Buying Guide
The Best Mini PCs for NAS Builds: Our Picks
We looked at 5 mini PCs for NAS builds side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
9 min read5 products evaluated
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2 or SATA drives a specific chassis actually supports and whether they share bandwidth, rather than assuming any mini PC with 'storage expansion' handles a genuine multi-drive NAS array well.
Sustained file-transfer throughput under real network load, not a short burst benchmark, is what actually matters for NAS use, worth checking reviews specifically for sustained transfer speed reports across a full large-file copy rather than trusting a brief speed test.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Purpose-Built NAS Mini PC Overall
MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage, AMD Ryzen 7 255 (8C/16T) CPU
Buyers wanting a purpose-built multi-drive NAS chassis rather than a repurposed mini PC
Our take Check price for MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage, AMD Ryzen 7 255 (8C/16T) CPU (opens in a new tab)
Best Value NAS-Capable Pick
GMKtec G11 Mini PC Ryzen Embedded R2514 16GB DDR4 RAM 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD
Budget-conscious buyers building a lighter NAS setup with external or network-attached drives
Our take Check price for GMKtec G11 Mini PC Ryzen Embedded R2514 16GB DDR4 RAM 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD (opens in a new tab)
Best General-Purpose Pick for NAS Use
BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Gaming, Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM 1TB PCIe3.0 SSD
Buyers building a software-defined NAS using external drive enclosures
Our take Check price for BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Gaming, Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM 1TB PCIe3.0 SSD (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget General-Purpose Pick for NAS
BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe SSD
Budget-conscious buyers wanting a proven general-purpose base for a software-defined NAS
Our take Check price for BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe SSD (opens in a new tab)
Best High-Throughput Pick for NAS Use
GMKtec Gaming Mini PC Ryzen 7640HS (Beats 6800H/6800U) 16GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD Dual NIC
Buyers wanting dual NIC bonding for faster sustained NAS file-transfer throughput
Our take Check price for GMKtec Gaming Mini PC Ryzen 7640HS (Beats 6800H/6800U) 16GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD Dual NIC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Purpose-Built NAS Mini PC Overall1 of 5
MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage, AMD Ryzen 7 255 (8C/16T) CPU on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A purpose-built 5-bay NAS chassis supporting up to 174TB total storage, appropriate for buyers wanting a real multi-drive NAS array rather than a repurposed general-use mini PC.
Best for
- Buyers wanting a purpose-built multi-drive NAS chassis rather than a repurposed mini PC
Why we like it
2 SSD for one main reason. Purpose-built 5-bay NAS chassis, not a repurposed general mini PC. 2 SSD, which is worth weighing if cost is your deciding factor between the two.
On the other side, Drives themselves are a significant additional cost.
Key dimensions & specs
- 5-bay NAS chassis, up to 174TB
- AMD Ryzen 7 255, 8C/16T
- Purpose-built NAS design
- Premium price point
Pros
- purpose-built 5-bay NAS chassis, not a repurposed general mini PC
- 8-core, 16-thread processor for RAID and file service headroom
- Supports genuine multi-drive array up to 174TB
- Explicit NAS-focused design
Cons
- Premium price reflecting the purpose-built NAS chassis
- Verify current review data given this is a newer listing
- Drives themselves are a significant additional cost
Best Value NAS-Capable Pick2 of 5
GMKtec G11 Mini PC Ryzen Embedded R2514 16GB DDR4 RAM 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A low-power embedded chip appropriate for buyers wanting to build a lighter NAS setup using external USB or network-attached drives rather than internal bays.
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers building a lighter NAS setup with external or network-attached drives
Why we like it
On the other side, 256GB internal SSD is modest for the OS and cache alone.
Key dimensions & specs
- AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD
- Low-power design
Pros
- low-power embedded chip suited to always-on NAS operation
- low-cost price for a NAS-adjacent build
- 16GB RAM covers typical file-serving needs
- Good option for external-drive-based NAS setups
Cons
- Verify internal storage expansion options for a true multi-drive array
- 256GB internal SSD is modest for the OS and cache alone
Best General-Purpose Pick for NAS Use3 of 5
BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Gaming, Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM 1TB PCIe3.0 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A well-reviewed general-purpose mini PC appropriate for buyers building a software-defined NAS using external drive enclosures rather than internal bays.
Best for
- Buyers building a software-defined NAS using external drive enclosures
Why we like it
On the other side, Not purpose-built for NAS use specifically.
Key dimensions & specs
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
- 16GB RAM
- 1TB PCIe SSD
- High review rating
Pros
- 1TB internal SSD gives real headroom for OS and cache
- Efficient U-class chip appropriate for always-on operation
- Good value for a software-defined NAS build
Cons
- No internal multi-drive bays, requires external enclosures for a true NAS array
- Verify sustained file-transfer throughput through current reviews
- Not purpose-built for NAS use specifically
Best Budget General-Purpose Pick for NAS4 of 5
BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The real tradeoff against that pick: No internal multi-drive bays, requires external enclosures.
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers wanting a proven general-purpose base for a software-defined NAS
Why we like it
On the other side, Not purpose-built for NAS use specifically.
Key dimensions & specs
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB PCIe SSD
Pros
- Efficient U-class chip for always-on operation
- 1TB internal SSD for OS, cache, and metadata
- Reasonable price for the spec combination
Cons
- No internal multi-drive bays, requires external enclosures
- Not purpose-built for NAS use specifically
Best High-Throughput Pick for NAS Use5 of 5
GMKtec Gaming Mini PC Ryzen 7640HS (Beats 6800H/6800U) 16GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD Dual NIC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
On the other side, Higher price than the most budget-focused picks.
Best for
- Buyers wanting dual NIC bonding for faster sustained NAS file-transfer throughput
Key dimensions & specs
- AMD Ryzen 7640HS (HS-class)
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
- 512GB NVMe SSD
- Dual NIC networking
Pros
- Dual NIC networking useful for bonding and faster sustained throughput
- Fast DDR5 RAM and NVMe storage for responsive NAS software
- Genuine HS-class chip for stronger sustained performance
Cons
- No internal multi-drive bays, requires external enclosures for a true NAS array
- HS-class chip draws more idle power than a dedicated efficient chip
- Higher price than the most budget-focused picks
How We Chose These Mini PCs for NAS Builds
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Storage topology verified over processor speed alone
- Verified exactly how many drives a specific chassis supports and whether they share bandwidth, rather than assuming any mini PC with expansion handles a genuine multi-drive NAS well.
- Sustained file-transfer throughput weighted over burst benchmarks
- Weighted sustained file-transfer throughput under real network load more heavily than a short burst speed test.
- Purpose-built NAS chassis distinguished from repurposed general mini PCs
- Distinguished purpose-built multi-bay NAS chassis from general-purpose mini PCs repurposed for software-defined NAS with external enclosures.
- Dual NIC networking valued for bonding and link aggregation
- Valued genuine dual NIC networking for buyers wanting bonding or link aggregation for faster sustained NAS throughput.
What to Look for in a Mini PC for NAS Builds
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match RAM and storage to your actual workload, not just the headline spec
Mini PC listings often lead with a large RAM number like 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB, but the amount you actually need depends heavily on what you're running: basic web browsing and office work is comfortable at 8 to 16GB, while running multiple virtual machines, a Plex transcoding server, or memory-hungry emulation benefits from 32GB or more.
Buying far more RAM than your workload needs is simply wasted money, while buying too little means the system will lean on slower disk-based swap memory under load, causing real stuttering that a spec sheet number won't warn you about.
Check whether the RAM is soldered (fixed at purchase) or user-upgradeable via SO-DIMM slots, since a soldered configuration means you're locked into whatever capacity you buy today with no future upgrade path.
Understand what the CPU generation and core count actually mean for your use case
A mini PC's processor model number (like an Intel N100, N150, or a specific AMD Ryzen model) tells you its generation and general performance tier, but raw core count and clock speed matter less than how well that specific chip handles your actual workload, since a low-power efficiency chip like the N100 is fine for a home server or media player but will bottleneck video editing or modern gaming badly.
This distinction matters because two mini PCs can list similar-sounding specs while being built around completely different design goals, one optimized for low power draw and silence, the other for sustained performance under load.
Look up independent benchmark results for the exact CPU model rather than trusting a generic "powerful" or "fast" marketing description, since chip model numbers are the one spec that translates directly to comparable real-world performance data.
Check whether the mini PC includes dedicated graphics or relies on integrated graphics alone
Most mini PCs rely on integrated graphics built into the CPU itself, which handles everyday desktop use, video playback, and light gaming fine, but a genuine dedicated GPU or officially supported external GPU (EGPU) connection is a meaningfully different tier needed for serious gaming or GPU-accelerated video editing work.
This is a real distinguishing feature worth checking specifically, since "mini PC" as a category spans everything from a fanless office box with no gaming capability at all to a compact system that can be paired with an external GPU enclosure for near-desktop gaming performance.
If your use case involves gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks, check explicitly for a dedicated GPU or a confirmed Oculink/Thunderbolt EGPU connection rather than assuming any mini PC can be upgraded that way.
Confirm the exact port selection matches your real peripherals, not just the port count
A mini PC's small size means its port selection is fixed at purchase with essentially no room for internal expansion the way a desktop tower allows, so the specific mix of USB versions, display outputs, and networking ports listed matters far more here than on a full-size computer.
Check specifically for the number and type of display outputs if you run multiple monitors, since some budget mini PCs only support two displays despite having enough physical ports to suggest otherwise, and check for dual Ethernet ports specifically if you're planning a home server, router, or NAS build that benefits from network redundancy or link aggregation.
Count your actual peripherals and required display outputs against the listed ports before buying, since there's no expansion card slot to add what's missing later on most mini PC designs.
Weigh fanless passive cooling against active cooling for your noise and thermal tolerance
Mini PCs use either active cooling (an internal fan that spins up under load) or fully passive fanless cooling (relying entirely on the metal chassis itself to dissipate heat), and this choice is a genuine tradeoff rather than one being strictly better: fanless designs run completely silent and have no moving parts to fail, but they also throttle performance under sustained heavy load once the passive heatsink reaches its thermal limit, something an actively cooled system with a fan can sustain longer.
This matters concretely for anyone running a 24/7 home server or media server in a bedroom or living room, where fan noise is a real annoyance, versus anyone running sustained CPU-heavy workloads like video transcoding, where a fanless design may throttle noticeably during long jobs.
Check whether cooling is explicitly described as fanless/passive or fan-cooled/active, and match that to whether silence or sustained performance matters more for where this mini PC will actually live.
How to Choose a Mini PC for NAS Builds
| Recommended pick in this comparison | |
|---|---|
| Light everyday or office use | |
| MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage |
| BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe SSD | |
| No firm budget ceiling, prioritizing CPU or RAM | MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage |
Fanless (Passive) vs Actively Cooled
- Completely silent with no moving parts, at the cost of throttling under sustained heavy load. In this comparison: check each listing's cooling design directly.
- Sustains heavier workloads longer without throttling, at the cost of some fan noise under load. 2 SSD, BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Gaming.
Default to a fanless pick like MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage for a quiet home office or media setup, and step up to active cooling if you're running sustained CPU-heavy work.
By RAM and Storage Headroom
| Maximum RAM and storage headroom | MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage |
|---|
For GPU-Accelerated Work or Gaming Specifically
- A dedicated GPU or a confirmed Oculink/Thunderbolt EGPU connection explicitly stated in the listing, not just a generic "gaming capable" claim.
- No pick in this specific comparison explicitly confirms dedicated or external GPU support; check our EGPU-focused mini PC roundup if that's a hard requirement.
- You want what MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage offers: purpose-built 5-bay NAS chassis, not a repurposed general mini PC. That's a real functional upgrade over the budget picks here, not just a brand markup.
- 2 SSD already covers the essentials: low-power embedded chip suited to always-on NAS operation. The main thing you'd be paying extra for elsewhere in this list is headroom you may not need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a mini PC need internal drive bays for NAS use?
Not necessarily, a purpose-built NAS chassis has internal bays, but a general-purpose mini PC can also work as a NAS using external drive enclosures.
Does burst speed reflect real NAS transfer performance?
No, sustained file-transfer throughput under real network load during a full large-file copy matters more than a short burst benchmark.
Is dual NIC networking worth it for a NAS build?
Yes, if you want bonding or link aggregation for faster sustained throughput beyond what a single network connection supports.
Do I need a purpose-built NAS chassis or can I use a general mini PC?
It depends on your scale, a purpose-built multi-bay chassis suits a true drive array, a general mini PC with external enclosures suits a lighter setup.
Bottom Line
Best overall: MINISFORUM N5 Air 5-Bay Desktop NAS with up to 174TB Storage, AMD Ryzen 7 255 (8C/16T) CPU — best purpose-built nas mini pc overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all mini pcs for nas builds on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.