6 HDDs - Case

[racielrod]

I'm building a small(?) system (4-6 HDDs) and I was considering the Fractal Define R5 or R6 based on recommendations on this forum.
I know this is a solid case, however I would like to know if there is any other solid alternative I should consider.
Noise reduction is important on my list.

Thanks,
R. Rod.

 

[Chris Moore]

I'm building a small(?) system (4-6 HDDs) and I was considering the Fractal Define R5 or R6 based on recommendations on this forum.
I know this is a solid case, however I would like to know if there is any other solid alternative I should consider.
Noise reduction is important on my list.

Thanks,
R. Rod.

The Node cases are pretty popular also. Here is a good build report on a build done with a Fractal Design Node 304

Build Report: Node 304 + X10SDV-TLN4F [ESXi/FreeNAS AIO]
https://forums.freenas.org/index.ph...node-304-x10sdv-tln4f-esxi-freenas-aio.57116/

But if I were doing a build, I would go with the Fractal Design Node 804. Here is a build to look at:

https://forums.freenas.org/index.ph...ard-and-pwm-controlled-fans.73778/post-511599

Unless you wanted to go with the Fractal Define R5, which is what I actually have for one of my systems

Fractal makes some of the best quiet cases.

 

[IQless]

I second what @Chris Moore wrote. I have a few Fractal cases and I must say I love them all.
The Fractal Design Node 304 is a pain in the ass to cable manage, and it restricts you to very few motherboards and next to no expandability. On the other hand, it is tiny and can accommodate 6drives.
The Fractal Design R5 is easy to work with, and good airflow. You can also jerry rig a push/pull fan configuration around the drive cages if you are not happy with the HDD temps.
The Fractal Design R6 can accommodate 11 drives (although you must buy extra drive trays).

If you buy the R5 or R6 make sure you buy them without window side panels. Better to go with the side panel with the extra noise dampening.

 

[Inxsible]

I third what @Chris Moore & @IQless said.

The Fractal Design Node 304 is a pain in the ass to cable manage, and it restricts you to very few motherboards and next to no expandability. On the other hand, it is tiny and can accommodate 6drives.

Agreed. I know, because I have one.

The build quality is great, but if I were re-doing it, I'd stay away from mini-ITX boxes/boards for FreeNAS. I'd still use one for a desktop where I'd have at most 1 or 2 SSD drives. But with FreeNAS, the main idea is large HDDs for storage (at least until SSDs become cheaper than HDDs) -- So from the airflow and heat perspective, it's better to have larger cases which can accommodate large passive heatsinks or even active cooling like fans etc. Good cooling is what keeps the noise down too.
And finally, having a large case AND a larger (than mini-ITX) board allows more room for expansion -- the need for which will definitely arise down the line once you start using FreeNAS.

 

[Chris Moore]

And finally, having a large case AND a larger (than mini-ITX) board allows more room for expansion -- the need for which will definitely arise down the line once you start using FreeNAS.

That is how I ended up with the 48 bay chassis that I am using now....

 

[Inxsible]

That is how I ended up with the 48 bay chassis that I am using now....

Too big for my needs still. I am happy with my 2nd NAS box with 12 bays. I have made that my primary and using my Node 304 as my backup. Eventually, I will move my desktop into the Node 304 and get a secondary rack mount with another 12 or 16 bays

 

[racielrod]

The Node cases are pretty popular also. Here is a good build report on a build done with a Fractal Design Node 304

Build Report: Node 304 + X10SDV-TLN4F [ESXi/FreeNAS AIO]
https://forums.freenas.org/index.ph...node-304-x10sdv-tln4f-esxi-freenas-aio.57116/

But if I were doing a build, I would go with the Fractal Design Node 804. Here is a build to look at:

https://forums.freenas.org/index.ph...ard-and-pwm-controlled-fans.73778/post-511599

Unless you wanted to go with the Fractal Define R5, which is what I actually have for one of my systems

Fractal makes some of the best quiet cases.

Do you prefer R5 over R6?

 

[racielrod]

If you buy the R5 or R6 make sure you buy them without window side panels. Better to go with the side panel with the extra noise dampening.

Is there an option to buy those w/o the side panels? I thought the noise dampening was standard on their side panels?
Thanks!

 

[racielrod]

And finally, having a large case AND a larger (than mini-ITX) board allows more room for expansion -- the need for which will definitely arise down the line once you start using FreeNAS.

Thanks, I like the R5/R6 alternatives because I can change my configuration (start small with a mini-ITX for instance until I understand what I need or adjust it to future requirements) as needed w/o having to invest in a new case every time.

In regards to your comment about using SSDs: If we leave price/value aside, are they good for NAS?

Finally I took a look at your build, and I like it, how is the performance? Can I use something similar as a NAS plus 1 VM with some docker containers running on it?

 

[IQless]

Is there an option to buy those w/o the side panels? I thought the noise dampening was standard on their side panels?
Thanks!

I only meant that you should go for one without the windowed side panel :)

 

[Inxsible]

In regards to your comment about using SSDs: If we leave price/value aside, are they good for NAS?

You have to do a few additional things so that the SSDs don't wear out faster, but other than that it should work. I believe, in a home network, you wouldn't see the cost benefit unless you convert your home network to a 10Gb because given all other things are the same, the newer HDDs are sufficient to supply a good throughput.

 

[Inxsible]

Finally I took a look at your build, and I like it, how is the performance? Can I use something similar as a NAS plus 1 VM with some docker containers running on it?

I like the performance. I use it as my media server and file server. I also have 4 jails running on it. I stream to max 2 devices at a time. Haven't had any issues with stuttering or anything in any of my movie streams.

My family uses it to stream movies/songs etc on their tablets. I use it for the same along with accessing it as the file server from my desktop.

Your performance may vary based on a lot of factors.

 

[Stux]

It’s hard (read expensive) to get a suitable mini itx board for freenas, but if you want to, the 304 is great. See my thread linked above.

 

[PhiloEpisteme]

Do you prefer R5 over R6?

I've posted elsewhere about this but the R6 is what I use and I love it, so far. A few caveats. Those extra drive trays to fully realize its 12-drive capacity can go out of stock. Also, because the trays are only supported on 3 corners the 4th corner can sag a little. I haven't seen them sag the point of touching my other drives, but I see how it could happen. I may take some photos later tonight and post a thread with my build's details for other folks interested in the R6.