I Replaced My Synology NAS with a Custom-Built Proxmox Server
When I first got my Synology NAS years ago, it was mainly for storing work images and media for Plex. It wasn't meant to become a home lab, but over time it evolved into one. Eventually, it was running too many tasks at once and started failing at all of them.
Building a custom server has always been part of my plan for home lab experimentation, and now was the right time to make the switch. The NAS will return to its original role as an archive storage device, while the new server will handle more demanding workloads.
"The only thing slightly surprising to me is that it took so long to realize that my needs had changed and something had to be done about it."
About This Upgrade
The hardware for this upgrade was provided by SilverStone, Asus, and Kingston. None of these companies reviewed the article or influenced its content.
Why the Change?
- My home lab demands have outgrown what the Synology NAS and mini PC can support.
- The mini PC has just 12GB of RAM, which can't be upgraded.
- The NAS enclosure may support up to 64GB RAM, but it lacks a GPU for accelerating workloads.
- Drive bay capacity on the NAS is maxed out.
While certain issues with the company's devices pushed me to act faster, the decision had been developing for some time.
"The simple fact is that my home lab needs have outgrown the available resources on my Synology NAS or on my mini PC."
Author's summary: Upgrading to a custom-built Proxmox server gave me the performance and flexibility my Synology NAS couldn't provide, streamlining my home lab and data management.