SFF (Small Form Factor) computers any comment

Hi folks

Thinking of one of these as a multi-media etc NAS server. I really like the tiny footprint too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-NUC7I...ct_top?ie=UTF8

I can get 2 X 16 GB RAM in these (probably overkill but it's supported and I have the RAM sticks (DDR4), I have spare SSD and using powered USB3 hub I can attach 2 X external 2 bay HDD enclosures to it.

This would make a tiny out of the way interesting NAS server / PC.

Video is via built in HDMI out and I'll connect it to my ethernet switch via USB-->LAN adapter. I have all those parts so nothing extra to buy other than the base unit at around 400 USD / EUR inc tax.

I'm not a gamer etc so this looks if it would work far better for me than a "Classic" desktop or tower PC.

A powered 7 port USB 3 hub will provide enough connections -- for multi-media serving you don't need the mega fasted HDD's !!. The SSD and RAM will be good for running a few VM's too.

Any comments would be appreciated - drawbacks of thes SFF (Small form factor) computers ?.

Cheers
jimbo

NUCs are basically laptop motherboards in a box. My concern would be the noise and longevity of the tiny laptop fan if it will be powered on 24/7, especially if it will be under load from the VMs.

just to run NAS from a hard drive? better option would be to upgrade your router with NAS and USB3 compatibility, the newest netgear bad boy is even supposed to function as a plex server all in itself with a drive connected, media I find is much better hosted via plex than NAS, also if you just want a network drive a drive with built in NIC would be better option.

to use as a pc, as long as the workload is low and you can keep it cool might work fine, don't think youll be doing any video intensive stuff on it, just a best guess, never purchased one, and only 3 reviews on amazon so you might want to google some other reviews to see what all its capable of running and what it suffers to run and or any other issues with it like heat

32 GB, yes way overkill, 8 maybe 16 I would think is all this guy would ever need