Quartz 4

NAS Resources

4 min read

Plan

  1. Install OMV on the F4-223.
  2. Insert the 18TB drive. Copy all your USB data to it.
  3. Shuck your old 14TB and 4TB drives and install them into the F4-223.
  4. Re-distribute the data.
  5. Set the 18TB as Parity, and the 14TB+4TB as Data.

Hardware

Here is the final round-up of your best paths forward.

All options below assume you will be wiping the stock operating system and installing OpenMediaVault (OMV) to run SnapRAID + MergerFS. This software stack is what allows you to mix your 18TB, 14TB, and 4TB drives while maintaining full data sovereignty.

1. The “Goldilocks” Choice: TerraMaster F4-223

This is the most balanced option for your specific situation. It is modern enough to be fast and future-proof, but cheap enough that you aren’t paying for CPU power you don’t need (since you have the Minisforum JB95 for compute).

  • CPU: Intel Celeron N4505 (Dual-Core).
  • RAM: Upgradable (DDR4).
  • Connectivity: 2x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (Great for future speed).
  • Bays: 4.
  • Estimated Price: ~300.
  • Why choose this: It is the perfect “sidekick” to your existing server. It handles the heavy math of SnapRAID parity easily and offers high-speed networking without breaking the bank.

2. The “Premium” Choice: TerraMaster F4-424 (or F4-423)

If you find a great deal on a used F4-423, or if the price gap between this and the F4-223 is small (<$40), grab this one.

  • CPU: Intel N100 (F4-424) or N5095 (F4-423). Both are Quad-Core.
  • Connectivity: 2x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet.
  • Bays: 4.
  • Estimated Price: ~250-$300 (Used F4-423).
  • Why choose this: Better resale value and significantly higher raw power. If your Minisforum JB95 ever dies, this unit is powerful enough to take over all server duties (NAS + Docker + Home Assistant) on its own.

3. The “DIY Sovereign” Choice: Custom Build

If you enjoy Lego-for-adults and want the quietest, most repairable system possible.

  • Case: Jonsbo N2 (5-Bay, very stylish/compact cube).
  • Motherboard/CPU: Topton or CWWK N100 NAS Motherboard (AliExpress/Amazon). These often come with the CPU soldered on.
  • PSU: Small Form Factor (SFX) Power Supply (e.g., Corsair SF series).
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4 or DDR5 (depending on motherboard).
  • Estimated Price: ~400 (varies heavily on parts availability).
  • Why choose this: You choose the fans (silence). You choose the power supply (reliability). If the motherboard dies in 5 years, you can swap it for a standard ITX board without replacing the case or drives.

4. The “Pass” Option: TerraMaster F5-221

  • Why: The CPU (J3355) is from 2016. It lacks 2.5GbE networking. It will struggle with parity calculations on an 18TB drive, leading to very long sync times. Unless you find this for under $150, skip it.

The Final Project Shopping List

Regardless of which hardware (1, 2, or 3) you pick, here is everything else you need to buy to execute the migration plan:

  1. The New Drive: 1x 18TB Hard Drive (Enterprise recertified or WD Red Pro/Ironwolf).
  2. The OS Drive: 1x High-quality USB Flash Drive (Samsung FIT or SanDisk Ultra Fit) OR a small (128GB) NVMe SSD if the NAS supports it. You will install OMV onto this.
  3. The Existing Hardware: Your 14TB USB and 4TB USB drives (to be shucked).

Final Recommendation

Buy the TerraMaster F4-223 and the 18TB drive. It saves you the time of building a custom rig, avoids the obsolescence of the F5-221, and gives you a perfectly capable, open-source-ready NAS appliance that you can set up in an afternoon and enjoy for years.

Tutorials

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