Exploring a powerful setup upgrade from Raspberry Pi 4 using the GIGABYTE Brix for NAS and more

If you’re like me and enjoy tinkering with home servers, you’ve probably outgrown the humble Raspberry Pi 4 at some point. Today, I want to share some thoughts on moving from a Pi4 8GB setup to the GIGABYTE Brix GB-BRi3H-10110 — a popular choice for those looking to step up their home server game without diving into full desktop territory.

Why Consider a Home Server Upgrade?

The Pi4 is a fantastic little machine — affordable, energy-efficient, and surprisingly capable. But once your needs start expanding to include running multiple demanding services like NAS (Network Attached Storage), Home Assistant, Immich for photo backups, Jellyfin for media streaming, Nextcloud for file syncing, Cryptopad for privacy-focused document editing, GitLab for code repositories, and more, you might hit some performance limits.

That’s where a home server upgrade like the GIGABYTE Brix can really shine.

Breaking Down the GIGABYTE Brix Setup

This setup packs more punch with the Intel Core i3-10110U processor, paired with 16GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4-2666 SO-DIMM RAM, which is a solid bump from the Pi4’s 8GB RAM. Plus, the 2TB Lexar NM790 M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD offers not just ample storage but also fast read/write speeds, which is critical for smooth media streaming and responsive NAS access.

The compact size of the Brix means it can fit neatly alongside your other gear without taking up much space, while still delivering the multi-service environment a power user might want.

How This Upgrade Helps Your Projects

With this setup, handling multiple containers, virtual machines, or server applications becomes less of a squeeze. For example:

• NAS & Storage: Faster drives and a more capable CPU mean your home files are easier to access and transfer.
• Home Assistant & Immich: Automation and photo backups run smoothly without lag.
• Media Streaming with Jellyfin: Watch your favorite shows without buffering issues.
• Nextcloud & Cryptopad: Collaborate and sync files securely with less hassle.
• GitLab: Manage your code repositories efficiently, especially if you’re working on several projects.

Some Things to Keep in Mind

The Brix runs cooler and louder than a Pi4, so if you prefer silent operation, that might be a consideration. Also, it consumes more power—something to factor in if energy use is a big deal for you.

Overall, I think the GIGABYTE Brix represents a nice middle ground between DIY mini PCs and full-scale servers. It provides the flexibility and performance needed for a rich home server experience without the complexity of building a custom system from scratch.

Want to learn more about the Intel Core i3-10110U? Check out Intel’s official product page.

For more on NAS setups, this guide from Synology is a solid resource.

And if you’re curious about optimizing your storage with PCIe 4.0 SSDs like the Lexar NM790, Tom’s Hardware gives a great overview.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your home server certainly depends on your particular needs and budget. But moving from a Pi4 8GB to the GIGABYTE Brix with enhanced RAM and fast SSD storage can unlock a smoother performance across multiple home server applications. If you want to host several services seamlessly and don’t mind a bit more noise and power draw, this setup is definitely worth considering.

So, if you’re ready to go beyond the Pi and want a compact, powerful system to handle your NAS, media streaming, home assistant tasks, and more, the GIGABYTE Brix might just be the perfect fit for your next home server upgrade.