If you are looking for a compact and stylish case to build your own NAS server, you might want to check out the JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case.
This case is designed to accommodate a mini-ITX motherboard, an SFX power supply, and up to six hard drives or SSDs. It also features a removable top cover, a built-in 12cm fan, and a sleek aluminum exterior.
In this article, we will review the JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case and see how it performs in terms of design, compatibility, cooling, and user experience.
Overview of the JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case
Design and Construction Features
The JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case is a cube-shaped case that measures 222.5 (W) x 222.5 (D) x 224 (H) mm and weighs 2.9 kg. It has a minimalist and elegant design with a black or silver aluminum front panel and a steel plate body. The front panel has a power button, two USB 3.0 ports, and a headphone jack. The side panels have ventilation holes and are secured by thumbscrews. The top panel is also removable and has a large cutout for the fan.
The interior of the case is divided into two compartments: one for the motherboard and one for the hard drives. The motherboard compartment can fit a mini-ITX motherboard with a maximum height of 65mm for the CPU cooler. There is also a tray for mounting a 2.5-inch SSD behind the motherboard. The hard drive compartment can fit up to five 3.5-inch HDDs or SSDs in hot-swappable bays that are accessible from the front panel. There is also an additional 2.5-inch SSD bay on the bottom of the case.
The case supports an SFX power supply with a maximum length of 150mm. The power supply is mounted on the side of the case and has a dedicated vent on the rear panel. The case also has two expansion slots for installing low-profile PCI-E cards.
Compatibility and Storage Capacity
The JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case is compatible with most mini-ITX motherboards that have standard ATX or SFX power connectors. However, some motherboards with large heatsinks or VRM components may not fit in the case or may interfere with the fan or the power supply. Therefore, it is recommended to check the dimensions of your motherboard before buying this case.
The case can accommodate up to six hard drives or SSDs in total: five 3.5-inch drives in hot-swappable bays and one 2.5-inch drive behind the motherboard or on the bottom of the case. This gives you plenty of storage options for your NAS server or home lab. However, some users have reported that the hot-swappable bays are not very sturdy and may cause vibrations or noise when using mechanical hard drives. Therefore, it may be better to use SSDs or silent HDDs in this case.
Performance and Cooling
Built-in 12cm fan
The JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case comes with a pre-installed 12cm fan on the top panel that provides airflow for both the motherboard and the hard drive compartments. The fan has a three-pin connector and can be controlled by the motherboard’s fan header or by an external fan controller. The fan speed is rated at 1200 RPM and the noise level is rated at 18 dBA.
The fan performance is decent but not exceptional. Some users have reported that the fan is quiet and effective at keeping the components cool, while others have complained that the fan is noisy and insufficient at cooling the hard drives. Therefore, your experience may vary depending on your hardware configuration and ambient temperature.
SFX Power Bite (L150mm Max.)
The JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case supports an SFX power supply with a maximum length of 150mm. This means that you can use most standard SFX power supplies in this case, but some longer models may not fit or may block the airflow from the fan. Therefore, it is advisable to check the dimensions of your power supply before buying this case.
The power supply performance will depend on your hardware configuration and power consumption. Some users have reported that their power supplies are quiet and efficient at powering their systems, while others have encountered issues with their power supplies overheating or shutting down due to insufficient wattage. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a high-quality power supply with enough wattage and cooling for your system.
Support for 65mm CPU cooler
The JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case can fit a CPU cooler with a maximum height of 65mm. This means that you can use most low-profile air coolers or some small liquid coolers in this case, but some larger models may not fit or may interfere with the fan or the power supply. Therefore, it is advisable to check the dimensions of your CPU cooler before buying this case.
The CPU cooler performance will depend on your CPU model and overclocking settings. Some users have reported that their CPU coolers are quiet and effective at keeping their CPUs cool, while others have complained that their CPU coolers are noisy and insufficient at cooling their CPUs. Therefore, your experience may vary depending on your CPU model and overclocking settings.
User Experience and Feedback
Customer Reviews and Ratings
The JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case has received mostly positive reviews and ratings from customers who have bought and used it. On YouTube, the case has received an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 67.6K views. On AliExpress, the case has received an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 30 reviews. On Overclockers UK, the case has received an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review.
Most customers have praised the case for its compact size, elegant design, easy installation, and ample storage capacity. Some customers have also complimented the case for its quiet and efficient cooling performance. However, some customers have criticized the case for its poor quality hot-swappable bays, insufficient airflow for the hard drives, and compatibility issues with some motherboards, power supplies, and CPU coolers. Some customers have also reported that the case is expensive and hard to find in some regions.
Pros and Cons
Based on the customer reviews and ratings, we can summarize the pros and cons of the JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case as follows:
Pros:
- Compact and stylish design
- Easy access to hard drives and motherboard
- Supports up to six hard drives or SSDs
- Comes with a pre-installed 12cm fan
- Supports most mini-ITX motherboards and SFX power supplies
- Supports low-profile CPU coolers
Cons:
- Poor quality hot-swappable bays
- Insufficient airflow for the hard drives
- Compatibility issues with some motherboards, power supplies, and CPU coolers
- Expensive and hard to find in some regions
Conclusion
The JONSBO N2 NAS ITX Case is a good option for anyone who wants to build their own NAS server or home lab in a compact and stylish case. It offers plenty of storage options, easy installation, and decent cooling performance.
However, it also has some drawbacks, such as poor quality hot-swappable bays, insufficient airflow for the hard drives, and compatibility issues with some components. Therefore, it is important to check the dimensions and specifications of your hardware before buying this case.
If you are looking for a mini-ITX NAS case that is well-built, well-cooled, and well-compatible, you might want to consider other alternatives in the market.
