2GB max RAM · 4 bays · 1GbE
AINAS Score 12
No verified UK price
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Can the Synology DS224+ run local AI?
Not in any useful way. Intel Celeron J4125 with 6GB of memory at most makes the Synology DS224+ a backup and file-sharing box, which is why we class it as a Traditional NAS.
Use it as a baseline when comparing AI-capable alternatives.
What is the DS224+ like?
The DS224+ is a two-bay Synology from 2023 that Synology has now phased out. We list it as a Traditional NAS for comparison, because many people searching for an AI NAS already own one and want to know whether it can do the job.
The short answer is no. The Celeron J4125 has four cores and basic Intel graphics, and memory stops at 6GB, so only the smallest models will load and they will be slow. Synology's AI Console de-identification feature needs 8GB, which this model cannot reach, and object recognition in Synology Photos needs at least 4GB.
As a storage box it is still perfectly good: quiet, low power and running DSM with full backup and photo features. If you own one, keep it for files and backups and add a separate machine for AI. If you are buying new, every 2025 Plus model offers far more memory headroom for the same job.
Current UK offers
Amazon UK
2GB
£544.99
Verified
In stock
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Key specifications
- Docker
- Yes
- VM support
- Yes
- Released
- 2023
Can the DS224+ run local LLMs?
Each capability shows how it was confirmed: Verified by AINAS, Vendor confirmed, Community confirmed or Unverified.
| Capability | Supported | Evidence | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local LLM | Limited | Community confirmed | CPU-only via Ollama in Container Manager; max 6 GB RAM limits it to very small (1B to 3B) models. |
| Ollama | Limited | Community confirmed | No Ollama package; runs as ollama/ollama container in Container Manager. Guide lists DS224+ as an x86 unit; 6 GB RAM cap is tight. |
| Open WebUI | Limited | Community confirmed | Open WebUI container documented on Synology DSM pointing at Ollama on port 11434. RAM cap of 6 GB limits running both. |
| RAG | Limited | Unverified | No Synology local RAG for this model; Open WebUI document chat plausible via Docker but not verified on this unit. AI Console only bridges to cloud or OpenAI-compatible APIs. |
| AI search | No | Vendor confirmed | Synology AI Search in Drive uses GPU-powered embedding/OCR models only on supported systems with a GPU (FS/26-series list); this model is not listed. |
| GPU expansion | No | Vendor confirmed | No PCIe slot usable for a GPU; no OCuLink or USB4. |
| Hardware acceleration | Limited | Community confirmed | J4125 has Intel UHD Graphics 600 with Quick Sync (Plex HW transcoding tested by reviewer). No NPU; no AI acceleration usable for LLMs. |
| AI photos | Limited | Vendor confirmed | Synology Photos facial and object recognition; object recognition needs memory upgraded to at least 4 GB. |
| AI video | Limited | Community confirmed | No on-NAS deep video analytics (DVA models only); Surveillance Station can use edge AI from Synology BC500/TC500 cameras. |
| Surveillance AI | Yes | Vendor confirmed | Surveillance Station supported, up to 25 IP cameras (1080p H.264); 2 free licences, more require purchase. |
How much RAM does the DS224+ support?
Plan on upgrading. 2GB is fitted as standard, while the DS224+ accepts 6GB of DDR4 non-ECC (2 GB onboard + 1 SODIMM slot), which is the difference between only very small models of around 1B to 3B parameters and only very small models of around 1B to 3B parameters (Estimated).
Can you add a GPU to the DS224+?
A graphics card is not an option on the DS224+, which has neither a PCIe slot nor OCuLink. Inference runs on the CPU, with Intel UHD Graphics 600 handling media tasks, so keep to small models.
Is the DS224+ suitable for RAG?
As the storage half of a RAG setup it works well; as the model host it is limited. Small embedding models run fine on the DS224+, while the answering model needs more compute than it has.
For network access it has 2 x 1GbE. Enough for light use; large imports will take a while.
Which DS224+ configurations are sold?
| Configuration | RAM | SSD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2GB | 2GB | None | 2 GB DDR4 onboard; add one 4 GB non-ECC SODIMM (D4NESO-2666-4G) for 6 GB max |
How is the DS224+ different from the DS725+?
The closest Synology model by AINAS Score. Only the specifications that differ are listed.
- Processor: Intel Celeron J4125 on the DS224+, AMD Ryzen R1600 on the DS725+
- CPU cores: 4 on the DS224+, 2 on the DS725+
- Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600 on the DS224+, none on the DS725+
- Memory fitted: 2GB on the DS224+, 4GB on the DS725+
- Memory ceiling: 6GB on the DS224+, 32GB on the DS725+
- ECC: no on the DS224+, yes on the DS725+
- M.2 slots: 0 on the DS224+, 2 on the DS725+
- Networking: 2 x 1GbE on the DS224+, 2.5GbE + 1GbE on the DS725+
- Power supply: 60W on the DS224+, 65W on the DS725+
- Status: discontinued on the DS224+, tracked on the DS725+
- AI class: Traditional NAS on the DS224+, AI Capable on the DS725+
- AINAS Score: 15 on the DS224+, 26 on the DS725+
Who should buy the DS224+?
Best fit: people who want a private chat assistant or coding model at home without sending data to a cloud service. That is where the DS224+ scores highest (Local LLM 14/100), followed by RAG (14/100).
Less suited to anyone who wants to run models larger than about 8B parameters and buyers who expect to add a graphics card later.
What are the alternatives to the DS224+?
Other Traditional NAS systems closest in price.
2GB max RAM · 2 bays · 1GbE
AINAS Score 14
£238
Amazon UK · Verified
DS224+ questions
Can the DS224+ run Ollama?
Partly. Ollama support is confirmed by community reports. See the capability table above for the source.
Does Open WebUI work on the DS224+?
Partly. Open WebUI support is confirmed by community reports. See the capability table above for the source.
Does the DS224+ do AI photo recognition?
Partly. AI photos support is documented by the manufacturer. See the capability table above for the source.
Can the DS224+ run AI surveillance?
Yes. Surveillance AI support is documented by the manufacturer. See the capability table above for the source.
Does the DS224+ have hardware AI acceleration?
Partly. Hardware acceleration support is confirmed by community reports. See the capability table above for the source.
How fast is the DS224+'s network?
It has 2 x 1GbE built in. The fastest port is 1GbE.
Where do these specifications come from?
Every field records its source. Specifications were last checked on . Spot an error? Send a correction with a manufacturer link.