You can create a DIY NAS server under $500, as you can build a DIY network attached storage server for just over $400, while a pre-built Synology DS1522+ costs around $700.
A DIY NAS server gives you more than just cost savings compared to off-the-shelf solutions. Your custom NAS lets you control hardware specs and expand storage up to 32TB or more. It also serves as your personal cloud storage without monthly fees or file restrictions.
My journey started with a Synology DS412+ that served me well for seven years before I switched to my custom-built server. The ability to repair and modify the system myself made me take the plunge. Building your own system from scratch brings a unique sense of satisfaction.
This piece guides you through each step to build a DIY network attached storage system under $500. You’ll learn to pick energy-efficient parts that use only 28 watts at idle and set up software for the best performance. The result is a powerful, customizable storage solution that fits your budget.
Understanding NAS and Why Build One
Network Attached Storage (NAS) serves as an affordable solution to anyone who needs centralized, available storage. Understanding what a NAS actually is and why you might want to build your own system marks the first step of your DIY build.
What is a NAS server?
A NAS server works as dedicated file storage equipment that connects to your local network. This setup lets multiple users and devices store and access data from one central location. Network Attached Storage (NAS) works as a specialized computer that provides file access services over a network through protocols like NFS, CIFS, or SMB.
Every standard NAS system needs these critical components:
- A CPU that runs the NAS operating system
- Memory (RAM) for system operations
- Physical storage drives (HDDs or SSDs)
- Network interface (typically Ethernet)
- An operating system designed for storage management
A NAS differs from external hard drives that connect directly to a computer. It runs by itself on your network with its own IP address. This makes files available to all authorized users without needing a host computer.
Benefits of building your own NAS
Your own DIY network attached storage system brings many advantages beyond basic file storage:
Cost effectiveness – You can save money by building your own NAS instead of buying a pre-built one. A comparable DIY build costs approximately $395 without disks, while a Synology DiskStation DS1522+ costs $770.
Complete customization – A DIY NAS server lets you pick every component based on your needs. You choose the case size, CPU power, RAM amount, and the number and type of drive bays for future growth.
Learning experience – Building your system helps you learn about networking, storage solutions, and operating systems hands-on.
Upgradability – Unlike pre-built solutions with fixed specs, you can upgrade a DIY NAS over time. Start small and add more drives or upgrade components as your storage needs grow.
Full control – Your own media server gives you total control over hardware and software setups. This allows advanced configurations like custom RAID configurations and specialized applications.
DIY NAS vs prebuilt solutions
The choice between building your own NAS or buying a pre-made one comes down to several key factors:
Hardware power and performance: DIY systems give you more computing power for your money. Pre-built NAS devices excel at efficiency and specialized storage tasks rather than raw performance.
Software experience: Pre-built NAS systems come with smooth, accessible interfaces. Synology DSM and QNAP QTS operating systems work well out of the box. DIY solutions like TrueNAS and UnRAID need more time to learn but offer more flexibility.
Support and reliability: Commercial NAS products include professional support and warranties. DIY servers make you your own tech support team.
Energy efficiency: Purpose-built NAS devices consume less power than custom-built computers. This matters since your storage server runs 24/7.
Initial setup complexity: Pre-built solutions work right away. DIY systems need you to install and set up the operating system, configure RAID arrays, and establish sharing protocols.
Your technical comfort level, budget, and storage needs determine the best choice. A DIY NAS server often works best if you value customization, learning opportunities, and getting the most value for your money.
Planning Your DIY NAS Build
You just need proper planning before buying any components for your DIY network attached storage. This early groundwork will help you build a server that matches your needs without wasting resources. The time you spend planning now will save you money and headaches later.
Set your storage goals and use cases
A NAS’s main goal is to store data and share it with other computers on your network. Your specific use cases will help you pick the right hardware:
- File storage and sharing: A central place for documents, photos, and other files that anyone can access on your home network
- Local backups: Extra copies of important data from your computers and devices
- Media streaming: Your personal movie and TV library for services like Plex or Jellyfin
- Running applications: Business apps or virtual machines that everyone needs to access
The hardware you’ll need depends on what you want to do. To name just one example, simple file sharing works fine with basic hardware, but transcoding 4K video needs much more processing power.
Estimate your storage capacity needs
You’ll need to figure out both your current and future storage needs:
- Add up existing data: Add together all the storage you want to combine
- Account for growth: Your system should be 2-4× bigger than what you have now
- Calculate usable storage: RAID setups will reduce your available space
Here’s a quick way to estimate what you need: ((Number of NAS Users × Hard Drive Size) + Shared Storage) × Growth Factor = NAS Storage Needed. Let’s say you have 5TB of data now and expect to double that in two years. You should aim for at least 10TB of usable storage.
Decide on RAID level and redundancy
RAID protects your data through redundancy. Each RAID level balances storage efficiency, performance, and fault tolerance differently:
| RAID Level | Minimum Drives | Fault Tolerance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | 2 | None | Maximum speed and capacity |
| RAID 1 | 2 | One drive | Simple redundancy |
| RAID 5 | 3 | One drive | Balance of capacity and protection |
| RAID 6 | 4 | Two drives | Better protection for larger arrays |
| RAID 10 | 4 | One drive per mirrored set | Performance and redundancy |
RAID 5 or RAID 6 usually works best for home setups with 4-5 drives. RAID 6 or RAID-Z2 (ZFS equivalent) gives great protection for important personal stuff like photos and documents. Note that RAID isn’t a backup solution—it only helps if drives fail.
Set a realistic budget under $500
You can build a DIY NAS server under $500 (not counting drives). Storage drives make up about 65% of your total NAS cost, so plan your drive purchases carefully.
Your money goes further when you:
- Use a mini-PC as your base system to save power
- Pick parts that use less electricity to cut long-term costs
- Start small with fewer drives and add more later
- Look for used enterprise gear to save money
A typical build under $500 includes a power-efficient processor (like an Intel Celeron), 8-16GB RAM, a case that fits 4+ drives, and a reliable power supply. This leaves room in your budget for storage drives.
Quality components might cost more upfront but save money through lower power bills, since your DIY media server will run all the time.
Choosing the Right Hardware Components
Building your own network attached storage requires you to carefully pick components that deliver performance, reliability, and compatibility. Every piece of hardware plays a significant role in building an efficient system that meets your storage needs.
Motherboard and CPU considerations
Your DIY NAS server’s foundation starts with the right motherboard and processor combination. Mini-ITX motherboards work great for compact builds. The Intel Celeron N5105 (4 cores, 2.0GHz base, 2.9GHz burst) gives you enough power while keeping energy usage low.
Here’s what matters in a motherboard:
- Multiple SATA ports (at least 4-6)
- Network connectivity (ideally 2.5Gbps or better)
- Compatibility with your chosen processor
- Expansion capabilities via PCIe slots
RAM and power supply selection
Your intended use case and operating system determine memory needs. While 8GB RAM meets TrueNAS SCALE minimum requirements, 16GB gives better value and performance. Advanced setups with virtualization or extensive caching might need 32GB or more.
Power supplies are vital yet often overlooked components. Look for these features:
- 80+ Gold or Platinum certification for efficiency
- 450-500W capacity works well for most setups
- Semi-modular or fully modular design helps cable management
- FlexATX form factor fits compact cases
Choosing the right case and cooling
Your case determines drive capacity. The Fractal Design Node 304 fits six drives in a compact package. Sliger’s rackmount options give you 10+ hot-swap bays.
Good cooling matters since drives create lots of heat during 24/7 operation. Your case needs proper airflow paths and enough fans to keep temperatures safe.
Best hard drives for NAS storage
NAS-specific drives stand out from regular HDDs through:
- Optimization for continuous operation
- Enhanced vibration resistance
- Higher Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
- Firmware designed for RAID environments
Top choices include Seagate IronWolf Pro (rated for 550TB/year workload), WD Red Plus with CMR technology, or Toshiba N300 running at 7200 RPM.
Boot drive options for NAS OS
Your NAS operating system needs a reliable boot drive. USB sticks aren’t recommended anymore due to reliability issues. Better options include:
- 120-250GB SSDs (NVMe or SATA)
- M.2 form factor to save space
- Mirrored boot drives for critical systems
A basic 120GB M.2 SSD like the Kingston A400 costs $32 and works perfectly for TrueNAS while using minimal power.
Building and Assembling Your NAS Server
Image Source: briancmoses.com
Building your DIY network attached storage becomes easy after you gather all the components. The assembly needs patience and careful attention, particularly with compact builds where space is limited.
Step-by-step assembly process
- Prepare the case by removing side panels and any drive cages that might block your way.
- Install the motherboard on the standoffs and tighten screws in a star pattern—gentle on first pass, firm on the second.
- Insert the processor and cooler with care, and add a pea-sized amount of thermal paste between them.
- Add RAM modules after mounting the motherboard (this makes connecting front panel cables easier).
- Mount the power supply in its designated spot.
- Install hard drives in their bays or trays.
- Connect all cables including SATA data, power, and front panel connectors.
- Double-check connections before you power up the system.
Common mistakes to avoid
New builders often stuff cables inside the case without proper management. This blocks airflow and can lead to overheating. The system’s power requirements also need careful consideration, especially when multiple drives share a single cable run.
Space planning is crucial yet often overlooked. Standard SATA cables might not fit between components in compact cases, but 90-degree cables can solve this issue. Poor drive power distribution can create stability problems and might even cause drive failure.
Tips for cable management in small cases
Small form factor cases need extra attention to cable management. The best approach routes cables through the middle of the chassis instead of the edges where they might prevent proper case closure.
A clean build needs cable ties to bundle similar wires, which you can tuck behind the motherboard tray. A modular power supply lets you use only necessary cables, which reduces overall clutter.
Cable sleeves provide an elegant way to hide multiple cables in a single channel. Velcro tape works great to mount controller boards and small components in unused spaces behind the motherboard.
Installing and Configuring NAS Software
The next significant step in building your DIY network attached storage is picking and setting up the right software. Your server’s capabilities, interface, and overall experience depend on your choice of operating system.
Choosing between TrueNAS and OpenMediaVault
TrueNAS and OpenMediaVault are two popular open-source options you can use for your DIY NAS server. TrueNAS comes with native ZFS filesystem support and provides strong data protection through snapshots and checksumming. OpenMediaVault runs on Debian Linux and gives you more flexibility to run Docker applications and custom configurations.
TrueNAS needs more resources and works best with at least 8GB RAM. OpenMediaVault can work with just 1GB RAM. Both systems perform similarly when running on the same hardware.
Installing the OS on your boot drive
A 120-250GB SSD works better than a USB drive for installation. Here’s what you need to do once you have your bootable installation media:
- Connect the media to your assembled system
- Boot from the installation media
- Follow the guided setup process
- Select your boot SSD as the installation target
Setting up storage pools and datasets
Your next step is storage configuration by creating a pool – a collection of drives set up in your preferred RAID configuration. The web interface lets you pick your available disks and set the right redundancy level.
You can split your pool into datasets, which work like folders but let you control properties such as compression and permissions. This setup helps you manage different types of data effectively.
Creating users and setting permissions
Your DIY media server’s security depends on good user management. Set up accounts for everyone who needs to use your NAS. You can then control who sees what by setting the right permissions for each dataset.
Enabling file sharing and remote access
The final step is to set up network sharing protocols based on what devices you use—SMB for Windows, AFP for Mac, and NFS for Linux. You can access your DIY network attached storage from anywhere by setting up port forwarding on your router or using Dynamic DNS services to create a stable address.
Conclusion
A DIY NAS server project ranks among the most satisfying tech projects you can tackle. This piece walks you through creating a powerful storage solution for less than $500. The task might look overwhelming at first, but you’ll find the rewards are worth the learning curve.
The DIY approach gives you unmatched flexibility. My trip from a pre-built Synology system to a custom solution showed that fixing things yourself and controlling the hardware makes DIY NAS servers great long-term investments. On top of that, you can expand storage as needed, which saves money upfront.
Your hardware choices are the foundations of a reliable NAS build. Energy-efficient parts help your system run 24/7 without burning through power. Yes, it is crucial to plan around your specific needs – whether that’s simple file sharing or media streaming – to focus your budget on the right components.
Setting up the software seems tricky at first but becomes easier once you grasp the simple principles. TrueNAS and OpenMediaVault offer reliable platforms to manage your data, with features you’d normally find in expensive enterprise solutions.
Building, setting up, and running your storage server brings more benefits than just saving money. You’ll learn valuable lessons about networking, file systems, and hardware integration while creating a central hub for all your data. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your storage, a DIY NAS server under $500 could be the perfect addition to your home network.
