Hi all. I currently have a SFF pc (HP Optiplex-like but smaller) running Plex and some other software. Happy with my software setup for the time being.

However - I’m stuck with what to do next on the storage front. I have a 5TB external HDD that’s plugged into the little PC and that’s basically what I use for all of my storage. This isn’t enough (running out of space) and also doesn’t feel very versatile.

Where to from here? I don’t know whether to go the RAID route and buy an enclosure that supports it, or just get a bunch of drives and chain them together. A Synology NAS seems way too expensive. What should I do?

  • Malossi167@feddit.de
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    1 year ago

    Just get an 18-22TB external drive. Cheap easy and can be reused once you outgrow it. Yes, a NAS is pretty cool but unless you need the uptime etc RAID can offer you are just better of getting a single, large drive.

  • Kwikxilver@beehaw.orgOP
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    1 year ago

    Just wanted to jump in here - I ended up doing as the commenter below me has said and bought a 20TB external hard drive. Well worth doing imo. I’m going to keep all of my important media that I want to save on the 5TB as a backup.

  • iempqob4@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’m in a similar boat, my Optiplex has a small m.2 expansion slot, I believe intended for a WiFi chip.

    I nought a dual SATA card for it, just need to find a nice enclosure that will power 2 drives and provide a direct SATA connection to some 3.5" disks.

    If anyone knows of some let me know!