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 Over Data

Years ago, I started using a Synology NAS simply to store image files for work and media for Plex. It wasn’t intended as a home lab, but over time, it gradually transformed into one. Eventually, it tried running too many tasks at once and failed at all of them.

Transition to a Custom-Built Server

Building my own server was always part of my future plans for home lab experiments, and now the time has come. The NAS will return to its original purpose of storing archival files, while the new server will manage the demanding workloads.

Reflecting on the Change

It surprises me only that it took so long to realize my needs had evolved and that something had to change.

"SilverStone, Asus, and Kingston all contributed hardware for this article. None of the companies saw the copy before publication or had any input into the content."

Limitations of Previous Setup

While some company shortcomings sped up this decision, it had been building for some time. My home lab needs outgrew the capabilities of both my Synology NAS and mini PC. The mini PC is capped at 12GB of non-upgradeable RAM, and although the NAS chassis might support up to 64GB, it cannot utilize a GPU for workload acceleration and has no free drive bays left.

Summary

Replacing the Synology NAS with a custom server running Proxmox better matches advanced home lab demands, restoring efficient task management and expanding hardware flexibility.

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XDA XDA — 2025-11-01

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