Building your own DIY NAS (Network Attached Storage) allows you to create a customized, high capacity storage solution for backing up important files and media libraries. Unlike a pre-built NAS, you can pick and choose components to meet your exact needs.
The motherboard is the foundation on which you will build your NAS, so choosing the right one is critical. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to pick the best motherboard for NAS use.
What is a NAS and Why Build Your Own?
A NAS is essentially an efficient, specialized computer built specifically for storage and backup purposes. It connects to your home network, allowing all devices on that network to wirelessly access files stored on the NAS drives.
While you can purchase complete NAS units from companies like Synology and QNAP, building your own custom NAS provides several key advantages:
- Cost Savings: Pre-built NAS units can be expensive. Picking your own components allows you to save significantly.
- Customization: Tailor your NAS to your exact storage capacity needs and budget.
- Upgradability: Components in a DIY NAS build can be swapped out/upgraded over time.
- More Control: Choose your preferred OS and configure as needed since you built the system.
When assembling your own NAS, choosing the right motherboard is crucial, as it will dictate compatibilities and expansion options down the road.
5 Best Motherboards for NAS in 2023
1. MSI Pro Z690-A – Best Overall
With support for the latest 12th generation Intel processors, plenty of storage expansion via 6 SATA ports, and speedy 2.5GbE networking, the MSI Pro Z690-A has everything you need to create a powerful DIY NAS.
Key Features:
- Socket LGA1700 for 12th Gen Intel CPUs
- 4x DIMM slots, up to 128GB DDR4 RAM
- 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- 2x Lightning Gen 4 M.2 slots
- 2.5GbE LAN + WiFi 6
This motherboard provides the ideal balance of next-gen performance and abundant storage expansion capabilities. With robust cooling via extended heatsinks, PCIe 4.0 support, and advanced networking, it has all the ingredients for assembling a leading-edge NAS.
Pros
- Cutting-edge specs
- Great connectivity
- Beefy power delivery
- Onboard WiFi 6
Cons
- Only 6 SATA ports
- Expensive
2. Asus Prime B450M-A II – Best Budget
If you‘re looking to save money on your DIY NAS build, the Asus Prime B450M-A II delivers excellent value without compromising performance.
Key Features:
- AMD AM4 socket for Ryzen CPUs
- 4x DIMM slots for up to 128GB DDR4 RAM
- 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- M.2 slot for NVMe SSD
- Gigabit LAN
With support for AMD‘s latest Ryzen processors, six SATA ports for attaching storage drives, and essential connectivity, this affordable Micro ATX motherboard checks all the boxes for assembling a basic yet high-performing NAS.
Pros
- Great price
- Good selection of ports
- RGB headers
- Quality components
Cons
- No WiFi
- Limited PCIe expansion
3. MSI MAG B660M Mortar – Best Compact
If physical space is limited wherever you intend to setup your NAS, then a compact Micro ATX motherboard like the MSI MAG B660M Mortar is the way to go.
Key Features:
- Intel LGA1700 socket for 12th Gen CPUs
- 4x DIMM slots for up to 128GB DDR4 RAM
- 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- 2x M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0)
- 2.5GbE LAN with WiFi 6
In spite of its small size, the MAG B660M Mortar doesn‘t compromise on performance or expansion capabilities. You still get support for the latest Intel processors, WiFi 6 networking, and abundant high-speed storage connectivity for assembling a compact yet mighty NAS.
Pros
- Micro ATX form factor
- Cutting-edge specs
- Robust power delivery
- Onboard WiFi 6
Cons
- Only 6 SATA ports
- High price tag
4. MSI X99A – Best Performance
For those seeking workstation-class performance from their DIY NAS, the MSI X99A delivers big. This high-end motherboard is built for seriously intensive usage scenarios.
Key Features:
- LGA2011-v3 socket for Xeon processors
- 8x DIMM slots for up to 128GB DDR4 ECC RAM
- 10x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- Turbo M.2 slot
- Gigabit LAN
If you intend to use your NAS not just for bulk storage but also for hosting virtual machines, databases, media transcoding, or other resource intensive applications, the robust MSI X99A has you covered.
Pros
- Dual Intel Xeon scalability
- Massive RAM capacity
- Abundant SATA connectivity
-Beefy power delivery
Cons
- Expensive
- No onboard WiFi
5. Asus Z10PE-D16 – Most Expandable
For those wanting to build an upgradable, future-proof NAS with tons of capacity for expansion, look no further than the Asus Z10PE-D16. Designed for dual Xeon scalability, this server-grade board offers unmatched capabilities.
Key Specs:
- Dual LGA2011-v3 sockets
- 16x DIMM slots for up to 1TB of RAM
- 10x SATA 6GB/s ports
- 5x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
- IPMI remote management
Whether you need tens of cores for your applications, terabytes of storage, or gobs of memory, this magnificent motherboard can handle it. Of course that scalability comes at a price premium.
Pros
- Massive expansion potential
- Dual Intel Xeons
- 1TB RAM capacity
- Excellent connectivity
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Overkill unless you need massive scale
How to Pick the Best Motherboard for NAS
When selecting a motherboard specifically for NAS rather than a typical desktop PC, there are four key factors to evaluate:
SATA Ports
SATA ports allow you to connect 3.5” or 2.5” HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) and SSDs (Solid State Drives) to your NAS for storage expansion. Most motherboards have 4 to 6 ports, but more expensive models offer 8 or 10.
Ideally, pick a board with at least 6 SATA III ports so you can attach sufficient drives to meet your needed capacity. Additional ports allow you to further expand your storage down the road.
Network Connectivity
Since the primary purpose of a NAS is centralizing storage accessible from other devices on your local network, a quality networking chipset is vital. An integrated Gigabit LAN port is baseline, but 2.5GbE or better is recommended for optimal performance.
Built-in WiFi is also nice, allowing you to place your NAS anywhere without running long ethernet cables. Bluetooth support enables connecting devices like keyboards.
Expansion Capabilities
Although the main NAS functionality is providing networked storage, you may want to do more down the road like hosting Plex Media Server for streaming video across your home.
Choose a motherboard with multiple PCIe slots, M.2 sockets, and RAM slots to empower expansion. This will prevent your NAS from becoming obsolete.
Price Considerations
As with any PC build, deciding on a motherboard budget is important. You can find very capable boards for under $100, while elite models pack in cutting-edge functionality exceeding $500.
Evaluate whether you really require high-end specs, or if a more affordable option still meets your usage needs. Saving money allows beefing up other areas like storage drives.
What to Know Before Buying a NAS Motherboard
Socket Type: Verify motherboard CPU socket compatibility with the processor you intend to use. Common sockets for NAS builds are LGA1700, LGA1200, AM4, and LGA2011-v3.
Form Factor: Typical options like ATX and Micro ATX ensure wide component compatibility. ITX can work for compact builds. Extended form factors enable more expansion.
RAM Support: Most NAS motherboards support DDR4 RAM with varying maximum capacities. ECC memory is beneficial for critical data, but costs more.
Power Requirements: A quality PSU (power supply unit) appropriately specced for your planned storage drive capacity is crucial when assembling your NAS.
Cooling Needs: Passively cooled motherboards work well for low-watt builds. If installing a beefy CPU and lots of drives, robust cooling is recommended.
Using a Motherboard for a NAS Build
Once you’ve selected the ideal NAS motherboard for your needs, the assembly process is similar to a standard PC:
Attach your chosen CPU to the motherboard socket. For Intel chips be very careful aligning the pins properly in the socket holes.
Insert DIMM RAM modules in the slots until you reach your desired memory capacity. Slots are often color coded to indicate which to populate first for dual/quad channel operation.
Connect SATA storage drives, ideally consistent high capacity models from the same product family. Western Digital Red NAS drives are purpose-built for NAS enclosures.
Insert an M.2 NVMe SSD into the M.2 slot to dedicate as your operating system drive for booting the NAS.
Using modular or SATA power cables from the PSU, connect the required leads to all drives and components.
Plug your ethernet cable into the LAN port, or configure WiFi if available. For remote management, connect IPMI if supported.
Install your chosen NAS software platform like FreeNAS, OpenMediaVault, Windows Storage Spaces, etc. Configure RAID, share folders over the network, setup backups, and away you go!
Wrapping Up
Assembling your own Network Attached Storage device enables a fully customized solution tailored precisely to your storage needs and budget. The motherboard forms the foundation of any DIY NAS build, so pick wisely!
The models covered herein offer proven reliability and essential functionality for both basic and high-performance home NAS implementations. Just match specifications to your usage requirements.
To learn more about perfecting your NAS project with compatible components, check out these additional guides:
