Simple, Dirt-Cheap NAS Build

[semithotamatic]

So, as my storage needs are expanding, and I'm trying to keep large files off of my computers as much as possible, Ive decided that I want to build a NAS. The main reason to build over buy is the possible expandability. But, as the title says I would like it to be as cheap as possible. It would just be used for simple storage, no transcoding or anything of that sort. You don't need to include drives, as i haven't decided on how much I'm gonna use yet. It would be best is it was in the mini-itx form factor so I could set it away in a corner. 

Thanks in advance! And remember, DIRT CHEAP.

[Mcmole]

Where are you located? Which country as that will affect prices and availability.

[superfly06]

this might be an option raspberry pi 2 nas

[semithotamatic]

Where are you located? Which country as that will affect prices and availability.

 

NJ, USA. I'm fine ordering from any site that deliver to me.

[Mcmole]

Under $300...

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81I Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($62.99 @ Directron)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $297.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-18 19:59 EST-0500

[semithotamatic]

Under $300...

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: MSI H81I Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($62.99 @ Directron)

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($39.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($69.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Micro Center)

Total: $297.95

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-18 19:59 EST-0500

 

Thanks for the quick response. And I'm just seeing my options right now, so, is there any way for it to get even cheaper? Save money at all costs.

[Mcmole]

Thanks for the quick response. And I'm just seeing my options right now, so, is there any way for it to get even cheaper? Save money at all costs.

 

 

This is the cheapest you could go... with new parts anyway.

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($62.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: MSI H81I Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($62.99 @ Directron)

Memory: Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($17.69 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Micro Center)

Total: $198.65

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-18 20:26 EST-0500

[semithotamatic]

This is the cheapest you could go... with new parts anyway.

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($62.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: MSI H81I Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($62.99 @ Directron)

Memory: Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($17.69 @ SuperBiiz)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply  ($19.99 @ Micro Center)

Total: $198.65

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-18 20:26 EST-0500

 

That seems like a great price, seems like I'd need a case with more drive slots. So I guess my final question is, would there be a great improvement in performance if i go with the first build. Especially if the use case is storage, and storage only.

[Mcmole]

That seems like a great price, seems like I'd need a case with more drive slots. So I guess my final question is, would there be a great improvement in performance if i go with the first build. Especially if the use case is storage, and storage only.

 

I would compromise, Get the better case, It will cost you more but its arguably the best FreeNAS ITX case you can buy. And the case comes with 6 3.5inch drive bays and some of the best build quality from a reputable company.

 

And its up to you with the processor, The G3258 is a great CPU and can even be overclocked to over 4.0Ghz without a hitch, however the I3 I linked has hyper-threading so its effectively a quad core and will give you better performance.

 

 

When it comes to ram its up to you, FreeNAS recommends 8gigs but 4gb can be used.

I would buy the one 4gb stick and see how the performance is and if its not good enough go out and spend the extra 18$ to get another stick of the same ram.

Edited December 19, 2015 by Mcmole

[semithotamatic]

I would compromise, Get the better case, It will cost you more but its arguably the best FreeNAS ITX case you can buy. And the case comes with 6 3.5inch drive bays and some of the best build quality from a reputable company.

 

And its up to you with the processor, The G3258 is a great CPU and can even be overclocked to over 4.0Ghz without a hitch, however the I3 I linked has hyper-threading so its effectively a quad core and will give you better performance.

 

 

When it comes to ram its up to you, FreeNAS recommends 8gigs but 4gb can be used.

I would buy the one 4gb stick and see how the performance is and if its not good enough go out and spend the extra 18$ to get another stick of the same ram.

 

Thanks for all of the help! It seems like that is what I'm gonna do, the node, pentium, and 4gb, will upgrade the RAM as I add more storage.

[Mcmole]

Thanks for all of the help! It seems like that is what I'm gonna do, the node, pentium, and 4gb, will upgrade the RAM as I add more storage.

 

Sounds good, Let us know how the build goes.

 

Pentium G3258 Overclocking Guide Done by Linus:

 

[R0hm]

If you are going to let it powered on 24/7, maybe it is worth getting a 80+ certified PSU. (Unless you are not the one paying the electricity bill.)

 

 

~~

When it comes to ram its up to you, FreeNAS recommends 8gigs but 4gb can be used.

~~

More importantly, FreeNAS recommends the use of ECC RAM, which is definitly not cheap. So please, don't go with FreeNAS for this build.

[Opask]

More importantly, FreeNAS recommends the use of ECC RAM, which is definitly not cheap. So please, don't go with FreeNAS for this build.

It recommends that because thats an effective way to help protect data from bitrot. You are by no means required to use it and if you aren't using an intelligent FS like ZFS or btrfs your data could end up corrupt due to the FS anyways. But if you value your data at all you would be using ECC with one of these FS (preferably ZFS cause its much more stable) and some form of parity.

[C4PPY]

But you could go for OpenMediaVault or Unraid instead if you`re scared of not having EEC in your Freenas.

[TwistedRat]

Why not use Xpeonology for the NAS build?

Clean and easy to use.