Looking for some recommendations for a NAS for simple file storage


PBzeer

Active member
Local time
12:39 PM
Posts
45
OS
Windows 11 Home
My current network is two Win 11 25H2 pc's and a WD MyCloud EX2 Ultra (w/updated OS5 firmware) NAS. Prior to Win 11, I had used a DAS connected to one computer as the destination for backups. That doesn't seem to be a viable option for me now. Rather than wrestle with it, I'd like to get a 4 bay NAS and use 2 bays (raid 1, 8tb WD Reds) for my backups. I'm not looking for anything other than storing files (no remote access, no Plex), but the "extras" seem to be the selling point. I just want a good reliable piece of hardware that isn't too complicated setting up. Any recommendations?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    IBuyPower/SMI7N5701
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 14700F
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME B760M-A AX6 II
    Memory
    32gb DDR5 5200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 5070 12gb
    Sound Card
    Toshiba Dynadock Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2214h
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    AGI AI818 M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD
    PSU
    750W 80 PLUS Gold PSU
    Case
    iBUYPOWER Slate 8 Mesh Pro
    Cooling
    Air Cooled
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro upgraded from 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel/NUC 10i7FNH
    CPU
    i7 10710U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2214h
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
Most NAS systems will have all the bells and whistles, but you are by no means required to enable them (in fact I recommend disabling everything you don't use for reducing attack surface). I've had good luck with QNAP. Currently running a 9 bay NAS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    System76 Lemur Pro
Think I've decided on the Asustor Drivestor Pro 4 bay. Doesn't have the greatest specs, but it seems more than sufficient for simple storage that isn't frequently accessed.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    IBuyPower/SMI7N5701
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 14700F
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME B760M-A AX6 II
    Memory
    32gb DDR5 5200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 5070 12gb
    Sound Card
    Toshiba Dynadock Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2214h
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    AGI AI818 M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD
    PSU
    750W 80 PLUS Gold PSU
    Case
    iBUYPOWER Slate 8 Mesh Pro
    Cooling
    Air Cooled
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro upgraded from 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel/NUC 10i7FNH
    CPU
    i7 10710U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2214h
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
Dumb question, for your use, why the 4-bay and not just a 2-bay?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14500
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M G P WIFI
    Memory
    64GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060
    Sound Card
    Chipset Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 45" Ultragear, Acer 24" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    5120x1440, 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD (O/S)
    Silicon Power 2TB US75 NVMe PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 SSD (backup)
    Crucial BX500 2TB 3D NAND (2nd backup)
    Seagate 4TB Ironwolf, rotating HDD archive files
    External off-line backup Drives: 2 NVMe 4TB drives in external enclosures
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 750W
    Case
    LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 E-ATX PC Case
    Cooling
    Lots of fans!
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
  • Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2, Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brew
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 14400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel 700 Embedded GPU
    Sound Card
    Realtek Embedded
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" HP 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Crucial P310 2TB 2280 PCIe Gen4 eD NAND PCIe SSD
    Samsung EVO 990 2TB NVMe Gen4 SSD
    Samsung 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W
    Case
    Okinos Micro ATX Case
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Logitech G305
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FiOS 1GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malware Bytes & Windows Defender Security
Dumb question, for your use, why the 4-bay and not just a 2-bay?
My current NAS is a 2 bay WD MyCloud EX2 Ultra that spent it's first 4 years in a high humidity, high summer temps environment (on a boat) and WD is no longer active in NAS enclosures and ended support, so 2 bays for use now (backups), and 2 for when my WD dies (everything else important enough for multiple copies).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    IBuyPower/SMI7N5701
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 14700F
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME B760M-A AX6 II
    Memory
    32gb DDR5 5200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 5070 12gb
    Sound Card
    Toshiba Dynadock Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2214h
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    AGI AI818 M.2 PCIe Gen4 SSD
    PSU
    750W 80 PLUS Gold PSU
    Case
    iBUYPOWER Slate 8 Mesh Pro
    Cooling
    Air Cooled
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro upgraded from 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel/NUC 10i7FNH
    CPU
    i7 10710U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell P2214h
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080

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