Looking for opinions for SOHO server

XMan

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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The TS140 looks to pretty much fit the bill for what I do (centralized file archive and Plex server with minimal transcoding)

The case looks to be a limiting factor, though. I have a spare full-tower ATX server case sitting in my garage that would fit the bill nicely, but I'd likely have to replace the power supply to add additional connections. With the proprietary connectors Lenovo is using, I'd also need an adapter to make a standard ATX supply work, as well as figure out a front-panel connector adapter as they're using a proprietary standard there, as well.

So that takes the TS140 from the realm of cheap and good to just a little bit more expensive, with the added hassle of tinkering. If I want to tinker I figure why not just piece together my own server (though that will obviously be more expensive than just buying the TS140.)

So -- are there are any prebuilt SOHO server boxes out there that are capable of serving at least 6 3.5" drives? Or, failing that, are there any of the same that have 3 5.25" slots that I can install my 4 disk SATA enclosure in?

Or am I better off just buying PS+mobo+Xeon+RAM and building it in my tower case?
 
Feb 25, 2011
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If you do want to BYO, plenty of NAS cases that will fit the bill. Supermicro motherboard and you're done.

Otherwise, maybe the Lenovo TD350?

How much data do you have? How many HDDs? I mean, maybe it's time to trade in the big ol' array of 1TB HDDs for a pair of 6TB drives, you know?