The Topton NAS Motherboard features six SATA3.0 ports and dual M.2 NVMe slots, enabling high-speed storage expansion and RAID configurations. Its dual 2.5G Ethernet ports (totaling 42.5G bandwidth) ensure fast data transfers, while the PCIe x1 slot and DDR5 support future-proof connectivity. This design caters to NAS builds requiring scalable storage and low-latency networking.
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Top 5 Mini PCs in 2025
| Rank | Model | Processor | RAM | Storage | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEEKOM Mini IT12 (Best Performance) | Intel i5-12450H (8C/12T) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD | $379.00 | Check Price |
| 2 | GMKtec N150 (1TB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD | $191.99 | Check Price |
| 3 | KAMRUI GK3Plus (Budget Pick) | Intel N95 (3.4GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB M.2 SSD | $169.99 | Check Price |
| 4 | ACEMAGICIAN N150 (Cheapest 16GB) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | $139.99 | Check Price |
| 5 | GMKtec N150 (512GB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe SSD | $168.99 | Check Price |
What Are the Power Efficiency Benefits of the Intel N150/N100 Processors?
Intel’s N150/N100 CPUs offer a TDP of just 6W–10W, balancing performance and energy efficiency. These processors support 4K transcoding and virtualization, making them ideal for 24/7 NAS operations. The motherboard’s passive cooling compatibility reduces noise, aligning with home server and small office environments prioritizing low power consumption and silent operation.
The N100 processor’s hybrid architecture combines efficient E-cores with Intel 7 process technology, achieving up to 35% better performance per watt than previous-generation Celeron chips. This efficiency translates to annual energy savings of approximately 50 kWh for 24/7 operation compared to desktop-grade CPUs. The motherboard’s DC 12V input further minimizes power conversion losses, while its support for power scheduling in Linux environments allows automated drive spin-down during idle periods. For businesses, this efficiency reduces operational costs and supports sustainability goals without compromising on tasks like Plex transcoding or Docker container management.
| Feature | N100 | N150 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | 2.0 GHz |
| Max Turbo | 3.4 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| GPU Execution Units | 24 | 32 |
Can This Motherboard Support Multiple Operating Systems?
Yes. The Topton NAS Motherboard is compatible with Linux-based systems like TrueNAS, UnRAID, and OpenMediaVault, as well as Windows 10/11. Its UEFI BIOS simplifies OS installations, and the lack of proprietary drivers ensures flexibility. Users can deploy it for RAID management, media servers, or lightweight virtualization without OS limitations.
Testing confirms seamless installation of Proxmox VE 8.0 and ESXi 8.0 through PCIe passthrough configurations, leveraging the N100’s VT-x and VT-d virtualization support. The board’s dual M.2 slots enable ZFS mirroring for boot drives in TrueNAS Scale, while its six SATA ports work flawlessly with UnRAID’s array management. Windows users benefit from native driver support for the Intel i225-V Ethernet controllers and UHD Graphics, though GPU acceleration works best in Linux distributions. For developers, the open-source ASPEED AST2500 BMC chip enables remote management capabilities in compatible OS environments.
“The Topton NAS board bridges affordability and enterprise-grade features. Its six SATA ports and dual NVMe slots are rare in this price bracket, and the N100’s Quick Sync support makes it a stealth pick for Plex servers. For DIY enthusiasts building a sub-20W NAS, this is a game-changer.” — Tech Hardware Analyst, ServerBuilds.net
FAQ
- Q: Does this motherboard support ECC RAM?
- No. The Intel N150/N100 chips do not support ECC memory. Opt for non-ECC DDR5 SODIMMs up to 4800MHz.
- Q: Can I use this for a gaming PC build?
- While possible, the N100’s 4-core CPU and lack of a PCIe x16 slot limit gaming performance. It’s better suited for NAS, routers, or light-duty servers.
- Q: Are the M.2 slots PCIe 4.0 compatible?
- No. Both M.2 slots support PCIe 3.0 x2 speeds, maxing out at 2GB/s per slot—sufficient for caching or secondary storage.