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QNAP RAID 6 vs RAID 5 Storage Calculator

Compare usable capacity, fault tolerance, and efficiency between RAID 6 and RAID 5 for QNAP NAS users.

Comparison Notes

This page compares RAID 6 and RAID 5 on identical hardware assumptions to help homelab builders choose between capacity efficiency and fault tolerance.

  • Disk size baseline: 8TB drives
  • Reserve policy: 10% filesystem headroom
  • Use the interactive tool for exact real-world constraints
Open Interactive Planner →

Storage Capacity Table

Drives RAID 6 RAID 5 Delta
4x 8TB 14.40 TB 21.60 TB -7.20 TB
6x 8TB 28.80 TB 36.00 TB -7.20 TB
8x 8TB 43.20 TB 50.40 TB -7.20 TB
10x 8TB 57.60 TB 64.80 TB -7.20 TB
12x 8TB 72.00 TB 79.20 TB -7.20 TB

QNAP Planning Notes

QNAP buyers often compare capacity efficiency against service consolidation needs, where VM storage, containers, and media serving all compete for IOPS and free space.

Brand / Region Glossary

Qtier

QNAP auto-tiering system that moves hot and cold data across storage classes.

Storage & Snapshots

QTS module for RAID pool management, volume control, and snapshots.

Thin Provisioning

Allocates logical space first and consumes physical capacity over time.

Related Long-Tail Calculators

2x 4TB RAID 1 2x 6TB RAID 1 2x 8TB RAID 1 2x 10TB RAID 1 2x 12TB RAID 1 2x 14TB RAID 1 2x 16TB RAID 1 2x 18TB RAID 1 2x 20TB RAID 1 3x 4TB RAID 1 3x 4TB RAID 5 3x 4TB RAID-Z1 3x 6TB RAID 1 3x 6TB RAID 5 3x 6TB RAID-Z1 3x 8TB RAID 1

FAQ

Does this comparison include filesystem reserve?

Yes. The comparison table applies a 10% reserve baseline to reflect realistic operating headroom in NAS and homelab environments.

Can two layouts with similar available space still have very different rebuild risk?

Yes. Similar usable TB does not imply similar failure tolerance or rebuild exposure. Capacity and resiliency should be evaluated together.

Does RAID 6 rebuild faster than RAID 5?

Rebuild behavior depends on array width, disk size, and workload pressure. This page focuses on capacity and tolerance; benchmark your actual platform before final choice.

Which option is usually better for long-term homelab growth?

The better option is the one that keeps acceptable usable capacity while preserving safety margins during future disk expansions.