ATX NAS case 2023 (for small home NAS)

[LabonSky]

Hi,

I would like to replace my current case which is NZXT H500.
My NAS:

OS: UNRAID
Mobo: Z390 GAMING X (ATX)
CPU: Intel 9500T (35W TDP)
HDD: Seagate Exos X18 16TB (array) (another one joining soon)
SSD: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB (cache)
PSU: Corsair RM750X (ATX)

I am planning to add another 16TB Exos soon (parity drive) and maybe one more later when I run out of space. So planned config for now is 2x 16TB Exos X18 and 1x Cache SSD.

What I want:

1. Sound dampening

• I might have to move to another country soon. I think I'm going to leave the NAS here with my folks. If the sound level is ok enough to stay in a room where people sleep (big room, around 10 meters from the bed), that would be ideal. Otherwise it will be in more or less dusty/humid area (bad for computers). If I take it with me, it's also not guaranteed to have it's own room so the more quietly it operates, the better

2. Some kind of airflow for the drives​

• there is no AC where the computer would be staying. Ambient temp can get quite hot (around 30C) so direct airflow on drives would great

3. Ease of HDD installation​

• If something breaks, ideally a person who can operate a screwdriver, will be able to just pop out the drive and put in another. I know it sounds trivial but my parents are not very technical people. I think my father would be able to replace a drive with instructions though if it's unplugging SATA and pulling HDD sled.

I have already done some research and it looks like Fractal R5 or R6 would be ok considering my requirements. I am leaning towards Fractal R5 since the review here https://www.truenas.com/community/threads/build-report-fractal-design-define-r6.74641/ mentions that in R6 the drives are not well spaced and can touch if there is a lot of them. Only thing that annoys me is that it has the 5,25 bays which can be removed to make space for drives but it doesn't look like there can be airflow there. Are there any other ATX competitors in this space?

 

[sretalla]

I am planning to add another 16TB Exos soon (parity drive) and maybe one more later when I run out of space. So planned config for now is 2x 16TB Exos X18 and 1x Cache SSD.

I don't think that's going to work how you think it will...

if you're going to have a mirror, you really need to add another mirror, or not add anything, so 2 drives is the minimum unit to add, not 1.

2. Some kind of airflow for the drives

• there is no AC where the computer would be staying. Ambient temp can get quite hot (around 30C) so direct airflow on drives would great

With only 4 drives (and starting with 2), you won't need to worry too much about that as you can space them out in the case. Do put in the optional fans in the front of the case so you have airflow forced over the drives though.

 

[somethingweird]

OS: UNRAID !????

Are you running planning to run TRUENAS core/scale in the future?

 

[sretalla]

OS: UNRAID !????

Missed that... indeed a problem if you want advice from the folks here.

 

[somethingweird]

Missed that... indeed a problem if you want advice from the folks here.

Suggestion - remove OP specs - and post the case question? hehe.

 

[LabonSky]

I don't think that's going to work how you think it will...

if you're going to have a mirror, you really need to add another mirror, or not add anything, so 2 drives is the minimum unit to add, not 1.


With only 4 drives (and starting with 2), you won't need to worry too much about that as you can space them out in the case. Do put in the optional fans in the front of the case so you have airflow forced over the drives though.

I was thinking the same thing but apparently the data that is stored on Parity drive is just information about the bits that were written on other drives? https://www.reddit.com/r/unRAID/comments/vc8wm2/enlighten_me_about_how_parity_works/ So from what I understand 1 Parity drive should technically be just fine. I am not an expert though.

Missed that... indeed a problem if you want advice from the folks here.

Why would that be a problem though? I am looking for a case for NAS. People here are experts at building NAS systems. Probably the best place in the whole internet to ask since you guys have such pedigree and expertise in the area.

 

[sretalla]

Why would that be a problem though? I am looking for a case for NAS. People here are experts at building NAS systems. Probably the best place in the whole internet to ask since you guys have such pedigree and expertise in the area.

Because people here don't necessarily know much about UNRAID and therefore won't make good recommendations based on that... like I didn't when I assumed you were talking about TrueNAS and ZFS.

From what I understand of UNRAID, what you're talking about with 1 parity disk and then adding another later is somehow fine... no idea how good that is at avoiding data loss in the long-run.

 

[somethingweird]

My crazy suggestion - Any full size tower with 3x5.25 external with hot swap cage addon (4x3.5) - hybrid water cool/fan setup

 

[Davvo]

From a forum structural view you posted in the wrong section since you are not using FreeNas (you know, being in the FreeNas section) or any iX System product. But it's a mod's concern, not mine.

Consider the Fractal Define 7 XL.

Define 7 XL

The Define 7 XL sets a new standard for what you should expect from a full tower case in terms of modularity, flexibility and ease of use.

www.fractal-design.com

Leaving space between each drive (since it appears you will start with 2) will improve the temperatures.

However hotswap bays might be a better alternative... But it's hard to find a case with enough of them AND good airflow for silent operation.

 

[Ericloewe]

My crazy suggestion - Any full size tower with 3x5.25 external with hot swap cage addon (4x3.5) - hybrid water cool/fan setup

Those are getting harder to find. The 9x5.25" ones are borderline extinct. To make things worse, the hot swap cage modules are insanely expensive these days.

 

[Davvo]

The craziest suggestion is to 3D print a case yourself, or make someone do it and pay for it.

 

[somethingweird]

Those are getting harder to find. The 9x5.25" ones are borderline extinct. To make things worse, the hot swap cage modules are insanely expensive these days.

I was thinking one of these https://www.newegg.com/rosewill-rsv...ve-cage/p/N82E16816132037?Item=9SIA072GJ92556

 

[Davvo]

I was thinking one of these https://www.newegg.com/rosewill-rsv...ve-cage/p/N82E16816132037?Item=9SIA072GJ92556

Basically a backplane with a fan that fits a 5.25'' slot. Not bad, if it works.

 

[somethingweird]

Basically a backplane with a fan that fits a 5.25'' slot. Not bad, if it works.

It works - I have used it with a small modification on the case to make it fit in. (for my previous employer)