SSD DIY NAS?
SSD DIY NAS?
I need to consolidate data at home since I use various devices daily and I’m tired of moving files to external drives.
I prefer something compact and quiet so it can be placed on my desk without needing external storage solutions.
I don’t want to convert files because my devices can handle media independently, and I’m used to SSD performance without major speed loss.
I think a ready-made device would be best, but I lack experience.
Regarding SSD NAS options, I’ve seen QNAP TBS-464 and Asustor Flashstor 6, but they’re difficult to obtain locally, expensive, and I’m not confident in their quality.
I don’t care much about appearance, but the Asustor seems like a cheap plastic product, which makes me doubt its reliability.
It seems building my own NAS might be the way, but I’m unsure which components are suitable for this purpose since I only built regular PCs before.
From what I understand, I just need an efficient CPU, not a powerful one, and I have no clear direction beyond that.
I considered choosing an i3 processor, but there aren’t many in ITX form factor with the required features, especially for a QUAD NVMe PCIe adapter.
Perhaps a more suitable CPU exists with a compatible motherboard?
I imagined a setup with four SSDs inside a 4-5L case and really hope it’s feasible, but I’m not sure if I’m imagining too much.
If needed, I understand the speed limitations; the aim is only to minimize them where possible. If you mean the network could become a bottleneck at HDD speeds, there are factors like noise and size that still point me toward an SSD solution as the best choice.
I’m not seeking a detailed parts list, just a general starting point. It’s hard for me to locate suitable motherboard and CPU pairings for a NAS, particularly regarding energy use and acceptable performance levels. I also want to verify if using a PCIe adapter for NVMe drives is actually viable or if it’s just a misunderstanding.
NAS storage remains focused on HDDs because of the balance between size and cost. I own a QNAP device that's been running for about seven years, with roughly 95TB stored or connected to it. Setting it up again with NVMe drives would cost over $10k without any performance improvement. Plus, the 4-bay QNAP enclosure is quite compact.
If you recognize the speed limitations, then NVMe would be unnecessary.
Examine the CPUs used by commercial NAS providers—it's typically the lowest-end models, such as the N or J Intel CPUs with four cores, which don't need active cooling.
I would consider "embedded motherboards" next.