I Replaced My Synology NAS with a Custom-Built Proxmox Server
It was time to take back control of my data. When I first started using a Synology NAS years ago, it served primarily as storage for work-related image files and media for Plex. The device was never intended to become a full home lab, but over time it evolved into one. Eventually, it tried to run too many tasks simultaneously and failed at all of them.
Building a custom server has always been part of my home lab plan, and now was the moment to make it happen. The NAS will return to its original role of archiving files, while the new server manages more demanding workloads.
Reasons for the Change
It surprised me that it took so long to realize my needs had changed and that action was necessary. This transition had been in the works for a while, partly due to limitations in my existing equipment:
- The mini PC is restricted to 12GB of non-upgradeable RAM.
- The Synology NAS enclosure supports up to 64GB of RAM, but it doesn't allow GPU usage for hardware acceleration.
- All available drive bays in the NAS had already been occupied.
"While the company's missteps certainly hastened this decision, it's been brewing for a while."
About This Build
Hardware contributions were made by SilverStone, Asus, and Kingston for this article. These companies had no editorial input and did not review the content before publication.
Summary
This upgrade reflects how evolving demands can outpace consumer NAS devices, making custom-built servers a better fit for advanced home labs.
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