- \n
- Must sip power<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Must be economical<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Must be quiet.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Must be cool.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Must be easy<\/em> to print & build<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you’ve done a google search recently for “3d printed NAS” you’ll likely come across several like these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/mass-v1-2-update-is-here-expandable-diy-nas-enclosure-with-v0-l4nlje75lkxc11-819x1024.png?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/lgvpyw43yy691-1024x691.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ezgif-5edfe6389274d1.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/nasapu-6bay_830.png?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/3D-Printed-NAS_Case-05_830.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ezgif-59cd426d16b0c4-1024x980.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nEtc etc etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of these are engineering feats, and awesome in their own right, but they each suffer from varying things that we’re trying to avoid, right?:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- ??? Must sip power<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ??? Must be economical<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ??? Must be quiet.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ??? Must be cool.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ??? Must be easy<\/em> to print & build<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Now, they don’t ALL miss the marks, but, many of these are no longer maintained <\/em>(or got too popular and they paywalled it), are too loud<\/em>, and ALL of them (except for the pi ones) require a print bed that is larger than what something small like a Bambulabs A1 mini can print (180 x 180 x 180 print bed). But most importantly…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I consider Mini-ITX not aggressive enough for power savings, no matter the processor dropped in<\/strong>. Thus, a SOC (system on a chip) solution is required. Laptops and Mini PCs have their processor baked on, and have a far<\/em> lower TDP than any desktop variant. Please note, the beelink SEI8 that I used I happened to have on hand. Obviously a more universal ring needs to be made to accept more and more mini-pc’s.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Build.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In summary, this build is simply this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A mini-pc in charge of 4 hard drives via M.2 to PCIEx4 to SAS card to 4 SATA cables, and a quiet, economical means to power it all properly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image-1-1024x352.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Build consists of 3 main chassis pieces<\/strong> (and if you’ve seen the instructions for ANY other DIY 3D Printed NAS, you’re probably already salivating at the simplicity): The air chamber, hard drive chamber, and power chamber.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
This particular power chamber <\/em>piece is specifically tailored to the beelink SEI8<\/strong>, an 8th generation intel beelink i5 machine I had on hand — however, we’re posting this to makerworld under a creative commons license that allows pretty much anything<\/strong>, so, make an adapter ring to accommodate whatever mini-pc you’re rocking, and lets get printing! (Heck I’ll make a few adapter rings if there’s lots of demand for a specific model — lets get some N100 machines with 2.5GBe in here!)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Cost.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I’m personally installing Xpenology on here, so I’m comparing this build cost to a 4-bay synology [diskless] directly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specification<\/th> Synology DiskStation DS423<\/th> Synology DiskStation DS418<\/th> Synology DiskStation DS420j<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Processor<\/td> Realtek <\/strong>RTD1619B<\/td> Realtek <\/strong>RTD1296<\/td> Realtek <\/strong>RTD1296<\/td><\/tr> CPU Cores<\/td> Quad-core 1.7 GHz<\/td> Quad-core 1.4 GHz<\/td> Quad-core 1.4 GHz<\/td><\/tr> Memory<\/td> 2 GB DDR4<\/strong><\/td> 2 GB DDR4<\/strong><\/td> 1 GB DDR4<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Drive Bays<\/td> 4<\/td> 4<\/td> 4<\/td><\/tr> Max Capacity<\/td> 64 TB<\/td> 64 TB<\/td> 64 TB<\/td><\/tr> Network Ports<\/td> 2 x 1GbE<\/td> 2 x 1GbE<\/td> 1 x 1GbE<\/td><\/tr> USB Ports<\/td> 2 x USB 3.0<\/td> 2 x USB 3.0<\/td> 2 x USB 3.0<\/td><\/tr> TDP<\/td> 5 watts<\/td> 6 watts<\/td> 6 watts<\/td><\/tr> Price<\/strong> (at the time)<\/td> $503.99<\/strong> ????<\/td> $699.99<\/strong> ????<\/td> $449.99<\/strong> ????<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The beelink SEI8 is what I had laying around. Despite 28w TDP, it idles much lower than that. I’d love to build some N100 builds in the future to compete (6w TDP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More importantly though, Synology post 2020 has gotten completely out of control in their pricing. Even their 2-bay offerings are way too expensive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specification<\/th> Synology DiskStation DS223j<\/th> Synology DiskStation DS223<\/th> Synology DiskStation DS224+<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Processor<\/td> Realtek RTD1619B<\/td> Realtek RTD1619B<\/td> Intel Celeron J4125<\/td><\/tr> CPU Cores<\/td> Quad-core 1.7 GHz<\/td> Quad-core 1.7 GHz<\/td> Quad-core 2.0 GHz (burst up to 2.7 GHz)<\/td><\/tr> Memory<\/td> 2 GB DDR4<\/td> 2 GB DDR4<\/td> 2 GB DDR4 (expandable up to 6 GB)<\/td><\/tr> Drive Bays<\/td> 2<\/td> 2<\/td> 2<\/td><\/tr> Max Capacity<\/td> 32 TB<\/td> 32 TB<\/td> 32 TB<\/td><\/tr> Network Ports<\/td> 1 x 1GbE<\/td> 1 x 1GbE<\/td> 2 x 1GbE<\/td><\/tr> USB Ports<\/td> 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1<\/td> 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1<\/td> 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1<\/td><\/tr> TDP<\/td> 5 watts<\/td> 5 watts<\/td> 10 watts<\/td><\/tr> Price<\/td> $190<\/td> $309<\/td> $449.99<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n So what about this build? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specification<\/th> Beelink SEI8<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Processor<\/td> Intel Core i5-8259U<\/td><\/tr> CPU Cores<\/td> Quad-core 2.3 GHz (up to 3.8 GHz)<\/td><\/tr> Memory<\/strong><\/td> 16 GB DDR4 (upgradable to 32 GB)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Drive Bays<\/td> 4 (with 9211-4i SAS card)<\/td><\/tr> Max Capacity<\/strong><\/td> 64 TB<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Network Ports<\/td> WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0<\/td><\/tr> USB Ports<\/td> 4 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0<\/td><\/tr> TDP<\/strong><\/td> 28 watts<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Obviously, your build may vary, but, basically, you just need a mini pc with at least one USB port, and one M.2 2280 slot<\/strong>. That’s… probably almost everything from Intel 6th generation onwards, honestly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Even some of the most power efficient desktop processors you could drop into a mini-itx case (i5-12400T) is $200 by itself, and has a TDP of 35 watts. Then you have to buy a motherboard on top of that… etc. Oof.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Here’s the Build Sheet Purchase List.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don’t worry there’s no affiliate links cause I hate money or something.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\nDescription<\/td> URL<\/td> Qty<\/td> Unit price<\/td> Total price<\/td><\/tr> 5.5 x 2.5 MM DC Power Jack Socket<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $8.00<\/td> $8.00<\/td><\/tr> 1 ft 5.5mm x 2.5mm 90 Degree Barrel Adapter<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $8.00<\/td> $8.00<\/td><\/tr> 12v to 19v Step Up Voltage Regulator [5A]<\/strong><\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $18.00<\/td> $18.00<\/td><\/tr> 12v 10A <\/strong>Power Supply [PC is 3A, Drives are 4A]<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $18.00<\/td> $18.00<\/td><\/tr> 4-pin MOLEX Male to 4X 15-pin SATA<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $6.49<\/td> $6.49<\/td><\/tr> 12V\/24V to 5V 15A <\/strong>Step Down Converter<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $10.00<\/td> $10.00<\/td><\/tr> SAS to SATA Breakout Cable<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $8.00<\/td> $8.00<\/td><\/tr> M.2 NGFF Adapter (comes with funny 12v 4 pin adapter)<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $8.54<\/td> $8.54<\/td><\/tr> DC Motor Speed Controller (Fan controller)<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $6.99<\/td> $6.99<\/td><\/tr> 32Pcs Lever Wire Connectors (For no-solder approach)<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $14.98<\/td> $14.98<\/td><\/tr> 92mm Fan<\/td> Whatever<\/td> 1<\/td> $10.00<\/td> $10.00<\/td><\/tr> SAS Card for 4 Drives (9211-4i with IT firmware, short version; H1110)<\/td> Link<\/a><\/td> 1<\/td> $20.00<\/td> $20.00<\/td><\/tr> A small amount of stranded wire. Steal it from a dead charging cable, whatever.<\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> $0.00<\/td><\/tr> Notes: If links go dead, just google the description and check the images to ensure its the same.<\/td> <\/td> <\/td> Subtotal<\/td> $137.00<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> Adjustments<\/td> $0.00<\/td><\/tr> <\/td> <\/td> Pretax<\/td> $137.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
- ??? Must be economical<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Must be economical<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-20_19-40-06-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-20_19-40-12-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-20_20-09-50-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-20_20-10-00-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-20_20-13-20-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-20_20-17-29-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_12-22-08-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-20_20-20-27-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_11-45-24-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_11-46-36-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_12-11-39-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_19-26-48-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_19-27-10-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_19-30-51-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_19-32-28-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_19-52-47-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_20-15-41-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_21-02-59-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_12-32-43-1-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_12-32-46-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_12-38-37-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_12-44-15-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_12-27-25-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_13-02-11-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_13-02-00-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_13-04-39-1-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_13-04-43-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_13-24-12-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_13-29-28-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_13-29-32-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_13-31-55-1-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_17-15-51-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_17-15-58-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_18-23-00-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_18-23-19-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackharvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025-02-21_18-32-47-1024x768.jpg\")