I kicked my Synology NAS to the curb and replaced it with a custom-built server running Proxmox and I should have done it sooner

Reclaiming Control of My Data

After years of relying on a Synology NAS primarily for storing image files, media for Plex, and work-related data, I realized it no longer met my needs. Originally not intended as a home lab, it gradually morphed into one, running too many processes simultaneously and failing to perform adequately.

Transition to a Custom Server

Building my own server has always been part of my plan for home lab experiments, and now I finally shifted to it. The NAS will focus solely on archiving files, while the new server will take over the heavy processing tasks.

Why the Change Took So Long

I’m surprised it took me this long to recognize that my requirements had evolved. My home lab now exceeds the capacities of my Synology NAS and mini PC, which is limited to 12GB of non-upgradable RAM. Although the NAS supports up to 64GB, it lacks GPU acceleration and drive bay space.

Hardware Contributions and Context
SilverStone, Asus, and Kingston contributed hardware for this setup. They did not review the content before publication or participate in its creation. While their missteps accelerated the decision, the need for an upgrade had been evident for some time.

Author's Summary

Transitioning from a Synology NAS to a custom server running Proxmox was necessary as my home lab's demands grew, allowing better resource management and workload handling.

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XDA XDA — 2025-11-02

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