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The Synology RackStation RS1221RP+ is an eight-bay, 2U NAS for businesses that want redundant power supplies and a shorter chassis than many rack units. Its depth is 407.5mm, and IT Pro recorded strong 10GbE results in its 2021 test. The trade-off is fan noise: the review measured 58.7dB from one metre, making placement near people a serious consideration.
What the RS1221RP+ offers
The RS1221RP+ is an eight-bay rack NAS built around an AMD Ryzen V1500B, a four-core processor running at 2.2GHz. It ships with 4GB of ECC DDR4 SODIMM memory and has two memory slots, with a listed maximum of 32GB. Synology advises matching modules in multi-module configurations and warns that use of non-Synology memory may affect its product warranty or technical support.
Its eight bays accept 3.5-inch SATA hard drives or 2.5-inch SATA hard drives and SSDs. The chassis also has four 1GbE ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one eSATA expansion port, and one PCIe Gen3 slot with an x4 link.
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The RS1221RP+ and RS1221+ share the same listed processor, memory configuration, bay count, and core connectivity. The RP+ adds a second power supply, but is deeper and heavier. Synology’s published noise figures also differ; they come from its stated idle test method, not a comparative test by IT Pro.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
| Specification | RS1221RP+ | RS1221+ |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | 2U | 2U |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 88 × 482 × 407.5mm | 88 × 482 × 306.6mm |
| Weight | 8.4kg | 6.9kg |
| Power supplies | Two 350W supplies | One 250W supply |
| Drive bays | Eight | Eight |
| Processor and base memory | AMD Ryzen V1500B, four cores at 2.2GHz; 4GB ECC DDR4 SODIMM | AMD Ryzen V1500B, four cores at 2.2GHz; 4GB ECC DDR4 SODIMM |
| Maximum memory | 32GB | 32GB |
| Ethernet | Four 1GbE ports | Four 1GbE ports |
| Synology specified idle noise | 53.5dB(A) | 37.8dB(A) |
The noise specifications above are Synology figures for fully loaded units using Seagate 2TB ST2000VN000 drives, with microphones one metre from the front and rear and background noise of 16.49–17.51dB(A). They are not directly comparable to IT Pro’s measurement of its test sample.
Is the RS1221RP+ loud?
It can be a poor choice for a rack located close to people. In its 21 May 2021 review, IT Pro’s Dave Mitchell measured 58.7dB from one metre in front of the tested RS1221RP+ and called its cooling fans loud. That result describes the review unit and its measurement, rather than every installation or operating condition.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Synology lists Full-Speed, Cool, and Quiet fan modes, but IT Pro did not publish a comparative noise test of those settings. Do not assume that selecting a mode will produce a particular sound level. The practical choice is to plan for a separate equipment room or another location where fan noise will not disrupt work.
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What performance did IT Pro measure?
IT Pro tested an RS1221RP+ fitted with a 10GbE card and an SHR array of four 10TB Seagate IronWolf NAS drives. From a Dell T640 server running Windows Server 2019, its Iometer sequential test recorded 9.3Gbit/s read and 6.2Gbit/s write. These are results for that specific review configuration, not guaranteed speeds for other drives, networks, workloads, or settings.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
In a separate 25GB file-copy test, IT Pro reported average speeds of 5.1Gbit/s to the server and 4.9Gbit/s from the server. The same review compared the sequential figures with its RS1219+ test over 10GbE, which recorded 7.9Gbit/s read and 3.2Gbit/s write. That is a comparison with the previous-generation RS1219+, not the RS1221+.
Networking and compatibility
Four 1GbE ports are built in. A 10GbE connection requires a compatible add-in card in the PCIe slot, and compatibility is worth checking before purchase: IT Pro found that its test unit would not boot with a Broadcom card installed but worked with an Intel card. That is the reviewer’s result with those cards, not evidence that every Broadcom card will fail.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Synology lists specific 10GbE and 25GbE adapters among supported components, but compatibility and availability can vary by market and may change. Check Synology’s compatibility list for the exact adapter and configuration you intend to use.
Expansion, rack fit, and power resilience
With one RX418 expansion unit, Synology lists support for up to 12 drive bays. The expansion unit is sold separately. Synology specifies the RS1221RP+ for a four-post 19-inch rack; the RKS-02 rail kit is also sold separately. Check available depth, including room for cabling, because the RP+ chassis itself measures 407.5mm deep.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
The two 350W power supplies provide redundancy against a failure affecting one power distribution channel or PDU, as Synology describes it. They add resilience to that part of the power path; redundant supplies alone do not guarantee uninterrupted service.
Synology’s product page lists HAT5300 and HAT3300 hard-drive families, SAT5200 SSDs, selected ECC memory, M.2 adapters and SSDs, and specified network cards among compatible products. Drives, cards, memory, rails, and expansion hardware are separate purchases; consult the current compatibility listing rather than assuming any part with the right connector will work.
Software and memory considerations
IT Pro’s 2021 review discusses DSM 6.2-era capabilities, including Btrfs snapshots and replication, Hyper Backup, Active Backup for Business, Synology Drive, and Virtual Machine Manager. Those comments describe the software context at the time of the review; check Synology’s current documentation for supported features and versions. The reviewer also noted that serious virtualization use would likely need more than the included 4GB of memory.
Verdict: who should consider the RS1221RP+?
The RS1221RP+ is a strong fit when eight drive bays, redundant power, and a compact 2U rack design matter more than silence. Its 10GbE test results are persuasive for the particular drive array and test setup IT Pro used, while the required adapter and its compatibility need attention. If the shorter 306.6mm chassis is more important than dual power supplies, or if lower specified idle noise is a priority, compare the RS1221+ instead.
Quick Recap
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