Potential First NAS Server Build Questions and Concerns

[Rubiksgocraft]

Hello Everyone,

I recently acquired an old workstation computer and and wondering if its specs would be sufficient for my first NAS build with HexOS.  The specs are as follows:

CPU: i5-9400 2.9Ghz

RAM: 8GB DDR4 2400 Single Stick

Non-NAS Storage: 256GB NVME SSD

Power Supply: Dell ACE290EM- 01 (290W)

Motherboard: 19422-1 9cxyg$fa

Bulk Drives:  Not yet acquired, likely 4, 4TB drives from server part deals for $75 each

Other: Has WIFI card and optical drive but I will likely remove those to save power

Redundancy: Raid Z1 was what I was going to configure

 

I know the amount of storage is a bit low but I wanted to start small and money is a bit of an issue so I figured it was a good starting point.  I am happy to have better suggestions though.

My main concerns with this build and my potential solutions are as follows:

1. No HDD mounting locations inside the case.  I likely will make a custom mount thing for them with rubber washers though a better solution would be preffered.

2. The power supply only has one SATA power cable that splits off from a connection to the motherboard labeled SATA PWR.  I don't actually know the purpose of this motherboard connection.  I am wondering if I can simply buy a SATA power daisy chain cable to connect 4 drives this way.

3. I believe the specs are quite sufficient but just a double check.

4. Do I need the HDDs when I set up HexOS or can I do most of the setup after I order the drives?

 

I appreciate your time and assistance.  Thank you 🙂

Edited Sunday at 12:10 AM by Rubiksgocraft

[Rubiksgocraft]

Small update: I realized what the SATA PWR plug on the Motherbard is.  There is only a single 4pin ATX plug from the power supply into the motherboard and these 2 SATA PWR plugs are to allow you to power the SATA drives from there.  Can I daisy chain 4 HDDs off one plug?

[Mobius]

overall looks fine to me
somethings to note

 

2 hours ago, Rubiksgocraft said:

Bulk Drives:  Not yet acquired, likely 4, 4TB drives from server part deals for $75 each

make sure whatever model you end up purchasing are cmr drives and not smr drives.
i would also run a smart test on the drives and check how many reallocated sectors there are before you commit.

2 hours ago, Rubiksgocraft said:

1. No HDD mounting locations inside the case.  I likely will make a custom mount thing for them with rubber washers though a better solution would be preffered.

people tend to buy drive cages (that could even be designed for other cases) and insert them into the case you already have.

2 hours ago, Rubiksgocraft said:

3. I believe the specs are quite sufficient but just a double check.

looks sufficient to me but i would very much recommend upgrading the ram, hexos is an operating system that really likes ram.

2 hours ago, Rubiksgocraft said:

4. Do I need the HDDs when I set up HexOS or can I do most of the setup after I order the drives?

 theoretically you don't need your storage to get through setup 
but there is almost nothing you can do with hexos without storage drives.
At most you can just check if you are able to instal the os

as for your sata power question
it is out of my area of expertise

[Rubiksgocraft]

@Mobius thank you very much for your input.  The drive cage thing makes a ton of sense and i didnt know about the cmr drives so i will do that.  I will definitely look into upgrading the ram at some point if it all works out great.  Thanks again :)

[Mobius]

you're welcome
glad i could help

[TheCamba]

I was looking forward to seeing a 3D-printed external 4-bay HDD mount attached to the outside.  :P