Test TerraMaster D6-320: A massive, high-performance storage system to connect to your PC

The TerraMaster D6-320 is a 6-bay external hard drive enclosure that combines speed, storage capacity and versatility. Designed to meet the needs of modern data enthusiasts, such as photographers storing large RAW files or professional video editors, it offers the flexibility required for these uses.Using the USB 3.2 Gen2 protocol, the D6-320 offers a data transmission bandwidth of 10 Gbps, enabling read and write speeds of up to 1,016 MB/s with the right hard drives and configurations. It’s also compatible with a wide range of hard drives, including 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA drives, as well as 2.5″ SATA SSDs.

TerraMaster D6-320 design

The TerraMaster D6-320 follows a functional aesthetic, placing practicality and performance above design. It’s not a NAS, like the Synology DS223 for example. Its design can be described as industrial-chic, with an all-metal casing that leans more towards sturdiness than elegance.At the rear are two large fans that will keep the device cool, even under heavy loads and when pushed to its limits. These fans dissipate heat efficiently, ensuring that your disks stay cool even under heavy use. Right next to the fans, you’ll find the power inlet neatly tucked away to keep your workspace clearA solitary USB Type-C port graces the rear of the unit. It’s a versatile connector that lets you connect the D6-320 to a compatible TerraMaster NAS enclosure or directly to your computer. However, this single USB port also has a caveat: it can only be used as a terminal link in a daisy chain of NAS systems. That’s a bit of a limitation if you’re planning a more complex installation.One design feature that deserves special mention is the hot-swappable hard disk capability. A simple press on the locking mechanism allows you to quickly extract or insert disks, even when the machine is operational.

TerraMaster D6-320 features

TerraMaster D6-320 features

The TerraMaster D6-320 is packed with features appreciated by technology enthusiasts and professionals alike. It stands out for its compatibility with different types of hard disk, optimized for TerraMaster NAS systems running TOS 5.1 or higher. This compatibility is useful for those requiring scalable storage solutions.The D6-320 also offers a convenient hot-swap feature for an integrated system to manage storage disks quickly and efficiently. During testing, the device performed well with a 500GB WD Green drive and various older drives.In terms of performance, the D6-320 impresses. With its USB Type-C controller, it achieves remarkable speeds, up to 450 MB/s with SSDs. Intelligent features such as disk standby have proved effective, with the device becoming silent when the computer shuts down or goes into standby mode. These features have been tested and found to work well, especially when connected to an OWC hub.

TerraMaster D6-320 performance

The SSD-equipped TerraMaster D6-320 boasts impressive transfer speeds of around 450 MB/s. Even with HDDs, the system delivers respectable performance, as demonstrated by the use of WD Red SSDs. When used with less powerful WD Green drives, the system still manages to maintain acceptable speeds. Despite its high performance, the D6-320 operates surprisingly quietly, with minimal noise pollution.This 6-bay system offers various RAID options for an optimum balance between speed, redundancy and capacity. RAID 0 is ideal for speed-conscious users, while RAID 5 or 6 offers a good compromise between speed and tolerance to the failure of one or two disks. For maximum data protection, RAID 10 is the preferred option. The D6-320 stands out for its ease of use and flexibility, making its potential accessible even to less experienced users. The disk configuration allows multiple RAID arrangements, requiring more advanced software to fully exploit the system’s capabilities. All in all, TerraMaster’s D6-320 offers an excellent combination of speed and capacity, without compromising on functionality or configuration complexity.

TerraMaster D6-320 review

The TerraMaster D6-320 enclosure, while aesthetically unimpressive, offers solid construction and an excellent range of features such as hot-swap, intelligent temperature control and disk standby. It particularly stands out for its performance, displaying impressive speed even when completely full.Nevertheless, it does have some limitations, such as the single USB Type-C port and specific compatibility requirements that may not suit everyone. Purchasing the TerraMaster D6-320 NAS represents a sound investment, offering robust performance and reliability to consolidate or expand your storage capacity. It’s important to ensure that it fits into your existing or planned technological ecosystem.