It’s more than just a home server; it’s a project that combines a love for gaming with the satisfaction of building something truly personal.

I’ve always been a big believer that the tech in our homes should be personal. Your setup should reflect you. So when my old, boring black box of a server started showing its age, I knew I didn’t want another generic replacement. I wanted a custom NAS build that was both functional and, well, me. And for me, that meant combining my love for the video game Portal with my need for a reliable home server.

The result? A server that looks exactly like a Companion Cube. And I couldn’t be happier with it.

It’s one thing to buy a pre-built NAS off the shelf. They work great, and for many people, that’s the perfect solution. But I wanted a little more. I wanted to choose my own parts, run the exact software I preferred, and most importantly, I wanted it to look cool sitting on my desk.

Why Go with a Custom NAS Build?

For me, the answer is simple: personality and control. A custom NAS build lets you create something that’s perfectly tailored to your needs.

• You Pick the Parts: You’re not stuck with a specific processor or a limited amount of RAM. You can build a system that’s just powerful enough for file storage or a beast that can handle multiple 4K Plex streams, virtual machines, and home automation without breaking a sweat.
• It’s a Fun Project: There’s a huge sense of satisfaction that comes from building something with your own two hands. The planning, the building, the troubleshooting—it’s a rewarding process that teaches you a ton about how computers work.
• The Look: This was the big one for me. I didn’t want another beige or black box. I wanted a piece of functional art. Building it yourself means you can choose any case you want, or in my case, make one yourself.

The Companion Cube NAS: An Idea is Born

If you’ve ever played the game Portal, you know the Companion Cube. It’s this iconic, oddly lovable object you’re supposed to… well, let’s just say it has a fiery end. I always loved its simple, clean design.

One night, while thinking about what my ideal server would look like, the idea just clicked. Why not build a server inside a Companion Cube? A quick search online showed that I wasn’t the first person to have this idea, but I saw a path to make it my own. The core of this whole project is the case, which I 3D printed. It’s amazing what’s possible with today’s technology, allowing anyone to bring a digital model into the physical world.

The case itself is the star, but what’s inside is what makes this custom NAS build tick. I opted for a low-power motherboard and CPU combo from a manufacturer like ASRock, designed for efficiency. A server is on 24/7, so keeping power consumption low was a huge priority. A handful of hard drives for storage, and we were in business.

The Brains of the Operation

Hardware is only half the battle. For the software, I decided to go with TrueNAS SCALE, a powerful and flexible open-source operating system for network-attached storage. It’s robust, has a huge community, and can run all sorts of applications in containers, which is perfect for what I needed.

So, what does this little cube actually do?

• Media Server: It runs Plex, serving up movies and TV shows to any device in my house. No more hunting for DVDs or logging into five different streaming services.
• Centralized Backup: All of our family photos, videos, and important documents are automatically backed up to the server. It’s a huge piece of mind.
• Home Automation Hub: I run Home Assistant in a container, which is the brain for all my smart home gadgets.
• Personal Cloud: I can securely access my files from anywhere, just like Dropbox, but without the monthly fees.

This project was about more than just building a computer. It was about creating something that’s uniquely mine. Every time I look at it, I don’t just see a server; I see a fun project, a nod to a game I love, and a truly personal piece of tech. If you’re thinking about your own custom NAS build, my only advice is to have fun with it. Don’t just build a box; build your box.