Thats the current approach, I’ve a small asrock j3455, in a microatx case with debian all bare metal, but does not have any room for more than 2 disks, so thats why I’m looking for an upgrade and so concentrate everything.
The reason why I’m also checking out used server stuff is mainly costs, here (EU) I can get that Edgeserver for around 250/300 eur, and I have just to pop in some disks and thats done, while for that money, you just get a decent cpu+mobo+ram combo, and than add on top a case, ps and cooling. Ofc everything 2nd hand, let alone the buying new stuff.
On the power I agree, but as I said I found on ebay that dell t330 (250/300 eur) for the same price of a i7 6th, a mobo and 16gb ram, which on top I have to add cooling (a decent one for around 50 eur), case (for that many disks, around 150 eur min) and psu(something not too shitty, so 50-60 eur), thats why I started considering it.
Which case are you using? The only affordable thing that I found available that is able to house 8 disks is the enthoo phanteks, for around 120 eur.