How many drive bays do I need?

I’m specing a custom sleeper pc with the sole intent of being a set and forget media box. I’ve got some loose parameters for performance requirements, but my real question is about how many drive bays I need. I’d like to keep a low profile, so a smaller Mini-ITX 20 liter case is very inticing, but finding a cheap psu and mobo with 8 sata ports is proving to be a challenge. On the other hand, Micro-ATX cases, psu’s, and mobo’s with 8+ sata connectors are abundant and at relatively cheap pricing, but they’re 40+ liters. Do you think 8 drive bays is enough for future proofing? I have 2 dedicated nas drives and 1 more on the way, but my server is growing fast and I don’t want to have to start all over in a few years. What about the size? Obviously a lower profile is nicer, but is it worth the increase in cost?

Thanks, TC370

2 comments

Jonsbo N3 case - 8 hard drives

If you're OK with a meager CPU and ordering from Aliexpress, you can grab this mini ITX board with a Celeron N5105, has six SATA ports, and two M.2 NVMe ports, 4x 2.5Gbps Intel NIC (amazing actually), support for 2x DDR4 So-DIMM (laptop) RAM: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805947799076.html

Or just search NAS motherboard N5105, there's plenty of sellers.

Specs say 16GB max RAM (mainly Intel CPU published limit) but it apparently works fine with 32GB.

You can use one of the M.2 slots to add an M.2 to SATA port adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3RMFFT

Or buy the M.2 SATA adapter from Aliexpress if you get the mobo, they're cheaper and basically the same thing.

And because it includes dual M.2 slots, four 2.5Gbps ethernet ports, and 6 onboard SATA it leaves the PCIe slot free for further expansion if desired. I don't know why more mainstream motherboard manufacturers don't do this, but with a socketed CPU.

I'm doing a review of this kind of setup once my motherboard arrives.
- Woah, I had no idea M.2 to Sata connectors existed. That definitely expands my options. And thanks for the suggestions!