{"product_id":"nas-motherboard-n5105-mini-itx-4x2-5gbe-dual-m-2-6xsata","title":"NAS Motherboard N5105 Mini ITX - 4x2.5GbE, Dual M.2, 6xSATA","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of the NAS Motherboard N5105 the bottom line is clear: this Mini ITX board is aimed at DIY NAS builders and compact firewall\/router projects that need multiple high-speed network ports and a variety of storage options. The board's standout reason to buy is the combination of four 2.5GbE i226-V LAN ports and a low-power Intel Celeron N5105, which together deliver capable network throughput with modest power draw for always-on appliances. For those building a home or small office NAS, soft router, or OpenWrt-based gateway, it offers a rare mix of connectivity and storage expandability in a 17.0 cm x 17.0 cm footprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProcessor:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core CPU provides low-power, multi-threaded performance suitable for file serving, light virtualization and NAT workloads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh-speed networking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Four i226-V 2.5GbE ports provide reliable multi-gigabit connectivity for WAN\/LAN segmentation or aggregated throughput in a compact appliance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage flexibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two M.2 NVMe 2280 slots plus six SATA3.0 ports allow mixed NVMe and SATA arrays for fast caching and high-capacity storage pools.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMemory support:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two DDR4 slots supporting up to 16GB of non-ECC RAM enable smooth operation of NAS services and router software.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVideo outputs and USB:\u003c\/strong\u003e HDMI2.1 and DP1.4b support dual 4K@60Hz displays for local management, while USB3.0\/USB2.0 ports and onboard USB headers allow easy booting and peripheral connection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndustrial build:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mini-ITX 17.0 cm x 17.0 cm PCB with high-density, moisture-proof fiber board construction designed for stable long-term operation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis board is best for DIY enthusiasts, home lab users and small office administrators who want a compact, energy-efficient platform for a NAS, pfSense\/OPNsense firewall, or OpenWrt router that benefits from multi-gigabit LAN ports and mixed NVMe\/SATA storage. It is especially useful when you need multiple independent 2.5GbE interfaces without adding separate NICs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThose who should look elsewhere include users who need ECC memory, desktop-class single-thread maximum performance, or who prefer a fully integrated consumer NAS with bundled software and drives. Also note that some network OS installs may require up-to-date kernels for the i226-V NIC support.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFour onboard 2.5GbE ports give strong out-of-the-box networking options for routers and NAS appliances.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCombination of two NVMe slots and six SATA3.0 ports supports fast caches and large arrays without additional controllers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLow-power N5105 CPU balances energy use and multi-threaded performance for always-on services.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMini ITX footprint fits small enclosures and custom embedded builds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eRequires both 24-pin and 4-pin ATX power connectors, which can be overlooked during assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNew i226-V NICs can need newer OS kernels; confirm OS compatibility before installation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForm factor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMini ITX 17.0 cm x 17.0 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCPU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntel Celeron N5105, 4 cores \/ 4 threads, up to 2.90 GHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLAN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 x Intel i226-V 2.5GbE ports\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStorage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 x M.2 NVMe 2280, 6 x SATA3.0 (6 Gbps)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMemory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 x DDR4 slots, up to 16GB (2133\/2400\/2666 MHz, non-ECC)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVideo \u0026amp; USB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHDMI2.1, DP1.4b, 2 x USB3.0, 2 x USB2.0 plus 2 onboard USB headers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRequires 24-pin ATX + 4-pin 12V CPU power to boot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe NAS Motherboard N5105 is a practical choice for builders who need multi-gigabit LAN and versatile storage in a small footprint; its low-power CPU and rich I\/O deliver real-world value for NAS, router and compact server projects. Confirm OS driver support for the i226-V NICs and ensure you provide both required power connectors, and this board will serve as a flexible foundation for a custom appliance without unnecessary extras.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the board need special power connections?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe motherboard requires both the 24-pin ATX and a 4-pin 12V connector to power on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich operating systems support the i226-V NIC?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNewer kernels are recommended; compatible systems include pfSense-CE 2.7, OPNsense 23.x, OpenWrt and modern Linux distributions listed by the manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many drives can I attach?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYou can attach two NVMe drives plus up to six SATA drives for a mix of fast and high-capacity storage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HKUXZR","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48232295268571,"sku":"B0CNGYTYNJ","price":169.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71hDR5VWWlL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1770882575","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/nas-motherboard-n5105-mini-itx-4x2-5gbe-dual-m-2-6xsata","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}