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+--- Thread: NAS UPGRADE MOTHERBOARD (/showthread.php?tid=11777)
NAS UPGRADE MOTHERBOARD - Enquiries - 03-02-2025
HEY MY FRIEND
Hope everything is ok with you Robbie....
I was thinking of buying a used 4bays (or bigger) NAS and upgrade the mobo..... should I buy a QNAP or SYnology (or other brand) ...which is easiest to change motherboard on ??
I want a mobo with PCIx 8x or 16x so I can install an GPU also
best regards
Andreas Wassén
sweden
RE: NAS UPGRADE MOTHERBOARD - ed - 03-07-2025
Great to hear from you! If you're planning to swap the motherboard and add a GPU, QNAP is by far the better option over Synology.
Synology NAS units are very locked down, and their DSM software is tied to their proprietary hardware. Swapping the motherboard would essentially make it unusable as a Synology system.
QNAP, on the other hand, uses more standardized PC hardware, so upgrading the motherboard is more feasible. Many QNAP models use standard ITX/mATX boards, making them easier to modify. Look for something like a QNAP TVS-472XT, TVS-682, or TS-873, as they have cases that allow motherboard swaps and often come with PCIe slots for expansion.
Alternatively, if you’re open to DIY, getting a used rackmount chassis or a Jonsbo N3 case and building a TrueNAS or UnRAID system might give you more flexibility for your budget.