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The Fractal Design Ridge is an evolution of its Mini-ITX chassis design with a focus on aesthetics and functionality. The Ridge is similar to the excellent Fractal Design North as there's no aggressive styling and good use of fabrics for ventilation. Being such a compact chassis, the amount of internal space is limited, but this does allow for the placement of the PC just about anywhere in the home, making it a good console-like chassis. Throw inside a mid-tier GPU and CPU and you'll have an excellent gaming rig for the big screen. Getting the PSU in is also a bit of a tight squeeze; our test PSU is 180mm with modular connections, essentially longer than the Node 304's spec. As a result, the PCIe slot is rendered essentially unusable to cards longer than the motherboard itself. The problem is that a modular power supply is practically essential for a case like this as there simply isn't anywhere else for the cables to go. I don't think this is a dire situation, but it's one of the places where I feel like the SFX power supply standard really needs to proliferate and would be more ideal. You just don't need a full ATX PSU in a case this size, and space is at a premium.
In contrast, the Jonsbo N2, while able to house a single PCIe card, imposes far more restrictions on card dimensions. Practically speaking, the N2 confines users to half-height, 3/4 length, and single-depth cards (owing to the lower cavity at the case’s top). Consequently, a majority of graphics cards are incompatible. Additionally, while single and dual-port cards will fit, quad-port cards—typically full-height—are incompatible. Another potential hurdle is the single card depth, which, though seldom an issue for network expansion cards, might become problematic for aggressive m.2 storage expander cards that come equipped with sizable heat dissipation panels. For many, these limitations might not deter them from selecting the Jonsbo N2, which remains an excellent choice for a DIY NAS enclosure. However, it’s undeniable that the seasoned Fractal Node 304 provides more space and versatility for expansions. Conclusion: Jonsbo N2 vs Fractal Node 304 NAS Case Both the Jonsbo N2 and Fractal Node 304 NAS enclosures cater to DIY builders and are compatible with MRTX and DTX motherboards. The larger Node 804 accommodates m-ITX, attracting numerous users. However, MITx technology has witnessed significant advancements over recent years. Today, you can easily find ITX motherboards that support the most current Intel Core and IMD processors. This progress effectively negates any past limitations these compact motherboards may have posed. Within the context of the N2 and Node 304, the motherboard placement varies considerably. The Fractal Node 304 positions the motherboard horizontally at the base of the case, complemented by the aforementioned ventilation panel underneath. Conversely, the N2 places the motherboard closer to the case’s top, yet it still maintains horizontal alignment. While both designs allow for the attachment of a PCIe card without necessitating a riser or sister board, the varied placements result in considerable differences in CPU cooler support. CPU fans, heat sinks, or coolers—regardless of terminology—are indispensable for 24/7 server operation. The more robust your CPU, the more substantial and sophisticated your cooling solution must be. If your system involves a moderate setup, like a top-tier Celeron or Pentium, the issue is less pressing. Many motherboards in this category come with an attached micro CPU fan or are compatible with horizontally-positioned CPU fans that are around an inch in height. However, advanced processors require more intricate coolers with integrated fans, copper piping, and a design that sits slightly above the motherboard to ensure optimal airflow. Today we’re looking at the NODE 304 from Fractal Design. It’s not a new case per se, but rather the original NODE, in a new colour. This steel, mini-ITX case, like most other Fractal Design offerings strives to remain simple and clean on the outside, but feature-rich on the inside.
Fractal Design Node 304 Review
After a detailed analysis of the Jonsbo N2 and the Fractal Node 304 NAS cases, it becomes clear that each offers unique advantages tailored to specific user needs. For the modern enthusiast or DIY builder who values sleek design and appreciates newer features like direct-injected storage bays, the Jonsbo N2 is a fantastic choice. Its design, though limiting in some aspects like PCIe upgrades, still offers sufficient versatility for those who don’t require expansive graphics or connectivity solutions. It’s well-suited for users who desire a NAS for standard use without aggressive expansion plans. This table succinctly encapsulates the strengths and weaknesses of both NAS cases, aiding potential buyers in making an informed decision based on their specific needs. Assessing the storage potential of both the N2 and Node 304 requires considering multiple aspects, such as the inherent storage capabilities and the potential for expansion. Both systems offer roughly similar SATA storage capacities, with each claiming support for six drives. In the N2’s case, this translates to five traditional hard drives and one SATA SSD drive. When incorporating the potential of upgradable PCIe cards (a topic we will delve into in more detail later), the Node 304 clearly allows users to attach a greater number of m.2 SSD drives via compatible expansion cards. the front white LED on both N2 and N3 is… too bright – I set it also to dim (using the same ESP32, light sensor and PWM) automatically
The Fractal Node 304, on the other hand, strikes a balance between storage, utilities, and support for numerous PCI upgrades in the future. Although both systems support only M-ITX motherboards, the Node 304 provides significantly more space for all internal components.
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One of the clearest and most obvious distinctions between the N2 and the Node 304 is the sheer physical size difference. Even though both of these systems offer a somewhat similar level of hardware support and internal cavities for different utilities, there’s a significant distinction between them in terms of physical space. Included with the NODE 304 is the installation guide, the usual assortment of screws including longer screws to feed through the rubber dampeners to secure 3.5″ drives, and a handful of zip ties. If you’ve been in the market to buy yourself a desktop NAS enclosure on your road towards building the perfect private cloud that is completely under your control, then there is a pretty good chance that you have looked at the Jonsbo N2 case and the Fractal Node 304 NAS enclosure. These are 2 DIY NAS cases that have been released around a decade apart, yet they are both among the most popular and most recommended desktop cases in the market. It’s surprising how 10 years can pass, yet these two server cases still hold prominence. This prominence leaves you with the ultimate question: which one is best suited to your rather compact private server needs? That is what we’re covering in today’s article. We are going to compare these cases, their strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully, by the end of it, you’ll know which one is going to proudly house your future data storage cloud. Whether you're looking to build your very own NAS or a more compact cube PC, the Fractal Design Node 804 is a solid choice. It has excellent cooling performance thanks to its array of vents and countless fan mounts. The ability to install up to 10 3.5-inch drives is also a highlight feature, especially for servers with a lot of data to hold. yyrkoon - Tuesday, November 27, 2012 - link May as well call it 300W peak after adding a HDD, and optical drive. a Tad more with an SSD in addition.
Befitting the Fractal Design Node 304's simple aesthetic is an equally simple assembly, but there are definitely measures that could've been taken to make it easier still. In its own way this is par for the course with Fractal Design's cases; they're easy to build but they could've optimized things even further. Lastly, not all PSU;s are created equal. So you're not necessarily guaranteed even 50% of the power total provided on the 12v rail. Assuming a single rail PSU. Most that I would trust being made by seasonic, while being branded by different companies. Antec comes to mind ( earthwatts 500 ) I've owned one now for 4-5 years and am perfectly happy with it. Granted, as stated above, i do not require a massive GPU.. Mostly i opt for mid range. The 304 case supports full-length double depth full-height U PCIe cards, allowing users to maximize their PCI card usage. While the maximum size support for motherboards is microATX, you can get a good deal on older boards that work with powerful Intel processors for running Plex Media Server, virtual instances, and other server-related tasks. There are also some good gaming motherboards in this segment that will make for great PC foundations. Long-term scalability and upgrades of your NAS server aren’t considerations exclusive to businesses. Even the most casual enthusiast should factor in potential future changes. Whether you’re contemplating upgrading your local area network, enhancing your private server with lightning-fast m.2 SSD storage, or even venturing into adding a graphics card down the line, PCIe upgrade slots on your chosen NAS server will undoubtedly be a critical aspect, whether on day one or day 1,000. Choosing the appropriate NAS case, ensuring it allows you to effectively scale via PCIe expansions, is a foundational decision. It’s a choice that, years down the line, you’ll either commend or regret. The N2 seems to offer fewer considerations for PCIe upgrades, which is surprising given the decade difference in release dates compared to the Fractal Node 304.May I use nonECC memory for Supermicro X11SCL-iF + i3-9100F? I've heard that it's possible to use nonECC memory with i3, and it's impossible with Xeon, is it true? I just don't want to spend more money on memory than CPU+Motherboard cost.
It’s no surprise to our regular readers and other TG staff members that I go coo-coo crazy over cases, even going so far as to change my forum title here at Techgage to “basket chassis”. What really blows my skirt up though, is when a case comes along with a fresh design that looks good while remaining functional. After all, a good-looking case that doesn’t do what’s needed is just a fancy box. nice video, as usual, however you could have added N3 to this comparison – volume wise NS is very close to 304 (volume of 304 = 19.6, volume of N3=18.9)
The video discusses the differences between two PC cases in terms of storage, size, and scalability. Cooling 2 x 92mm front fan mounts (fan supplied), 1 x 120/140mm rear fan mount (140mm fan supplied) as a “side” effect of having there inside ESP32 I have all the data from NAS on my Home Assistant as well Even a casual glance at the specifications side by side will give you a decent understanding of the slightly different target audience that these two systems have in mind. The Jonsbo N2 appears to be a more compact solution, while the Fractal Node 304 definitely seems bulkier of the two. With that said, let’s move on to our first section: design. Rear: 1 x 140mm Silent Series R2 hydraulic bearing fan, 1000 RPM speed (compatible with 120mm fans) – included
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