What is the smallest motherboard with 5x SATA headers and a PCIe slot? I'm looking for a processor/motherboard combo for a compact NAS build - I now have 5 x 2.5", 8TB SSDs for a compact NAS with either Windows Server/DrivePool or Linux/Btrfs
I looked at the Helios64 project (Kobol - Helios64 Open Source NAS) - it is VERY enticing for $295, specifically since it has a 2.5GbE lan, keeping in mind that a single SATA SSD can do 500 MB/s. But the case is 3.5" HDDs and I want something more compact. Of course, one option would be to wait till the boards are available stand alone and then use a IcyDock 4x2.5" cage. Or 3D print a 5x2.5" cage. The other option is to use a NUC motherboard with 2 NVMe slots and use something like this: Amazon.com: M Key Extension M.2 NGFF Key M to PCIe 3.0 4X Extension Cable m.2 Key m to pci-e 4X (90°Right Angle PCI-E Slot): Industrial & Scientific
I know Synology has DS419slim and DS620slim - honestly, I would rather keep away from QNAP, Synology and other off-the-shelf NASes
I looked at the Helios64 project (Kobol - Helios64 Open Source NAS) - it is VERY enticing for $295, specifically since it has a 2.5GbE lan, keeping in mind that a single SATA SSD can do 500 MB/s. But the case is 3.5" HDDs and I want something more compact. Of course, one option would be to wait till the boards are available stand alone and then use a IcyDock 4x2.5" cage. Or 3D print a 5x2.5" cage. The other option is to use a NUC motherboard with 2 NVMe slots and use something like this: Amazon.com: M Key Extension M.2 NGFF Key M to PCIe 3.0 4X Extension Cable m.2 Key m to pci-e 4X (90°Right Angle PCI-E Slot): Industrial & Scientific
I know Synology has DS419slim and DS620slim - honestly, I would rather keep away from QNAP, Synology and other off-the-shelf NASes