Jonsbo N5 NAS Case

Comprehensive Report on the Jonsbo N5 NAS Case

This report provides a detailed summary of the specifications, advantages, and potential drawbacks of the Jonsbo N5 NAS case, based on information gathered from various reviews and product listings. The Jonsbo N5 is a mid-tower NAS enclosure designed for users who need a high-capacity, scalable storage solution with flexibility for custom builds. Below, we outline its specifications and compile insights from reviews to help you make an informed decision.

Specifications

The Jonsbo N5 is a robust NAS case with the following specifications, compiled from multiple sources:

Specification	Details
Dimensions (W x D x H)	355mm x 403mm x 350mm
Material	1mm Steel + 2mm Aluminum alloy + 8mm Wood (North American black walnut veneer)
Drive Bays	12 x 3.5" HDD + 4 x 2.5" SSD
Motherboard Support	ITX, M-ATX, ATX, E-ATX (up to 330mm)
PCI Expansion Slots	8
Max CPU Cooler Height	160mm
Max GPU Length	350mm
Cooling System	Supports up to 11 fans (120mm and 140mm), includes 3 x 120mm rear fans
Power Supply Support	ATX (170mm-240mm)
Front Interface	1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.0 (2-in-1)
Weight	7.5kg
Additional Features	Hot-plug support for 3.5" drives, supports 240mm/280mm AIO radiators

Explanation of Specifications

Dimensions: The Jonsbo N5 is larger than typical PC cases, designed to house extensive storage and high-performance components, making it suitable for desktop or server environments.
Material: The combination of 1mm steel, 2mm aluminum, and an 8mm wooden front panel provides durability and a premium aesthetic, with the wood adding a unique, elegant touch.
Drive Bays: With support for 12 3.5" HDDs and 4 2.5" SSDs, it’s one of the most scalable NAS cases, ideal for large media libraries or enterprise storage.
Motherboard Support: Compatibility with ITX, M-ATX, ATX, and E-ATX motherboards (up to 330mm) offers flexibility for various NAS or workstation builds.
PCI Expansion Slots: Eight slots allow for significant customization, such as adding GPUs, RAID controllers, or network cards.
Cooling: The ability to install up to 11 fans, along with three included 120mm fans, ensures effective cooling for 24/7 operation. Support for 240mm/280mm AIO radiators adds further cooling options.
Power Supply: ATX PSU support (170mm-240mm) ensures compatibility with standard power supplies, simplifying component selection.
Front Interface: Modern USB-C and USB 3.0 ports provide convenient connectivity for external devices.
Weight: At 7.5kg, the case is heavy, reflecting its robust construction and capacity for multiple drives.

Advantages

The Jonsbo N5 has received praise for its versatility and build quality. Below are the key advantages, with short explanations for each:

High Storage Capacity
Broad Motherboard Compatibility
Ample Expansion Slots
Solid Build Quality
Excellent Cooling
Large Component Support
Included Accessories
Detailed Instruction Manual
Competitive Pricing
Elegant Design

Potential Drawbacks

While the Jonsbo N5 is highly regarded, some reviews highlight areas for improvement. Below are the key drawbacks, with explanations:

Awkward Hard Drive Tray Design
Potential Noise
Inconvenient Screw Type
Noisy Fans

Summary and Recommendations

The Jonsbo N5 is a highly capable NAS case designed for users who need extensive storage and flexibility. Its support for 12 HDDs and 4 SSDs makes it one of the most scalable options for DIY NAS builds, while its compatibility with various motherboards and large components allows for diverse applications, from simple storage servers to GPU-accelerated workstations. The case’s premium build, combining steel, aluminum, and wood, ensures durability and adds an elegant aesthetic that sets it apart from typical PC cases.

However, potential buyers should be aware of some drawbacks. The hard drive tray design may pose challenges during drive installation, and the thin steel could amplify noise, particularly in setups with multiple high-capacity drives or fans. The use of hex/Allen key screws and noisy default fan settings are additional considerations, though the latter can be addressed by adjusting fan connections.

For users prioritizing storage capacity, scalability, and build quality, the Jonsbo N5 is likely an excellent choice, especially at its competitive price point compared to smaller models. Those sensitive to noise may need to invest in quieter fans or additional sound-dampening solutions. Overall, the N5 balances functionality, aesthetics, and value, making it a strong contender for NAS enthusiasts.

Key Citations

Personally I would have preffered to have one more USB A Port at the front. There are also 12 HDD Bays but only 8 have actuall activity lights which for most people is not a big deal. This seems to have been done as the 4 Bays on the left as show below are removable fully making it much easier to route the cabling so I think this is a reasonable excuse

The Drive sleds are a little flaky but they do work. If you over tighten them even a bit they dont sit in nicely or if you have them to lose then its also wrong. They are a fairly tight fit when you slide them in so sometimes it may feel like you are forcing it but this is perfectly normal.

I originally had a 360AIO Cooler from my original system which I may have been able to place at the front but not with this graphic card. It was also not possible to place it on the right side due to the motherboard component being just to tall. In the end I rushed out and picked up the 240AIO Cooler to make this all work. As a drawback to this rush I had to sacrifice the PCI Slots just under the AIO Water cooler for the time being. The Plan will at some point be to relocate my Main Boot drive to under the AIO and use a M.2 SATA Controller to eventually fully utilize the case.

The Cable routing channels are generally well thoguht out and with the 4 bay removed it makes it fairly easy to rout most of the cabling around the case

The ventilation through out the case seems to be decently thought out so I cant say I personally have any complains as its not possible to make thisd perfect for everyone. At the lower back section I instlled 2 Thermak Take Fans I has and connected them to the Motherboard Header's and they seem to be doing a great job.

This is the 8 Bay connector side and the fan headers can not be speed controlled to my knowledge but its possible that I did this wrong somehow so i routed the cables directly to the motherboard.

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