If you’re in the market for a new storage device, NAS is a great option!
A network-attached system, or NAS, is a data storage device that connects to your home or business network via a wireless router. The advantage of a NAS is that it can be used by several users simultaneously to store and retrieve files.
It can help you share and back up office files. Another advantage of a NAS is its high-speed storage. A NAS device has many advantages over a standalone hard drive. In terms of speed, it’s faster and more reliable than a standard hard drive. It’s also easier to manage and recover data, and it can be accessed by multiple users. In addition, a NAS provides a centralized location for data management and storage.
These systems offer a wide range of features and options, so finding the right one can make your life easier. However, instead of buying a NAS system, you can build one at your home.
There are several benefits of building your own NAS. It can be customized to fit your needs. In addition, you can use it on multiple devices on your network without the need to plug it in. Compared to buying a pre-made NAS, you can customize it to meet your storage requirements. For example, you can add a second or third drive after you’ve filled the first two. Moreover, you can adjust the capacity as your needs increase.
Besides the cost savings, you can choose a system that will work well with your existing computer. You can also use a DIY approach to build your own NAS. However, in order to build a NAS system, you need a good motherboard. It is the central component of the system where data processing takes place.
Here, we are going to take a look at some of the best motherboards for NAS. We will review all the motherboards so that you can select the best one as per your requirement. Each of the devices listed here has been selected, keeping the perfect balance of power, performance, chipset, socket and ports in mind.
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 best motherboards for NAS in 2023!
Name
Best Overall
GIGABYTE C246-WU4 (Intel/C246 Express Chipset/ATX/DDR4/Dual Intel Server GbE LAN/10xSATA3/2xM.2/Server Motherboard)
Runner Up
ASRock X570 Pro 4 AM4/4DDR4/HDMI/DP/ATX Motherboard
Budget Pick
ASUS PRIME A520M-K AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) Micro-ATX motherboard (ECC memory, M.2 support, 1Gb Ethernet, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A,HDMI 2.1 [emailprotected], D-Sub)
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GIGABYTE C246-WU4 (Intel/C246 Express Chipset/ATX/DDR4/Dual Intel Server GbE LAN/10xSATA3/2xM.2/Server Motherboard)
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ASRock X570 Pro 4 AM4/4DDR4/HDMI/DP/ATX Motherboard
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ASUS PRIME A520M-K AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) Micro-ATX motherboard (ECC memory, M.2 support, 1Gb Ethernet, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A,HDMI 2.1 [emailprotected], D-Sub)
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Table of Content show
How Do I Choose A NAS Motherboard?
If you’re looking for a new NAS server, it’s important to select a quality motherboard for your new system. This will help you save money and improve your user experience.
If you’re building a NAS from scratch, you should ensure the motherboard has enough memory for heavy usage. A good NAS motherboard should have plenty of RAM. Make sure to check the number of RAM slots and SATA connectors to ensure that you can fit as many hard drives as you need.
The motherboard should have multiple SATA and/or M.2 ports to make it easier to connect multiple devices. A high-end motherboard should have many SATA and M.2 SSD ports. In addition to RAM, you should be able to connect to external displays using HDMI, USB, and SATA.
Apart from storage slots and ports, you need to consider other factors like form factor, cooling mechanism and socket of the motherboard. It will help you to select the best motherboard for building your own NAS.
How Much RAM Does A NAS Need?
RAM is a significant component of a NAS, but it’s not the only consideration. While 512MB is plenty for personal use, you may wish to get more, especially if you’re planning on using the NAS for multiple computers.
Depending on your budget, you can choose from many different models with varying RAM specifications. The higher the RAM, the better. More RAM is also better for running multiple applications and software, as it makes a NAS server faster.
The size of your database is a critical consideration. Usually, you need at least 2GB of RAM to run your software. However, you can use NAS with 4GB RAM or 8GB RAM for commercial use. NAS systems don’t need much power so. You don’t need to invest in more than 8GB RAM.
1. GIGABYTE C246-WU4 – Best Overall
Pros
- Comes with 10 SATA and 2 M.2 ports
- Offers a lot of storage option
- AMD crossfire
- Reliable motherboard for NAS system
- Durable product
Cons
- Comes with the standard ATX form factor
GIGABYTE C246-WU4 is overall the best motherboard for building a NAS system. Unlike some other server motherboards, the C246-WU4 comes with dual M.2 connectors, which gives you more upgradability for SSD devices and the ideal storage solution in RAID modes. Its dual M.2 ports and a wide range of expansion options make it an excellent choice for your server.
The C246-WU4 has 10 SATA3 ports, which offer better upgradability for SSD devices. The dual M.2 connectors allow for up to 32GB/s transfer speed, making it a perfect storage solution. The GIGABYTE C246-U4 server motherboard supports a dual Intel server, i.e., Intel Celeron and Intel Pentium.
With a socket LGA1151 and ATX form factor, the C246-WU4 motherboard supports dual channel RAM with ECC support. It also offers high-speed memory management with vPro enterprise features, ensuring fast and stable system performance.
The GIGABYTE C246-U4 server motherboard supports a dual-GPU configuration for maximum GPU computing power. Its SATA3 ports support up to 6GB/s, and dual-M.2 connectors can support up to 32Gb/s. Furthermore, the C246-WU4 has a legacy PS2 port for peripherals.
The C246-WU4 is a very capable server motherboard. This is a very powerful and versatile piece of hardware that can meet the needs of any business. With the price range, it is the best motherboard for NAS in 2023.
Why Is This The Best Motherboard For NAS In 2023?
The GIGABYTE C246-WU4 server motherboard offers the highest SATA bandwidth per board. It has ten SATA3 ports and two M2 slots, and it supports up to 32Gb/s transfer speed. It can easily run processors like Intel Core, Pentium, and Celeron. This makes it an excellent choice for NAS. With all of these features, you’ll be able to build the ideal server for NAS.
The Gigabyte C246-WU4 has the most storage slots of any server motherboard. This motherboard is suitable for both portable and stationary NAS systems, and its compact size makes it easy to transport.
Moreover, the GIGABYTE C246-WU4 offers many features to help you run your NAS with a high-quality server. It also supports more than 128 GB of DDR4 memory. It also comes with a GB LAN port, two M2 slots, and an LGA1151 processor socket. The GIGABYTE C246-mi-WU4 is a great choice for NAS.
Its features include dual M.2 interfaces, upgradability to SSD devices, and RAID mode support for up to 12 storage devices. Besides being highly reliable and a good value, it is also a powerful and affordable NAS server.
Its dual-channel support for NAS and other devices is a big plus. Despite being an older motherboard, it offers numerous ports and is compatible with AMD Ryzen 2000/3000 series processors. Its socket LGA1151 form factor is ideal for NAS systems.
2. ASRock X570 Pro 4 Motherboard– Runner Up
Pros
- Plenty of ports and connectivity options
- Supports AMD AM4 Socket Ryzen
- Comes with 8 SATA and 3 M.2 ports
- Best pick for building NAS system
Cons
- Not wireless LAN
The ASRock X570 Pro 4 Motherboard is a gaming motherboard at an affordable price. It comes with an ATX form factor and AMD X570 chipset. This board supports AMD AM4 Socket Ryzen.
The X570 Pro 4 is equipped with four PCIe 2.0 slots that allow you to connect different components like graphics cards or SSDs to the motherboard. Each slot has a lane, and the more lanes it has, the faster the data can transfer. The X570 Pro 4 also supports DDR4 64GB memory and offers a maximum capacity of 128 GB.
Hyper M. 2 is the new standard for PCIe Gen4 x 4 SSDs, and the motherboard’s massive full-coverage M.2 heatsink is well suited to ensuring the highest speeds are achieved with these high-speed devices. As with its predecessor, the X570 Pro 4 is also designed to support next-generation PCIe Gen4 x 4 graphics cards.
The ASRock X570 Pro 4 has two PCIe 4.0 x1 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, and four USB 3.1 G1 Type-A slots. It also has M.2 Key E, HDMI and DisplayPort video output. The motherboard also has eight SATA ports and a Gigabit LAN port. In addition to these, it supports AMD AM4 Socket Ryzen. 2000 and 3000 Series processors.
The X570 Pro 4 features a high-performance AMD X570 chipset and is compatible with AMD’s most popular CPUs. The motherboard’s high-performance graphics card and CPU features allow for smooth power delivery. The RAM supports DDR4 memory and DDR3 interfaces, which makes it a high-performance gaming experience.
3. ASUS PRIME A520M-K AMD AM4 Motherboard – Budget Pick
Pros
- Comes with a Micro-ATX form factor
- Features AM4 socket
- 2 x dual-channel DDR4-4600
- Best budget motherboard for NAS
Cons
- Doesn’t have integrated WiFi
If you are looking for the best motherboard for AMD AM4 processors, you should look at the ASUS PRIME A520M-K. This barebones AMD AM4 board boasts a comprehensive cooling system and robust power design, while its intelligent tuning options provide advanced performance settings via intuitive software and firmware. It is one of the best and most affordable boards for NAS.
The Digi+ voltage-regulator module offers real-time control of voltage droop, automatic switching of frequency and power-efficiency settings, and fine-tuning of the CPU. The comprehensive cooling controls and Fan Xpert software provide optimal cooling for the CPU and motherboard. These features make the PRIME A520M-K a great choice for budget-conscious PC enthusiasts.
This motherboard supports 3rd generation AMD AM4 processors. It supports two DDR4 memory slots and two PCI-E 3.0 expansion slots. The board also features 4 SATA ports (up to 6GB/s) and 1 x M.2 slot. It has a range of flexible transfer options, with a data-transfer rate of up to 32Gbps. It also supports an M.2 slot with x4 PCI Express 3.0 bandwidth.
The A520M-K motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, including the new Ryzen 5 CPU. While the new processors are a little bit more expensive than their predecessors, it’s hard to go wrong with the A520M-K. This motherboard is an excellent choice for AMD AM4 gaming.
The Prime A520M-K AMD AM4 Mother-Board is a good choice for gaming. The TUF Gaming A520M has the best price, but it lacks many features. Its WiFi and DisplayPort are important for gamers. In addition to the great price, the PRIME A520M-K is also a good choice for a budget computer. On top of that, you will get 1GB of memory storage with this board.
4. ASUS Prime B450M-A II AMD AM4 Motherboard
Pros
- Affordable price
- The BIOS is enhanced
- Amazing cooling mechanism
- Durable motherboard with strong processor and memory
Cons
- Chipset is of older generation CPU
The ASUS Prime B450M-A II Series motherboards are the best choice for people who want a solid base for their first build but also have the flexibility to expand as their builds grow. This board is perfect for anyone who wants a great foundation for their first build but is not too expensive.
The ASUS Prime B450M-A II series motherboards offer solid foundations for a beginner, with the flexibility to expand. It features Socket AM4 and is compatible with various gaming devices. You will get 128GB DDR4 memory with this board which is enough for NAS. It is compatible with AMD 1st Generation Ryzen. With an AMD B450 chipset, this motherboard offers decent performance. The motherboard’s AI noise cancellation technology makes it perfect for gaming.
Unlike most other motherboards, the ASUS Prime B450M-A II Series motherboards offer an incredible amount of flexibility. You can also install the latest BIOS updates via the integrated Intel driver update utility. This board offers 2400 MHz memory speed to store data quickly. It is compatible with Windows 10 and comes with 128 GB of memory storage. This board features an excellent cooling mechanism with Fan Xpert 2.
The ASUS Prime B450M-A II is an AMD AM4 Motherboard. It supports Ryzen processors. It also features a number of connectivity ports options like USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 Gb Ethernet, etc. It has a micro ATX form factor and comes with SATA 6 Gbps and M.2 support.
5. ASUS TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II AMD AM4 Motherboard
Pros
- Comes with an AMD AM4 socket
- 4 DDR4 memory slots offering 128 GB max memory
- AMD B450 Chipset
Cons
- Fewer SATA ports compared to other boards
The TUF Gaming B450-Plus II ATX Gaming Motherboard is an AMD B450 chipset motherboard with an AM4 socket. It is a great choice for gaming and building NAS. This motherboard features the latest ASUS TUF Series fanless technology. It is the perfect choice for gamers who are looking for a high-quality motherboard.
The TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II delivers a complete high-end gaming experience. It supports ultrafast networking, pristine audio, onboard RGB lighting, and a high-end gaming experience. It is equipped with a dedicated AI Noise-Canceling Microphone, which supports 3.5 mm headsets. It utilizes an advanced deep-learning database to preserve voice and eliminate keyboard clatter.
The TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II is equipped with an ultrafast networking interface. The high-speed networking and pristine audio make this motherboard an ideal match for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Processors. As an ATX board, the TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II is a full-sized ATX motherboard with a DDR4- 4400 memory bus. The TUF B450M-PLUS II has four memory slots, each capable of supporting up to 128GB of DDR4 memory. There are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connectors.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-PLUS II AMD AM4 Motherboard is a great choice for gamers. It comes with 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports and 2x M.2 PCIe ports. It is also compatible with AMD 1st Generation Ryzen processors. All these features make it perfect for NAS.
How to Choose the Best Motherboard for NAS?
When it comes to building a NAS, you need to consider various factors to choose the best motherboard for the system. It will help you to build a powerful and secure storage system.
Processor
The first thing to consider is the processor. The processors in a motherboard are important for your NAS. Many NAS boards feature a single processor, and you will want one that can run both an Intel and AMD core. You should make sure the chipset is compatible with your CPU. You can go with AMD Ryzen 2 or Intel Core i3 processors.
Form Factor
Another important thing to consider when purchasing a motherboard for a NAS is the form factor. The form factor is also crucial for the connectivity options you’ll need. The form factor will determine if the motherboard will fit in the cabinet you’re planning to build. It will also determine how many memory slots the motherboard supports.
Socket
Before you begin purchasing a motherboard, it’s vital that you check the socket in it. A motherboard with the right socket for the CPU is essential if you plan on using the same CPU for more than one device.
This means choosing a CPU that has the same socket on both the motherboard and the CPU. You can check this by looking at the processor’s specifications or by looking at the specifications of the CPU.
RAM
The next thing to check when building a NAS is the amount of RAM in the motherboard. You’ll need enough memory for your NAS to be functional. Although most computers do not use their memory for storage, a NAS has to handle lots of users at once.
Moreover, it should be able to access large amounts of data. Therefore, the amount of RAM is a major consideration when choosing a motherboard. You can go with 4GB or 8GB RAM.
Storage Ports
In terms of storage options, a motherboard for a NAS should offer a wide range of storage options. A motherboard with a lot of SATA and M.2 SSD connectors is a good choice. The best NAS motherboards will be able to support storage devices. These types of motherboards will come with the most storage ports.
Networking System
The motherboard should also have a good networking system. The networking system is critical to the success of a NAS system, and a good motherboard will ensure that the network is reliable and fast. The motherboard provides both network and hardware connections to other components, so a good networking system is essential for any NAS.
Cooling Mechanism
In addition, the cooling system is important for the NAS system. A poor motherboard cooling system can lead to the failure of the entire system. For this reason, you should take the time to choose the best motherboard for your NAS. Some cases have different cooling mechanisms for motherboards.
Ports
A motherboard for a NAS should have multiple connectivity options, including USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and audio ports. It should be compatible with a wide variety of devices and be up to date. Look for physical connectors, too, and be sure that the motherboard supports the latest versions. Wireless connectivity is a great option for NAS.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for additional storage space, it is best to invest in a decent NAS system. However, you can save a lot of money and enjoy customization options when you build one at home. To build a NAS system, you need to buy a good motherboard. In this post, we have reviewed the top 5 best motherboards for NAS in 2023.
All these boards offer excellent storage, connectivity options and great performance. You can select any of these models as per your budget. While we tried to pick only the best options, we plan to update this page regularly as better models launch. If you think we missed something or want to suggest anything, do let us know by commenting below!
FAQs
What is a good processor for NAS? ›
An Atom or Pentium processor will be more than enough for file storage, but Intel Core chips will be better for streaming with media servers and multi-user optimization. We're recommending one of our favorites, the Core i5-12600K.
What is the most powerful motherboard? ›The Z790 chipset supports both 12th and 13th Gen Intel CPUs and is the latest flagship chipset for the company's products. As such, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master is our pick for the best overall Intel motherboard right now. Its price, features and performance combine to help it rise to the top.
Which motherboard brand is best? ›- Asus.
- Gigabyte.
- MSI.
- ASRock.
- Biostar.
- EVGA.
- Colorful.
For basic use, 4GB or 8GB will suffice. If you have a business Synology NAS, we would recommend at least 16GB. If more people open and save their work on the NAS at the same time, this is very demanding for the RAM.
Is more RAM better for NAS? ›It's generally known that more RAM in your PC is better. Better in terms of performance with regard to the software you use, and better for when you have numerous software packages open on the machine simultaneously. Having more RAM for a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device is good for much the same reasons.
Which NAS drives are most reliable? ›- Editors choice. Seagate IronWolf Pro. See On Amazon. Storage Capacity 2 to 20TB. Spindle speed 7200 RPM. ...
- Best value. Western Digital WD Red Plus. See On Amazon. Storage Capacity 1 to 14TB. Spindle speed 5400 to 7200 RPM. ...
- Premium pick. Western Digital WD Gold. See On Amazon. Storage Capacity 1 to 22TB.
Four or eight cores is more than enough. For example, the D-2123 (4 core) and D-2141 (8 core) make for a very good NAS foundation… as they offer good CPU performance and come with integrated 10Gbe NICs.
Does a NAS have to run 24 7? ›24/7 continuous operation
Desktop HDDs only operate when computers are on, while NAS HDDs can be up and running 24/7. Desktop HDDs are likely to fail under long-term continued operation, so you need NAS drives that are purpose-built for continuous operation especially in large NAS deployment.
| Rank | Motherboard Manufacturer | Revenue (USD millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intel | 71,900 |
| 2 | Asus | 12,110 |
| 3 | Acer | 8,112 |
| 4 | MSI | 4,000 |
If treated well and kept clean, a motherboard can last for up to 20 years or even more. What you'll find is that the hardware available to that motherboard becomes obsolete, and you may need to upgrade to the latest hardware, but the motherboard itself should continue working just fine.
What are the three most popular motherboard? ›
What are the three most popular form factors used for motherboards? The most popular motherboard form factors are ATX, microATX (a smaller version of ATX), and Mini-ITX (a smaller version of microATX).
What are the 3 types of motherboard? ›Motherboards come in three main sizes, from largest to smallest: ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX (Yes, Mini is smaller than Micro).
Which motherboard is best and cheapest? ›- ASUS H510M-E Motherboard. Black. 4.8. ₹6,999. ₹14,000. ₹6,649. with Bank offer. Add to Compare.
- ZEBRONICS ZEB-61 MOTHERBOARD Motherboard. Black. 3.9. ₹2,649. ₹4,999. 47% off. Add to Compare.
- Matrix MXG41 Motherboard. 4.2. ₹2,149. ₹4,699. 54% off. Add to Compare.
- MSI B560M PRO-E Motherboard. Black. 4.3. ₹8,061. ₹10,950. 26% off. ₹7,657.
Even though most NASes have an HDD, SSD is also a good option. This Solid State Drive is up to 30 times faster than a traditional HDD. Aside from that, an SSD is more energy-efficient and silent, so you save energy and aren't bothered by noise as much.
Do you need a powerful CPU for a NAS? ›You don't need a lot of CPU power to dole out files over your network, but if you also want to use something like Plex, you might find an old computer can handle the job better.
What is the lifespan of a NAS? ›Typically drives will be running for 8–10 years without any problem. The answer will vary a lot based on 2 main things: how they're built, and how they're used.
What is the disadvantage of NAS? ›As the number of users increases, a large increase in traffic over the LAN may slow performance. Certain uses -- such as video editing -- may exacerbate performance issues because of large files sizes.
What is a good transfer speed for a NAS? ›NAS devices will not transfer data as fast as a direct connected device will, such as an external USB or eSATA drive. Typical data transfer speeds range from 3MB/s to 20MB/s for consumer level NAS devices.
How many TB do I need for NAS? ›To put it into perspective, if you are using NAS for personal storage, you can typically get away with 1 to 2 TB. If you are using NAS for business or something that requires a lot of media storage, you would most likely need about 4 TB or more.
Is there a better NAS than Synology? ›ProMAX Platform: Best Alternative to QNAP and Synology
ProMax Platform is your best bet. ProMAX Platform provides the perfect shared storage you need for storing your data.
Who is Synology competitor? ›
- Dell Technologies.
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
- NetApp.
- Lenovo.
- Western Digital (Tegile)
- Seagate.
- IBM.
- Pure Storage.
Almost certainly the drive that most people have used over the last few years in their NAS, the WD Red hard drive series is one of the quietest drives on the market for NAS.
Do you need a graphics card for a NAS? ›A graphics card is not necessary for a server to provide a good Remote Desktop experience. Most servers do not have GPUs installed because they are not typically needed for that purpose. There are some cases where a GPU may be helpful, but in general, it is not necessary.
Does RAM speed matter for NAS? ›As Knowley said, no. RAM speed isn't important.
Does a NAS need a firewall? ›Use the NAS firewall
Most NAS devices have built-in firewalls, so there's no reason to turn them off, even if perimeter firewalls and other security measures already protect the network. Since NAS devices contain privileged information and data, ensure multiple layers of security protect them.
The NAS stops all running services. All shared folders and iSCSI LUNs become inaccessible.
Does a NAS use a lot of electricity? ›Basically, a Synology NAS with two discs consumes approximately 30 W/watts, the energy usage of a modern led light bulb. It's possible to reduce power consumption by 1 watt through the Control Panel by completely turning off the LED's on your Synology NAS.
Does NAS affect Internet speed? ›There is nothing special or unique about NAS traffic which would increase or decrease the speed.
Are high end motherboards worth it? ›More pricey motherboards will feature more phases of power delivery for this purpose, ad better cooling for the VRMs on the board which regulate the voltage to the CPU. As such, pricier motherboards are better for those seeking out the best performance possible from their components.
What is the best motherboard size? ›It's still the most popular size of motherboard today and is the typical basis for modern computers, whether they're gaming PCs or work machines. A standard ATX motherboard measures 305 x 244 mm and typically incorporates: Four RAM slots. Two or three PCIExpress x16 slots.
What is the most common motherboard? ›
The most common motherboard form factor today is called ATX. Introduced by Intel Corp. in 1995 as an extension of the Baby AT form factor, ATX motherboards have a maximum size of 12 by 9.6 in. Smaller variants include the MiniATX, MicroATX and FlexATX.
What does ATX stand for? ›“Advanced Technology eXtended” is a form factor developed by Intel. The vast majority of PCs on the market use cases that fit the form factor specification.
Does changing motherboard delete everything? ›In the event your computer requires a motherboard replacement, all data stored locally on your computer will be lost and will no longer be recoverable.
Is DDR4 better than DDR5? ›If you choose the more affordable DDR4, you'll get relatively good performance at an affordable price. However, you can expect that newer software and games will take advantage of the faster speed and higher capacity of DDR5 RAM. Because of that, you'll want to upgrade to DDR5 later.
What is the oldest type of motherboard? ›The first motherboard, originally called a "planar," was used in the IBM Personal Computer. The AT, or Full AT, motherboard form factor was introduced by IBM in August 1984. IBM introduced the Baby AT motherboard form factor in 1985.
What is the world most expensive motherboard? ›- MSI Z690 GODLIKE | The MOST Expensive Motherboard In The WORLD!
What makes one motherboard better than another? ›More expensive motherboards usually mean better quality components. Cheap capacitors are a common failure point on inexpensive motherboards. More expensive motherboards may have better power regulation components. The actual PCB may have more layers and more robust construction.
What should I look for in a motherboard 2022? ›The first and most important consideration you need to make when selecting a motherboard is making sure it supports your processor. And that means getting one with the right size socket. For AMD's latest generation of processors, that is Ryzen 5000, it's socket AM4.
Should you use HDD or SSD for NAS? ›Do you want a hard drive or SSD? Even though most NASes have an HDD, SSD is also a good option. This Solid State Drive is up to 30 times faster than a traditional HDD. Aside from that, an SSD is more energy-efficient and silent, so you save energy and aren't bothered by noise as much.
Does CPU speed matter for NAS? ›CPU speed does matter in a storage array, but for a home NAS...not anywhere near as much as it would in an enterprise array. Where the CPU matters is in the IOPS department. Each IO itself should be 1-2 CPU cycles (to handle the interrupt instruction and setup the data transfer).
Should NAS be left on all the time? ›
Your files are stored on the NAS server and can be synchronized, or automatically kept up-to-date, on all of your devices. This service needs to always be online so the NAS should always be on. If you are using your NAS for web hosting like I am, you need to keep it online 24/7.