NAS
Built in September 2014, running XPenology DSM on custom hardware. A modest build, but one of the best projects I've ever done. It's been part of every project since, holding FPV videos, cosplay pictures, and pretty much every memory worth keeping
in service and counting
Current specs
Timeline
Key events and upgrades
2026
Still running
Still running strong, with a few repairs and upgrades along the way
Mar 2026
Drive cooling upgrade
Upgraded from 2× Noctua NF-S12A ULN to 2× NF-A12x25 FLX. Lowered average drive temps from ~35°C to ~30°C, about 14% cooler
Mar 2026
Drive #3 replacement
After 8 years of service, drive #3 failed. Replaced with a WD Red Plus 6TB
Jul 2024
Drive #5
Added a fifth WD Red 6TB, bringing total usable space to ~24TB
Aug 2023
Drive #4
Added a fourth WD Red 6TB, bringing total usable space to ~18TB
Jul 2023
Boot drive replacement
Swapped the original SanDisk Cruzer Fit 8GB for a SanDisk Ultra Fit 16GB
Mar 2023
SATA expansion card
The motherboard only has 4× SATA III ports. Added a PCIe Gen3 x4 5-port SATA III card, bringing total to 9, supporting up to 8 hot-swap drives + 1 cache
Feb 2023
Drive #1 replacement
Drive #1 failed and was replaced with the same WD Red Plus 6TB
Feb 2023
CPU upgrade
Swapped the i3-4130 for an i7-4770S. For just 11W more TDP, I gained ~15% in single-core and ~2x multi-core performance, while keeping the same cooler
Feb 2020
UPS battery replacement
The APC Pro 550 battery, after 6 years of honorable service, had to be replaced
Jan 2018
Drive #2 replacement + Drive #3
Drive #2 started giving errors, replaced under WD warranty. Added a third WD Red Plus 6TB at the same time, bringing total usable space to ~12TB
Nov 2017
Fan upgrade
After 3 years of 24/7 spinning the stock Silverstone 120mm fan gave up. Replaced with a Noctua NF-S12A ULN, near silent, perfect airflow on the drives
Sep 2014
Initial build
Wanted more space for backups and media, plus Plex streaming on the local network. Went custom instead of stock Synology hardware, starting with 2× WD Red 6TB and ~6TB usable. Has been on 24/7 ever since