The summary of ‘K7 8-Bay NAS Case – Quick review + build’

This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.

00:00:0000:08:08

The video discusses the A7 NAS case, an 8-bay model, comparing it to the higher-end, more expensive Unas 810a. Priced around $170, the A7 includes features like hot-swappable bays, status LEDs, USB 3.0 ports, and dual compartments for mini ATX motherboards and drives. However, it suffers from restrictive airflow due to plastic and EMI shielding, requiring Flex ATX power supplies. The case's thermal performance shows drives hitting 40 degrees Celsius at idle, with a 60mm fan aiding in cooling an AMD AM4 platform; however, noisy fans and limited cable length are noted issues. The setup includes an MSI Pro b550m-vc Wi-Fi motherboard with eight SATA ports (four true chipset ones), which supports ECC memory and various drive configurations like SAS and SATA. Overall, while the setup is functional with unique features, it has several drawbacks, particularly in cooling efficiency and build quality, making it a lukewarm recommendation from the speaker.

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the presenter is discussing an 8-bay NAS case, designated as the A7. Despite its name, the case can house eight drives and is sold under various brands. Significant points include its comparison to the higher quality, albeit more expensive, Unas 810a model. The A7, costing around $170, features hot-swappable bays, status LEDs, and two USB 3.0 ports. The case is split into two compartments: one for a mini ATX motherboard and another for the drives. Design critiques include restrictive airflow due to plastic and EMI shielding, and the use of Flex ATX power supplies. The rear features dual 92mm fans and various connectivity options. The main distinction from the Unas version is larger dimensions allowing for dual 120mm fans, which improve cooling.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the thermal performance and cable management of a drive setup. They note that drives can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius when idle, though they are designed to handle temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius. The setup includes a mount for the power supply with space to manage extra cables, along with relevant front panel connectors. A 60mm fan is mentioned to help cool an AMD AM4 platform, which still gets warm but operates within tolerable limits. The case allows for ample backspace, which is uncommon in NAS cases, and supports both SAS and SATA drives. It also features fan connectors, but the fans run at full speed, creating noise unless replaced with high-speed, quieter alternatives. The speaker mentions using extenders due to the short cables of Flex ATX power supplies and discusses the motherboard choice (MSI Pro b550m-vc Wi-Fi) for its slots, despite some being slower 1X PCI express slots. Regular SATA cables are used, though an eight-in-one cable might be more convenient for widely spaced drives.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the features and drawbacks of a particular motherboard and case setup. The motherboard has eight SATA ports, although only four are true chipset SATA ports. It supports ECC memory, which the speaker has tested with 16 GB ECC DIMMs. They also mention using an Nvidia Quadro 410 video card, though they plan to switch to a spare Pro APU for better performance. The speaker gives a lukewarm recommendation for the case, noting that it requires significant cooling and that even quiet fans like Noctua may not adequately cool the drives. Additionally, they find the drive sleds to be finicky and prone to catching. Overall, while functional, the setup has several limitations and cost-reduced features.

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