If you’re in the market for a new storage device, NAS is a great option!
A network-attached system, or NAS, is a data storage device that connects to your home or business network via a wireless router. The advantage of a NAS is that it can be used by several users simultaneously to store and retrieve files.
It can help you share and back up office files. Another advantage of a NAS is its high-speed storage. A NAS device has many advantages over a standalone hard drive. In terms of speed, it’s faster and more reliable than a standard hard drive. It’s also easier to manage and recover data, and it can be accessed by multiple users. In addition, a NAS provides a centralized location for data management and storage.
These systems offer a wide range of features and options, so finding the right one can make your life easier. However, instead of buying a NAS system, you can build one at your home.
There are several benefits of building your own NAS. It can be customized to fit your needs. In addition, you can use it on multiple devices on your network without the need to plug it in. Compared to buying a pre-made NAS, you can customize it to meet your storage requirements. For example, you can add a second or third drive after you’ve filled the first two. Moreover, you can adjust the capacity as your needs increase.
Besides the cost savings, you can choose a system that will work well with your existing computer. You can also use a DIY approach to build your own NAS. However, in order to build a NAS system, you need a good motherboard. It is the central component of the system where data processing takes place.
Here, we are going to take a look at some of the best motherboards for NAS. We will review all the motherboards so that you can select the best one as per your requirement. Each of the devices listed here has been selected, keeping the perfect balance of power, performance, chipset, socket and ports in mind.
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 best motherboards for NAS in 2023!
Best Overall
Runner Up
Budget Pick
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How Do I Choose A NAS Motherboard?
If you’re looking for a new NAS server, it’s important to select a quality motherboard for your new system. This will help you save money and improve your user experience.
If you’re building a NAS from scratch, you should ensure the motherboard has enough memory for heavy usage. A good NAS motherboard should have plenty of RAM. Make sure to check the number of RAM slots and SATA connectors to ensure that you can fit as many hard drives as you need.
The motherboard should have multiple SATA and/or M.2 ports to make it easier to connect multiple devices. A high-end motherboard should have many SATA and M.2 SSD ports. In addition to RAM, you should be able to connect to external displays using HDMI, USB, and SATA.
Apart from storage slots and ports, you need to consider other factors like form factor, cooling mechanism and socket of the motherboard. It will help you to select the best motherboard for building your own NAS.
How Much RAM Does A NAS Need?
RAM is a significant component of a NAS, but it’s not the only consideration. While 512MB is plenty for personal use, you may wish to get more, especially if you’re planning on using the NAS for multiple computers.
Depending on your budget, you can choose from many different models with varying RAM specifications. The higher the RAM, the better. More RAM is also better for running multiple applications and software, as it makes a NAS server faster.
The size of your database is a critical consideration. Usually, you need at least 2GB of RAM to run your software. However, you can use NAS with 4GB RAM or 8GB RAM for commercial use. NAS systems don’t need much power so. You don’t need to invest in more than 8GB RAM.
1. GIGABYTE C246-WU4 – Best Overall
GIGABYTE C246-WU4 is overall the best motherboard for building a NAS system. Unlike some other server motherboards, the C246-WU4 comes with dual M.2 connectors, which gives you more upgradability for SSD devices and the ideal storage solution in RAID modes. Its dual M.2 ports and a wide range of expansion options make it an excellent choice for your server.
The C246-WU4 has 10 SATA3 ports, which offer better upgradability for SSD devices. The dual M.2 connectors allow for up to 32GB/s transfer speed, making it a perfect storage solution. The GIGABYTE C246-U4 server motherboard supports a dual Intel server, i.e., Intel Celeron and Intel Pentium.
With a socket LGA1151 and ATX form factor, the C246-WU4 motherboard supports dual channel RAM with ECC support. It also offers high-speed memory management with vPro enterprise features, ensuring fast and stable system performance.
The GIGABYTE C246-U4 server motherboard supports a dual-GPU configuration for maximum GPU computing power. Its SATA3 ports support up to 6GB/s, and dual-M.2 connectors can support up to 32Gb/s. Furthermore, the C246-WU4 has a legacy PS2 port for peripherals.
The C246-WU4 is a very capable server motherboard. This is a very powerful and versatile piece of hardware that can meet the needs of any business. With the price range, it is the best motherboard for NAS in 2023.
Why Is This The Best Motherboard For NAS In 2023?
The GIGABYTE C246-WU4 server motherboard offers the highest SATA bandwidth per board. It has ten SATA3 ports and two M2 slots, and it supports up to 32Gb/s transfer speed. It can easily run processors like Intel Core, Pentium, and Celeron. This makes it an excellent choice for NAS. With all of these features, you’ll be able to build the ideal server for NAS.
The Gigabyte C246-WU4 has the most storage slots of any server motherboard. This motherboard is suitable for both portable and stationary NAS systems, and its compact size makes it easy to transport.
Moreover, the GIGABYTE C246-WU4 offers many features to help you run your NAS with a high-quality server. It also supports more than 128 GB of DDR4 memory. It also comes with a GB LAN port, two M2 slots, and an LGA1151 processor socket. The GIGABYTE C246-mi-WU4 is a great choice for NAS.
Its features include dual M.2 interfaces, upgradability to SSD devices, and RAID mode support for up to 12 storage devices. Besides being highly reliable and a good value, it is also a powerful and affordable NAS server.
Its dual-channel support for NAS and other devices is a big plus. Despite being an older motherboard, it offers numerous ports and is compatible with AMD Ryzen 2000/3000 series processors. Its socket LGA1151 form factor is ideal for NAS systems.
2. ASRock X570 Pro 4 Motherboard – Runner Up
The ASRock X570 Pro 4 Motherboard is a gaming motherboard at an affordable price. It comes with an ATX form factor and AMD X570 chipset. This board supports AMD AM4 Socket Ryzen.
The X570 Pro 4 is equipped with four PCIe 2.0 slots that allow you to connect different components like graphics cards or SSDs to the motherboard. Each slot has a lane, and the more lanes it has, the faster the data can transfer. The X570 Pro 4 also supports DDR4 64GB memory and offers a maximum capacity of 128 GB.
Hyper M. 2 is the new standard for PCIe Gen4 x 4 SSDs, and the motherboard’s massive full-coverage M.2 heatsink is well suited to ensuring the highest speeds are achieved with these high-speed devices. As with its predecessor, the X570 Pro 4 is also designed to support next-generation PCIe Gen4 x 4 graphics cards.
The ASRock X570 Pro 4 has two PCIe 4.0 x1 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, and four USB 3.1 G1 Type-A slots. It also has M.2 Key E, HDMI and DisplayPort video output. The motherboard also has eight SATA ports and a Gigabit LAN port. In addition to these, it supports AMD AM4 Socket Ryzen. 2000 and 3000 Series processors.
The X570 Pro 4 features a high-performance AMD X570 chipset and is compatible with AMD’s most popular CPUs. The motherboard’s high-performance graphics card and CPU features allow for smooth power delivery. The RAM supports DDR4 memory and DDR3 interfaces, which makes it a high-performance gaming experience.
3. ASUS PRIME A520M-K AMD AM4 Motherboard – Budget Pick
If you are looking for the best motherboard for AMD AM4 processors, you should look at the ASUS PRIME A520M-K. This barebones AMD AM4 board boasts a comprehensive cooling system and robust power design, while its intelligent tuning options provide advanced performance settings via intuitive software and firmware. It is one of the best and most affordable boards for NAS.
The Digi+ voltage-regulator module offers real-time control of voltage droop, automatic switching of frequency and power-efficiency settings, and fine-tuning of the CPU. The comprehensive cooling controls and Fan Xpert software provide optimal cooling for the CPU and motherboard. These features make the PRIME A520M-K a great choice for budget-conscious PC enthusiasts.
This motherboard supports 3rd generation AMD AM4 processors. It supports two DDR4 memory slots and two PCI-E 3.0 expansion slots. The board also features 4 SATA ports (up to 6GB/s) and 1 x M.2 slot. It has a range of flexible transfer options, with a data-transfer rate of up to 32Gbps. It also supports an M.2 slot with x4 PCI Express 3.0 bandwidth.
The A520M-K motherboard supports AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, including the new Ryzen 5 CPU. While the new processors are a little bit more expensive than their predecessors, it’s hard to go wrong with the A520M-K. This motherboard is an excellent choice for AMD AM4 gaming.
The Prime A520M-K AMD AM4 Mother-Board is a good choice for gaming. The TUF Gaming A520M has the best price, but it lacks many features. Its WiFi and DisplayPort are important for gamers. In addition to the great price, the PRIME A520M-K is also a good choice for a budget computer. On top of that, you will get 1GB of memory storage with this board.
4. ASUS Prime B450M-A II AMD AM4 Motherboard
The ASUS Prime B450M-A II Series motherboards are the best choice for people who want a solid base for their first build but also have the flexibility to expand as their builds grow. This board is perfect for anyone who wants a great foundation for their first build but is not too expensive.
The ASUS Prime B450M-A II series motherboards offer solid foundations for a beginner, with the flexibility to expand. It features Socket AM4 and is compatible with various gaming devices. You will get 128GB DDR4 memory with this board which is enough for NAS. It is compatible with AMD 1st Generation Ryzen. With an AMD B450 chipset, this motherboard offers decent performance. The motherboard’s AI noise cancellation technology makes it perfect for gaming.
Unlike most other motherboards, the ASUS Prime B450M-A II Series motherboards offer an incredible amount of flexibility. You can also install the latest BIOS updates via the integrated Intel driver update utility. This board offers 2400 MHz memory speed to store data quickly. It is compatible with Windows 10 and comes with 128 GB of memory storage. This board features an excellent cooling mechanism with Fan Xpert 2.
The ASUS Prime B450M-A II is an AMD AM4 Motherboard. It supports Ryzen processors. It also features a number of connectivity ports options like USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 Gb Ethernet, etc. It has a micro ATX form factor and comes with SATA 6 Gbps and M.2 support.
5. ASUS TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II AMD AM4 Motherboard
The TUF Gaming B450-Plus II ATX Gaming Motherboard is an AMD B450 chipset motherboard with an AM4 socket. It is a great choice for gaming and building NAS. This motherboard features the latest ASUS TUF Series fanless technology. It is the perfect choice for gamers who are looking for a high-quality motherboard.
The TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II delivers a complete high-end gaming experience. It supports ultrafast networking, pristine audio, onboard RGB lighting, and a high-end gaming experience. It is equipped with a dedicated AI Noise-Canceling Microphone, which supports 3.5 mm headsets. It utilizes an advanced deep-learning database to preserve voice and eliminate keyboard clatter.
The TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II is equipped with an ultrafast networking interface. The high-speed networking and pristine audio make this motherboard an ideal match for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Processors. As an ATX board, the TUF Gaming B450-PLUS II is a full-sized ATX motherboard with a DDR4- 4400 memory bus. The TUF B450M-PLUS II has four memory slots, each capable of supporting up to 128GB of DDR4 memory. There are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connectors.
The ASUS TUF Gaming B450M-PLUS II AMD AM4 Motherboard is a great choice for gamers. It comes with 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports and 2x M.2 PCIe ports. It is also compatible with AMD 1st Generation Ryzen processors. All these features make it perfect for NAS.
How to Choose the Best Motherboard for NAS?
When it comes to building a NAS, you need to consider various factors to choose the best motherboard for the system. It will help you to build a powerful and secure storage system.
Processor
The first thing to consider is the processor. The processors in a motherboard are important for your NAS. Many NAS boards feature a single processor, and you will want one that can run both an Intel and AMD core. You should make sure the chipset is compatible with your CPU. You can go with AMD Ryzen 2 or Intel Core i3 processors.
Form Factor
Another important thing to consider when purchasing a motherboard for a NAS is the form factor. The form factor is also crucial for the connectivity options you’ll need. The form factor will determine if the motherboard will fit in the cabinet you’re planning to build. It will also determine how many memory slots the motherboard supports.
Socket
Before you begin purchasing a motherboard, it’s vital that you check the socket in it. A motherboard with the right socket for the CPU is essential if you plan on using the same CPU for more than one device.
This means choosing a CPU that has the same socket on both the motherboard and the CPU. You can check this by looking at the processor’s specifications or by looking at the specifications of the CPU.
RAM
The next thing to check when building a NAS is the amount of RAM in the motherboard. You’ll need enough memory for your NAS to be functional. Although most computers do not use their memory for storage, a NAS has to handle lots of users at once.
Moreover, it should be able to access large amounts of data. Therefore, the amount of RAM is a major consideration when choosing a motherboard. You can go with 4GB or 8GB RAM.
Storage Ports
In terms of storage options, a motherboard for a NAS should offer a wide range of storage options. A motherboard with a lot of SATA and M.2 SSD connectors is a good choice. The best NAS motherboards will be able to support storage devices. These types of motherboards will come with the most storage ports.
Networking System
The motherboard should also have a good networking system. The networking system is critical to the success of a NAS system, and a good motherboard will ensure that the network is reliable and fast. The motherboard provides both network and hardware connections to other components, so a good networking system is essential for any NAS.
Cooling Mechanism
In addition, the cooling system is important for the NAS system. A poor motherboard cooling system can lead to the failure of the entire system. For this reason, you should take the time to choose the best motherboard for your NAS. Some cases have different cooling mechanisms for motherboards.
Ports
A motherboard for a NAS should have multiple connectivity options, including USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and audio ports. It should be compatible with a wide variety of devices and be up to date. Look for physical connectors, too, and be sure that the motherboard supports the latest versions. Wireless connectivity is a great option for NAS.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for additional storage space, it is best to invest in a decent NAS system. However, you can save a lot of money and enjoy customization options when you build one at home. To build a NAS system, you need to buy a good motherboard. In this post, we have reviewed the top 5 best motherboards for NAS in 2023.
All these boards offer excellent storage, connectivity options and great performance. You can select any of these models as per your budget. While we tried to pick only the best options, we plan to update this page regularly as better models launch. If you think we missed something or want to suggest anything, do let us know by commenting below!
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