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I just purchased the $500 Minisforum NUC. now I need to get a hdd case. I have 20, 18, 16, and 14TB HDDs currently in Orico hdd docks. I am planning on either Unraid or TrueNas.
I do not know wheter I should run Thunderbolt or SATA. I know I can get a PCI SATA card for the Minisforum, but which is faster and stable...Thunderbolt or SATA?
this will be for a 4k Media sever for 1 to 2 users.
please advise on options.
Thank you,
Ron Ellis
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Congrats on your new Minisforum NUC! It sounds like you’re gearing up for an exciting media server setup.
When considering the HDD connection, it’s important to note that SATA III can handle speeds up to 6 Gbps, which is generally sufficient for most media streaming needs, including 4K content. Since you're using 20TB, 18TB, 16TB, and 14TB HDDs, their speed limitations may not fully utilize the potential of Thunderbolt, which can reach up to 40 Gbps. In many cases, the speed of the drives themselves will be the limiting factor, especially if they are traditional spinning HDDs, which typically max out at around 200 MB/s to 250 MB/s.
For your setup, a PCI SATA card would be a reliable and cost-effective choice, as it will provide stable performance for streaming 4K content without the need to invest in more expensive Thunderbolt technology.
In terms of HDD cases, look for one that supports multiple bays and has good airflow to keep your drives cool. Options like the TerraMaster D5-300C or Orico 5-Bay USB 3.0 Enclosure offer a balance of performance and cost.
