Having your private, sensitive info stolen is now easier than ever. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, but the best NAS case will keep them from gaining access to your data.
A NAS case is a terrific way to access your personal data from anywhere, not just for security. This is perfect for business meetings or requiring anything from your home computer abroad.
Stay tuned to discover what these clever situations can do for you and your personal data. I’ll also reveal the business’s greatest models to help you search for security.
What Exactly is a NAS Case?
NAS stands for Network network-attached storage, which functions similarly to a virtual cloud service like Apple iCloud or Google Drive. Why does this exist? Put plainly, you can never be too cautious when safeguarding sensitive information, mainly because data theft is high.
A custom NAS case is a large, frequently metal box that holds several hard drives and can hold mini-ITX or smaller motherboards. Consider it your personal information’s equivalent of a miniature Fortress of Solitude. Therefore, the tablets and computers you use at home would be the crystals that connect to the extensive information network of the castle.
A NAS operates similarly to collegiate networking systems if you are familiar with them. Since only those you permit may use your NAS case, it’s a terrific way to keep prying eyes at bay. As you’ll soon see, these clever systems have further applications. I’d want first to discuss a few advantages the DIY NAS case has over well-known cloud services.
Together, we’ll also examine a few additional areas. Before long, you’ll know about NAS situations and be prepared to secure your house and personal information independently.
What Should You Look for in a NAS Case?
When building your own NAS case, consider a few crucial elements before spending your hard-earned money.
I will tell you about them so you’re better prepared to buy the NAS case of your dreams, or at least one that meets your needs.
Storage
The number of available drive bays will be crucial. The more drive space you have, the more storage you’ll have. That said, you’ll want to ensure its configuration meets your requirements. As most users prefer using reliable NAS Drives in specific RAID configurations, it’s important to have multiple bays considering the future scope of drive expansion.
Depending on the sort of drives you use, a 4-bay model may provide a higher storage capacity than a 2-bay. Some custom cases can hold 8 and 12 bays or even more.
Ethernet
Second, keep the Ethernet capabilities of the case in mind. Most typical cases provide 1 Gigabit Ethernet port. There are, however, premium devices with 10-gigabit options.
As impressive as that speed is, few PCs presently support it. Save your money on a useful function you can only utilize if you’re one of the few who can.
RAM
Memory will also be significant depending on what you require from your NAS case. The more RAM it has, the better its performance. This can play a significant part in data encryption, so ensure it can accommodate the required amount.
It would be best if you also considered in terms of the future. Just because you don’t need a lot of RAM right now doesn’t imply you won’t in the future.
I’ve discovered that once you invest in a NAS case, you can’t wait to see what it can do. It’s a good idea to think big from the outset, whether it’s additional storage capacity or improved security. You will be pleased you did—considerations for CPU,
Which leads us to the CPU. What kind of CPU you put in there won’t matter much to the NAS case. You shouldn’t be concerned if it meets your requirements and provides data encryption.
I’ll go over this in more detail later, but if you intend to use your CPU for encryption, you should consider purchasing a high-quality CPU. Aside from that, it shouldn’t matter which type you use.
Hardware Encryption
Speaking of encryption, you’ll want to double-check that your potential NAS case can provide hardware protection IF the data you’re storing demands it. This will help free up valuable CPU resources by allowing the casing to handle things independently.
If you encrypt without a standalone option, you will put additional strain on your CPU. This is when a good CPU comes in handy. You want your main source of income to be protected when it could have been avoided.
Hardware for encoding and decoding
This is critical if you intend to use your NAS case to host media files and resources for streaming on another device. This method will allow you to convert considerably faster, saving you time.
This is also an excellent approach to free up resources because the programs will delete the parent data once sent to its source or sources.
RAID Assistance
If you buy a NAS case with multiple drives, you’re looking at a RAID system. Whether it’s an 8-bay NAS case or a 4-bay NAS case, any of those will use RAID.
If you want complete control over this, ensure your NAS case has RAID custom setup options. Here is the list of the best cases for NAS
Reviews of the Best NAS Cases
Cooler Master HAF XB EVO NAS CASE
When I first saw the HAF XB EVO, I couldn’t believe how sleek and beautiful it was. Let me tell you, this is one well-made piece of hardware. It has a video game console with visually appealing lines and shapes. Nonetheless, it emanates a wary demeanour that is sure to repel would-be burglars and hackers. Cooler Master gets all the credit for creating such a beautiful NAS case. Things improve considerably more on the inside. The creative use of space allows you to deal with your discs and components without frustration. That is what makes the design configuration so appealing.
Features:
- Massive, long-lasting design for additional protection.
- There are numerous bays for storage.
- Audio ports are conveniently placed for ease of use.
- Panels that can be removed for improved access.
- 2 huge fans that keep the air flowing.
Newcomers will appreciate how simple it is to use. Everything goes exactly where it’s supposed to go. It’s designed for efficiency, and it delivers on its promise of securely housing your hardware in a strong, sturdy box. Professionals, on the other hand, will have a field day with the HAF XB EVO. The side and top panels reveal a treasure trove of workspace, which makes overclocking a breeze.
| Dimensions | 16.7 x 17.4 x 13 inches |
| Expansion slots | 7 |
| 3.5″ bays | 4 |
| 2.5″ bays | 4 |
| 5.25″ bays | 2 |
| Volume | 4 |
A slew of audio connectors and an I/O panel can be found on the front of the machine. Cooler Master outfitted the HAF XB EVO with two fans. I particularly like the size and location of these. They do an amazing job of keeping the air circulating. And in NAS circumstances, that is very necessary. The price is much more unexpected.
A case of this caliber would normally cost an arm and a leg, but not the HAF XB EVO. No, sir, as compared to the competition, this premium case is rather affordable. Congratulations, Cooler Master. You have effectively designed the best NAS case that both newbies and experienced can utilize. Pick it up if you see it at a decent price out in the wild. You’ll be glad you did.
Pros:
- There are numerous ports.
- Outstanding cooling.
- There is enough space for ten drives.
- The design is appealing.
- There are no dust filters in the side vents.
Fractal Design Node 804 NAS Case
This case’s aesthetic appeals to me greatly. It’s a sight, with steel and aluminum structure and netting at the bottom. By no means is this a mini ATX NAS case. So, if you require extra space, this is the device for you. You have a plethora of ports at your disposal. There are two USB ports and a headphone jack on the front of the machine. There’s even an optical out for increased audio versatility.
Features:
- Steel structure ensures durability and dependability.
- Ports for more adaptability.
- A large design with many components.
- 12 slots for ample storage.
- Excellent cooling airflow.
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 12.1 x 15.3 inches |
| PSU limit | ATX NAS case |
| 3.5″ bays | 8 |
| 2.5″ bays | 2 |
| 2.5″ & 3.5″ (chassis) | 2 |
| Volume | 40 liters |
This case’s aesthetic appeals to me greatly. It’s a sight, with steel and aluminum structure and netting at the bottom. By no means is this a mini ATX NAS case. So, if you require extra space, this is the device for you. You have a plethora of ports at your disposal. There are two USB ports and a headphone jack on the front of the machine. There’s even an optical out for increased audio versatility.
This 12-bay NAS case has plenty of storage possibilities waiting to be filled. With a somewhat more than 40 liters volume, there’s plenty of room for extra components. Two fan mounts for cooling are located beneath the top cover of the case. I like how these are positioned, as well as how everything else is. Fractal Design did an excellent job ensuring you have no trouble loading this thing up.
A chambered interior is one of the major things I admire. This improves heat separation and adds to the overall safety of the enclosure. The motherboard is accepted on one side, while the ATX power supply is housed on the other. Fractal Design ensured plenty of space for components, however, I’m conflicted about the wire management. On occasion, they are extremely tough to reach. You can play Tetris with your hard drives until you get everything in the right place.
To be sure, it’s a minor quibble. This is an excellent box that fulfils its purpose admirably. It looks excellent and has high-quality materials that will last for years. I found very little plastic. The majority is steel, and the aluminum sections are done tastefully. There are three fans in total, each strategically placed for efficient cooling. This unit exudes efficiency in every way. And for that, I’m willing to overlook the odd cable wrestling battle.
Pros
- Many ports
- Fantastic fan spot
- Lots of space
- Beautiful design
Cons
- Not a hot-swap disc.
SilverStone Technology Premium DS380B DIY NAS CASE
Here, storage is everything, and this NAST ITX case delivers in spades. Even with its tiny size, the device can accommodate up to 12 hard discs! I really like the option to remove the cage. This makes space for additional crucial elements of your choosing.
Features:
- Boxy layout with numerous parts.
- Many drivebays provide a lot of storage space.
- Enough ports for graphics cards measuring 11 inches.
- For security, the power button can be locked.
- Has three fans to improve cooling.
| Dimensions | 11.22″ x 8.31″ x 14.17″ |
| PSU limit | SFX-L |
| 3.5″ bays | 8 hot swaps |
| 2.5″ bays | 4 |
| CPU cooler limit | 57mm |
| Volume | 21.3 liters |
Eight of the drives are hot-swappable, as you probably observed from the specs above. These are the front-installing, 3.5-inch versions. Four of the remaining twelve are situated at the back. For 2.5-inch drives, use these. I adore Silverstone’s use of sturdy construction in this piece. You will receive a sturdy steel box with a face composed of brushed aluminum. It is as robust as it is gorgeous to look at.
One of my main compliments for this device is precisely that. It appears somewhat diminutive, and in actuality, it is. However, the inside is laid out to accommodate a surprisingly substantial amount of space.
This is quite helpful in terms of efficiency and convenience. This design makes it much easier to navigate. That being said, it’s durable and tough. Nor is the steel construction inexpensive. It feels exactly as difficult as you would anticipate. I discovered that removing the drive from a hot-swap NAS enclosure was simple and fast. With a little moderate pressure on a few tabs, the problematic drive effortlessly slides out. It’s straightforward but efficient. The fact that the DS380B is made to function as a PC case is an intriguing feature. It doesn’t take much effort to use it either.
Pros
- NAS for PC is ideal.
- spacious but compact NAS enclosure.
- accommodates twelve drives.
- Elegant style.
Cons
- Brief internal wireless
Conclusion
External hard drives can be replaced with NAS setups for bulk storage, and purchasing a quality NAS case is also a wonderful way to save money.
Although creating your own NAS takes a little longer than purchasing a prebuilt NAS, you still should do it. In addition to saving money and learning how your NAS functions, you might even enjoy yourself.
You may also read:- Best NAS Processor/CPU For Home Media Server
