The author decided to build a custom NAS system using XPenology instead of purchasing a pre-built Synology device. The initial setup utilized legacy hardware, specifically an LGA1156 socket motherboard with a Celeron G6950 processor and 4 GB of RAM. This configuration maintained CPU usage between 10% and 20% during standard operations.
The storage array consisted of four 1 TB hard drives configured in RAID 5. By incorporating a 2.5 Gbit/s controller, the system achieved stable read and write speeds exceeding 280 MB/s. Despite the performance, the project faced significant physical constraints due to the large size of the repurposed PC chassis used for the build.
The author noted that finding compact, affordable cases for 4-5 hard drives is difficult. Standard budget cases often lack adequate vibration isolation, leading to excessive noise and potential hardware degradation. High-end custom server cases are expensive and frequently fail to provide the necessary vibration dampening for a home environment.
