EMB-BT1 home nas

[adrhc]

Hi, I noticed the new EMB-BT1 (http://www.aaeon.com/en/p/mini-itx-emb-bt1/) and I want to build a NAS using it. My primary concern is power consumption then the ability to access the external connections: LAN, USB, HDMI, DC power connector. I will use 2 x 3.5" HDD (Seagate NAS HDD) and 1 x USB 2.0 HDD (Samsung 1T).
I have few questions:
1) How would one compute/know what PSU to consider (60W or more) ?
EMB-BT1 requires ATX 12 V Specification 2.0 (or later version). I'm sure that for my needs (EMB-BT1, 2 x 3.5" HDD + 1 x USB 2.0 HDD) 60W should be more than sufficient but what if I can't find a such low power PSU; would one more powerful (e.g. 150W) hurt or consume more power only because the PSU is more powerful ? (yeah, I know nothing obout electricity )
2) Should I search for a case specifically made for the EMB-BT1 in order to have access the side-connectors ?
I mean EMB-BT1 is indeed Mini-ITX but it has a particular shape for the side with connectors (the one containing the DC power connector) which I suspect it's not standard.

 

[XavierMace]

Why would you want to build a NAS with that board? It only has 2 SATA3 ports. If you're buying that small of a system with no room to expand, just buy a prebuilt NAS and be done with it.

 

[adrhc]

It uses a really small amount of power with a powerful processor + graphics and it has the configuration I need (2 SATA3 ports -> fine with me ).

 

[XavierMace]

Powerful processor? It has an low power processor. It does not have a powerful processor. You're basically buying a netbook without a built in screen. An I3-4130T is only 35w and completely destroys the Atom on that board you are looking at. See here: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=aaeon_baytrail_3825&num=4. I also can't find anywhere selling that board you are looking at. Not in single quantities anyways.

In regards to your other questions, I would assume that board would come with an appropriate I/O shield, but there's almost no info out there about this board. I doubt you'd find a special made case for it. 150w would be fine.

 

[adrhc]

EMB-BT1 with it's N2807 is really a rocket comparing with my actual armv5te and I would buy one far less performing if would consume even less electricity.
Anyway, please let's stick to the subject.

 

[mfenn]

1) How would one compute/know what PSU to consider (60W or more) ?
EMB-BT1 requires ATX 12 V Specification 2.0 (or later version). I'm sure that for my needs (EMB-BT1, 2 x 3.5" HDD + 1 x USB 2.0 HDD) 60W should be more than sufficient but what if I can't find a such low power PSU; would one more powerful (e.g. 150W) hurt or consume more power only because the PSU is more powerful ? (yeah, I know nothing obout electricity )

Assuming you're looking at the Celeron J1900 variant, the processor is a 10W part. Being extremely conservative, the rest of the board components (including memory) wouldn't consume more than another 10W. Then add another 8W per SATA drive (is the USB drive bus-powered or self-powered?), and you're at 36W. The 60W PSU that is listed under optional accessories should be more than sufficient.

A more powerful PSU will draw slightly more energy due to its lower efficiency at such low loads, but it's not like it would suddenly draw 150W or anything like that.

2) Should I search for a case specifically made for the EMB-BT1 in order to have access the side-connectors ?
I mean EMB-BT1 is indeed Mini-ITX but it has a particular shape for the side with connectors (the one containing the DC power connector) which I suspect it's not standard.

The components on that board don't look like they extend beyond the standard I/O area to me. The I/O shield that comes with the board will adapt it to a standard case.

 

[XavierMace]

EMB-BT1 with it's N2807 is really a rocket comparing with my actual armv5te and I would buy one far less performing if would consume even less electricity.
Anyway, please let's stick to the subject.

Just trying to make sure you aren't buying something you aren't going to be happy with. Most people building a NAS have performance/feature expectations. They aren't usually just looking for a box to put a couple of drives in. But regarding the topic at hand...

Are you sure you're looking at the right kind of power supply? This runs off an external 12v DC. Just about any old adapter with the right plug (not that we know what that is) should work, IE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-5A-60W-...0-3528-Flexible-LED-Strip-Light-/141439295190. If you're lucky, one of those universal laptop adapters will have the right plug. The board has a SATA power plug to power the drives.