A budget NAS plan shows storage lessons for Mac mini servers
The budget homelab and NAS plan focuses on low power use, fast movement of large video files, and using leftover parts first. The already-owned parts are an Intel i3-9100T processor, a GIGABYTE AORUS Z390 PRO , and one 8GB DDR4 memory stick. The is an MSI MAG A650GLS 80+ GOLD, listed as about 87.086% efficient at a 40-watt load on 230 volts.
A 256GB NVMe SSD taken from an old laptop would hold the , Docker app data, and cache, while four 4TB SAS hard drives would provide the main storage. The software plan is Debian 13 without a screen, plus 8 and Docker. The network plan adds a 2.5GbE PCIe card to the NAS and connects it to a desktop that already has 2.5GbE, using a cheap unmanaged , with a target of about 280MB/s for large file transfers.
The storage controller is an LSI 9207-8i HBA in IT mode, cooled with a custom ASA/ABS and a 60mm PWM fan.
Key points
- The goal is a low-power, low-budget NAS for moving large video files quickly.
- The plan uses a 256GB NVMe SSD for the system and app data, plus four 4TB SAS hard drives for storage.
- Debian 13, 8, and Docker would run the server without a monitor attached.
- The 2.5GbE network target is about 280MB/s for large file transfers.
- The LSI 9207-8i HBA and fan-cooled bracket make heat and important checks.