Case / mobo compatibility

[paradoxni]

I was wanting to build a NAS using the Zotac NM10-F-E mini-DTX motherboard + Chenbro case.

The original Chenbro ES34069 - stated mini-ITX/DTX compatible, however the newer Chenbro ES34169 seems to have lost the DTX compatibility, even though structurally it looks the same on the inside.

I found a few posts relating to the fact the case will not support the extra PCIE slot therefore not compatible, however I do not plan on using PCIE cards.

Does anyone have experience of both these componenets?

Cheers,

Alun.

 

[stevech]

Seems DTX is not very widely used.
Not the less than excellent reviews on that mobo by a small number at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500048

 

[paradoxni]

I think it will be fine for my setup, I dont plan on using the wifi and my drive arrangement should not be a problem, but I do have a couple of options and not sure which is best performance wise...

I will have 3 HDDs
1x OS drive
2x Raid drives, mirrored.

The 2 options are:

OS drive connected to port0
2x Raid drives connected to the jmicron raid controller, setup as raid1

OR

OS drive connect to jmicron controller as single drive.
2x Raid1 drives conneted to port0 and port 1 using mdadm software raid in Ubuntu server.

The first option uses onboard raid, but the drives are shared through one SATA port via the port multiplier, the latter option each drive has dedicated SATA port, however its software raid. Which is best??

 

[paradoxni]

FYI the Zotac NM10-F-E mini-DTX DID fit in the newer Chenbro model without problems. Although if you plan on using the pci-e slots, it will not fit.

Also my second drive configuration proved to be the best performance wise!