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The 2020 iXsystems TrueNAS Mini X+ review makes a favorable case for buying a compact, prebuilt ZFS NAS when you want seven drive bays, dual onboard 10GbE and TrueNAS integration in a desktop enclosure. Its trade-offs are equally clear: the appliance is audible in a quiet room, awkward to open, and better suited to storage and lighter services than demanding virtualization. This is a review of the configuration tested by ServeTheHome in 2020—not a statement of current availability, price or software version.
What the Mini X+ is—and who it suits
ServeTheHome’s December 30, 2020 review by Eric Smith evaluated the TrueNAS Mini X+ as a compact desktop ZFS appliance, not a rackmount server. The central appeal is the combination of five 3.5-inch SATA bays, two 2.5-inch SATA bays and dual onboard 10Gbase-T in a chassis measuring 8.25 × 10.5 × 9.5 inches (210 × 267 × 241 mm). Launch coverage describes the seven bays as hot-swap bays; the review also notes a locking front door and locks for the larger drive bays. ServeTheHome’s full review and its Mini X versus Mini X+ comparison provide the original review context.
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It makes the most sense for a technically confident user who values ZFS, remote management, 10GbE and a ready-integrated enclosure more than quiet operation or consumer-NAS simplicity. The Atom C3758 platform is appropriate for storage and lighter services, but the review did not find it compelling for heavy compute or demanding, converged workloads.
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How the hardware is configured
Storage, memory and expansion
The review unit used an Intel Atom C3758 SoC and 64GB of memory. ServeTheHome reports 32GB ECC as the normal starting configuration. The reviewer also says they had operated a 128GB configuration, although iXsystems stated upgradeability to 64GB; that observation is not a promise of supported capacity. A SATA DOM holds the operating system, preserving the drive bays for data. The system has one PCIe expansion slot, occupied in the tested unit by an optional Chelsio T520 dual-SFP+ network card.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Ports and management
Rear connections included out-of-band management, VGA, USB and two RJ45 10Gbase-T ports. The review describes Supermicro IPMI features including remote reboot, HTML5 iKVM and remote media mounting. It also notes a TrueNAS enclosure view that maps drive health to a physical bay, a useful integration detail when locating a disk that needs attention. These observations apply to the reviewed product and software generation.
The review describes a 250W 80Plus Bronze power supply. Its enclosure and cooling integration are part of what a buyer gets over a bare motherboard-and-memory build, though they do not make internal servicing effortless.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Performance: storage and 10GbE results depend on the setup
Storage and compute
For its storage test, ServeTheHome used WD Red Plus 10TB drives without cache and tested iSCSI with a RAID-Z2 pool. The reviewer characterized the BlackMagic Disk Speed Test result as acceptable, while noting it was not sufficient for every 4K use case. This is a result for that drive and pool configuration, not a universal throughput guarantee: disk models, pool layout, workload and network path all affect the outcome.
For Linux CPU testing, the reviewer installed Ubuntu on an SSD in a 2.5-inch bay because the test suite ran on Linux. The Atom C3758 results were described as expected for this class. KVM results were very low and inconsistent, leading the reviewer to position the system for lighter VM workloads rather than compute-heavy virtualization.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Onboard 10Gbase-T versus the optional SFP+ card
In ServeTheHome’s network tests, the optional Chelsio T520 SFP+ card was slightly faster than the onboard 10Gbase-T ports, but overall performance was effectively even. The review reported peak CPU use of 68% with SFP+ and 75% with 10Gbase-T. Those are measurements from the tested configuration, not guarantees for every client, cable, switch or workload. The practical choice is therefore also about the network you already own: RJ45 10Gbase-T is built in, while the card adds SFP+ connectivity and uses the sole expansion slot.
Noise, power and serviceability
ServeTheHome measured 36 dBA at one meter in a room measured at 25 dBA and described the sound as noticeable in a quiet environment. This is not a silent NAS for a desk beside a listener. Placement in a utility room or other area where fan noise matters less is preferable if the measured result resembles your environment.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The same review recorded 89W idle in its fully loaded test unit and more than 200W under its maximum-style load setup. It also cited iXsystems specification-page figures of 40W diskless and 111W with drives and a 10G add-on card. These configurations are not directly comparable: the review’s own measurements came from a more fully configured test system, so they should not be read as a like-for-like discrepancy or as a universal operating range.
Service access is a weaker point. The reviewer criticized the number of screws and obstacles involved in opening the chassis. The enclosure is compact and densely packed, but that density comes at the cost of convenience when working inside it.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
TrueNAS Core: capable, but not the simplest NAS interface
The test unit ran TrueNAS Core 12 at review time. The reviewer considered Core a power-user platform and contrasted its learning curve with the easier interfaces offered by Synology or QNAP. That is important to the build-or-buy decision: preassembly and enclosure integration do not remove the need to understand pool design, data protection and administration. The review’s software version is historical and should not be mistaken for the current TrueNAS release.
Build versus buy in the 2020 review
The comparison below reproduces the review’s historical figures only; they are not current prices or offers. ServeTheHome put the Mini X+ at a $250 premium over the Mini X in its comparison, with dual 10GbE rather than quad 1GbE, an Atom C3758 rather than C3558, and 16GB more RAM. The reviewer considered that premium worthwhile for most buyers unless it pushed the system beyond budget.
| 2020 comparison point | ServeTheHome’s description |
|---|---|
| Mini X+ versus Mini X | $250 premium; dual 10GbE rather than quad 1GbE; C3758 rather than C3558; 16GB more RAM. Historical comparison, not a current offer. |
| Mini X+ base-system estimate | $1,149 in the review’s 2020 build-versus-buy discussion; historical figure. |
| Example component costs | $515 Supermicro A2SDi-H-TF motherboard, $180 32GB memory and $40 16GB SATADOM; example 2020 prices. |
| Remaining build-versus-buy difference | About $750 for the listed parts plus a fan, excluding chassis and power supply; the review framed roughly $400 of the remaining difference as covering the enclosure, power supply, cooling, CPU heatsink, cabling, assembly and testing, reduced research effort and TrueNAS enclosure integration. Historical estimate. |
Those comparisons capture the real value proposition better than a bare parts total: the buyer pays for a working, integrated appliance and time saved, not just a processor and memory. Whether that premium is worthwhile depends on how much you value the enclosure, tested assembly, IPMI and drive-location integration—and whether you would be comfortable sourcing and assembling the equivalent yourself.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsVerdict
ServeTheHome’s overall score was 9.1, with reviewer-assigned category scores of 9.2 for design and aesthetics, 9.0 for performance, 9.1 for feature set and 9.3 for value. These are the publication’s ratings, not independent lab standards. Its favorable conclusion fits the hardware: the Mini X+ packages unusually dense desktop storage, dual 10GbE and management features into a ready-to-run ZFS appliance. Its strongest case is for users committed to TrueNAS who want that integration and do not need a quiet chassis or high-end compute. Noise, service access, the single expansion slot and the Core learning curve are material reasons to choose another approach if those priorities dominate.
Quick Recap
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