I am currently beginning two new hardware projects and recently acquired several components to get them underway. While I have the core components ready, I am still sourcing specific parts and looking for technical feedback on the final configurations.
In my latest haul video, I unbox the first two pieces of these projects!
My first project involves a necessary upgrade to my home media server. My current setup utilizes two USB drive arrays containing four 4TB drives each. This configuration creates too many potential points of failure, so I am moving toward a proper self-constructed NAS device with drives connected to the motherboard via SATA. I have settled on a Topton motherboard featuring an integrated Intel N150 processor (compensated affiliate link). This board requires DDR5 RAM and supports eight SATA drives through the use of two breakout cables. Because my Unraid setup requires 10 total drives to accommodate two parity drives, I will need to find a reliable SATA PCIe expansion card to support the additional two units.
The motherboard is equipped with 10-gigabit LAN and two 2.5-gigabit connectors, providing significant networking capacity. It also features two NVMe slots, which I intend to use for cache and application storage for Docker containers. My primary challenge now is identifying a case that can comfortably house and cool 10 drives. I am also seeking a SATA expansion card that is proven to be stable for 24/7 operation. Transitioning the software should be straightforward, as Unraid allows for moving a boot drive between different hardware sets with minimal reconfiguration.
The second project focuses on local AI workflows using repurposed data center hardware. I purchased a pulled Nvidia Tesla V100 with 32GB of memory (compensated affiliate link). This card was originally designed for high-density server racks and lacks any built-in active cooling. In its original environment, external high-pressure fans move air through the card’s heatsink. To make this functional for my purposes, I have sourced an aftermarket cooling fan and a dual eight-pin adapter cable to connect the card to a mini PC via Oculink.
While the Tesla V100 is older technology, its 900 GB/s of memory bandwidth makes it a potential candidate for running large language models like Qwen 3.8 locally. For those considering similar hardware, the 32GB PCIe version is the most versatile option, though it is important to be aware of the cooling and power requirements. It may struggle with modern image or video generation tasks compared to newer consumer-grade cards, but its high VRAM capacity at this price point remains a significant advantage for text-based models.
I am interested in any insights regarding the cooling of enterprise GPUs in a home setting or recommendations for a 10-bay chassis that maintains small-form-factor efficiency. I will be moving forward with the builds as soon as the remaining cooling components and expansion cards arrive.
Disclosure: I paid for the parts featured in this video with my own funds.