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Build a small, high-performance NAS (6 bays) for only $392


Bingie

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(edit:  updated with latest hardware)

Hi everyone,

Okay, round two!  My first NAS was a very inexpensive mini-pc with external hard disks.  It works fine, actually.  I just kind of wish all the hardware was integrated in one box, so..........

Introducing, the   Emby 6000 !!! 

 

This baby is high-end with latest 10th generation Intel CPU and integrated Intel GPU, fast storage, fast memory, can hold 6 internal 3.5" drives, yet in a small mini-ITX metal chassis.  Perfect for home and small businesses alike.  Much cheaper than any commercial NAS and definitely a lot faster. more powerful, more advanced features, and highly upgrade-able.  Check it out.

 

Intel Pentium Gold G-6400 dual-core 4.0Ghz CPU, ASRock Motherboard, and Cooler:  $198

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086MHSH2Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813157996?Item=N82E16813157996

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HJ3DNX2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

128GB NVMe SSD (Boot/System Storage) and 8GB memory (up to 64GB):  $74

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CXC32T2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ARHBBPS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Compact metal (mini-ITX) Chassis and power supply:  $120

https://www.newegg.com/black-fractal-design-node-304-mini-itx-tower/p/N82E16811352027?Item=N82E16811352027

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DTP6SLJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Note:  This configuration can hold 6 internal 3.5" hard disk drives, but the motherboard only has 4x SATA ports.  You can add more SATA ports with a pcie expansion card, but that will eat the 1 pcie slot, which I'd like to save either for a 10Gb Ethernet card, a tv tuner card, or who knows, maybe something else.  We'll see.

 

I already own 2x 10TB WD NAS drives, so I'll move one over to this box, reformat it to ZFS, then copy all my libraries over from my first Emby server to this new test server.

For software, looking at the new TrueNAS Scale, which is basically FreeNAS ported to Debian w00h00!!!!

 

I ordered all of the hardware, should be here by tomorrow!  I'll be busy this weekend :)

 

Cheers

 

emby-6000.jpg

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emby-6000-3.jpg

Edited by Bingie
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11 minutes ago, Q-Droid said:

I would recommend the Fractal Design Node 304 case, though it's a little more expensive.

Thanks!  Same exact size, but better internal storage layout, holds 6 internal drives!  Great call.  Leaning towards the black one.

https://www.newegg.com/black-fractal-design-node-304-mini-itx-tower/p/11-352-027

Edited by Bingie
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hmm just noticed that motherboard only has 4x SATA connectors.  I need 6.  will change motherboard

edit:  oh wait, it has 6 (in specs) but the picture just looks like 4, will have to verify

Edited by Bingie
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14 minutes ago, Q-Droid said:

If you absolutely must have 6 SATA ports then yeah, it's gonna be hard or expensive to build for mini-ITX. I got lucky and the cost was a lot lower just a couple of years ago.

But if 4 SATA ports are enough then something like this might be in the ball park: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/F8c3rr

 

Wow that looks good!  No, don't need 6 sata drives, but if I did, could always add a pcie-sata expansion card.  Was hoping to leave the 1 slot open for either 10Gb eth card, or whatever else.

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Newegg has that cpu, but doesn't list it as compatible with that motherboard.  So which is right, Newegg or pcpartpicker.  Wouldn't surprise me if newegg is trying to upsell.

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okay I finished double checking everything, updated the above parts list, and ordered it all.  Will be here tomorrow.  I'll be busy this weekend :) should be fun

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For anyone following this, I spent the day reading up on TrueNAS Scale (FreeNAS port to Debian) and it's looking like overkill for a home NAS server.  They want 8GB RAM just for the OS.

I might go with Open Media Vault (OMV) instead.  I'll probably do the Emby on Docker install.  That seems the smart way to go.

edit:  on second thought, TrueNAS is supported by a corporation, so the safer option.  OMV is run by just one guy that might stop without notice.

Edited by Bingie
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God I hate Amazon.  Everything I ordered from them didn't show.  I hope a competitor to Amazon starts up soon.  I'll fire Amazon, and do all business with the competitor.

 

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GPU passthru!

I like how TrueNAS for Debian (TrueNAS Scale) has GPU passthru.  I will dedicate the built-in Intel GPU to the Emby docker.  That should provide some really good transcode performance.

Will do stress testing, transcode as many 4k video streams as it takes to make this box cry.  Should be interesting.

 

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Figures, the cheap camera on my cheap cell phone is, well, cheap :o oh well, this will go quicker without taking a bunch of pictures anyways hah

 

emby6000.jpg

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The case is missing a rubber foot.  I reached out to the manufacturer, sent them this picture and all my order info.  They can just drop one in the mail, that's fine.

missing-rubber-foot-1.jpg

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The Intel CPU actually came with a cooler (didn't say), but it's a cheap flimsy little thing.  I'll definitely install the Arctic cooler I got instead.

cpu-coolers.jpg

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I like how there is plenty of room inside.  The motherboard and power supply look kinda small, plenty of room to work, like an old chevy truck :P

mb1.jpg

mb2.jpg

mb4.jpg

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Okay the hardware is done, been almost 30 years since I built a pc from scratch, back when I could still see.  Yeah the wiring is ugly for now, but not near anything that's hot or moves, so should be fine.  Still lots of room to get to everything.  I like this case.

 

done1.jpg

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done4.jpg

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