We're going with the latest and greatest for this build, which is in the form of the Core i5-12600K. An Atom or Pentium processor will be more than enough for file and media storage, while an Intel Core i3 chip will be better for streaming, Plex use, and multi-user optimization. Should you go with Intel or AMD? Intel has a wide range of processors that will do the job, depending on what tasks you want the NAS to perform. The Fractal Design Node 804 case is excellent for this, sporting the option to fit up to eight drives.įor cooling, Fractal Design includes three 120mm fans, but it's possible to add other cooling solutions, including an all-in-one water cooler for the CPU. With a NAS system, the aim is to keep the footprint small but have ample room to throw in several storage drives and capable components.
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central)