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This video compares two popular DIY NAS cases, the John B In2 and the Fractal Node304, released a decade apart, discussing their hardware design and strengths and weaknesses. The video discusses the differences between two PC cases in terms of storage, size, and scalability. Cooling 2 x 92mm front fan mounts (fan supplied), 1 x 120/140mm rear fan mount (140mm fan supplied) One of the clearest and most obvious distinctions between the N2 and the Node 304 is the sheer physical size difference. Even though both of these systems offer a somewhat similar level of hardware support and internal cavities for different utilities, there’s a significant distinction between them in terms of physical space. With another kid on the way I’m making more space in our den by selling off my current setup and doing a new setup in a small space under my stairs. Was debating about getting a laptop but just couldn’t find something that I liked.
This table succinctly encapsulates the strengths and weaknesses of both NAS cases, aiding potential buyers in making an informed decision based on their specific needs. You can immediately see from the photo that some things are missing. Fractal Design has ditched the optical drive bay entirely and saved a lot of space in the process. You may not have noticed that there's also no reset button; HDD activity and power are both handled by the same single blue front LED. Ventilation is pretty minimal, too. Fractal Design took their usual aesthetic and a lot of chutzpah and produced something remarkably unique. Fractal Design Node 304 Specifications On the other hand, the Fractal Node 304, with its decade-old legacy, stands out for users prioritizing versatility and upgradability. Despite its older design, it offers more room for CPU coolers, greater flexibility in PCIe card selection, and superior ventilation—making it ideal for power users and those looking to build more aggressive server setups. Moreover, businesses and hobbyists inclined towards regular expansions will find the Node 304’s forward-thinking design a significant boon. Ultimately, choosing between the two boils down to individual requirements. The N2 serves as a modern, efficient solution for standard builds, while the Node 304 caters to those seeking maximum flexibility and growth potential. Rear: 1 x 140mm Silent Series R2 hydraulic bearing fan, 1000 RPM speed (compatible with 120mm fans) – includedyyrkoon - Tuesday, November 27, 2012 - link May as well call it 300W peak after adding a HDD, and optical drive. a Tad more with an SSD in addition.
Long-term scalability and upgrades of your NAS server aren’t considerations exclusive to businesses. Even the most casual enthusiast should factor in potential future changes. Whether you’re contemplating upgrading your local area network, enhancing your private server with lightning-fast m.2 SSD storage, or even venturing into adding a graphics card down the line, PCIe upgrade slots on your chosen NAS server will undoubtedly be a critical aspect, whether on day one or day 1,000. Choosing the appropriate NAS case, ensuring it allows you to effectively scale via PCIe expansions, is a foundational decision. It’s a choice that, years down the line, you’ll either commend or regret. The N2 seems to offer fewer considerations for PCIe upgrades, which is surprising given the decade difference in release dates compared to the Fractal Node 304. If you’ve been in the market to buy yourself a desktop NAS enclosure on your road towards building the perfect private cloud that is completely under your control, then there is a pretty good chance that you have looked at the Jonsbo N2 case and the Fractal Node 304 NAS enclosure. These are 2 DIY NAS cases that have been released around a decade apart, yet they are both among the most popular and most recommended desktop cases in the market. It’s surprising how 10 years can pass, yet these two server cases still hold prominence. This prominence leaves you with the ultimate question: which one is best suited to your rather compact private server needs? That is what we’re covering in today’s article. We are going to compare these cases, their strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully, by the end of it, you’ll know which one is going to proudly house your future data storage cloud.
Befitting the Fractal Design Node 304's simple aesthetic is an equally simple assembly, but there are definitely measures that could've been taken to make it easier still. In its own way this is par for the course with Fractal Design's cases; they're easy to build but they could've optimized things even further. Front: 2 x 92mm Silent Series R2 hydraulic bearing fans, 1300 RPM speed (compatible with 80mm fans) – included In contrast, the Jonsbo N2, while able to house a single PCIe card, imposes far more restrictions on card dimensions. Practically speaking, the N2 confines users to half-height, 3/4 length, and single-depth cards (owing to the lower cavity at the case’s top). Consequently, a majority of graphics cards are incompatible. Additionally, while single and dual-port cards will fit, quad-port cards—typically full-height—are incompatible. Another potential hurdle is the single card depth, which, though seldom an issue for network expansion cards, might become problematic for aggressive m.2 storage expander cards that come equipped with sizable heat dissipation panels. The 304 case supports full-length double depth full-height U PCIe cards, allowing users to maximize their PCI card usage.
With the exception of a vented intake area at the front that runs the width of the case, the top panel of the NODE 304 is completely solid. May I use nonECC memory for Supermicro X11SCL-iF + i3-9100F? I've heard that it's possible to use nonECC memory with i3, and it's impossible with Xeon, is it true? I just don't want to spend more money on memory than CPU+Motherboard cost.The Fractal Node 304 positions the motherboard horizontally at the base of the case, complemented by the aforementioned ventilation panel underneath. Conversely, the N2 places the motherboard closer to the case’s top, yet it still maintains horizontal alignment. While both designs allow for the attachment of a PCIe card without necessitating a riser or sister board, the varied placements result in considerable differences in CPU cooler support. CPU fans, heat sinks, or coolers—regardless of terminology—are indispensable for 24/7 server operation. The more robust your CPU, the more substantial and sophisticated your cooling solution must be. If your system involves a moderate setup, like a top-tier Celeron or Pentium, the issue is less pressing. Many motherboards in this category come with an attached micro CPU fan or are compatible with horizontally-positioned CPU fans that are around an inch in height. However, advanced processors require more intricate coolers with integrated fans, copper piping, and a design that sits slightly above the motherboard to ensure optimal airflow. It’s no surprise to our regular readers and other TG staff members that I go coo-coo crazy over cases, even going so far as to change my forum title here at Techgage to “basket chassis”. What really blows my skirt up though, is when a case comes along with a fresh design that looks good while remaining functional. After all, a good-looking case that doesn’t do what’s needed is just a fancy box. The long hard drive activity LED is diffused somewhat, making for a pleasant blue glow. The white power LED underneath the bezel shines brightly downward like a spotlight and is blinding when viewed directly. We recommend leaving it disconnected.
The Fractal Design Ridge is an evolution of its Mini-ITX chassis design with a focus on aesthetics and functionality. The Ridge is similar to the excellent Fractal Design North as there's no aggressive styling and good use of fabrics for ventilation. Being such a compact chassis, the amount of internal space is limited, but this does allow for the placement of the PC just about anywhere in the home, making it a good console-like chassis. Throw inside a mid-tier GPU and CPU and you'll have an excellent gaming rig for the big screen.
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While the maximum size support for motherboards is microATX, you can get a good deal on older boards that work with powerful Intel processors for running Plex Media Server, virtual instances, and other server-related tasks. There are also some good gaming motherboards in this segment that will make for great PC foundations. The Fractal Node 304, on the other hand, strikes a balance between storage, utilities, and support for numerous PCI upgrades in the future. Although both systems support only M-ITX motherboards, the Node 304 provides significantly more space for all internal components. as a “side” effect of having there inside ESP32 I have all the data from NAS on my Home Assistant as well both N2 and N3 if with Topton mobos … forget about front panel connectivity – you will have to buy adapters (btw why would you need audio on NAS?)
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