- How to make a windows 7 computer into a nas for mac install#
- How to make a windows 7 computer into a nas for mac upgrade#
- How to make a windows 7 computer into a nas for mac Pc#
We'd recommend starting with 1TB or 2TB mechanical drives, with a 250GB M.2 SSD if your budget can stretch for a more efficient system drive. Storage options depend on how much space you wish to use. Watch out for 12th Gen Intel boards as some are DDR4 and others will support DDR5.
How to make a windows 7 computer into a nas for mac upgrade#
Our motherboard in this collection has four slots, allowing us to upgrade the capacity to 32GB at a later date. Just make sure you're using RAM supported by the motherboard, and you're good to go. We selected a Crucial Vengeance 16GB kit that should be more than enough for most NAS-related tasks, including some streaming. When it comes to RAM in a NAS, you only really need to pay attention to speed and capacity.
How to make a windows 7 computer into a nas for mac install#
If you want to connect eight drives to this motherboard, you can install two PCIe expansion cards with additional SATA ports, or spend a little more and get a better-equipped motherboard. The case is compact enough that we can get away with a microATX board, allowing us to have multiple PCIe slots, four RAM DIMM slots, M.2 slots, and four SATA ports. Since we're going with a Core i5-12600K, we needed a 12th Gen motherboard, and the ASUS Prime Z690M-Plus D4 fits the bill nicely. You also won't require anything more than 500W, so this PSU should be good for future upgrades and builds with a dedicated GPU. For our NAS build, we'll be relying on not only the reliability that comes with the certification and branding but also the modular cabling that will help avoid clutter inside the small case.
How to make a windows 7 computer into a nas for mac Pc#
Power supplyĮVGA's 500W GD power supply is an excellent unit for any PC with an 80 Plus Gold certification and backed by a plethora of positive reviews. With this chip, we've not only got Intel's latest integrated GPU but also a configuration of performance and efficient cores for better overall system performance per watt. 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.
Here are some of the advantages when it comes to building your own NAS setup: Still, if you'd rather have a fun project to be tasked with or wish to configure your own system (more ideal for streaming and various demanding tasks), then it's possible to create your own NAS. For pre-built enclosures, we took a look at the best NAS for Plex for running Plex Media Server. It can sometimes work out cheaper to go it alone. It's possible to purchase a pre-built NAS, but the prices can get out of hand, depending on requirements and features. While it's simply a storage device that's attached to your home or office network, a NAS allows for all connected devices with correct permissions set to access files on internal drives, as well as installed services and apps. Why you should buy a NAS is largely due to its capabilities. Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central)