New NAS build advice

[Coastie]

I currently have 2 Buffalo Terastations, one old original version and a Pro II version. The original is quite slow and not attached to my network at the moment. Both are 1TB models with 4 HDD in a raid 5 array. I want to replace them with something more modern, higher capacity and running Win7 or WHS, and use NTFS getting away from RAID. I'll back them up individually and access the headless box via RDP.

I use the NAS for music,video,picture,apps storage, and nothing else, with 3 computers sharing the data.
I currently have just under 1TB of data that I want to keep/share.

My original thought was to use an Atom dual core netbook with USB3 and just share the drives out. I ordered an ASUS Eee PC 1015PEM which has USB3 as an option from Amazon and or course it didn't come with that option so I returned it, this was several months ago. Now that AMD has released the E-350, that seems to be my better option, so I intend to go the E350, or E450 route in a few months. I still have (2) 2TB WD Green drives and the USB3 Dock waiting for use.

My NAS sits on a shelf in a spare bedroom with all the other network equipment, and does not get moved around at all.

I am trying to decide whether I use a home built system with NAS case. I have been looking at the VidaBox CubeCase which would hold everything in one box. It is a bit larger than my current Terastation(s) but would still fit where my current one sits. I would use an ITX E350 board, probably from Gigabyte.

I am also looking at using a ZBOX-AD02-U and then would make use of the USB3 Dock which holds 2 HDDs.

The box would not do anything more than occasionally store/serve music,video,images,apps. I am lucky enough to be at a point in my life where the cost between 4GB and 8GB of RAM is no big deal. For such a minimal system would upping to 8GB or RAM make any sense at all, even running Win7 with a long time between reboots?

I don't see myself using more than 2 data drives + 1 OS drive. By time I fill a single 2TB drive, I still have a spare, and by the time those are both full, I just move to larger drives. I have been using the 1TB Terastations for 5+ years, so 2+2TB should last me a very long time. I am not concerned with future drive space in the case choice.

Of the above 2 setups (full case/zbox w/USB3 dock) which would you go with and why?

 

[Dangman]

Of the above 2 setups (full case/zbox w/USB3 dock) which would you go with and why?

I'd go with the VidaBox CubeCase out of those two options: It offers more storage space than the ZBOX. In addition, it's the least messier of the two options since you would have to get 3-5 external hard drives to connect to that Zbox. With the Vidabox, you have 3 drives (4 if you use a 3.5" to 5.25" adapter). Then you can add more storage via the ports on the motherboard.

The box would not do anything more than occasionally store/serve music,video,images,apps. I am lucky enough to be at a point in my life where the cost between 4GB and 8GB of RAM is no big deal. For such a minimal system would upping to 8GB or RAM make any sense at all, even running Win7 with a long time between reboots?

Nope, 4GB of RAM will be fine.

 

[Vengance_01]

Look at this little gem by HP. It might be what you are looking for.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...5&cm_re=hp_microserver-_-59-105-905-_-Product

I mainly like it for the case. Can hold 5 drives (4 hot swapable, and one in the ODM bay) and its price is right.

 

[Coastie]

Thanks for the tips.