02-14-2025, 02:45 PM
It sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into your setup, and I get why you’re torn between the Jonsbo N2 and N3. If you prefer the N2 for its look and compact size but are concerned about cooling, you might be able to improve airflow with higher-quality fans or modifying the case slightly. However, if heat is a serious concern, the N3 would be the safer choice—especially if your drives will be running 24/7.
Regarding the extra cost of the N3, it does give you more expandability in the long run. Even though you don’t need all 8 bays now, having the option for future upgrades could be worth the extra $40. If you really dislike black cases, you could always customize it with vinyl wrap or a light paint job.
For your storage setup, if you’re running JBOD on Windows and not using a RAID/ZFS setup, a SATA splitter PCIe card could be a good option to keep access to all drives while still allowing room for the GT 1030. Just make sure your motherboard and PSU can handle the extra connections.
As for using the 5th HDD slot just for storage (without it being connected), it shouldn’t corrupt data just by being powered but not actively in use. However, if you're worried, you can disconnect the power cable as well when it’s not in use.
If you’re set on using a GPU and keeping all four drives, you might need to look into a PCIe SATA expansion card to add more ports, since most mini-ITX boards have limited SATA connections. That way, you won’t have to compromise on either storage or graphics.
Regarding the extra cost of the N3, it does give you more expandability in the long run. Even though you don’t need all 8 bays now, having the option for future upgrades could be worth the extra $40. If you really dislike black cases, you could always customize it with vinyl wrap or a light paint job.
For your storage setup, if you’re running JBOD on Windows and not using a RAID/ZFS setup, a SATA splitter PCIe card could be a good option to keep access to all drives while still allowing room for the GT 1030. Just make sure your motherboard and PSU can handle the extra connections.
As for using the 5th HDD slot just for storage (without it being connected), it shouldn’t corrupt data just by being powered but not actively in use. However, if you're worried, you can disconnect the power cable as well when it’s not in use.
If you’re set on using a GPU and keeping all four drives, you might need to look into a PCIe SATA expansion card to add more ports, since most mini-ITX boards have limited SATA connections. That way, you won’t have to compromise on either storage or graphics.