Well, setting up a 24-bay fileserver is certainly one obvious approach, but it costs some money. I put together a new 24-bay hotswap server recently. Assembly was required. You can buy ready-to-go solutions, but you will generally pay much more. I could pull up the parts list if that's of interest to you.

You can sometimes buy used servers for less than the cost of a new setup, but a lot of the used ones floating around have backplanes that won't recognize drives greater than 2TB.

Edit: as requested, parts list + setup notes below.

PARTS

CASE:

NORCO RPC-4224

https://www.amazon.com/NORCO-Mount-Hot-Swappable-Server-RPC-4224/dp/B00BQY3916/

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA00Y5105458

OS SSD:

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Digital-256GB-SKC400S37-256G/dp/B019SDOHMQ/

128GB

** connected to one of the onboard SATA slots on the motherboard and installed internally ... duct tape against one of the sides of the case works fine as a mounting solution.

CPU:

Xeon E3-1225 v5 SkyLake 3.0 GHz 8MB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1UH3ZC0476

RAM:

DDR4, 16GB, ECC

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-ValueRAM-KVR21E15D8-16/dp/B01DKBPY2E/

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820242215

MOTHERBOARD:

SUPERMICRO MBD-X11SAT-O ATX Server Motherboard LGA 1151 Intel C236

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813183022

"3x PCI-E 3.0 x16 (run at 16/NA/16 or 16/8/8), 1x PCI-E 3.0 x1 (in x4), and 1x 5V PCI 32-bit slots"

POWER SUPPLY:

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Supernova-Supply-Certified-110-B2-0850-V1/dp/B00KYK1CC6

SAS CABLES:

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-30AWG-Internal-36-Pin-SFF-8087/dp/B008VLHOR2

Quantity: 6

HBAs:

SUPERMICRO AOC-SAS2LP-MV8 PCI-Express 2.0 x8 SATA / SAS 8-Port Controller Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101792

http://www.supermicro.com/products/accessories/addon/AOC-SAS2LP-MV8.cfm

It says "Windows 2003, 2008 and Vista" but I downloaded the driver and it explicitly states in the readme that it is WHQL certified: "Certified for Microsoft Windows 10 Client family, x64". I'm personally using this HBA driver with a Windows 10 system and a Server 2016 system with no issues.

Also - this comes with a full height bracket as well as low profile. Mine have come with the low profile bracket installed by default, so you probably need to swap them.

You could use LSI/etc cards, but these actually come as HBAs - that's all they do, so there's no need to go through an annoying flash process to get IT mode. Also, they're cheap, and they work well for me. I can't vouch for their unix driver status, however - so do some research if you will be using linux/bsd/etc.

Quantity: 3

FAN CONTROLLER (Optional ... see below)

Sentry AC SEN-MIX2-M1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DN3IT7M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1

Total ATM : $1661

SETUP NOTES:

You will need extra molex connectors beyond what the EVGA PS above supplies. You can either order another 3-Molex lead (it's a modular power supply) and install that into one of the free modular "Accessory" power ports, or you can use splitters to convert 3 SATA power -> Molex.

As with other Norco models, you kind of need to take the fan wall out, unscrew the fans, remove the metal "finger guards", install the guards on the other side, then mount the fans on the other side. So that the fans are on the opposite side of the cage as when you first started, but the air flow is still moving in the same direction. If you don't do this, you won't have enough room to comfortably fit non-right-angle SAS + Molex connectors into the backplane. The downside is that the chassis includes a little metal shelf that hangs off the other side of the fan wall on which you can mount 2 SSDs. You can't use that if you flip the fans. If you can find right-angle connectors for both SAS + Molex, then you could do that instead of having to bother with this.

Including the CPU fan, you will need 6 x 3-pin fan power headers to drive all the fans. I ended up being 1 short. I used a fan controller instead (the above), but I had a heck of a time fitting it into the chassis. I managed to sorta-kinda screw it in against the back of the chassis along the top, but it was a pain. I would probably just try to find and use some Molex -> Fan adapter cables instead.

WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY IN HINDSIGHT:

• Find some right-angle SAS and right-angle molex connectors or adapters so I didn't have to swap the fan arrangement on the fan wall.
  
• Buy shorter SAS cables. I just automatically ordered long ones, but they were way way too long, and it was messy trying to tuck all the excess behind the fan wall.
  
• Avoid using the fan controller (though it helps to be able to spin loud, high-RPM fans down)
  
• Possibly buy an M.2 SSD for the OS SSD instead... though M.2 SSDs can get awfully hot. Still probably the better option.
  
  

I have a Norco 4224 and I'm pretty happy with it. It's often <$350 shipped on Amazon when it's in stock and holds 24 drives.

As for HBAs, I have 3 Fujitsu D2607s (LSI 9211-8i) crossflashed to IT mode that run about $25 each shipped on eBay each will attach 8 drives.

If you want to build your own, you could always get a chassis like this then buy a motherboard/cpu and everything else you need. The noise would be dependent on which fans you purchase.

If you move up to a 36 bay chassis, you are going to drop $1k on just the box alone.

RSV-L4500 with the optional bay to replace the 5.25 bays with more hard drives.

Although I am eyeing a Norco and putting the Rosewill in my detached garage as pseudo-offsite storage.

Norco 24, been using mine for YEARS without issue. Hot swap backplane, accepts an ATX PSU, decent cooling, trays are easy to use, can replace the fan wall for less noise too.

https://www.amazon.com/NORCO-Mount-Hot-Swappable-Server-RPC-4224/dp/B00BQY3916

Homelab newbie here, and starting plan for migration to unRAID: just the 24-bay case seems to be a good deal, compared to something like this. I do need to be power conscious, but this seems like a good enough deal to jump on anyway.

If I buy one of these, are there any considerations if I add new components vs. buying a new case or am I locked into hardware? Also, is there anything other than processor and better PSU that I can look at to improve power draw?

Thanks all! This subreddit has been invaluable in getting myself up to speed. :)

Or something as simple as this with server and storage in one 4U chassis. Load it out with 10TB drives in RAID10 and you can end up with ~100TB usable.

Amazon has it for $399.99, not sure of the Canadian price.

http://www.amazon.com/NORCO-Mount-Hot-Swappable-Server-RPC-4224/dp/B00BQY3916

Right now it's running Gentoo. Though if I had to rebuild it, I'd probably put it on FreeNAS instead.

I don't have a picture of it, but it's in a Norco 4224.

I am in the same boat as you. I have been looking at these three cases but haven't decided on which one to get. You can also look up Unixplus' ebay page for a SuperMicro chassis as well.

 

MFU 12-bay Server Chassis

SilverStone CS-RM212-RS01

Norco RPC-4224

Your best bet is amazon.com Not .ca. Amazon.com... get it shipped 1 day shipping to a PO Box in blaine. Anything in Canada will be expensive. Some examples -

https://www.amazon.com/NORCO-Mount-Hot-Swappable-Server-RPC-4224/dp/B00BQY3916/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467534062&sr=8-1&keywords=24+bay Click on sellers... amaozn has it. Delivers by july 06...costs $100 for 1 day shipping (less, if you buy a year of prime)

To $3-6000 ones.. All deliverable by july 06, if that works.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=24+bay

Tower Case Roundup:

Nanoxia Deep Silence 6 http://nanoxia-world.com/en/products/cases/deep-silence-series/deep-silence-6-rev.-b/209/deep-silence-6-rev.-b-dark-black?c=40
5.25 inch drive bay external: 4 x
3.5 inch drive bay external: 2 x (optional)
2.5/3.5 inch drive bay internal: 10 x (max. 13)
2.5 inch drive bay internal: 6 x
and
Fractal design Node 804 http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/node-series/node-804

Lian Li D8000

I'm currently eyeing the Fractal Design Node 804 for a future HTPC. It's small but it has a dual chamber design. I wanna fit 4x 4tb WD HDs in there and an SSD. (But it can hold 8)

Antec Nineteen Hundred http://imgur.com/a/hPZTw
That's my case and love it. Since this picture I have added 4 more drives in the adapter for a total of 16 HDD's.


Fractal Design. By far the best cases I've ever built with. I have a Define XL R2 at the moment but know friends who have built NAS setups in the Node and R5 cases.

I don't go for the server rack system, so I've opted for the Fractal Design Define XL R2 thanks to all of its bay slots.

DS380B Silverstone
itx dinky cube with 8x 3.5" drive bays in caddies.
I threw a board with an M.2 card in there with a Intel 6100 and its good to go. 8 disk zraid pool

I'm torn between getting this:
http://www.u-nas.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17617
Or a tower case that can hold more drives.
The hot swap drives turn me on though.



[–]zugman 50TB 3 points 1 day ago
I always thought the COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 was great but it's sadly discontinued. Easily fits 12 drives with great cooling. I added 5-in-3 cages for 15 drives. I've still got 2 of them kicking around but I've since moved to rack mount.
permalinkembe

Zalman MS800, add three 3 x 5.25" to 4(or5) x 3.5" adapters and net 12-15 hot swap bays.

Nothing special, just a ZALMAN Z11 Plus Midi Tower Computer Case. It takes all 8 or so drives I have.

Honestly, I was using the NZXT Source 210 for the longest time.
It regularly goes on sale for $20 in the US
It has 8 3.5" bays
It has 3 5.25" bays you could throw 4 more 3.5" drives in
it has decent cable management room
6 120mm fan spots
It's not in the least bit gaudy nor does it draw attention to itself
The only reason I replaced it, was I finally had too many HDDs for it sadly, otherwise I'd be using it still.

I have a personal computer build coming up Hopefully I can post it in 2 - 3 weeks.
I am using the CM Storm Stryker : It has 9 x 5.25" bays
Those bays can be converted to hot-swap hard drive bays I am using SATA Trayless Hot-Swap Cage from iStar
I go two so I am going to have 8 hot swap bays external and maybe four ssd internal but this case can have 12 external bays or if you spend a lot more and get the 5 hot swap per 3 x 5.25" then that can be 15 HDDs hot swap.
Some links so you can picture what I am talking about:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119260
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y3E2Q1K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I love my Lian Li PC-Q25b.

I use an Antec 900 with a 3x5.25 bay to 5x3.5 hot swappable enclosure in the front. Made by silverstone I believe. I also have their 3x5.25 bay to 12x2.5 hot swappable enclosure I use for SSDs (but can also be used for hard drives). That leaves me room for one more 5x3.5 enclosure which I plan to install when I need additional storage.

I'm a big fan of the Corsair 900D. 15 3.5in drive bays with backplanes and you can easily fit a blu-ray drive and 4 more hard drives in the 5.25 bays.
Also, it will take most motherboards and graphic cards and has spots for dual PSUs. It fits under my couch table perfectly which is also nice. I replaced the clear door with a solid one and it's just a black brick that doesn't look like a 9 year old's computer lit up like a christmas tree.


[–]HQToast 30TB RAW + ACD Unl. 1 point 1 day ago
I recently bought this beauty :3
http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-a76/
http://imgur.com/mam0Yl3
Going to 3D Print another small cage for it soon. There is so much more space in there ^^
12x 3,5"


Lian Li PC-D8000, though I might be abusing the innocent little word "tower." Poor thing.
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[–]HittingSmoke 1 point 1 day ago
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112412
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112388
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112412
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[–]rdxgs 1 point 1 day ago
duplicator cases with hard drive cages
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[–]Engin33rh3r3 1 point 1 day ago
Anyone have a rack mount recommendation that can support a x-large radiator the Cosair h115i???
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[–]Jollyrogr 1 point 23 hours ago
Just built my NAS with a Norco itx-s8. Nice little box with 8 hot swap bays and an SAS backplane.
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[–]BLKMGK 65TB unRAID 1 point 16 hours ago*
Coolermaster Stacker if you can find one. Mine held 20 drives using 4n3 adapters and I've seen them modified to hold 40 drives. They now sell a Stacker "HAF" which isn't the same but does hold a decent number of drives too. The Stackers I have are damn near waist high, have casters, and served me well for many years prior to buying a 4U 24+bay rackmount..
http://www.madshrimps.be/vbulletin/f22/coolermaster-stacker-modified-fit-47-hdd-total-12-terabyte-36586/ <- crazy dense for the time lol
These are your friend! https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817999027&cm_re=4in3-_-17-999-027-_-Product
Here's what I use now https://www.amazon.com/NORCO-Mount-Hot-Swappable-Server-RPC-4224/dp/B00BQY3916
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[–]03891223 2TB usable :( 1 point 15 hours ago
I know there's better cases for the job (more 5.25" bays etc), but before I got my r710s I was using another define r5 and loved it. Was running WD reds in it and had it sitting right next to my desk (along with my desktop, another define r5) and couldn't hear either of them.