Building a PC to replace a NAS

[kisserik93]

Hi everyone!

Currently, I use a NAS for the following tasks:

• Running a torrent client
• Running a Plex or Emby media server
• Storing photos and videos
• Running Home Assistant

Since Synology is getting expensive, especially with their own HDD/SSD requirements, I'm considering building a small PC that can fulfill all my needs 24/7 with reasonable power consumption.

Since it will run nonstop, please keep power usage in mind when recommending hardware.

There might also be some 4K movie transcoding involved, so please consider that in your suggestions.

Windows will most likely be the operating system.
It would be great if I could upgrade the PC later if the hardware ever turns out to be insufficient.

What do you think—is this a good idea, or should I just stick with a NAS instead?
Thank you very much!

 

[SpellowHouse]

I've done that.
I bought a used low power CPU. A 12400T.
It works as a NAS and a Media Server and without a graphics card it can happily drive a 4K Tv too.
I think it's very difficult to justify a shop bought NAS these days.

 

[hornetstinger]

If you Synology Nas does everything you need then why change it?

Unless the new firmware locks you into their own overpriced drives?

Have Synology ds418 does everything I need two spare bays, quad core 2gb...but my use is storage, some torrent and that's about it. No media services

 

[*Chris]

I was contemplating getting one of those old Optiplex SFFs / Elitedesks to do something similar.