The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/pituitarythrowaway69 on 2024-09-12 22:47:05.
I've been a small data hoarder for a few years now that's been using a 4TB and 16TB HDD for external storage using a USB-adapter. They've served me well, but it's time to step up to an actual dedicated device. I'm struggling to choose between a regular NAS, a DIY NAS, and a mini pc + DAS.
My highest priority is low power consumption, followed by silent operation. Because of this, I decided to stick to 4-bay solutions. I'm planning to use 4x16TB in (software) RAID 5 (using the 16TB Exos I already have), possibly with an SSD cache. If I am a bit picky in what I opt to store, this should last me a few years. Use case is mostly media and file storage, torrenting, and Plex. Occasionally I'll move large files between the storage device and my main pc. Uptime will be roughly 50%. I've outlined my plans for all 3 options, which all come to about €400ish.
Regular NAS: The simplest solution. The lack of effort required to set this up and maintain is certainly appealing. However it is also the most limited platform with the least amount of choice. At around €400 my best options seem to be Synology DS423, QNAP TS-433, and TerraMaster F4-423. I've used this comparison to conclude that the TS-433 seems to be the best fit, mainly due to its very low power consumption.
DIY NAS: I've watched a bunch of NAScompare videos, so it should not be surprising that the Jonsbo N2 is my first choice. I'm planning to use a motherboard with an integrated N100. I'd also swap out the fan for a better one, because apparently it's a bit loud.
Mini pc + DAS: There's a bunch of decent mini pc's with an N100 and 16GB RAM available on aliexpress for €150ish. I'd probably go for the Firebat T8 Pro Plus. The search for a DAS is troublesome. So many options, most of which are from brands I don't recognize. The safest choice I could find is a QNAP TR-004 for €200. There are many much cheaper alternatives, but I have no idea how reliable those products are.
Overall, I lean slightly towards a DIY NAS or a mini pc. I really like the idea of having a separate second Windows pc dedicated to torrenting and storage, which I would manage using remote desktop. I'd rather not use linux or any other alternative OS, unless you believe there are tremendous benefits.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I have very little knowledge of the software required to maintain a disk array, which makes it harder for me to make sense of it all. I'd be willing to increase my budget somewhat if you believe there is an ideal solution for me.