DIY parts build recommendations..

[Enquiries]

Hello Team,

Great platform you guys have here. Very appreciative for the support you provide to all of us.

Could you point me in the right direction. I'm looking to build a NAS and after lots of research, I need some assistance.

Use case:
- Store 10TB of existing photos and videos. We're onstantly adding more.

- Have remote access to be able to transfer photo and video whilecon vacation. Our devices (cell phones and sd cards) fill up quick.

- Be able to edit photos and videos from nas.

- Store Blue Iris recordings. Which is currently running on standalong HP workstation. With 2 nic cards. 14 cameras.

- Explore and experiment other features on the nas.

Currently, we have a Jonsbo N3.
Budget $400, not included drives. Based on research will (cpu) i3-12100 and (mobo) H610i be a good combo.

What hardware do you recommend?

Thanks.

[ed]

Thank you for reaching out, and I’m glad to help you build a NAS that fits your use case and budget. Based on your requirements, here’s a recommended hardware setup to create a robust, reliable, and future-proof NAS:

Use Case Analysis
Photo and Video Storage:
10TB+ storage needs with scalability for growth.
Remote Access:
Remote file transfers while on vacation.
Editing from NAS:
Requires a fast storage setup and adequate network performance (e.g., 2.5GbE or faster).
Blue Iris Recordings:
14 cameras require significant storage and continuous write performance.
Budget:
$400 for components, excluding drives.
Recommended Build
Core Components:
CPU:

Intel Core i3-12100 (~$110)
4 cores (8 threads) with integrated Intel UHD 730 graphics for lightweight tasks and Blue Iris support.
Supports Quick Sync Video for hardware-accelerated transcoding (useful for Plex).
Motherboard:

ASUS PRIME H610I-PLUS D4 (Mini-ITX) (~$120)
Compact Mini-ITX size to fit in your Jonsbo N3 case.
4 SATA ports for HDDs and 1 M.2 slot for NVMe SSD.
Supports 2.5GbE networking for better performance.
RAM:

16GB DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB) (~$50)
Sufficient for your current needs and expandable if experimenting with more features (e.g., Docker or VMs).
Storage (Boot and Cache):

1TB NVMe SSD (e.g., Kingston NV2 or WD Blue SN570) (~$50)
Fast boot drive for the OS (e.g., TrueNAS or Unraid) and caching for photo/video editing.
Power Supply:

EVGA 500 W1, 80+ WHITE 500W Power Supply (~$40)
Reliable and affordable PSU to handle your setup.
Cooling:

Use the stock Intel cooler included with the CPU.
Network Recommendations
Onboard 2.5GbE Port:
Included on the H610I-PLUS motherboard. Ensure your router/switch supports 2.5GbE to take full advantage.
Optional Dual NIC Setup:
If you want to replicate your Blue Iris workstation’s dual NIC setup, consider adding a second PCIe NIC (e.g., Intel i350-T2).
NAS Software
TrueNAS Core or TrueNAS Scale:
Best for ZFS storage and reliability. Ideal for your photos, videos, and Blue Iris recordings.
Unraid:
Flexible for mixed-use setups, including Docker for additional experimentation.
Estimated Total Cost
Component Price
Intel i3-12100 $110
ASUS H610I-PLUS $120
16GB DDR4 RAM $50
1TB NVMe SSD $50
EVGA 500W PSU $40
Total $370
Why This Build?
Performance: Handles photo/video editing, Blue Iris, and Plex transcoding.
Scalability: Expandable storage and memory for future needs.
Budget-Friendly: Stays within your $400 budget while delivering excellent value.

[xjfan]

I can't thank you enough for your assistance.  I really appreciate it.

I'll start gathering parts soon.

Thanks again,

Joe