Norco now or later?

[Drawmonster]

I'm extremely torn about which case to get for my planned server build. I'm planning on starting the server storage out small, 6Tb, and growing it as I need to. Right now I'm looking at two cases.

Azza Helios 910
This is a highly recommended server case. With 5 x 3 hot swap bays, it's capable of 15 hot swap drives. The issue is the overall cost. The case is $79. The hot swap bays that I want are $99 a piece. I'd start of with one, which would make the initial cost for the case $179. But as I upgraded and had to buy more 3 x 5 bays, it would eventually be a $379 case that will fit 15 drives max. Here's the Azza set up as a server. This guy only used 3x4 bays, I plan on using 3x5. Server Build

Norco 4220
Also very highly recommended. 20 hot swap bays. Bays connect via the 8087 connection, so cable management would be very neat and clean. This costs $360ish shipped, and maxes out at 20 hot swap bays. It's also supposed to be loud, but fans can be changed to something much more quiet. I have not experience with this type of rackmount case, but it appears to be a very good solution. The up front cost would be higher, but it would allow easy upgrades to the server storage with no additional future purchases. There is also a step up from this case that allows 24 drives. It's about $70 more.

I've added and removed these two from my cart 20 times. So should I save money now with incremental purchases added on later with the Azza case, or spend more on the server case now with no further purchases needed? I do plan on having a massive server eventually, but it may be a few years before I get there. What would you guys choose?

 

[midnkight]

I Guess I will Chime in since I went with something similar to Route 1.

I own a Rosewill 9 bay Case, and have also gone an added 3 5x3.5 hotswap driver bay. And like your guess, the entire cost wasclose to 400 Dollars. With the way I was moving and going through Data, I filled up close to 14 HDD (28TB) in less then 2 Years. So I make out my server Pretty Fast. I have been flirting with the idea of selling my case with the hot swap and picking up a Norco for a While.

I think if I knew I was going to move through that much Data so Quickly I would have opted for the Norco. If your building as you go, you can probably do well. Also to note, if you want all the same 3 hotswap, you will most likely purchase all 3 at the same time. because with the way these hotswap moves, they tend to be discontinued in a few years.

Here a side note.
I started with a Atom Matx board so I end up using 2 sata Raid card and 2 port multiplier, all the cabling was a Mess. Then I added a LSI 9211-8i, and remove two port multiplier and a single raid card. I was able to fit all 15 drives using those two card plus the motherboard. The 8087 to SATA break out cable clean up the case nicely. Then I added a SAS Expander, this allow me to reduce the entire case down to 5 cable. 4 8087 breakout and a single 8087->8087 for HBA and Expander.
I have also upgraded my motherboard and CPU, which cause me to leave WHS V1, i am on WHS v2 now.

So my next step after this is to step up to a larger case capacity, but now 4TB drives are out, and i am slowly phasing out 2tb for 4tb, which in theory has allow me to double my storage.

 

[Drawmonster]

I Guess I will Chime in since I went with something similar to Route 1.

I own a Rosewill 9 bay Case, and have also gone an added 3 5x3.5 hotswap driver bay. And like your guess, the entire cost wasclose to 400 Dollars. With the way I was moving and going through Data, I filled up close to 14 HDD (28TB) in less then 2 Years. So I make out my server Pretty Fast. I have been flirting with the idea of selling my case with the hot swap and picking up a Norco for a While.

I think if I knew I was going to move through that much Data so Quickly I would have opted for the Norco. If your building as you go, you can probably do well. Also to note, if you want all the same 3 hotswap, you will most likely purchase all 3 at the same time. because with the way these hotswap moves, they tend to be discontinued in a few years.

Here a side note.
I started with a Atom Matx board so I end up using 2 sata Raid card and 2 port multiplier, all the cabling was a Mess. Then I added a LSI 9211-8i, and remove two port multiplier and a single raid card. I was able to fit all 15 drives using those two card plus the motherboard. The 8087 to SATA break out cable clean up the case nicely. Then I added a SAS Expander, this allow me to reduce the entire case down to 5 cable. 4 8087 breakout and a single 8087->8087 for HBA and Expander.
I have also upgraded my motherboard and CPU, which cause me to leave WHS V1, i am on WHS v2 now.

So my next step after this is to step up to a larger case capacity, but now 4TB drives are out, and i am slowly phasing out 2tb for 4tb, which in theory has allow me to double my storage.

Man, you have a lot of date, lol. I'm mainly going to use the server for backing up other computers and storing media. I've been using a 2Tb drive, and have had to keep deleting things to keep from maxing it out. I'd really like to get a massive move library going, so I'm leaning toward the 4224. 24 drives x 4Tb = 96Tb. That's a lot of media.

My main worries are the size of the thing and the how loud they are reported to be. If I go for the Norco, I'm thinking of getting something like this and maybe going full rackmount for my server and gaming rig. Expensive, but pretty badass.

 

[mwroobel]

I'm extremely torn about which case to get for my planned server build. I'm planning on starting the server storage out small, 6Tb, and growing it as I need to. Right now I'm looking at two cases.

Azza Helios 910
This is a highly recommended server case. With 5 x 3 hot swap bays, it's capable of 15 hot swap drives. The issue is the overall cost. The case is $79. The hot swap bays that I want are $99 a piece. I'd start of with one, which would make the initial cost for the case $179. But as I upgraded and had to buy more 3 x 5 bays, it would eventually be a $379 case that will fit 15 drives max. Here's the Azza set up as a server. This guy only used 3x4 bays, I plan on using 3x5. Server Build

Norco 4220
Also very highly recommended. 20 hot swap bays. Bays connect via the 8087 connection, so cable management would be very neat and clean. This costs $360ish shipped, and maxes out at 20 hot swap bays. It's also supposed to be loud, but fans can be changed to something much more quiet. I have not experience with this type of rackmount case, but it appears to be a very good solution. The up front cost would be higher, but it would allow easy upgrades to the server storage with no additional future purchases. There is also a step up from this case that allows 24 drives. It's about $70 more.

I've added and removed these two from my cart 20 times. So should I save money now with incremental purchases added on later with the Azza case, or spend more on the server case now with no further purchases needed? I do plan on having a massive server eventually, but it may be a few years before I get there. What would you guys choose?

The biggest question is what kind of server are you looking to build? Is this just going to be a storage tank for local files within your house that will see 2 or 3 users, or is this a server for a business with dozens of users. These answers will help guide better decisions, such as redundant power, proper cooling (relatively quiet for a home situation, tons of cfm/loudness be damned for an enterprise situation.

 

[Drawmonster]

The biggest question is what kind of server are you looking to build? Is this just going to be a storage tank for local files within your house that will see 2 or 3 users, or is this a server for a business with dozens of users. These answers will help guide better decisions, such as redundant power, proper cooling (relatively quiet for a home situation, tons of cfm/loudness be damned for an enterprise situation.

All for home use. Backup of computers, media storage, streaming to multiple devices, running SABNZBD + Sickbeard + Couchpotato, etc...

 

[mejohnm]

I am pretty much in the same boat. I decided to go with Norco case even though I will only fill-up 8 bays at first. But I know within the year it will be filled up. Just gotta figure which controller to get. Might follow midnkight's path but start with the LSI.

 

[MistrWebmastr]

I did the same - I was running a direct-attached Drobo, but needed something more of a NAS (while maintaining full OSes for security/abilities) so I went with a new server build using a SuperMicro board and Norco Case. The Norco case is cheap, but it's built extremely well for the cost. It's loud, but all the fans (at least in the case I got a month ago) are all on 12v, so you can get a variable resister device to lower their speed and quiet them down. The way I did it was I went with the IBM card flashed to IT mode and started filling up drives from the bottom. I only gained 3TB of space, so probably in a month or so I'll need to buy my next batch of drives and second IBM card. The board I got has a pile of PCI-E x8 slots so I don't really need the density.

 

[TypeRazor]

Skip those add-in hotswap bays, they only create more noise and problems. The Norco is most definitely worth it if you are wanting to go for 8+ hotswap bays.

 

[shetu]

go with Norco. If possible get Norco 4224

 

[Drawmonster]

go with Norco. If possible get Norco 4224

It's in my cart, if I can only make myself hit the "Buy" button.

Ever notice how when you don't have money, you want to buy everything. But when you can buy whatever you want, you don't want to spend money? Must be some sort of psychological thing..

 

[Hallis]

It's in my cart, if I can only make myself hit the "Buy" button.

Ever notice how when you don't have money, you want to buy everything. But when you can buy whatever you want, you don't want to spend money? Must be some sort of psychological thing..

Yep. Happens every year when my tax return lands.

Also. While I do love the Norco case I kinda like the look of that Azza case with the drive bays in it. I've been considering doing something similar to an Antec 902 when I change up my NAS next year.

 

[pitne]

norco 4220, all in one, bought the 120mm fan metal replacement thing. its pretty quiet as far as servers go.

 

[lightp2]

Dear Officer921,

the key phrase in your post, quote
"I do plan on having a massive server eventually, but it may be a few years before I get there. What would you guys choose? "
/end quote
No demeaning, production plan requires understanding...
1. Are you deep down, "plan 10 or 20 years ahead type of person" ?
2. Or are you deep down, " just in time type of person"?

If you are JIT, than neither, just get USD99 4-bay eSATA external disk enclosure. Add as you go. 8-bay is slightly more expensive but cleaner. (make sure you have compatible eSATA port on the host. an add-on card is also not very expensive.) The good thing for this arrangement is when your host platform change, just unplug the external disk enclosures and mount them onto the new host.

Else go Norco. your minimum stated goal of 15 x 2TB drive is USD 1785 currently. If you are spending that much money, reduce your regret later and go straight to 20-bays. You are going to spend anyhow eventually because you are deliberating on USD19 difference between options and still want to go full loading as indicated in your post. However, Norco is more than that as you need to pay to replace noisy fans.

 

[Drawmonster]

Well, I decided to spend more now in order to not have to spend more later. This is what I ending up ordering:

Case: Norco 4224
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230
Motherboard: Supermicro X9SCM-F-O
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM 8GB Kit (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 MHz UDIMM
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular High Performance Power Supply
OS: WHS 2011 (For now, may change multiple times)
Harddrives: 3 x 2Tb for now. Going to increase that as I need it. This system should be capable of nearly 100Tb using 4Tb drives, Probably WAY more than I will ever need.

I also ordered a custom fan mount and replacement fans for the 4224. Should be nearly silent. My next step will be to move my gaming rig into one of these and then mount both rigs in this. Gonna be sweet.

 

[D-EJ915]

Don't forget to get a reverse breakout cable (SATA->SAS) or an HBA and SAS cables.

 

[cantalup]

I Guess I will Chime in since I went with something similar to Route 1.

I own a Rosewill 9 bay Case, and have also gone an added 3 5x3.5 hotswap driver bay. And like your guess, the entire cost wasclose to 400 Dollars. With the way I was moving and going through Data, I filled up close to 14 HDD (28TB) in less then 2 Years. So I make out my server Pretty Fast. I have been flirting with the idea of selling my case with the hot swap and picking up a Norco for a While.

I think if I knew I was going to move through that much Data so Quickly I would have opted for the Norco. If your building as you go, you can probably do well. Also to note, if you want all the same 3 hotswap, you will most likely purchase all 3 at the same time. because with the way these hotswap moves, they tend to be discontinued in a few years.

Here a side note.
I started with a Atom Matx board so I end up using 2 sata Raid card and 2 port multiplier, all the cabling was a Mess. Then I added a LSI 9211-8i, and remove two port multiplier and a single raid card. I was able to fit all 15 drives using those two card plus the motherboard. The 8087 to SATA break out cable clean up the case nicely. Then I added a SAS Expander, this allow me to reduce the entire case down to 5 cable. 4 8087 breakout and a single 8087->8087 for HBA and Expander.
I have also upgraded my motherboard and CPU, which cause me to leave WHS V1, i am on WHS v2 now.

So my next step after this is to step up to a larger case capacity, but now 4TB drives are out, and i am slowly phasing out 2tb for 4tb, which in theory has allow me to double my storage.

bought rosewil.. case in 2008 for $40 FS,


added 3 of 5 in 3, I selected these due on having fan alarm, and temperature alarm.
3 ( 2 on newegg, 1 on frys) X ~90= 270 +case $40+ mobo combo from fry's biostar-celeron E1400 ~$80.= ~$390

drives are 500GX4 &1TX6 &2TX2 , running 24/7.. one of the swap handle is broken :|....


----------------------
I'm just brewing to migrate the running system using 16X sas expander case( bought from ebay, , and 2 of 5 in 3 ( this time all handles are aluminum, with fan and temperature alarm) with my old cube case server YeongYang - YY-0221, with fan intake an outtake modification..
still waiting 3T drive going down around $80-$100 price range


.

 

[Drawmonster]

Don't forget to get a reverse breakout cable (SATA->SAS) or an HBA and SAS cables.

Yep, ordered that and various other useful cables and adapters.

 

[midnkight]

bought rosewil.. case in 2008 for $40 FS,


added 3 of 5 in 3, I selected these due on having fan alarm, and temperature alarm.
3 ( 2 on newegg, 1 on frys) X ~90= 270 +case $40+ mobo combo from fry's biostar-celeron E1400 ~$80.= ~$390

drives are 500GX4 &1TX6 &2TX2 , running 24/7.. one of the swap handle is broken :|....


----------------------
I'm just brewing to migrate the running system using 16X sas expander case( bought from ebay, , and 2 of 5 in 3 ( this time all handles are aluminum, with fan and temperature alarm) with my old cube case server YeongYang - YY-0221, with fan intake an outtake modification..
still waiting 3T drive going down around $80-$100 price range


.

Yup, that the same case I have, I actually went with Startech Trayless Hotswap. what kill me price wise is that i Bought a 9211-8i with a chenbro 23601 SAS expander. That combo was roughtly $700 combine. >_< but this combo lets me have close to 36 drives.

 

[shetu]

Well, I decided to spend more now in order to not have to spend more later. This is what I ending up ordering:

Case: Norco 4224
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230
Motherboard: Supermicro X9SCM-F-O
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM 8GB Kit (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 MHz UDIMM
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular High Performance Power Supply
OS: WHS 2011 (For now, may change multiple times)
Harddrives: 3 x 2Tb for now. Going to increase that as I need it. This system should be capable of nearly 100Tb using 4Tb drives, Probably WAY more than I will ever need.

I also ordered a custom fan mount and replacement fans for the 4224. Should be nearly silent. My next step will be to move my gaming rig into one of these and then mount both rigs in this. Gonna be sweet.

Nice build.