Should I optimize this 6-drive plan for capacity or resiliency first?
For long-lived NAS pools, resiliency first is usually safer. Capacity can be expanded later, while a risky parity choice can force migration sooner.
Can this calculator replace real-world benchmark and rebuild testing?
No. Use this page for pre-purchase sizing, then validate with workload benchmarks, SMART health policy, and a tested restore plan.
Is RAID 5 still practical with 16TB drives?
It can be practical, but larger drives increase rebuild windows. Validate parity choice and backup policy before committing to the final layout.
How much effective storage does 6x 16TB RAID 5 provide?
For US homelab buyers, this NAS planning scenario estimates 72.00 TB usable after a 10% reserve from 96.00 TB raw.