Your Thoughts on this Case Please

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Hi Guys...​

Can i just ask please your thoughts on this Coolmaster case ?​

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Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced - Mini-ITX Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Long Graphics Card Support - Black​

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FEATURES​

• Unprecedented airflow for a Mini-ITX case
• 1/3 the size of a standard case
• Supports standard length ATX PSUs with innovative rear mount
• Supports Ultra High-End VGA's (HD7990/GTX690)
• Stylish Aluminum front panel
• USB 3.0 Super Speed Support
• Features a Full Size 5.25" Drive Bay
• Supports Up to 3 x 3.5" / 4 x 2.5" HDD/SSD (converted from 2 x 3.5" HDD bay)​

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I don't want something Massive like the regular case's and the Budget for the case is £40 - £50​

If you have any idea's for the Budget I've stated above, then Please let me hear your thoughts..​

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Thanks a bunch People...​

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Gary​

 

[cyberjock]

It has a whole bunch of stuff that is useless as a FreeNAS box..

-USB3 ports(useless)
-support for full size VGA video cards(useless)
-limited to 3 disks(4 with the cd-rom slot converted)... hidden cost
-cd-rom slot(not useful unless you plan to add in a slot converter for hard drives.


Overall, not a case I'd recommend for a FreeNAS machine.

Frankly, with a budget as low as yours, nothing is going to be particularly recommended. That kind of budget isn't going to buy you the kinds of features that make a good FreeNAS box.

 

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@cyberjock

I hear ya Man, I already knew most of the Features would of been left redundant. and although I'm not new to building Rigs, I am New to building FreeNAS & appreciate your Advice
Thank You.

I'm out of work so this is why budgets for items are low. However I have found 2 Case's to look at more tomorrow as it's late here now & need some sleep.
I'd really appreciate if you or others could give their thoughts on these, I realise your busy Guys & have better things to do than running around after some Noob,
However we all have to start some place & I value your advice.

This is a Server Case ATX Full comes with a 300W PSU, 1x3'5 & 7x5'25 which i can convert to 3'5 in bays best thing only 25 Quid. (comes with wheels) lol

Or there's this which can fit under my Workbench


Rack mount server case - 20 hard drive spaces; with PSU and cables
The case has 20 hot-swap SATA disk drive bays at the front for easy access when it's in the rack. There is space for a slimline DVD drive and 1-2 internal HDD or SSD. Comes with a 750W Corsair power supply already fitted, and the Guy has also included SATA cables to connect the disk backplanes to the disk controller card. I just need to supply a motherboard, processor and memory of your choice, and a RAID or HBA controller to drive the disks. Mains cable and Box of miscellaneous brackets and screws also included with the price.
Sails Page giving Specs here LICK TO X-CASE OR Rackmount Specs

Anyway Time to hit the Pit.. Thanks Guys

 

[cyberjock]

I don't think either of those are particularly good, especially the one where you could convert the 5.25" bays. That's more cost and quickly loses value.

You need a case with fans that directly blow over the disks. Hotswap is nice, but not necessarily required.

I will say this though.. the hardware requirements for FreeNAS don't make "cheap" an option. ECC RAM, 8GB minimum, plus compatible hardware can be a problem. I can't tell you how many people here have built cheap systems and on first bootup realized that either FreeBSD won't boot, the SATA controller isn't compatible, the NIC isn't compatible, or the system is just downright unstable because of their choice of cheap hardware. You might be better off just using your desktop as a file sharing server until you have cash to spend on proper hardware.

 

[nopoe]

I went with a Rosewill Legacy V6, which still has USB 3.0 ports and only supports 4 drives, so it's not a great case, but I think it should be at least "good". The drives might run a bit hot though... We'll see when I get my motherboard. It's a lot smaller than the Elite 120, which is the main reason I went with it. Bit of a gamble, all things considered, but it wasn't *too* expensive compared to the rest of the build so if I have to replace it due to temperatures then whatever.

Obviously no hot swap or anything, but show me a case with 4 hot swap bays that size (at any price) that supports an ATX power supply and I'll go buy it immediately.

edit: This case actually isn't all that great. I had to do a bit of modding to get a 160mm modular PSU mounted right. It's the only real choice for me because of space constraints but if you can afford to go with something bigger, I would suggest that.

 

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@cyberjock
I was rooting around in my Shed today & came across a case i can use, It's nothing special but it can fit 5/6 drives in, as also a top exhaust & a rear, & can fit 2x 120mm front & 1x 120mm read with the same at the top also.
So that's my case sorted..

Yes i was reading the manual about hardware compatibility and would like to do this right. so anyway that now puts the budget for the motherboard around £80 and i know i can or should be able to get a nice mobo for that.
buying parts each week you see, so cpu the week after & then the ram. No Rush, but no way am I using my Apple Mac Mini Mid 2011 and leaving that turned on 24/7. (It's not the server one)
Although i hear they can make a great little system.

I don't want to go to cheap & mess this up, So I guess now it's back to reading & time to make up my mind about a Motherboard.. The Hardest Part i think...

Anyway we'll see.. again Guys Thank you both of you, for your input ;)

 

[cyberjock]

Supermicro boards like the X9SCM-F are recommended.. and they are about twice the price you just quoted for a budget unless I've got the currency conversion wrong.

I wasn't kidding when I said this stuff wasn't cheap. ;)

 

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@cyberjock
Lol Ok well it seems I'll be daft not to accept your advice, And i'll go for that board. just been looking now on newegg & amazon non ship to the Darn UK lol
And the ones on Ebay Are a nice price However to pay an extra $30/40 for shipping takes me way over Budget for that month.

So I'll just keep looking until i come across someone shipping cheap or for free lol, I don't mind saving for an extra week to get this board, I mean correct me if I'm wrong
but i think i remember reading some place that this is the Board you have in yours right ?

So it must be good lol, I mean I don't know you much, yet, but i see you carry weight on this forum and are respected & you know your Shit Man!

Thanks again for everything Cyberjock, you've been a great help.

P.S
I don't see it in your Sig, but do you have some specs of your set up, just the board (which i'm getting) & anything else you have attached to it please.
Cards etc. I'll be getting the WD Reds HDD's and something smaller for the OS :)

Anyway Take Care & Thank you again

 

[Ericloewe]

@cyberjock
Lol Ok well it seems I'll be daft not to accept your advice, And i'll go for that board. just been looking now on newegg & amazon non ship to the Darn UK lol
And the ones on Ebay Are a nice price However to pay an extra $30/40 for shipping takes me way over Budget for that month.

Amazon.de tends to have a better selection of computer components, especially motherboards, so you might want to check there before going for a distant alternative.

 

[gpsguy]

You might want to send PenalunWil a PM. He lives in Wales. He recently built a system using a Supermicro board.


Sent from my phone

 

[cyberjock]

I have an X9SCM-F. My entire specs are in my presentation.

 

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@Ericloewe
Never thought of looking East lol Thanks for the heads up there Pal.. :) I'll take a Gander tomorrow.

@gpsguy
Thanks for the info Pal, I'll keep that in mind if i need to bang my Head against his & work shit out.. :)

@cyberjock
What can i say Man, A Man can only say Thanks so often right lol (jk) anyway Found & Downloaded your Presentation and for the PDF for non windows (Mac Mini user here)
also found your specs, this is what I'm hoping to base my Build on, If all works out with cash flow.

Anyway again Guys you've all been Great. Thanks you all..

Gazza