01-17-2025, 12:09 PM
Thank you for reaching out, and welcome to the NAS world! Building your own NAS is an excellent way to save costs and ensure flexibility for your needs. Let me address your concerns and guide you regarding the motherboard and overall build.
1. Is the Motherboard Too Old?
The motherboard you found on AliExpress appears to use older server-grade hardware (e.g., Intel Xeon E5 series CPUs). While these boards are cost-effective, there are a few points to consider:
Pros:
10 SATA Ports: Excellent for maximizing the storage potential of your 10-bay tower.
Server-Grade Hardware: Typically reliable and durable for 24/7 workloads.
Low Cost: Often cheaper than newer alternatives.
Cons:
Older CPU Technology: Limited performance compared to modern processors (important for virtualization or more demanding tasks like Plex).
Power Efficiency: Older components tend to consume more power, increasing operational costs.
TrueNAS Support: TrueNAS Core will work, but newer CPUs (e.g., Intel 10th+ Gen or AMD Ryzen) provide better performance and compatibility.
Verdict:
If your budget is tight and the motherboard meets your needs, it’s a reasonable option. However, for long-term reliability and efficiency, a newer motherboard and CPU would be better.
2. Do You Need a Graphics Card?
No, a dedicated GPU isn’t required for TrueNAS Core unless:
You plan to use the NAS for Plex 4K transcoding (then you’d need a GPU like NVIDIA Quadro or GTX).
The chosen motherboard lacks onboard video output (some server-grade boards require a GPU for display).
Check if your selected motherboard includes integrated graphics or onboard video.
3. Recommended Motherboards for 10-Bay NAS
If you want more modern alternatives:
Option 1: ASRock Rack E3C246D4U (8 SATA Ports, ECC Support)
Price: ~£250–300
Why Choose It?
Intel C246 chipset with support for newer CPUs (e.g., Intel Xeon E-2100/E-2200 or Core i3/i5).
ECC memory support for data integrity.
PCIe slots for additional SATA controllers if needed.
Option 2: ASUS Pro WS W480-ACE (8 SATA Ports)
Price: ~£280
Why Choose It?
Supports Intel 10th/11th Gen CPUs.
Multiple PCIe slots for expandability.
Option 3: Add a SATA Expansion Card
If you go with a motherboard that has fewer SATA ports (6–8), adding a PCIe SATA expansion card can give you the additional ports you need:
Example: IOCrest 8-Port SATA PCIe Controller (~£50).
4. Suggested Build Components for Your Budget
For ~£300, here's a recommended setup:
Motherboard and CPU:
ASRock Rack E3C246D4U + Intel Xeon E-2136 (~£300 used).
Memory:
16GB ECC DDR4 RAM (~£80).
Storage:
4TB HDDs in RAID 5 (as needed for your 10 bays).
Power Supply:
450W Gold-rated PSU (~£50).
Final Thoughts
The older 10-SATA motherboard is a functional choice for a budget build, but investing in a more modern board like the ASRock Rack E3C246D4U would provide better long-term performance, power efficiency, and compatibility with TrueNAS Core.
1. Is the Motherboard Too Old?
The motherboard you found on AliExpress appears to use older server-grade hardware (e.g., Intel Xeon E5 series CPUs). While these boards are cost-effective, there are a few points to consider:
Pros:
10 SATA Ports: Excellent for maximizing the storage potential of your 10-bay tower.
Server-Grade Hardware: Typically reliable and durable for 24/7 workloads.
Low Cost: Often cheaper than newer alternatives.
Cons:
Older CPU Technology: Limited performance compared to modern processors (important for virtualization or more demanding tasks like Plex).
Power Efficiency: Older components tend to consume more power, increasing operational costs.
TrueNAS Support: TrueNAS Core will work, but newer CPUs (e.g., Intel 10th+ Gen or AMD Ryzen) provide better performance and compatibility.
Verdict:
If your budget is tight and the motherboard meets your needs, it’s a reasonable option. However, for long-term reliability and efficiency, a newer motherboard and CPU would be better.
2. Do You Need a Graphics Card?
No, a dedicated GPU isn’t required for TrueNAS Core unless:
You plan to use the NAS for Plex 4K transcoding (then you’d need a GPU like NVIDIA Quadro or GTX).
The chosen motherboard lacks onboard video output (some server-grade boards require a GPU for display).
Check if your selected motherboard includes integrated graphics or onboard video.
3. Recommended Motherboards for 10-Bay NAS
If you want more modern alternatives:
Option 1: ASRock Rack E3C246D4U (8 SATA Ports, ECC Support)
Price: ~£250–300
Why Choose It?
Intel C246 chipset with support for newer CPUs (e.g., Intel Xeon E-2100/E-2200 or Core i3/i5).
ECC memory support for data integrity.
PCIe slots for additional SATA controllers if needed.
Option 2: ASUS Pro WS W480-ACE (8 SATA Ports)
Price: ~£280
Why Choose It?
Supports Intel 10th/11th Gen CPUs.
Multiple PCIe slots for expandability.
Option 3: Add a SATA Expansion Card
If you go with a motherboard that has fewer SATA ports (6–8), adding a PCIe SATA expansion card can give you the additional ports you need:
Example: IOCrest 8-Port SATA PCIe Controller (~£50).
4. Suggested Build Components for Your Budget
For ~£300, here's a recommended setup:
Motherboard and CPU:
ASRock Rack E3C246D4U + Intel Xeon E-2136 (~£300 used).
Memory:
16GB ECC DDR4 RAM (~£80).
Storage:
4TB HDDs in RAID 5 (as needed for your 10 bays).
Power Supply:
450W Gold-rated PSU (~£50).
Final Thoughts
The older 10-SATA motherboard is a functional choice for a budget build, but investing in a more modern board like the ASRock Rack E3C246D4U would provide better long-term performance, power efficiency, and compatibility with TrueNAS Core.