QNAP launched the ES1686dc-R2 last week, and if you're anything like me, you might be wondering — how is it different from the original ES1686dc?
At first glance — and even after digging into the specs — you’ll notice they are practically identical. Same CPU, same memory, same drive bays, same ports, same performance.
So, what changed?
The only difference is the power supply unit.
- The earlier model had a 770W PSU, while
- The R2 version comes with a 700W PSU.
That's it.
No changes to performance, capacity, or features. Not even power consumption. We believe this re-launch as the "R2" version was likely necessary because QNAP changed their power supply manufacturer — a common industry practice when a vendor stops producing a part, when certifications change, or when there's a shift to a more efficient supplier.
Since the system's power consumption remains the same, there’s no impact on reliability or performance.
In short: Both models deliver the same great QNAP enterprise-grade experience — with just a small update under the hood.
