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Advise on first NAS build - Enquiries - 04-25-2025
I’m looking to build my first NAS. I am somewhat techy, just enough to know I’m punching above my weight a little on this. I’m building this primarily as a PLEX media server, it will also run Sonarr/Radarr/etc and some torrenting. I already have 40+TB of media, so I need lots of storage, and we have about eight close friends/families that access Plex often.
I thought about a pre-built option, but I think to futureproof and maximize bang for buck, DIY is the best option. The build I’m thinking:
Case - Jonsbo N5
Motherboard - i3-N305
Processor - Intel i5 1350
RAM - TEAMGROUP Elite DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 5600Mhz
Fans - Noctura NF-P12
Power - Unsure
Other - M.2 to 6 SATA Expansion Adaptor
OS - Unraid
Any help would be appreciated - if you have any recommendations or anything I’m missing? Is this setup overkill? I don't know what I don't know - I am fearful I'll get so far into this and it will not work, and I'll have no idea how to fix it! Thanks!
RE: Advise on first NAS build - ed - 04-30-2025
Thanks for reaching out—and you're absolutely on the right track! You’ve clearly done your homework, and it shows. Going DIY with something like the Jonsbo N5 is a fantastic way to get power, flexibility, and value that pre-builts just can’t match—especially for a media-heavy setup like yours.
Your Planned Build:
Case: Jonsbo N5 – Great choice. Compact, stylish, and fits plenty of drives.
Motherboard: i3-N305 – Here’s where I’d pause. It’s efficient, but may be underpowered for your use case (Plex for multiple users, running Sonarr/Radarr, VMs or Docker containers, torrenting, etc.).
CPU: Intel i5-13500 – Now we’re talking. This is a beast for Plex, especially if you’ll be transcoding for remote users. Just make sure your motherboard supports it (you’ll need something with LGA 1700 + DDR5 support).
RAM: 32GB DDR5 – Perfect. Great for Unraid with Docker containers and caching.
Fans: Noctua NF-P12 – Quiet and reliable. No complaints here.
Storage Adapter: M.2 to SATA – Works, but make sure it’s from a reliable brand and check compatibility with your chosen motherboard BIOS.
A Few Suggestions:
Motherboard Upgrade:
Since you're going with the i5-13500 and DDR5 RAM, skip the i3-N305 board. Instead, look at something like:
ASUS PRIME B760M-A DDR5
Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX DDR5 These give you full support for the CPU and plenty of expandability.
Power Supply:
Go with a fully modular 550W–650W 80+ Gold PSU. Corsair RM650x or Seasonic Focus are solid picks—clean cabling and enough headroom for future drives.
Drives & Expansion:
Since you're already sitting on 40TB+ and planning for 60TB+, maybe consider starting with 6–8 bays and a high-quality HBA (Host Bus Adapter) like an LSI 9211-8i (flashed to IT mode) instead of relying only on M.2 adapters for SATA ports. They're more reliable long term.
Unraid is an excellent choice for your needs—flexible, user-friendly, and great for mixed drive sizes.