Building a Custom Rackmount NAS: The Sligger CX4712 Build

Summary

This build tackles the challenge of integrating a personal NAS into a new server rack, prioritizing functionality and quiet operation over raw drive density. The creator, already satisfied with their existing 10-gigabit NAS, opted to build a new one primarily to fit into their new rack infrastructure. After considering the pricier 45 Home Lab HL15, they settled on the Sligger CX4712 4U chassis. This case features 10 hot-swappable 3.5-inch drive bays, two 5.25-inch bays, supports ATX power supplies and motherboards, and is 25 inches deep, fitting their rack. The core upgrade includes a Super Micro X10SRH-CF motherboard, an E5 2620 V4 Xeon CPU, 64GB of DDR4 ECC RAM, and a 10-gigabit network card. Drives were migrated from the old NAS, and boot SSDs were installed in a 5.25-inch bay adapter. Despite some initial cable management challenges and a minor drive power issue requiring a 3.3-volt wire modification, the new NAS is functioning well, operating quietly with good temperatures, and is now neatly racked. The creator highlights the Sligger case's flexibility and quietness, making it a good fit for their specific needs.