– Two main CPU variants: AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 8845HS (more RAM, higher performance) and Intel Core i5 1235U (more affordable, up to 96GB RAM).
– Barebone price: AMD variant $659; Intel variant $559, offering about $100 savings with the Intel model.
– Rich I/O and expansion: 11-bay NAS with five M.2 slots, six SATA bays, 10G and 2.5G Ethernet, USB4, OCuLink, built-in display, ECC memory support, and triple-display output.
Aoostar introduced the WTR Max in April 2025, and at launch, it was available with the Ryzen 7 Pro 8845HS, a capable AMD processor from the Hawk Point lineup. Now, the company has introduced a more affordable variant of the NAS, and it’s powered by the Intel Core i5 1235U.
Pricing and Core Specs
Of course, there isn’t much of a difference in terms of the price, but for those who might not need the extra power of the AMD variant, the $100 savings might just be worth it. Specifically, the barebone variant of the WTR Max with the AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 8845HS costs $659, while the barebone of the new Intel variant goes for $559. The contrast in price is presented plainly, and the choice hinges on performance needs versus cost. The rest of the specifications remain mostly the same, preserving the daytime utility and expandability that users expect from this model.
RAM and Expandability
Another notable difference is that the AMD variant has two SO-DIMM slots that can hold up to 128GB of DDR5-5600 RAM. The Intel variant, on the other hand, can be equipped with up to 96GB of DDR5-4800 RAM. Other than that, the rest of the specs are identical. This means memory capacity and speed vary with the CPU choice, which could influence multitasking and file-heavy workloads in small business or home lab setups. The emphasis remains on flexible upgrades to match user workflows.
Ports and Gaming Potential
That includes the port configuration, which has one USB4 and one OCuLink port (Aoostar EG02 curr. $219 on Amazon). Thanks to the latter, this 11-bay NAS can act like a proper gaming mini PC when equipped with an eGPU. Users can also use OCuLink-based boards to expand the storage support further. The combination of these ports signals a design intent that blends storage capacity with potential gaming or media processing applications, offering broader use cases beyond simple file sharing.
Storage and Networking
Speaking of which, the Aoostar WTR Max has five M.2 slots for PCIe SSDs and six SATA drive slots. For network connectivity, there’s one 10G and one 2.5G Ethernet, and Aoostar highlights that the four-fan cooling setup can keep the internals cool under heavy loads. In addition, the cooling system is noted for maintaining stability during sustained operations, which is important for NAS reliability when fully loaded with drives and data throughput.
Additional Features
Among the other highlights are a built-in screen that can show the core information at a glance, support for ECC memory, and triple-display output support. These features collectively aim at professionals who demand quick status visibility, data integrity, and expanded display options for complex workflows. The built-in screen offers real-time insight without needing external tools, while ECC memory adds a layer of protection against certain memory errors, valuable in server-like environments.
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