Cheapest Way to Expand Storage on a Simple Home Server Mini PC

Bohlin on 03/10/2024 - 17:34

Howdy,

I recently picked up this mini MSI PC deal:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/866242

I popped ubuntu desktop on it and I have turned this into a simple home server which runs Jellyfin. I have also set this up as a simple file server over my network and I am using it as a convenient middle man to store and transfer files over my local network.

I’m wanting to expand the storage, but from what I can tell there is only one nvme slot. Doing research, I get into the territory of full on NAS builds and that’s not quite what I want to get into. I don’t need redundancy or anything.

What would be the cheapest way to expand the available storage on the device? Leveraging the USB A and USB C slots?

Ive noticed that it would be dramatically cheaper (like $100) to get an NVME drive and stick it in one of those USB C enclosures as opposed to getting a portable SSD - is there a catch?

Computing Computer Mini PC

Comments

  • spackbace on 03/10/2024 - 17:48
    +5

    You haven't said how much storage you need, and what the storage is for…

    • spackbace on 04/10/2024 - 10:40
      +2

      Last Seen
      1 hour 10 min ago

      Good chat

  • freefall101 on 03/10/2024 - 18:16
    +3

    Why are you expanding storage with nvme drives for Jellyfin?

    Just get external spinning rust.

    • iDroid on 03/10/2024 - 20:34
      +1

      I'd typically say the same but if the goal is for always on energy efficiency - the NVME is going to be an order of magnitude better then the spinning disk.

  • Loot N Plunder on 03/10/2024 - 18:48
    +3

    It looks like you can open it up and also install 1 x 2.5" HDD/SSD

    https://www.amazon.com.au/MSI-Cubi-ADL-007BAU-Business-Bareb…

  • whitepuma on 03/10/2024 - 20:24
    +1

    Cheapest method would be to buy an external HDD that plugs in by USB. WD elements go on sale every now and then

    However remember, cheapest isn't always the best.

    I think it's worthwhile exploring getting redundancy, or a dedicated NAS or Chassis to fit everything you want in it.

  • OMGJL on 03/10/2024 - 22:04

    https://www.amazon.com.au/SATA3-0-Adapter-Card-Dissipation-D…

    and a HDD cage + desktop PSU…. you can short the green wire + black wire on 24 pin to turn it on.

    I got this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006374516077.html myself, and installed into an old PC Case along with 5 HDDs.

    Case is an old cases for free from friend's old PC, PSU is a 450w corsair ATX I bought years ago. Mobo was from China (shipped over form Taobao) around 700rmb (~150AUD), and $56 DDR5 16G Crucial.

  • AustriaBargain on 03/10/2024 - 22:04

    How much storage you got on there and how much do you need?

  • trongy on 04/10/2024 - 08:32
    -1

    The specs say it has a 2.5" SATA bay. A cheap 2.5" SSD might be the simplest option if you want to avoid external drives.

    There's also adapters for 2.5" to M.2 - example

    Note that these don't take NVME M.2 drives. They can only take an M.2 SSD that can operate in SATA mode. See the specs where it talks about M-key or B+M key.

    • OMGJL on 05/10/2024 - 02:21

      you don't even know what you talking about so stop giving wrong informations.

      that adapter you posted is SFF-8639, not even close to 2.5" SATA.

  • munecito on 07/10/2024 - 18:02

    Are you willing to live with only SATA drives (SSD or spinning)?

    If you are make sure you install the OS in the internal sata and get one SATA to nvme converter. You can add a few SATA drives but you need to figure out a way to power them.

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006860973297.html

    They are more stable than any USB. Theoretically you could achieve better bandwidth too.

    May not be the cheapest, but it makes more sense at least to me to utilise better the system resources.

    You can pick up used sata SSDs on marketplace all the time

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