3D-printed NAS inspired by Minisforum N5 lets you build compact storage on a budget

A fresh DIY project has showcased a fully 3D-printable alternative to high-end, compact NAS devices, specifically taking inspiration from the popular Minisforum N5 series. Tech enthusiast Jack Harvest introduced the "N5 Mini" on Reddit - a five-bay, 175mm NAS enclosure designed to be compatible with nearly any mini-PC.

Riffing on the sleek look and modular features of the N5 - whose AMD Ryzen-powered variants start at $729 and run as high as $1,299 - the N5 Mini project is way more accessible. The builder claims the full design fits comfortably on a Bambulab A1 Mini 3D printer bed (curr. $399 on Amazon) and can be assembled using PETG plastic for the main case and TPU for feet and motherboard offsets. His key goals were compactness, ease of assembly (no print supports needed for major parts), and minimal power draw - which is already a stark contrast to the larger, less efficient Mini-ITX-based custom NAS builds often seen in the DIY scene.

The project is refreshingly open: print files are freely available, and the entire build leverages widely available "open" components such as standard keystone jacks, a five-bay SATA backplane, and modular cabling. A features list specifies everything from magnetic faceplates and a tool-free mini-PC drawer to simple electrical connections. A cost breakdown shows that, excluding the mini-PC itself, the core hardware comes in around $215 - less than a third of many commercial NAS units with comparable drive capacity.

Full assembly instructions and part recommendations are available on jackharvest.com. The build guide also encourages repurposing older mini-PCs for the brains of the NAS. Harvest has published the files free of charge on Makerworld, with plans to release the original CAD designs in the near future.

Don’t Have Your Minisforum N5 Yet? Put Your Old Mini PC to Work with This 175mm DIY NAS Inspired by It; Introducing: The N5 Mini
byu/jackharvest inMiniPCs