Entirely up to you obviously, however IMHO if you are going to be using an ATX case, and once built the case isn’t going to be changed - I’d just go ATX.
How about this option? Replace the entire server with a Synology or Qnap 4 or more bay NAS?
As long as it has the software I need? Or do those vendors stop updating the hardware (firmware/software/etc) too quickly?
My 2013 Synology DiskStation still gets updates just fine, that’s not a problem. The single core ARM chip definitely is getting long in the tooth however.
hmm. Im seeing these Celeron Quads like the Synology that Logan was touting. the DSG918 er 981+ or something.
I feel obliged to say that 2400 with ASRock Mini-ITX Motherboard - AB350 GAMING-ITX/AC and any other mobo most likely is unbootable under linux. 4.14 boots with fixed low res/refresh rate but freezes periodically. 4.15 freezes during boot, similar issue reported with 4.16 and 4.17 kernels too.
Does this apply if I run headless? Im on the fence if I should be getting a NAS box or buying the rest of the system components.
Yes same issues regardless of what’s on screen. See this thread for exact issues I encountered: 2200G and 2400G non-bootable under Linux
For now either wait or go with different hardware. NAS box may be fine depending on what your needs will be in the future. I outgrew the pre-built NAS devices quite fast.
Hmm thats kinda interesting.
Good note.