Upgrade Advice

[Enquiries]

Good morning! I'm looking to upgrade my potato NAS (based on a 2015 NUC with USB hard drive and network card connections). My use case is mostly Immich for family photos and videos, Jellyfin media streaming, and some light file movement with SMB/Nextcloud. My goal is snappy, avoiding CPU bottleneck for downloads and transcodes (usually 2/2 subtitle burn in or Immich videos), and some room for upgrades in the future. I've got the following build down to $600 on Amazon (own storage already) https://pcpartpicker.com/list/FgY4xH. Is this overkill? Is it weighted in the wrong places? And I know the limitations of the N4 from your videos, I just love the look and size. Thanks for any help!

[ed]

You've put together a solid NAS upgrade plan, and it looks like you're focused on ensuring a balance between performance and future-proofing. Let's break down the components:

Components Breakdown:
CPU: Intel Core i5-12600K (3.7 GHz, 10-Core) - $175.77

Analysis: This is a powerful CPU, and it’s more than capable of handling your needs, including Jellyfin transcoding and running Immich. It’s a bit overpowered for light NAS tasks, but it will definitely ensure you won’t hit any CPU bottlenecks.
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9x65 chromax.black - $80.11

Analysis: Noctua coolers are known for their quiet operation and reliability. This cooler should keep your CPU temperatures in check without generating much noise, which is great for a home NAS.
Motherboard: ASRock B760M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700

Analysis: The ASRock B760M is a solid choice, offering the right balance of features for your build. It has enough connectivity options, but make sure it supports all your current and future needs, especially in terms of PCIe slots.
Memory: Crucial Classic 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5-5200 CL42 - $55.99

Analysis: 16GB of DDR5 RAM is more than sufficient for your use case. It’ll handle multiple Docker containers, VMs, and transcoding tasks with ease. Plus, DDR5 gives you a nice performance boost.
Storage:

Western Digital Blue 1 TB 2.5" SSD - $151.00
Crucial P3 Plus 1 TB NVMe SSD - $68.23
2x Western Digital Red Plus 4 TB 3.5" HDDs - $199.98 ($99.99 each)
Analysis: Your storage configuration is well thought out. The WD Blue SSD for the OS and apps will ensure quick boot times and responsiveness, while the Crucial NVMe SSD will handle high-speed data access. The WD Red Plus drives are perfect for long-term storage, especially with their reliability in NAS environments.
Case: Jonsbo N4 MicroATX Desktop Case - $122.88

Analysis: The Jonsbo N4 is a stylish and compact case. It’s a bit tight for airflow, so just make sure your cooling is adequate. If you love the look and size, it’s a good choice, but be mindful of heat buildup, especially with multiple drives.
Power Supply: Silverstone Extreme 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX PSU - $86.12

Analysis: A 500W PSU is more than enough for your build, providing reliable power while keeping efficiency in check. Silverstone is a trusted brand, and this PSU should serve you well.
Is It Overkill?
Overkill?: For a NAS focused on media streaming, photo management, and light file storage, this build is on the powerful side, particularly with the i5-12600K. However, it ensures you won’t experience any slowdowns, even with multiple tasks running simultaneously. Plus, it gives you plenty of room for future upgrades, so you won’t need to think about upgrading again for quite some time.
Final Thoughts:
Your build is well-balanced and should meet your needs perfectly while providing room for future expansion. The only slight overkill might be the CPU, but it guarantees a snappy experience without any bottlenecks. If you’re happy with the budget and want to ensure your NAS is future-proof, this is a solid setup.