NO that generation of CPU is NOT WORTH IT! Generates too much heat, uses too much power. I bought a Dell R720 for $60 about a month ago and it would blow this system out of the water.

It’s always been a home server.

If you care about capacity over performance then IMO you should explore consumer SATA SSDs. At the capacity per device you’re seeking you’re going to be spending more going with SAS for that level of capacity.

I just looked at one of my lower priced sources of second hand SAS SSDs and it’s over $200/ea (USD) for 1.6TB and in contrast the NEW 2TB SATA 2.5" SSDs from well known brands are about $120/ea (USD).

Also, unless you plan on using interfaces at or greater than 100gbps (as in NICs/equivalent) then you really will see zero value in going with SAS SSDs at all (unless PLP is a hard requirement for you, of course).

Slap TrueNAS on that and go fasssssssssst IMO ;)

Also, why no back pics and internals, etc??? CMONNN POST FEEET SERVER PORN XD

The CPU is not going to be adversely affected by the airflow change at all. Even at 100% usage that airflow is plenty for that heatsink for the CPUs that even can be installed in that.

Yes.