Review of the CWWK x86 P6 Mini SSD NAS Review
The CWWK x86 P6 Pocket SSD NAS is a compact, all-flash server aimed at home lab enthusiasts and small businesses seeking high-speed storage in a small form factor. It features four M.2 NVMe slots, dual 2.5GbE ports, and support for up to 48GB DDR5 memory, offering impressive capabilities for its size. Available in two configurations, the quad-core Intel N150 model and the octa-core Intel N355 model, it aims to balance affordability and performance. This review covers the design, hardware, storage, performance tests, and overall value of the N355 model. Compact and highly portable, the P6 is marketed toward users who need a small but capable server for virtualization, containerized apps, and media streaming. With support for up to four M.2 NVMe drives, it caters to users focused on high-speed, flash-based storage rather than traditional hard drives. However, its PCIe 3.0 x1 lanes per M.2 slot and lack of 10GbE raise questions about its potential bottlenecks.
The P6 is priced competitively at $195 for the N150 version and $315 for the N355 version, placing it in a niche between DIY NAS solutions and more expensive pre-built systems. Despite its compact size, it promises a multi-core processor, virtualization support, and dual 2.5GbE connectivity, making it appealing to users with small-scale but demanding workloads. However, users should be prepared for some limitations typical of compact systems, such as limited expandability and port options. Let’s discuss the P6.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor (SoC) | Intel Twin Lake SoC (Two Options): – Intel N150: Quad-core, up to 3.6 GHz (Turbo), 6MB cache, 24EU Intel UHD graphics (1.0 GHz), 6W TDP – Intel N355: Octa-core, up to 3.9 GHz (Turbo), 6MB cache, 32EU Intel UHD graphics (1.35 GHz), 15W TDP |
| Memory | 1x SO-DIMM DDR5 4800 MHz (up to 48GB, Non-ECC) |
| Storage Slots | 4x M.2 M-Key 2280 NVMe SSD (PCIe 3.0 x1 per slot) |
| Additional Expansion | 1x M.2 E-Key 2230 slot for Wi-Fi 6/7 modules |
| SATA Support | 2x JFPC1 Ribbon Cable Connector (for SATA drives via adapter) |
| Video Output | 2x HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz) |
| Networking | 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 (Intel i226V controllers) |
| USB Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) |
| Power Supply | 12V/5A via 5.5/2.5mm Barrel Connector (60W adapter included) |
| BIOS/UEFI Features | AMI BIOS/UEFI with Auto Power On, Wake-on-LAN (WoL), PXE Boot |
| Cooling | Integrated aluminum heat sink with base-level fan; Optional external top-mounted fan (USB-powered) |
| Chassis Material | Aluminum Alloy (entire enclosure) |
| Dimensions | 100 x 100 x 58.5 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 1.2 kg |
| Operating Temperature | -10°C to 75°C |
| Humidity Range | 10%–90% RH (non-condensing) |
| Where to Buy? |
CWWK x86 P6 N355 SSD NAS Review – Quick Conclusion
he CWWK x86 P6 Pocket SSD NAS offers a compact and capable option for users seeking a small-scale, flash-based server with support for multiple VMs, containers, and media streaming. The Intel N355 model performs well under load, handling three VMs simultaneously while maintaining reasonable power consumption of 34–35W. SSD speeds were solid for a PCIe 3.0 x1 setup, reaching around 780 MB/s read and 690 MB/s write per drive, though aggregate speeds across four drives were limited to 450–520 MB/s. Cooling is generally effective, with CPU temperatures peaking at 40°C, but NVMe SSDs required improved thermal pads to keep below 55°C under load. Noise levels remained moderate, between 35–38 dBA depending on fan usage. The inclusion of SATA support via JFPC1 ribbon cables, while unconventional, offers an additional expansion route, though BIOS adjustments may be needed for full compatibility. Dual 2.5GbE ports support link aggregation but limit network throughput compared to 10GbE options, which can only be added via an M.2 to 10GbE adapter, sacrificing a storage slot. The two USB ports are restrictive for those needing additional connectivity. Overall, the P6 delivers good multi-purpose performance in a compact form factor, but its PCIe lane limitations, limited USB ports, and barrel power input may be drawbacks for some users. It is a suitable choice for those seeking a small, efficient, and configurable NAS, provided they understand its hardware constraints.
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CWWK x86 P6 NAS Review – Design
The CWWK P6 is remarkably compact, measuring 100 x 100 x 58.5 mm, and built with an all-aluminum alloy chassis, which doubles as a heat sink. Weighing approximately 1.2 kg, the unit has a solid, durable feel.
The top panel functions as a large heat sink for the SSDs, while the bottom panel houses a CPU fan and aluminum heat sink.
The cooling system is effective but relies on passive dissipation for the SSDs unless the optional external fan, included in the package, is attached via USB.
The power input uses a 12V/5A barrel connector, which is disappointing for users expecting USB-C. Given the small size and relatively low power draw, USB-C with Power Delivery (PD) could have been a modern and convenient solution.
The barrel connector feels like an outdated choice and limits power supply flexibility. On a positive note, the included 60W power adapter is compact and efficient.
The port selection is limited, with only two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (10 Gbps) and two HDMI 2.0 outputs supporting up to 4K 60Hz displays. Users planning to use UnRAID or similar OSes via USB may quickly find the two ports insufficient, especially if they need one for a keyboard or KVM switch.
Additionally, the M.2 E-key slot for Wi-Fi 6 or 7 is present, but no antenna kit or Wi-Fi module is included, adding extra cost for wireless connectivity.
The included thermal pads for the M.2 drives are extremely thin, providing minimal heat dissipation.
During sustained workloads, SSD temperatures rose above 65°C, but using third-party thermal pads reduced peak temperatures by approximately 10°C, enhancing performance stability.
The optional external fan, which attaches to the top panel via USB, helps reduce SSD temperatures during sustained workloads but at the cost of a higher noise level.
Overall, the design feels solid but because they have had to cram a lot into a small space, the potential for airflow in key areas might be pretty poor (hence the included optional USB fan). While the cooling solution is effective, port limitations, poor-quality thermal pads, and the choice of barrel power input are significant drawbacks.
Despite these issues, the compact size and all-metal construction make it an attractive option for users needing a small yet powerful NAS.
CWWK x86 P6 NAS Review – Internal Hardware
The CWWK P6 is powered by Intel Twin Lake processors, offering two configurations: the quad-core N150 (up to 3.6 GHz, 6W TDP) and the octa-core N355 (up to 3.9 GHz, 15W TDP). The N355 version tested here features eight cores, 32EU Intel UHD graphics at 1.35 GHz, and a TDP of 15W, making it more suitable for virtualization, container workloads, and media streaming.
The system uses one SO-DIMM DDR5 slot, supporting up to 48GB of non-ECC DDR5 4800 MHz RAM. While the single-channel configuration may reduce memory performance, the high RAM ceiling is useful for running multiple VMs or containers. The absence of ECC memory support may be a concern for users seeking data integrity in a server environment, but again – at this price it is tough to be overly critical about this here.
For networking, the P6 includes two 2.5GbE ports, controlled by Intel i226V controllers, supporting SMB multichannel and link aggregation. During testing, the 2.5GbE ports achieved up to 550 MB/s combined throughput with link aggregation. However, the lack of 10GbE is a missed opportunity, given the PCIe limitations on M.2 throughput, which could benefit from faster networking.
A M.2 E-key slot is provided for Wi-Fi 6 or 7 modules, but no module or antenna is included. Additionally, while the motherboard supports auto power-on, Wake-on-LAN (WoL), and PXE boot, the BIOS lacks some advanced settings found on other DIY NAS boards – however the N355 CPU itself is already getting stretched pretty thin here, so the scope for modification is pretty slim anyway to be honest.
One notable advantage is the expandability of the M.2 slots, which can be used for more than just storage. Users can install M.2 to PCIe adapters for 10GbE network cards, PCIe expansion cards, or even OCuLink adapters for external storage enclosures. This flexibility allows the P6 to be tailored for different use cases, such as adding 10GbE for faster networking or expanding with a PCIe card for additional functions. This feature partially offsets the lack of built-in 10GbE and adds versatility to the system.
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CWWK x86 P6 NAS Review – Storage
The CWWK P6 is built around four M.2 NVMe 2280 slots (PCIe 3.0 x1), supporting high-speed, flash-based storage. Each slot has a maximum theoretical throughput of around 800 MB/s, which is suitable for general NAS tasks but limits RAID performance.
The absence of screw holes for shorter M.2 sizes means users must use full-length 2280 drives.
The included thermal pads are surprisingly thin and for an all flash system, a little underwhelming, but given the 3×1 speed of each bay, just how hot each SSD will be getting is debatable.
The four M.2 NVMe SSD Bays are mounted on a a sister board that is connected on it’s underside with a 40 pin connector into ANOTHER m.2 NVMe PCB that is in a single m.2 2280 SSD slot on the lower micro motherboard.
The M.2’s profile is still being investigated, but it IS a novel way of getting around the limitations of the base N150/N355 PCU Lanes and physical distribution that a single board would have needed to counter/work-around.
During sustained workloads, SSD temperatures rose above 65°C, but using third-party thermal pads reduced peak temperatures by approximately 10°C, enhancing performance stability. The optional top-mounted fan offers additional cooling but increases noise levels.
The P6 includes an unusual SATA expansion option using JFPC1 ribbon cables connected to the motherboard. While the implementation is unconventional, it is understandable given the small internal space constraints.
During testing, these SATA drives were detected in the BIOS but not recognized by the OS, indicating possible BIOS or driver issues.
It is worth noting that the inclusion of SATA connectivity is a welcome option for users needing low-cost storage expansion, though it may require further configuration.
As mentioned earlier, the lack of an internal PCIe slot limits storage expansion of course. However, users can convert an M.2 slot to a 10GbE network card, PCIe expansion, or even OCuLink storage expansion using third-party adapters. This flexibility is a notable advantage but comes at the cost of losing an M.2 storage slot.
Overall, the storage system is functional but limited by PCIe lane bottlenecks and poor SATA support implementation. Users seeking high-speed RAID configurations may be disappointed, but for NVMe-based storage pools, virtualization, and caching, the P6 performs well within its hardware constraints.
CWWK x86 P6 NAS Review – Tests & Performance
In this section, we evaluate the CWWK x86 P6 Pocket SSD NAS based on its SSD speeds, power consumption, noise levels, and thermal performance. Using the N355 octa-core model with four M.2 NVMe SSDs, we tested its performance under different workloads, including file transfers, virtualization, and media streaming. Even initial VM testing was pretty promising, when I ran three Windows 10 VMs, at 1 Core and 2GB Memory – there was still plenty of H/WW remaining to play with and each VM ran well. Just keep in mind that you only have 8 threads (i.e 8 vCPU) to assign.
We also measured how efficiently the system manages power and heat under load. Our tests aim to give a clear, practical understanding of what users can expect from the P6, particularly for tasks like running small scale containers or virtual machines or acting as a domestic/home/family media server, while considering its design limitations, such as PCIe lane constraints and cooling efficiency.
SSD Performance:
In our tests with four M.2 NVMe SSDs (PCIe 3.0 x1):
- Single SSD (Sequential): 780–790 MB/s (Read), 690 MB/s (Write)
- Four SSDs Simultaneously: 450–520 MB/s aggregate throughput
The x1 PCIe lanes per slot are the primary bottleneck, but single-drive speeds are acceptable for general NAS usage. Performance drops significantly in RAID configurations due to lane sharing.
Power Consumption:
Measured during testing:
- Idle (No Drives): 18W
- All Four SSDs Under Load: 31–32W
- Three VMs with Disk Activity: 34–35W
- Power efficiency is reasonable, and the 15W TDP N355 processor delivers a good balance of performance and efficiency.
Noise Levels:
- Base Fan Only (Peak): 35–36 dBA
- With Optional Top Fan: 38 dBA (noticeable but not disruptive)
The top fan is audibly louder, but effective for SSD cooling, especially during sustained workloads.
Temperature Measurements:
- CPU Peak (VMs & SSD Reads): 40°C (with fan)
- SSD Peak (Stock Thermal Pads): 65°C
- SSD Peak (Improved Thermal Pads): 55°C
The large aluminum heat sinks and internal fan handle CPU heat effectively, but a lot of this comes down to the CPU being already low-powered to start with, as well as the speed limit of 3×1 on each bay – sorry to keep repeating this, but it’s important!). Early PLEX performance testing was very good! I tested the streaming of a 100Mb 1080p file, a 60Mb 4K HEVC File and an 8K File. I will be going into more detail on the PLEX performance (especially the hardware transcoding later on, via PLEX PASS) later on via the YouTube channel, but my early testing was very good and the CPU use on these single connections was very good (even with Software transcoding too).
CWWK x86 P6 NAS Review – Verdict & Conclusion
The CWWK x86 P6 Pocket SSD NAS offers a compact and efficient solution for flash-based storage, virtualization, and media streaming, with strong CPU performance and reasonable power consumption. It excels in scenarios such as running multiple VMs, hosting containers, and acting as a Plex server, thanks to its Intel N355 processor and dual 2.5GbE ports. However, it has notable drawbacks, including limited PCIe lanes, unconventional SATA expansion, and only two USB ports, which may restrict expandability. That said, the SATA implementation, while unusual, is understandable given the space limitations of the compact design, and it provides an option for low-cost storage expansion. Additionally, the barrel power input instead of USB-C feels outdated, and thermal pads provided for SSDs are insufficient, necessitating upgrades for long-term reliability.
The lack of 10GbE networking is a missed opportunity, but users can add 10GbE via M.2 adapters, albeit at the cost of an M.2 slot. The N355 version offers significantly better performance for multi-tasking and VMs compared to the N150 version, making it worth the additional cost for power users . In conclusion, the CWWK x86 P6 is best suited for tech-savvy users who are comfortable with DIY upgrades and minor hardware adjustments. It offers good value for VM hosting, containerization, and high-speed storage tasks, provided users are aware of its limitations and willing to work around them.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Compact and portable – Small 100x100x58.5 mm size with a durable aluminum chassis. | ❌ Limited PCIe bandwidth – PCIe 3.0 x1 per M.2 slot restricts maximum SSD performance. |
| ✅ Good multi-VM performance – Handled three VMs with low CPU utilization (under 50%) and stable performance. | ❌ Only two USB ports – Limited connectivity for peripherals and OS boot drives. |
| ✅ Dual 2.5GbE ports – Supports link aggregation for up to ~550 MB/s throughput. | ❌ Barrel power input – No USB-C for power delivery, limiting modern power supply options. |
| ✅ Reasonable power efficiency – 18W idle, 34–35W under heavy load with four SSDs and three VMs. | ❌ SATA support requires adjustments – JFPC1 cable solution is unconventional and may need BIOS tweaks. |
| ✅ Expandable via M.2 adapters – Supports M.2 to PCIe, OCuLink, or 10GbE adapters. | |
| ✅ Effective cooling for CPU – Integrated aluminum heat sinks and internal fan kept CPU below 40°C under load. | |
| ✅ Good media streaming performance – Smooth playback for 1080p, 4K, and 8K files during Plex tests. | |
| ✅ Support for up to 48GB DDR5 RAM – High memory capacity for VMs and containers. |
| Where to Buy? |
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