree on AS3302T v2, and confirm whether any drives are a seller bundle. ASUSTOR says its NAS products come without HDDs or SSDs. Both spec sheets list a 65 W adapter and 100–240 V AC input; the v2 package includes a power adapter, AC cord and Cat 5e LAN cable. Confirm the cord suits your outlet and the adapter is supplied. (Warranty, package contents.)

Both specifications list a three-year warranty, but ASUSTOR requires proof of purchase and the serial number, with returns through the original purchase route. Confirm the warranty route for imported, used or remaining-stock units before paying; keep the receipt and seller's exact-model confirmation.

How we choose

This is a document-based comparison of ASUSTOR's model-specific specifications, downloads, support status, application notices and migration instructions, plus WD and Plex documentation. We prioritize the feature that changes the purchase: Btrfs file snapshots, existing-owner needs and verified app requirements. We make no measured throughput, noise or transcoding-performance claims. Support labels describe the checked date, not a future update guarantee. Read our research method.

Verdict

Buy AS3302T v2 for a new installation needing Btrfs snapshots. Keep the original AS3302T for satisfactory EXT4 backup duties while software support continues. Choose another platform when your application or memory requirements demand it, and settle media compatibility before ordering. Compare identical disks and independent backups, then plan whether you are moving an existing volume or rebuilding for Btrfs.