Personal Server Build

Preface

In 2024 I built a personal server. The appliance needed to meet the following:

1. Cost Effective
2. Low Noise
3. Sleek
4. Upgradable
5. Rackmountable

and would be used to for the following services:

1. File Storage - Yes first and foremost this server would be a NAS.
2. Photo Server - Store and synchronise my photos with out using Google/Apple Photos
3. Media Server - Reduce reliance on streaming service provided by hosting a media server to watch my favourite moveies and shows
4. Self Host Application Server - With increasing popularity in Homelabing may commercial applications have free, open-source and community supported alternatives that can be self hosted.

Why not buy a prebuilt NAS?

Upgradeability… While an off the shelf NAS from synology or the likes would meet my storage needs while being quiet and sleek, its limited CPU and RAM would struggle when more services are required.

Why not buy a used commercial server?

Noise , Power and Servicablity. The servers are designed to run in datacenters or dedicated service rooms and therefore cooling takes priority of noise. As such these servers are loud and consequently power hungry. Additionally serviciability. These used servers are often at end of life hence why they up for sale on ebay at affordable prices… which is great until something fails. If your lucky to find a replacement part it’ll be expensive. Often the whole computer will need to be scraped if its something like the motherboard.

The Build

Parts List

Core

Extras

Problem #1: Motherboard Power Cable Height is too high

The 2U rack mountable case did not have enough height to connect nicely to the cable coming from the powersupply. The socket is normal to the plane of the motherboard. To fix this issue a simple 90 degree adapter can be purchased from marketplaces such as amazon or aliexpress. This was the product I used to solve this problem JSER ATX 24Pin Female to 24pin Male 90 Degree Power Adapter

Problem #2: The Stock Fans are too loud

The RackChoice MicroATX 2U Server Chassis comes with 4 80mm fans. Unfortuntely these fans can only run at 100% and recieve there power directly from the PSU. This meant the server was just way too loud, even at idle.

The stock fans were replaced with 4 Noctua NF-R8 redux-1800 PWM, High Performance Cooling Fan, 4-Pin, 1800 RPM (80mm, Grey) and were speed controlled from the motherboard. This required a Cable Matters PC Case PWM Fan Hub to split out the single fan pin header on the motherboard into the 4 required. Power requirements were checked and confirmed well below the threshold.

Problem #3: The Mothboard does not have enough SATA Ports

I had many hardrives from old computers and servers in my parts bin. My comsumer grade motherboard only had 4 sata ports but my case can support up to 9 (realistically 7 when using 3.5" drives) so I needed to expand. I used a GLOTRENDS SA3034A 4 Ports PCIe SATA 3.0 Expansion Card to give me an additional 4 Ports

The Setup

To Be Continued… maybe :)

The Home

This server now sits in a 16U rack which connects with many of my other homelab devices and has room to grow.