I built a new pc got some old parts. I have a z170 atx mb 6700k cpu, 4x 8g ram. I don't want to waste them and I found NAS is the way I can reuse them. I haven't use NAS before. any ideas for built a NAS? I think I need buy a case, psu and some HDDs. as the motherboard is atx, there isn't much choose for the case. many cheap cases from aliexpress are matx or its case. what is the suggest case and psu?
Any Suggestion to Build a DIY NAS?
RichardF89 on 02/08/2025 - 23:25
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can't find any atx mb case from aliexpress. I found 1 mid tower from my for about $60 with 6 hdd bays.
Jonsbo is an actual brand… I thought that was an acronym like Just an Old Nothing Special BOx.
Jonsbo N3 for ITX or N5 for ATX.
Don't get the N4
Why am I reading that in Jin Yang's voice? You like octopus?
Assuming a home NAS, it is more about the software. Any old hardware will do.
It sounds like you are really wanting a hardware project, but lacking a purpose. May I suggest getting into IoT and home automation? You will never be short of ideas for something to build then.
thanks I will check what is IoT.
Only hot dogs.
Erlich Bachman stoopid man.
and I found some psu for $30 from aliexpress is it ok to use? will it explode my house?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007250727277.html?spm=a2…
lol the PSU is one thing you definitely don't want to cheap out on.
How many HDDs do you plan on putting into the NAS and what are your expansion plans looking like?
4 hdds maybe, I don't have much plan right now. it is more like I sell the old part or use them for something
If you're still able to find them, Fractal Design R5s can be had for $50 on FB marketplace and gumtree.
great cases, very quiet with all the sound dampening.
thanks
Throw away your ATX motherboard, get an ITX Z170 motherboard from somewhere like AliExpress where they are cheap, like $85, put your CPU and RAM into it, then look for a case for that. It will end up cheaper and better than trying to build a NAS around an ATX motherboard.
Sometimes you've got to know when its time to throw some stuff away.
thanks
A quiet case for a decently sized NAS will be hard. I can only fit maximum 12 Red Pro drives in a PC case, but heat is a problem when the drives are all under load, even with six 12cm fans. To keep the drives cool in summer, I'm limited to 9 drives. Either that or install fans that are so noisy that the NAS can't live in the lounge room.
I'm using a Bitfenix Shinobi case, but I'm not sure if anyone still makes PC cases with a decent number of well cooled HDD bays.
I'm not sure if anyone still makes PC cases with a decent number of well cooled HDD bays.
There's this, which is what I use. https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/define/define-…
It's big, fits a lot of drives, and has good airflow.
I have the Define 7 XL case next to me with a Threadripper. I am not a big fan of the vented top, but the hot air from the AIO has to go somewhere and it ain't the single fan at the back. On the plus side, the case has reasonable sound proofing on the side panels and front door. The downside of using that case for a NAS is that buying the extra accessories to add a decent number of HDDs gets stupidly expensive on top of an already pricey case. I'm assuming that the OP would probably not want to spend that much on a case to house upcycled components.
The downside of using that case for a NAS is that buying the extra accessories to add a decent number of HDDs gets stupidly expensive
They can be 3d printed.
Look for a fractal define case on facebook marketplace
Use TrueNAS or Unraid for OS.
thanks, the facebook Market price is crazy in Perth. People want $1000 for a 6700k CPU computer
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/9934026519951411/?…
Make sure you consider power consumption. A DIY NAS can be awesome, but if it chews through power when idle you'll end up paying more for electricity assuming it's running 24/7.
thanks, I will have a battery installed soon.
Case is jonsbo. Check aliexpress