u/Affectionate-Bug5121 — reddlx

Hey all,

I’m looking to set up a NAS for storing research lab data (datasets + backups), and I’m starting from basically zero experience.

What I’m aiming for:

- ~10–12 TB usable storage (for now)

- Budget around $500 (not too flexible in current funding situation, especially since I might reuse existing hardware)

- Reliable + low maintenance; I want the system to be very user friendly for inexperienced people so that when I graduate new students can take care of it.

- Remotely accessible via lab members

Available hardware:

We have an old office PC that’s currently unused, and I’m considering repurposing it:

- CPU: AMD EPYC 7281 (16 cores)

- RAM: 64 GB

- GPU: GeForce GT 730

- Storage: ~2 TB HDD (probably just a basic drive)

- OS: Debian 9 currently installed

I’m wondering if I should just build around this instead of buying a prebuilt unit.

Where I’m stuck:

I’ve been reading and see two main routes:

- Prebuilt NAS (Synology / QNAP / etc.) — easier, more beginner-friendly (probably expensive in this economy)

- DIY (reuse this machine + TrueNAS / Unraid / OpenMediaVault) — more flexible, maybe better value?

Also, I’ve seen people talk about HBA cards flashed to IT mode for connecting multiple drives. Not sure if that’s something I actually need, or only for more advanced setups.

Questions:

Given this hardware, does it make more sense to go DIY instead of prebuilt?
Any beginner-friendly tutorials/guides you’d recommend for setting up something like TrueNAS or Unraid?
Do I need an HBA card in IT mode, or can I just use the motherboard SATA ports to start?

I’m not planning anything fancy, just want a solid and reliable storage box that I can expand later without making beginner mistakes.

Appreciate any advice 🙏

Hey all,

I’m looking to set up a NAS for storing lab data (mostly datasets + backups), and I’m starting from basically zero experience here.

What I’m aiming for:

- ~10–12 TB usable storage (for now)

- Budget around $500 (flexible but not trying to go crazy)(with current funding cuts, cannot afford too much)

- Do not need cutting edge performance, but should be reliable and not break down suddenly

- Remote accessible by lab members

Where I’m stuck:

I’ve been reading a bit and see two main routes:

- Prebuilt NAS

- DIY build

From what I gather, prebuilt systems seem easier to set up and manage, especially for beginners, with features like backups, RAID, and remote access built in. But DIY might give better value or flexibility?

Questions:

For someone with no NAS experience, is prebuilt the smarter move?
Any specific models or setups you’d recommend for this use case?
Anything you wish you knew before building your first NAS?

I’m not doing anything super fancy (no Plex, VMs, etc. right now), just want a solid, expandable storage solution that won’t be a headache.

Appreciate any advice 🙏