How to Build a NAS for Media Streaming and Backups

In an era where streaming services keep raising prices and cloud storage subscriptions eat into your monthly budget, building your own Network Attached Storage (NAS) is a smart move. A NAS gives you total control over your data. You become your own Netflix and your own Google Drive. Whether you want to stream 4K movies via Plex or ensure your family photos are safe from a hard drive crash, this guide covers two distinct paths: buying a pre-made Synology system or building a custom server with Unraid.

Path 1: The "It Just Works" Option (Synology)

If you are comfortable replacing a hard drive but do not want to assemble a computer from scratch, Synology is the industry standard. Their operating system, DiskStation Manager (DSM), is polished and user-friendly.

Choosing the Right Hardware

For media streaming and backups, you need a unit with an Intel processor. Intel chips include “QuickSync” technology, which is critical for transcoding video in Plex (converting video files on the fly to play on your phone or TV).

  • The 2-Bay Choice: The Synology DiskStation DS224+ is the current sweet spot for home users. It features an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core processor. It is powerful enough to run Plex and handle backups for multiple computers.
  • The 4-Bay Choice: If you need more storage space later, look at the DS423+. Avoid the DS923+ if your primary goal is Plex, as the DS923+ uses an AMD Ryzen chip that lacks the specific video transcoding hardware found in the Intel models.

Setting Up Synology

  1. Install Drives: Slide your hard drives into the trays and lock them in.
  2. Web Assistant: Connect the NAS to your router and visit find.synology.com in your browser.
  3. RAID Selection: Choose SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) during setup. Unlike traditional RAID, SHR allows you to mix and match hard drive sizes. If you start with two 4TB drives and add two 8TB drives later, SHR utilizes the space efficiently without forcing you to reformat.

Path 2: The Custom Builder Option (Unraid)

If you have old PC parts lying around or want maximum power for the lowest price, building a custom server running Unraid is the superior choice. Unraid is an operating system that runs from a USB stick and is famous for its ability to easily expand storage.

You do not need a high-end gaming PC. In fact, you want low-power components to keep your electric bill down.

  • CPU: The Intel Core i3-12100 or i5-13500 are incredible value kings for NAS builds. Their integrated UHD 730⁄770 graphics can handle multiple simultaneous 4K streams.
  • Motherboard: Any B660 or B760 motherboard with at least 4 SATA ports.
  • Case: The Fractal Design Node 804 is a favorite among NAS builders because it holds up to 10 hard drives and has excellent airflow. For a smaller footprint, the Jonsbo N1 is a sleek Mini-ITX option.
  • RAM: Aim for 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Unraid runs the OS in RAM, so having overhead is helpful for running Docker containers.

Understanding Unraid Pricing and Parity

Unraid recently shifted to a hybrid pricing model. You can choose between a subscription-based “Starter” or “Unleashed” license, or opt for a Lifetime license.

The magic of Unraid is the Parity Drive. You assign your largest hard drive as the “parity” drive. If any other drive in your system fails, the parity drive can rebuild the missing data. This means if you have four data drives and one parity drive, you can lose any one drive without losing a single file.

The Heart of the Build: Hard Drives

Whether you choose Synology or Unraid, the hard drives you buy matter more than the case they sit in.

NAS-Rated Drives Only

Do not buy standard desktop drives like the WD Blue or Seagate Barracuda. They are not designed to vibrate alongside other drives 24⁄7. You need NAS-rated drives designed for continuous operation.

  • Top Picks: Seagate IronWolf Pro or Western Digital Red Plus.
  • Critical Warning: Ensure you buy drives that use CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording) technology. Avoid drives labeled SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording), as they have very slow write speeds and can cause RAID arrays to fail during a rebuild. The “WD Red” (non-Plus) is often SMR, while the “WD Red Plus” is CMR.

The SSD Cache

You should install at least one NVMe SSD (like a Samsung 970 EVO Plus or WD Black SN770). This drive will not store your movies. Instead, it holds your “app data” (Plex metadata, thumbnails, database files). This ensures that when you scroll through your library on your TV, the posters load instantly rather than lagging while waiting for mechanical hard drives to spin up.

Software Configuration

Media Streaming (Plex/Jellyfin)

Once your hardware is running, you will install media server software using Docker containers.

  • Plex: The most popular option with the best interface. Note that to use hardware transcoding (which saves your CPU from hitting 100% usage), you need a Plex Pass subscription.
  • Jellyfin: A completely free, open-source alternative. It does not look quite as polished as Plex, but it offers hardware transcoding for free and has no subscription fees.

Automated Backups

A NAS is not just for fun; it protects your digital life.

  • PC/Mac Backup: Synology has a free tool called Synology Drive Client that works like Dropbox, syncing files in real-time. For macOS users, both Synology and Unraid support Time Machine natively over the network.
  • The 3-2-1 Rule: A NAS is not a complete backup if a fire destroys your house. You must back up the NAS itself. Use an app like Hyper Backup (Synology) or Duplicacy (Unraid) to encrypt and upload your most critical documents to a cloud service like Backblaze B2 or AWS S3 Glacier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unraid free? No. Unraid offers a free trial, but you must purchase a license to use it long-term. As of 2024, they offer both subscription and lifetime purchase options.

Can I mix different hard drive brands? Yes. Both Synology (using SHR) and Unraid allow you to mix brands and speeds (5400RPM vs 7200RPM). However, in Unraid, your parity drive must be equal to or larger than your largest data drive.

How much noise does a NAS make? The fans are usually quiet, but enterprise hard drives (like 10TB+ IronWolf Pro models) make a distinct “clicking” or “thumping” sound when reading data. It is best to place the NAS in a closet, basement, or a room where you do not sleep.

Do I need a GPU for my NAS? For most users, no. Modern Intel processors (8th Gen and newer) have integrated graphics capable of handling media transcoding. You only need a dedicated GPU (like an NVIDIA Quadro) if you are running a very old CPU or doing heavy AI processing.