Minisforum ms-01 + TrueNAS + external DAS = Good NAS?

[Enquiries]

I would like to make my own NAS/cloud utilizing my Minisforum MS-01 with TrueNAS OS. Im not sure the best route on how to add storage to the device. Should I just use what is available internally (2 8TB NVME with 2.5" 8TB) or can I add some type of DAS (Terramaster U5 Hybrid)/external enclosure to expand my options.

Thank you in advance for your help. Please help me save sleepless nights and wasted money.

Cheers,
Elliot

[ed]

Thank you for your question! Using the Minisforum MS-01 with TrueNAS is an excellent way to build a custom NAS. Let me help guide you on the best approach for adding storage while staying within your $1,000 budget.

Option 1: Internal Storage Only
Your Minisforum MS-01 supports:

2 x NVMe SSDs (up to 8TB each).
1 x 2.5" SATA drive (up to 8TB).
Recommended Setup:

Install 2 x 8TB NVMe SSDs in a RAID 1 or RAID Z1 (if TrueNAS supports ZFS for NVMe).
Pros:
Fast performance for TrueNAS.
No additional hardware required.
Cons:
Limited total storage (16TB raw, 8TB usable in RAID 1).
No easy expansion beyond internal capacity.
Cost:

2 x 8TB NVMe SSDs: ~$800.
1 x 8TB SATA HDD: ~$150 (optional for additional non-RAID storage).
Option 2: External DAS with TrueNAS
If you want greater scalability and flexibility, you can connect an external DAS (Direct Attached Storage) to your Minisforum MS-01 via USB-C or Thunderbolt.

Terramaster D5-300C or U5 Hybrid (USB 3.2)
5-bay external DAS that supports hardware RAID (RAID 5/10).
Can handle up to 5 x 8TB HDDs, providing 32TB usable storage in RAID 5.
Works seamlessly with TrueNAS by mounting the DAS as external storage.
Recommended Setup:

Use 3–5 x 8TB Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus HDDs for cost-effective RAID 5.
Pros:

Expandable and scalable storage.
Easier to add capacity in the future.
Larger total storage capacity (e.g., 5 x 8TB = 32TB raw, 24TB usable).
Cons:

Slightly slower speeds compared to NVMe.
Additional hardware and cost.
Cost:

Terramaster D5-300C: ~$260.
3 x 8TB HDDs: ~$450.
Total: ~$710.
Recommended Solution for Your Budget and Needs
If your priority is maximum storage capacity with RAID for redundancy:

Go with Option 2: Terramaster D5-300C + 3–5 x 8TB HDDs. This provides scalable storage while keeping costs reasonable.
If you prioritize speed and compactness:

Use the internal NVMe slots in Option 1 for fast RAID storage with lower capacity.