Case choice for NAS?

himaro · 9 Sep 2019 at 13:50

So, I'm completely stuck for choice here. I'm building out a new NAS, using off the shelf hardware (mostly used... I'll do it 'properly' eventually)
However, I'm uncertain what way to go.
I've got two distinct routes, with about 5 cases and 1 outsider to pick from
First, I'll start with what I have:

ATX mobo
Gen1 Ryzen 3
16GB DDR4
8GB DDR3 ECC
4 x 3TB Ironwolf drives
1 x WD Black 250GB M2 SSD

My plans for the NAS

PLEX
CCTV (Storage, from BlueIris)
Photo Storage (Amature Photographer)
Eventually get some Ironwolf SSD's

My two paths are ATX or mITX. If I go mITX, I'll probably get the Biostar A10N-8800E.
ITX Cases

In-Win IW-MS04-1
- 4 bay hot swap
- reviews nicely to work on
- 2 2.5" bays for SSD's
Silverstone DS380
- 8 bay hot swap
- Doesn't review nicely to work on

ATX Cases (all silverstone, as they appear to own this market...)

CS380
- Tower \ ATX version of the DS380.
- 8 Hotswap drives
- Plenty of work space
GD07
- Fits in a rack (no rails though)
- 5 3.5" internal bays
- 4 5.25" drive bays
  - Will likely end up being used with adaptors for more disk drives
GD08
- Fits in a rack (no rails though)
- 8 3.5" bays
- 2 5.25" bays
CS350B
- Fits in a rack, has rails
- 5 hot swap bays
- Most expensive (probably the big blocker tbh)

While I wont be rack mounting yet, it's a consideration for the future, when I get out of my flat.
It also goes without saying that I'm going to need a controller card for additional drives.

Snapshot · 9 Sep 2019 at 16:52

Personally, I'd go mITX with the MS04 although the CFI 7879 is a reasonable cheaper option. I have a DS380 and its main problem is airflow through the drive bays. Of course, it's also from Silverstone and all Silverstone cases I've had have been 'interesting' to build......

Avalon · 9 Sep 2019 at 17:08

Fractal Design or NZXT offer greater drive density/cooling, Supermicro chassis also work well and can be picked up cheaply used.

himaro · 10 Sep 2019 at 15:02

So having spoken to a few people at work as well on this. I've decided that I'm going to go for the GD08 case.
Why?

Fits better with long term plans (rack)
mITX is expensive, while same spec on ATX is readily available and cheaper.
More Drives (I have no doubt I'll be expanding here)
I don't feel like I NEED hotswap, though it's a definite nice to have.
It'll be quieter and run cooler
Makes better use of my existing hardware.

In answer to Avalon, getting a regular ATX case did cross my mind, and I seriously considered it, but I feel spending a smidge more and getting something like this will ultimately suit better.

Avalon · 10 Sep 2019 at 22:19

If you haven’t already purchased, have a look at the Supermicro rack mount stuff, it can be had for very little money, with hot swap and rack mount - they take standard ATX boards. I grabbed an 833 with 6G backplane and 8x3.5” hot-swap bays, it came with an x10 based board and low end CPU for £118. When the time comes I can either add another 3x3.5”:2x5.25” backplane or fit 2 of the 4x2.5”:1x5.25” set-up’s for a load of flash storage. With cheap unlimited cloud storage and a fast connection, local storage is less relevant for non critical data.