Looking for advice on storage server build. SC846 vs R520 vs R720XD

Hi all,

So I’ve been (slowly) working to build out a new storage server, but it’s been put on hold a few times over the years.

Currently I have a Supermicro SC846E1-900 24-bay 4u server with 2x Xeon L5520, 48GB RAM, and an LSI 9260-8i.

However, it has a SAS1 backplane so it can’t use any drives over 2TB. At one point I purchased a BPN-SAS2-846EL1 to replace the backplane. Unfortunately, I didn’t open and install it for like 6 months… and it turned out to be the same SAS1 backplane that I already have and the seller wouldn’t do anything about it.

So now I’m trying to actually get this server together and I’m wondering if that hardware is still worth using in 2021? My biggest concern really is power consumption. This servers sole purpose is to just storage data, and act as network storage over 10gbe to other servers in my rack.

So the options I’ve currently got in my head are:

1. Buy another BPN-SAS2-846EL1 and hope its a real one. This seems to be around $300.
2. Buy either an R520 or R720XD, and eventually expand with a DAS chassis.

Can anyone give me some advice? Is the SC846 still relevant? Is it just going to eat up power? Does it make more sense to get an R520/R720XD?

Thanks!