06-02-2023, 09:34 AM
Welcome to the community! Building your own NAS can be a rewarding experience, and with the hardware you have available, you have a couple of options to consider.
First, let's assess the hardware you mentioned. The NUC with the Intel i5-5300U processor may struggle with 4K transcoding in Plex due to its lower power and older architecture. However, it could still work well for direct streaming or handling lower-resolution content.
On the other hand, the ASUS X99-A II ATX motherboard paired with the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 processor offers more processing power, making it better suited for handling 4K transcoding and potentially multiple streams simultaneously. If you combine this setup with the GeForce 970 GPU, you can offload hardware-accelerated transcoding to improve performance even further.
In terms of case options, finding an all-in-one case with hot-swappable bays for ATX motherboards can be a challenge. However, you could consider using a standard ATX case with drive cages that support hot swapping or opt for an external storage enclosure connected to your NAS build via eSATA or USB 3.0.
Considering your goals of running Plex and future-proofing for 4K content, leveraging the ASUS X99-A II ATX setup with the Xeon processor and potential GPU acceleration seems like a promising option. It provides the necessary power to handle transcoding and multiple streams effectively. Just make sure to choose a suitable case and storage solution that meets your requirements for hot-swappable bays and capacity.
Remember, building your own NAS may require some tinkering and troubleshooting, but it also offers flexibility and customization options. If you're up for the challenge and enjoy the DIY aspect, it can be a great learning experience. Feel free to explore online communities and forums for further guidance and inspiration. Good luck with your NAS build!
First, let's assess the hardware you mentioned. The NUC with the Intel i5-5300U processor may struggle with 4K transcoding in Plex due to its lower power and older architecture. However, it could still work well for direct streaming or handling lower-resolution content.
On the other hand, the ASUS X99-A II ATX motherboard paired with the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v3 processor offers more processing power, making it better suited for handling 4K transcoding and potentially multiple streams simultaneously. If you combine this setup with the GeForce 970 GPU, you can offload hardware-accelerated transcoding to improve performance even further.
In terms of case options, finding an all-in-one case with hot-swappable bays for ATX motherboards can be a challenge. However, you could consider using a standard ATX case with drive cages that support hot swapping or opt for an external storage enclosure connected to your NAS build via eSATA or USB 3.0.
Considering your goals of running Plex and future-proofing for 4K content, leveraging the ASUS X99-A II ATX setup with the Xeon processor and potential GPU acceleration seems like a promising option. It provides the necessary power to handle transcoding and multiple streams effectively. Just make sure to choose a suitable case and storage solution that meets your requirements for hot-swappable bays and capacity.
Remember, building your own NAS may require some tinkering and troubleshooting, but it also offers flexibility and customization options. If you're up for the challenge and enjoy the DIY aspect, it can be a great learning experience. Feel free to explore online communities and forums for further guidance and inspiration. Good luck with your NAS build!