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Part 6: DIY NAS – Installing Two Samsung 990 Pro Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD in an Intel NUC 11 Extreme

Monday, December 1st, 2025

 

Welcome back to Hancock’s VMware Half Hour and to Part 6 of the DIY UNRAID NAS build series.

In this episode I install two Samsung 990 PRO Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSDs into the Intel NUC 11 Extreme.
The NUC 11 Extreme has a surprisingly capable NVMe layout, providing:

  • 2 × PCIe Gen 4 NVMe slots
  • 2 × PCIe Gen 3 NVMe slots

The video walks through verifying the drives, opening the NUC, accessing both NVMe bays, and installing each SSD step-by-step, including the compute board NVMe slot that is a little more awkward to reach.
The episode finishes in Windows 11 where the drives are validated using Disk Manager and Samsung Magician to confirm that both NVMe SSDs are genuine.

What Is Covered in Part 6

  • Checking the authenticity of Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSDs
  • Accessing both the bottom and compute-board NVMe slots in the Intel NUC 11 Extreme
  • Installing and securing each NVMe stick
  • Reassembling the NUC 11 Extreme, including panels, shrouds, NIC and PCIe bracket
  • Confirming both NVMe drives in Windows 11
  • Using Samsung Magician to verify that the drives are genuine
  • Preparing the NVMe storage for use in later parts of the UNRAID NAS series

Chapters

00:00 - Intro
00:07 - Welcome to Hancock's VMware Half Hour
00:29 - In Part 6 we are going to fit Samsung 990 PRO NVMe
01:24 - Intel NUC 11 Extreme has 2 x Gen3, 2 x Gen4 slots
01:45 - Check the NVMe are genuine
04:20 - Intel NUC 11 Extreme - open NVMe bottom panel
05:23 - Install first NVMe stick
06:33 - Remove NVMe screw
07:06 - Insert and secure NVMe stick
07:30 - Secure bottom NVMe panel cover
08:40 - Remove PCIe securing bracket
08:54 - Remove side panel
09:11 - Remove NIC
09:44 - Remove fan shroud
09:59 - Open compute board
12:23 - Installing the second NVMe stick
14:36 - Secure NVMe in slot
16:26 - Compute board secured
19:04 - Secure side panels
20:59 - Start Windows 11 and login
21:31 - Check in Disk Manager for NVMe devices
22:40 - This Windows 11 machine is the machine used in Part 100/101
22:44 - Start Disk Management to format the NVMe disks
23:43 - Start Samsung Magician to confirm genuine
25:25 - Both NVMe sticks are confirmed as genuine
25:54 - Thanks for watching

About This Build

This DIY NAS series focuses on turning the Intel NUC 11 Extreme into a compact but powerful UNRAID NAS with NVMe performance at its core.
The Samsung 990 PRO NVMe drives installed in this part will provide a significant uplift in storage performance and will feature heavily in later episodes when the NAS is tuned and benchmarked.

Support the Series

If you are enjoying the series so far, please consider supporting the channel and the content:

  • Like the video on YouTube
  • Subscribe to the channel so you do not miss future parts
  • Leave a comment or question with your own experiences or suggestions
  • Follow along for Parts 7, 8, 9 and beyond

Thank you for watching and for following the build.

Gear Used

More From Hancock’s VMware Half Hour

Enjoy the build and stay tuned for upcoming parts where we continue configuring UNRAID and optimising the NAS.
Do not forget to like, comment and subscribe for more technical walkthroughs and builds.

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Posted in All, computing, ExpertsExchange, Hancock's VMware Half Hour, homelab, intel, vExpert, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on Part 6: DIY NAS – Installing Two Samsung 990 Pro Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD in an Intel NUC 11 Extreme

Part 1: Building a DIY NVMe NAS with the Intel NUC 11 Extreme (Beast Canyon)

Saturday, November 15th, 2025

 

Part 1: The Hardware Build

Welcome to AndysWorld.org.uk! Today, we’re diving into a project that’s perfect for anyone looking to build a powerful, yet compact, DIY Network-Attached Storage (NAS) solution. In this post, I’ll walk you through the first part of building a ‘MEGA’ NVMe NAS using the Intel NUC 11 Extreme (Beast Canyon). This mini-PC packs a punch with its powerful hardware, making it a great choice for a NAS build, especially when combined with UnRAID to handle storage and virtualization.

Why Choose the Intel NUC 11 Extreme for a NAS?

If you’ve been looking into NAS setups, you know the balance between power, size, and expandability is crucial. The Intel NUC 11 Extreme (Beast Canyon) checks all the right boxes, offering:

  • Compact Form Factor: It’s a small but powerful solution that doesn’t take up much space.

  • High-Performance NVMe Support: NVMe drives provide incredibly fast data transfer speeds—perfect for a NAS that needs to handle heavy workloads.

  • Flexibility for Virtualization: With UnRAID, you can set up multiple virtual machines, containers, and storage arrays, making it a versatile solution for any home or small office.

For this build, we’re focusing on using NVMe storage for high-speed access to files and a 64GB Kingston Fury DDR4 RAM kit to ensure smooth performance under load.

What You’ll Need for This Build:

  • Intel NUC 11 Extreme (Beast Canyon)

  • 64GB Kingston Fury DDR4 RAM

  • 2 x 512GB XPG GAMMIX NVMe SSDs

  • UnRAID Operating System

  • A few basic tools for assembly (screwdriver, anti-static mat, etc.)

If you’ve never worked with the Intel NUC before, don’t worry! I’ll guide you through every step of the assembly process. Let’s get into it!

Step-by-Step Build Process:

1. Unboxing the Intel NUC 11 Extreme

First things first, let’s unbox the Intel NUC 11 Extreme (Beast Canyon). When you open the box, you’ll find the compact, sleek chassis, which packs quite a punch for such a small form factor. This NUC is equipped with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and can support a variety of high-speed storage options, including NVMe SSDs.

2. Installing the RAM and NVMe Drives

With the NUC unboxed, the next step is to install the Kingston Fury RAM and XPG GAMMIX NVMe SSDs. Be careful during installation—especially with the tiny NVMe screws! The NUC has an easy-to-access compute board where both the RAM and NVMe drives will fit.

  • Installing the RAM: Simply slot the 64GB Kingston Fury DDR4 RAM sticks into the dedicated slots, making sure they’re fully seated.

  • Installing the NVMe SSDs: These go directly onto the motherboard and can be secured using small screws. Be sure to handle them gently as the connectors are quite delicate.

3. Reassembling the NUC

Once the RAM and NVMe drives are installed, it’s time to reassemble the NUC. This involves:

  • Reattaching the fan tray and shroud

  • Reinstalling the side and back panels

At this stage, everything should feel secure and ready for the next steps.

Why NVMe Storage for a NAS?

NVMe drives are game-changers when it comes to NAS storage. Here’s why:

  • Speed: NVMe offers lightning-fast read/write speeds compared to SATA SSDs or traditional HDDs. For anyone who works with large files or needs to serve data quickly, NVMe is a must.

  • Future-Proofing: With more applications and data being handled in the cloud, having NVMe in your NAS ensures your storage solution is ready for the future.

  • Reliability: NVMe drives are more reliable than traditional spinning hard drives, with less moving parts and faster data recovery times.

What’s Next?

Now that we’ve completed the hardware installation, in the next post, we’ll dive into setting up UnRAID on the NUC. UnRAID will allow us to easily configure our storage arrays, virtual machines, and containers—all from a user-friendly interface. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll cover configuring the software, optimizing the NAS, and making sure everything runs smoothly.

Helpful Resources:

To help you along the way, I recommend checking out the blog posts from two experts in the field:

Wrapping Up

This build was just the beginning! The Intel NUC 11 Extreme provides an excellent foundation for a fast, reliable NAS. With NVMe storage and the flexibility of UnRAID, you can build a high-performance system that’s both versatile and compact.

What do you think of this build? Have you used the Intel NUC for similar projects? Drop a comment below or connect with me on social media—I’d love to hear about your experiences!

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Don’t forget to check out the latest posts and tutorials on AndysWorld.org.uk to keep up with all things tech and DIY. Happy building!

 

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Posted in All, ExpertsExchange, Hancock's VMware Half Hour, homelab, vExpert, Virtualisation, Virtualization, VMware | Comments Off on Part 1: Building a DIY NVMe NAS with the Intel NUC 11 Extreme (Beast Canyon)