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NAS advice needed - Printable Version

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NAS advice needed - Enquiries - 11-20-2024

Hi,

I need advice.
My intended NAS setup:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 8600G 4.3 GHz 6-Core, integrated Radeon 760M, cooler incl.
Mobo: ASRock A620I LIGHTNING WIFI Mini ITX AM5
Mem: Kingston ValueRAM 32 GB (1 x 32 GB) DDR5
Case: Jonsbo N4
Intended use: home file & media store, occasionally managing some VMs, containers, etc.
I tried to choose quite recent parts for a quite future proof device. RAM is DDR5 but I'm still thinking about choosing DDR4.
Backup is additionally on ext. HDD.
Case choice is Jonsbo N4 as it is smaller than N3 and looks better. CPU is a box processor and shipped with cooler. Do I need additional cooling or is it enough for my home use? The number of disk spaces, 6 is enough for my current and future needs as I'm planning to add 4 HDDs into the system now (2 maybe later).
Am I missing any parts in this setup, e.g. additional cooler, expansion cards anything? Should I go with Jonsbo N3?
Let me know if this setup is exaggerated or any change suggestions.
Thanks


RE: NAS advice needed - ed - 11-22-2024

Your setup looks solid for home file and media storage, as well as VMs and containers. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions for your build:

Cooling:
The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G with integrated graphics should be sufficient for your home use, and the stock cooler should handle the cooling needs in the Jonsbo N4 case. If you plan on heavy workloads (e.g., running multiple VMs or containers simultaneously), you could consider additional case fans for airflow, but for normal home use, the current setup should be fine. The Jonsbo N4 case has decent airflow, so if the system isn’t under heavy load for extended periods, extra cooling shouldn’t be necessary.

DDR5 vs DDR4:
The 32GB DDR5 is future-proof and gives you headroom for running multiple VMs, containers, or intensive workloads. However, if you’re looking to save costs and don’t need the latest generation RAM, DDR4 would work fine and be cheaper.

Expansion Cards:
If you're planning to add more HDDs in the future (up to 6), you might want to look into a SATA controller card or SAS controller card for additional disk ports. The motherboard itself will likely only have a limited number of SATA ports.

Jonsbo N4 vs N3:
The N4 is a compact case, great for a smaller footprint, but you might find it slightly cramped for more HDDs as you expand. The N3 has more room for additional drives and better airflow, making it a better choice if you expect to run a lot of disks. If you don’t mind the extra space, the N3 could be a better option for long-term scalability.

Overall Setup:
Your setup isn’t exaggerated at all. In fact, it’s future-proof and well-suited for both storage and running VMs/containers. You might only need to adjust the cooling if your system gets too hot when under heavy loads.