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How to Buy a Home Network Storage Server

How to · Tech

How to Buy a Home Network Storage Server

Plan your NAS setup around summer drive sales and spread the cost over 18 months without interest.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $950 before anything else
Across the 0% window $52.78/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $950 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A good home network storage server holds all your files, backs up your devices, and runs for five to seven years if you build it right the first time. Skimping on drive bays or picking underpowered hardware means you will just end up replacing the whole thing in two years.

Mid-summer electronics sales are the sweet spot to buy, especially when drive prices drop. Manufacturers also tend to refresh their server lineups around this time, which means last year's model drops in price while still giving you all the power you actually need.

Remember that the intro window is a fixed deadline, not extra spending money. If you still have a balance when the 18 months end, the card's standard interest rate kicks in on whatever is left.

The steps

  1. 01

    Calculate your total storage needs

    Figure out how much data you have today and double it for the next five years. Buy a four-bay enclosure so you can add drives as you go instead of buying a new server later.

  2. 02

    Time the summer drive drops

    Hard drive prices drop significantly during mid-summer promotions. Look for NAS-grade drives built to run 24/7 rather than standard desktop drives that wear out faster.

  3. 03

    Target previous-generation hardware

    Look for last year's server chassis when the new models launch. The older version will run your file backups and media streaming just as well for a much lower price.

  4. 04

    Map out your financing window

    If you want to space out the $950 total cost, the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. Paying $52.78 per month clears the balance right on time.

  5. 05

    Set up an offsite backup

    A local server protects against drive failure, but not against physical disasters. Sync your critical folders to a secure cloud service as soon as your server is online.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How many drive bays do I actually need?

A four-bay server gives you the best room to grow. It lets you set up data redundancy now so a dead drive will not lose your files, while leaving open slots for future drives.

Can I use standard desktop drives in a storage server?

You can, but they are not designed for constant heat and vibration. NAS-grade drives cost a bit more up front, but they last much longer in a multi-drive enclosure.

Why buy last year's model instead of the newest release?

Network storage tech changes slowly compared to phones or computers. Last year's processor handles file transfers and backups easily, saving you cash on the hardware.

What happens if I do not pay off the full balance in 18 months?

Any remaining balance starts accumulating interest at the ongoing variable rate once the window closes. Setting up an automatic payment of $52.78 each month avoids that extra cost.