Lolight

Are you upgrading your Unraid machine (PLEX server) that currently doesn't transcode? What's your client setup?

I think it would be better for your use case and probably cheaper overall to buy brand new parts. The i9 10900 is a good CPU If you really need those cores to use with VMs but it doesn't sound if you plan on doing that. The MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE motherboard is not an optimal board for a NAS. Even though it comes with 6 SATA ports and a pair of M.2 slots, you'll only be able to add a single nVME SSD. If you populate the second M.2 slot with a SSD (either SATA or PCIe) it will disable 2 out of available 6 SATA ports. There are readily available new, relatively cheap ATX motherboards that don't have that limitation, also come with 8 onboard SATA ports. One of those could be paired with a cheap i3-12100 CPU that should offer more than enough of processing power for your needs. Try to keep it simple - don't use any of the add-on cards unless absolutely necessary, especially when you can easily reduce the number of required SATA ports by replacing those currently used 2TB HDDs with a single drive of the much higher capacity. https://pcpartpicker.com/list/

Precisely. AMD is generally more efficient specifically in gaming as in FPS per Watt and production benchmarks but it has zero relevance to an average user of a home NAS where efficiency at idle is the most important factor.

Yep, the usual way it's done in other forums. @SpencerJ Is there a particular reason(s) not to do the same over here?

I have deleted my response since at the time of writing I wasn't aware of @bluewater comment in another thread saying that a DIY system is not an option.

You'll have to take the card out and install it in a windows machine as per @PhilBarker instructions: Then run the windows executable RomUpdWin.exe found in the downloaded firmware update folder. https://docs.phil-barker.com/posts/upgrading-ASM1166-firmware-for-unraid/

Why not to do it the common, simple way (big case/motherboard, on-board SATA)? You don't need to go mobile to get power efficiency.

Maybe it would be a better choice to switch to a desktop cpu based system? Why do you insist on the N100?

https://docs.phil-barker.com/posts/upgrading-ASM1166-firmware-for-unraid/ Newest firmware download: https://www.silverstonetek.com/en/product/info/expansion-cards/ECS06/

Sorry, I'm probably too thick to understand your point but I still don't get it. Why do you compare the 6th-7th gen processors to the still current N100? Comparable costs? I'd suggest that you check the prices then. And then in the very same post mention the Matt Gadient's build as an example of a very powerful yet super-efficient at idle (even more efficient than the N100 examples) 6-core i5-12400? Basically validating my point that it's a prevalent mis-conception that if the goal is to save on electricity by building a very efficient NAS then the only option is to use a "low power" embedded/mobile SKU like the N100.

The "F" CPUs have no iGPUs - so no QuickSync there. Don't see anything wrong with the motherboard.

Correct, Intel's Quick Sync is a default choice for transcoding. If just direct-playing then it doesn't really matter but overall Intel is still considered to be a more stable and efficient platform for a NAS. https://de.pcpartpicker.com/list/ Regarding the USB stick - please be aware of fakes. It's usually recommended to choose a USB 2.0 part. It's a long thread but I'd advise to read till the end.

A nice report! You can only use a single NVMe SSD since there is only one compatible M.2 (Key M) slot. Yes this board should be compatible with Unraid and you could utilize onboard SATA ports.

Low powered as in more efficient? Those are two different things. Low TDP CPUs are specifically designed to be implemented in small-factor systems with heat dissipation constraints. They don't have much (if any) additional efficiency built in them when compared to other CPUs within the same generational design. As in Effeciency - energy used for the same amount of calculations.

I don't quite understand the premise of this thread. What do you mean by saying a low-power NAS? If you mean overall power efficiency then all other things being equal, there's very little difference between the ultra low TDP CPUs and their more common brethren within the same generation. In addition, a "regular" say 60W TDP CPU might actually be a more efficient solution overall.

I really don't want to get into an argument since it will lead to hijacking of this tread by an unrelated topic... I'd suggest creating another thread if you'd like to discuss it.

Yeah, it's an outdated but still a surprisingly common mis-conception that the HDDs build quality and ultimately reliability can be judged by its communication interface.

Actually those Transcend JetFlash drives used to be a "familiar" brand back in the day. Just about every legit USB drive manufacturer does include a unique GUID with each manufactured USB stick. A case of a non-unique GUID is normally a clear indication of a counterfeited product. And that was a reason for my question on the nature of @Zonediver doubts. IMO any USB drive made by a lesser known but legit brand, particularly when purchased online would be a significantly safer bet in comparison to any "famous" brand since those are the once that are normally targeted by counterfeiters.

What is it about that stick that made you question its GUID? Just wondering...

Are those Asrock motherboards?

Modern CPUs are super-efficient at managing their power consumption. Just make sure to enable all power saving settings in the BIOS. Be aware of fakes. It's normally suggested to get a USB 2.0 drive - they tend to run cooler.

If you're willing to spend that kind of money then why not.. But IMHO, it's unnecessary since it won't make your NAS any better than a significantly cheaper system.

No need for Supermicro... Any consumer motherboards of the well-known brands should be fine. Not every motherboard comes with the up to date BIOS, therefore the 12th Gen CPUs might be a better choice - no need for the BIOS update to make it compatible with the 13th gen. https://pcpartpicker.com/list/

You don't need to transcode if your device(s) is capable of direct play. Nvidia shield should be able to direct-play anything. For the devices that are not direct-play capable Emby premier will do that on your processor's iGPU.

The Linux kernel is aware of e-cores and should be able to utilize them. Sorry, don't have any specific info.