First NAS hardware: what a beginner needs
A first NAS needs a low-power CPU, 8–16 GB of RAM, two or more NAS-rated drives, and a case with room to add drives later. Spend on drives and backup first; the CPU matters least for file storage.
Updated 2026-09-23 · Sources below
Buy in 5 steps
- Pick your path: box or build. Want files tonight with least fuss? Buy a prebuilt-style NAS. Want max control and a project? Build. Stuck between them? Our OS picker and build-vs-buy guide settle it in minutes.
- Size your storage first. Add up your photos, films, and docs today, then double it. Say you have 8 TB of photos: two 8 TB drives in RAID 1 is the honest minimum. Check exact numbers in our RAID calculator before you pay.
- Pick a box with room to grow. Take at least 4 bays even if you fill two now. Small cases seem cute until drive three has nowhere to live. Any board with enough SATA ports (the drive plugs) plus a spare slot beats a pretty one.
- Buy NAS-rated drives. Get CMR drives sold for NAS use, not the cheapest desktop ones. For plain RAID, buy equal sizes. For SHR or Unraid, mixed sizes waste less. See RAID levels for why size matching matters.
- Power-check before you commit. Run your pick through the power estimator. The five-year power bill can dwarf the sticker price, and it flips more buying decisions than any spec sheet.
Three starter routes compared
| Route | What it is | Fits | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prebuilt 2–4 bay | Ready-made box with polished software | Working tonight, low watts, quiet shelf | Higher cost per bay, less freedom |
| Small DIY build | Efficient board in a 4+ bay case, your OS | Best value per bay, and a fun project | A weekend of setup; you are the support line |
| Used office PC | Retired desktop plus NAS-rated drives | Cheapest start if the PC is free | Often 60–120 W at idle; measure watts first |
The sensible defaults
CPU: any modern low-power chip is fine for files and one or two video streams. Forum regulars often point at efficient Intel N100-style mini PCs. Do not buy a hot 12-core chip for a file box. It will idle at high watts for years.
RAM: 8 GB covers a basic 2-bay setup. Take 16 GB if you plan extras like Jellyfin, photos, or virtual machines. TrueNAS fans will tell you more is better, and they are right, but 16 GB is a fine start. See TrueNAS RAM and ECC for detail.
Drives: buy NAS-rated (CMR) drives, not the cheapest desktop ones. Start with two equal drives in RAID 1, and check sizes in our calculator. Say you have 8 TB of photos: two 8 TB drives in RAID 1 is the honest minimum.
Case and board: pick room for at least 4 drives, even if you buy two now. Small cases seem cute until drive three has nowhere to live. Any board with enough SATA ports (the drive plugs) plus a spare slot beats a pretty one.
What not to overspend on
A common mistake is buying speed you will never use. A home NAS mostly waits on your network, not its CPU. For most people, 2.5 Gb networking is plenty; 10 Gb is a later project, not a starter need.
Also skip exotic add-ons at first. No 10 Gb card, no huge RAM kit, no rack server that sounds like a jet. Put that money toward a second backup copy instead. A quiet box you can live with beats a fast box you unplug.
Quick answers
How much RAM does a first NAS need?
8 GB covers a basic 2-bay setup. Take 16 GB if you run Jellyfin, photo apps, or virtual machines. More detail on the RAM and ECC page.
Is an N100 mini PC enough for a NAS?
For files, backups, and a film stream or two, yes. It sips power and stays silent. It falls short for heavy virtual machines or lots of on-the-fly video conversion. Start there; upgrade when you outgrow it.
How many drive bays do I need?
Four at least. Fill two now and keep two for later. A 2-bay box locks you in: growing means replacing drives, not adding them.
Do I need 10 Gb networking?
No. Even big 4K films use a fraction of 2.5 Gb. Wire 2.5 Gb if you can, and treat 10 Gb as a later project for when your whole chain is ready.
Can I use an old desktop as my first NAS?
Yes, and it is a fine free start. Check it has enough SATA ports for your drives, add NAS-rated drives, and measure its idle watts first. Old desktops often idle near 60–120 W.
Go deeper
- TrueNAS vs Unraid vs prebuilt — pick your software first, hardware second.
- TrueNAS documentation — official hardware and setup guides.
- Unraid documentation — official guides for the DIY middle path.
- Synology Download Center — DSM software and manuals for prebuilt boxes.
- ServeTheHome — deep hardware reviews when you want specs.
- r/homelab — search “first NAS”; beginners ask this weekly.
Bottom line: efficient CPU, 8–16 GB RAM, two NAS-rated drives, room to grow. Then run your watts through the power estimator before you commit. The five-year power bill can dwarf the sticker price.
Sources
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